Chapter 242
The Sunrise
“Hullo, Chum.” Punch smiled as Robert opened his eyes.
“How long have you been awake, dear Punch?” Robert asked, smoothing out his pillow-rumpled hair and stretching.
“All night.” Punch replied.
“Oh, dear.” Robert shook his head. “You should have awakened me. We could have stayed awake together.”
“Nah.” Punch answered. “You were that adorable sleepin’ like a babe. I watched you for a spell. Then I went and watched Colin. He slept as sound as you did.”
“I’m glad of that, at least.” Robert nodded. “It’s terribly early. Why don’t you come back to bed? Charles won’t be in to dress us for at least an hour and a half.”
“No.” Punch shook his head. “It’s almost sunrise.”
“You can sleep past the sun, you know?” Robert smiled.
“Not today.” Punch sighed.
“Why didn’t you sleep?” Robert asked, sitting up.
“Just couldn’t. Reckon I’m worried ‘bout Johnny Donnan and Mr. Stover comini’ here today. Hope we ain’t done the wrong thing in trustin’ ‘em.”
“I don’t know that we do trust them necessarily. In this case, they’re the lesser of two evils, and, frankly, our only means of combating Orpha and her filthy, little band.”
“I s’pose.” Punch nodded.
“Do come back to bed.” Robert requested again.
“I can’t, Chum. Not today. I got a funny feelin’.” Punch shook his head.
“What sort of feeling?” Robert asked. “You’re not ill, are you?”
“No.” Punch answered. “I just feel like there’s birds in me belly. Even Dog Toby feels it.” He pointed to the terrier who slept uninterrupted at the foot of the bed.
“Oh?” Robert raised an eyebrow.
“Well, maybe not now, he don’t.” Punch said quickly. “Only he did earlier. He wanted to go outside, he did.”
“After you woke him.”
“Maybe.” Punch replied. “Still, went he did.” Punch frowned. “Did you know the garden door was unlocked?”
“Surely not?” Robert exclaimed.
“It was.” Punch nodded. “When I took Dog Toby down, we went through the mornin’ room and the door to the garden was unlocked.”
“Well, we shall have to have some stern words with Speaight about that. Under usual circumstances, he’s to see all the entrances secured at all times, but, now when security is more vital than ever…”
“I don’t think it were Speaight’s doin’.” Punch answered. “At the end of the night, when he gave me ‘is final report, he said that all them doors was locked.”
“He must have missed one.” Robert grumbled.
“Don’t be too upset. There was no harm done.” Punch said gently.
“True,” Robert smiled. “I just tend to…”
Robert stopped speaking when a horrified scream cut through the house.
“Was that from in here?” Robert bolted out of the bed.
“I think so.” Punch replied, fear creeping into his voice. “Came from downstairs.”
Dog Toby began barking as Robert put on his dressing gown. The terrier leapt from the bed.
“No.” Punch said firmly. “You stay here.” The dog obediently sat, but whimpered his protest.
Robert and Punch exited Punch’s chamber and, in the passage, saw Lennie racing down the stairs from her room. She joined the men. “What was that?”
“Dunno.” Punch answered. “Maybe you ought to go back to your room.”
“No, dear brother.” Lennie shook her head. “I hear sobbing from below. Something’s happened, and I want to help.”
Punch took Lennie’s hand and they followed Robert.
“It’s come from the servants’ hall.” Robert said softly as they reached the foyer.
The three raced down the stairs to the servants’ hall to find Mrs. Pepper dissolved in a heap of tears on the floor. Georgie sat cross-legged next to his mother, trying desperately to comfort her.
“What’s happened?” Robert demanded.
Without words, George Pepper pointed toward the area door.
Robert, Punch and Lennie rushed toward the door and, there, they saw Ethel—stone-faced and wide-eyed. In her arms, she cradled Jenny’s lifeless body—her bloody apron peeking out from beneath her black coat.
Did you miss Chapters 1-241 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back on Monday for Chapter 243.
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