Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 393

“Scalp wounds,” Robert explained as he wrapped ripped rags around the head of the wounded officer who had finally awakened, “tend to bleed quite a lot. The man’s brain has been shaken and contused, as Hippocrates would have called it, a ‘concussion.’ He’ll be well in a few hours. Perhaps, a headache, nothing more.”


Robert and the elder officer helped the young man to his feet.

“Who did this to ya, Boy?” The elder officer asked.

“The Duke.” The man said weakly.

“That loon has a history of hitting folk across the head!” Edward shouted. “You all may try to cover it up, but we all know! He’s a menace!”

“No, he isn’t.” Robert frowned.

“Fine, fine,” Edward Cage moaned. “The young man is well. Why are you wasting time standing here with him then when someone should be out looking for my son!”

“Someone’s got to stay with the prisoners.” The elder officer said, ‘and my associate ain’t in no condition to be left alone.”

“I’ll want the prisoners.” Edward smiled wickedly.

The elder officer looked at Robert and Marjani for a moment. He finally nodded. “Fine with me, Mr. Cage.”

“Go on! Find my boy!” Edward commanded.

The elder officer ran from the house as Edward Cage ordered Zettie to take the young man to the back where he could lie down.

Alone with Edward, Robert stiffened defiantly, “I don’t see why we’re prisoners. We’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Collusion!” Edward snapped.

“You’ll never prove such a foolish thing!” Robert laughed.

“Maybe not. But, if I’m the only law, then, I don’t gotta prove it to anyone.” Edward winked.

Meanwhile, Mr. Punch, Adrienne and Cecil panted as the crouched behind a thick row of hedges.

“Now, what do you suggest we do?” Cecil growled softly to Punch. “You’ve struck a man and we’ve stolen a child.”

“The child is ours to begin with.” Punch sniffed. “Coo! You know that! As to hittin’ that bloke, you’d have done the same thing, you would, if you’d thought of it first.”

“You would have,” Adrienne smiled, still holding “Colin.”

“True.” Cecil snorted.

“As for what we do next,” Punch continued. “We find your son, get our chums and get on that ship to England and leave all this foolishness behind!”

“Hush,” Adrienne hissed. “Someone is coming.”

Cecil and Punch paused as they heard heavy footsteps coming quickly toward them.

“We’re done for now,” Cecil muttered.



Did you miss Chapters 1-392? If so, you can read them here.