“Nothin’,” Punch muttered.
“He done stalled long ‘nough to get those boys hidden,” Marjani grumbled.
“I wouldn’t doubt that Ulrika Rittenhouse did it for him.” Robert added.
“We been everywhere, we have.” Punch mumbled. “Looked in every room up here—even the attics, we did.”
“Everywhere except one place.” Robert pointed to a closed door at the end of the darkened corridor.
“Surely even that Ulrika wouldn’t put those babies in with a woman who got the Yellow Jack.” Marjani shook her head.
“Don’t you think?” Robert sighed.
“Sad to say, she probably would.” Marjani frowned.
“Come on, then.” Punch grunted, heading for Mrs. Cage’s door.
“No, Punch.” Robert took Mr. Punch by the shoulder. “Marjani and I will go. We’ve already been exposed to it. Julian’s body has been through enough and, even though you’re feeling strong, I don’t doubt that the body has been weakened. There’s no point in putting you in harm’s way.”
“Here, we’re together in all things, ain’t we?”
“Well, yes, but we must be sensible.” Robert argued.
“Ain’t no use bein’ sensible now in the face of all this nonsense.” Punch smiled.
Marjani smiled, too.
“Very well,” Robert shrugged.
They approached Mrs. Cage’s door and knocked softly. Hearing no response, Robert opened the door slowly. “Mrs. Cage?”
They were greeted by a soft gurgle.
Cautiously, the three entered the room.
“Coo!” Punch whispered as the smell of the sickroom filled his nose.
In her bed, a strange, dry, sad figure, Corliss Cage strained helplessly to look up.
“I’ll talk to her while you two look.” Punch whispered.
“We’ll be quick.” Robert replied.
“Hullo, Mrs. Cage.” Punch said, approaching the bed. “’Member me? I’m…well, I ‘spose, I’m the Duke of Fallbridge. That’s the easiest way to say it.”
Corliss Cage could not respond, but she looked up at him with frightened, miserable eyes.
“Sorry to burst in on ya, like this.” Punch continued. “Only, we’re lookin’ for two little boys what’s been taken from their home. I know you understand.”
Corliss blinked.
“It’s terrible sad, it is, that you’re so sick.” Punch nodded. “Ain’t right for nobody to suffer so.”
“Help,” Corliss rasped.
“That’s what we’re tryin’ to do, it is.” Punch smiled. “Me chums told me what you said ‘bout wantin’ me nephew to stay with me. That’s awful kind of ya—all things considered. We’ll get him back, little Fuller, too.”
“Help,” Corliss repeated.
Punch nodded. He glanced over his shoulder at Robert and Marjani who obviously were finding no trace of the children.
“We’ll leave ya, now.” Punch said softly. “I hope you feel better.”
“No.” Corliss gurgled, reaching forward.
“What is it?” Punch asked.
“Help me.”
“Marjani,” Mr. Punch called to his friend. “Is there anything we can do to make this lady more comfortable?”
“Sure,” Marjani nodded gravely.
Corliss coughed in protest.
“Here, what’s she want?” Punch whispered to Marjani.
“Release me,” Corliss sputtered.
“Oh.” Punch shook his head. “Ain’t my place.”
“Please,” Corliss rasped.
“What’s she wantin’?” Punch asked, clearly alarmed. “Is she askin’ us to kill her?”
“Yes.” Robert nodded. “She is.”
Meanwhile, in Edward Cage’s workshop, Ulrika Rittenhouse smiled as Barbara Allen’s body slumped to the floor. Ulrika laughed heartily as she unspooled the rope she had wrapped around Barbara’s throat.
“That,” Ulrika said aloud, “went far better than I could have imagined. Isn’t it wonderful how conveniently all of this went. Now, I’m one step closer to the Fallbridge fortune and…” She reached for the child who lay screaming in a wooden box. “I can return this little thing to Mr. Cage and go off to meet…”
She gasped as she felt a hand clasp around her ankle.
Looking down, Ulrika screamed when she saw Barbara Allen’s eyes—mad with rage.
Did you miss Chapters 1-384? If so, you can read them here.
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