Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 124

Chapter 124: 

The Silver Vault 

“Dear God,” Gerard choked as he staggered into the Servants’ Hall from the silver vaults. With that, he began to run—his legs moving somehow without his consent or knowledge, leading him toward the service staircase.

His body stopped as he crashed into Robert who was descending the stairs. Dr. Halifax grabbed the railing to keep from falling backward.

“Gerard?” Robert snapped. “Whatever is the matter?”

“Mrs. North.” Gerard panted.

“I’ve just come down to talk with her.” Robert shook his head. “Finlay just appeared at the Duke’s chamber with Colin. It seems that Mrs. North…”

“No.” Gerard interrupted.

“What?” Robert squinted.

“She’s dead, Sir.”

Robert’s face went pale. “I don’t understand.”

“She’s dead.” Gerard croaked.

“How?” Robert said softly. “How could she be? Finlay said he just left her…”

Gerard shook his head. “I found her, Sir.”

“Where?” Robert gulped.

“In the room with the silver…the…where all the silver is…just by the cellars…” Gerard stumbled.

“Take me there.” Robert said quickly.

“Yes.” Gerard panted again.

“Gerard, are you sure she’s dead?” Robert asked hopefully as Gerard led him to the vaults.

“Very.” Gerard answered without looking at his master.

“Perhaps she’s just sleeping.” Robert suggested.

“She ain’t sleepin’, Sir.” Gerard replied. “She’s dead. Right on the floor—her face all turned out in horror. Someone covered her up and all.”

Robert coughed as they paused outside the cellar door.

“Just in there, Sir.” Gerard pointed toward the low entrance to the silver vaults.

Robert nodded.

“Do I need to come with you, Sir?” Gerard asked hesitantly.

“I…” Robert sighed. “I don’t think so. But, stay here, please.”

Gerard bit his lip and nodded.

Robert slowly entered the vault which was lit only by the single candle which Gerard had brought with him earlier. He immediately saw Mrs. North’s lifeless body and could tell without closer inspection that she was, in fact, deceased.

Still, he walked toward her and knelt down to examine her. He studied the woman’s face carefully, and, then, his eyes went toward her throat which had clearly been bruised. Robert deduced at once that she’d been cruelly strangled.

He took a deep breath and rose to his feet. Pausing for a moment, Robert once again looked to Mrs. North and shook his head. Then, he joined Gerard.

“Sir?” Gerard gulped.

“She’s dead.” Robert nodded.

“How, Sir?”

“Someone choked her to death.” Robert sighed. “And, not recently, by the looks of her. This had to have happened some time ago.”

“How, then, Dr. Halifax, could Finlay have been given the baby by Mrs. North?” Gerard asked.

“That’s what I aim to find out.” Robert growled. “Furthermore, there’s been a theft of the Duke’s jewels.” He ran his fingers through his hair.

“What can I do, Sir?”

“Obviously, all of this mayhem is connected.” Robert began. “Please go inform Speaight of what’s happened and ask him to casually ensure that no one leaves the ball. He’s clever. He’ll figure something out. Just make sure that he doesn’t divulge to anyone what’s happened. Not yet. When you’ve finished, alert Charles and I want both of you to join me in the Duke’s chamber upstairs.”

“Yes, Sir.” Gerard nodded. “But…”

“I’ll find Gamilla.” Robert interrupted. “I’d sent her to Mrs. North’s room. I’m sure she’s finished that task by now and is likely to have rejoined the Duke and Colin. I’ll see to it that she’s afely with us.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Before you come up, please, you and Charles should change from your fancy dress. I’ll inform Gamilla to do the same.”

“As you wish.”

Robert scowled. “Mrs. North was in her house dress.”

“Yes?”

“She hadn’t even donned her costume for the ball.”

“But…”

“I wonder also…” Robert continued. “Who that woman was in the costume which was intended for Mrs. North.”

“I’ve an idea, Sir.” Gerard frowned.

“As do I.” Robert nodded.





Did you miss Chapters 1-123 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 125.

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 124

Naasir didn’t make a sound as Robert carefully undressed him, trying to separate the charred clothing from the man’s burnt skin. Naasir must have been in terrible agony, but he did not flinch, nor utter a word.


Behind Robert, Marjani created a salve from herbs and oils over which she mumbled prayers—some of which were familiar to Robert, some of which were foreign and seemed to be in a language he could not recognize.

“Now, then, Naasir,” Robert whispered softly to the man who opened his eyes slightly and looked up pleadingly. “We’re going to help you.”

Naasir closed his eyes and let out a raspy breath.

“I have something here,” Robert said, reaching for his bag, “which will help you with your pain. I’m going to need you to open your mouth a bit. Can you do that for me?” Robert looked sympathetically at the man’s burnt and disfigured face.

Naasir did not open his mouth.

“It will help you,” Robert said. “It will make you sleep, and when you awake, the pain will be lessened.”

Naasir still did not open his mouth.

“Please, Naasir.” Robert said. “I don’t want you to suffer.”

“He’s afraid, Doctor,” Marjani whispered from behind Robert.

Robert turned to looked quizzically at Marjani.

“Can you make him understand that this will alleviate his pain?”

“It’s not the medicine he’s scared of,” Marjani shook her head.

“I don’t understand.”

“He’s scared that we angered the spirits—them forces that direct our fates. His destiny, he done tol’ me a dozen times, was to be burned to save The Great Man of the Rocks. He didn’t fulfill his destiny.”

“But, he was burned. That doesn’t make sense. We make our own destinies.”

“Do we?” Marjani smiled softly at Robert. “Listen, Honey, this man was gonna give up his spirit as a sacrifice. He didn’t do it. Now, he’s scared.”

“We had to save him.” Robert whispered. “We couldn’t just let him be murdered.”

“I’m not sayin’ you did wrong,” Marjani responded gently, “I’m jus’ tellin’ you what he feels.” Marjani patted her heart, “I know what he feels. I can hear him in my heart.”

“You must help me get through to him. Make him understand that we’ll help him.”

“I don’t know that he wants to be helped, Doctor.” Marjani sighed.

Robert grunted.

“Let me put some of this on him,” She lifted the bowl of salve. “I’ll talk with him for a spell. Why don’t you go an’ see ‘bout Mr. and Mrs. Halifax?”

“I’ll return in about ten minutes,” Robert nodded.

Robert walked into the main house, rubbing his neck with each step. He muttered to himself as he walked and was reminded of Mr. Punch and his nonstop chatter. “Why haven’t you returned to me yet?” Robert mumbled.

Entering the parlor, he squinted as he saw Cecil and Adrienne sitting with Nellie. He’d forgotten that Nellie was there. Her presence hadn’t registered with him when they’d come back with Naasir. Something about the woman, now that he’d noticed her, made him feel uneasy.

“Pardon me,” Robert said as he came into the room.

“How’s Naasir?” Cecil asked.

“Not well, I’m afraid.” Robert shook his head. “He’s terribly injured and he’s refusing any assistance. He won’t take anything to ease his suffering. I’ve left Marjani with him for a few minutes. At least she can put some poultice on his burns and, perhaps, talk to him—let him know that he doesn’t have to suffer.”

“I think it’s just terrible what Iolanthe done to him,” Nellie said. “But, I’m not surprised. I was just telling Adrienne and Mr. Halifax what sort of madness Iolanthe’s been about lately. I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced, Sir. My name is Nellie.”

Robert nodded. “I’m Robert Halifax.”

“My brother.” Cecil added.

“You’re a physician?” Nellie asked.

“I am.” Robert said plainly. He looked around the room, “I don’t suppose that…well, you’d have told me if Julian…”

“He’s not returned.” Adrienne interrupted, looking worried.

“I see.” Robert nodded slowly. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to step outside for a moment and take some air. It’s quite stuffy…” Robert’s words trailed off as he turned away.

“It was nice meeting you,” Nellie said quickly. “Even in these sad circumstances.”

“Yes,” Robert answered without turning around. “Thank you.”

When Robert had left the room, Nellie sighed. “Poor man. He’s worried about the servant…what’s his name?”

“Naasir.” Adrienne nodded. “Yes, he is. However, he’s also worried about someone else.”

“This Julian he mentioned?” Nellie asked. “Is he with the Mr. Punch you were talking about earlier?”

“No.” Cecil said. “Well, yes.” He shook his head. “Yes, I suppose they’re always together. They’re the same person. In a manner of speaking.”

Nellie looked confused.

“Let’s simply say that ‘Mr. Punch’ is an affectionate name that we have for His Lordship, Julian.” Cecil said quickly.

“Oh.” Nellie nodded. “Tell me, Mr. Halifax, is your brother married?”

“No.” Cecil chuckled.

Adrienne smiled.

“Did I say something amusing?” Nellie asked.

“No, Nellie.” Adrienne patted her friend’s hand. “But, if you’re looking for a husband, Robert wouldn’t be a good match for you.”

“Who said I was looking for a husband?” Nellie blinked her eyes quickly. “I was just asking a question. I see how happy you two are, I just thought…”

“You must be exhausted,” Adrienne interrupted. “Yet, we have much to discuss. You’ll stay here tonight. I’ll have Meridian make a room ready for you.”

“I couldn’t.” Nellie said, standing up. “If Miss Iolanthe finds me missing, she’ll kill me!”

“You’ve come here so that we can help you.” Adrienne said. “Having you return to that place will not aid in your freedom.”

“No, no…” Nellie shook her head violently. “I can’t. I have to go back!”

Meanwhile, Mr. Punch stood shaking in Iolanthe Evangeline’s bedroom. At his feet, lay the limp body of the tragically homely Mala.

“Oh, oh, oh,” Mr. Punch wrung his hands together as he peered over Mala’s body waiting for her to breathe. He looked to the floor next to Mala and saw the oil lamp with which he’d struck the woman when she snuck up behind him and grabbed him by the waist as he tried to carry the Duchess from the room.

His Punch-like instincts had kicked in. When he felt her hands on him, he gently lowered Her Grace back to the bed and quickly grabbed the first thing he could find to hit whoever was touching him.

“Oh, ugly girl,” Mr. Punch mumbled frantically. “Do get up, would ya? Breathe or somethin’. Didn’t mean to hurt ya. But, ya can’t go sneakin’ up on folk. Come on, little hobgoblin. Open yer eyes!”

“Julian,” the Duchess moaned from the bed.

“Wait a tick, Duchess.” Mr. Punch spat. “I’ll get ya out of here. But, I gotta see somethin’ first.”

Mr. Punch knelt down and patted Mala’s arm. “Come on, then, little hideous thing. Come on, open yer eyes for Mr. Punch. Can’t go grabbin’ at a person. You know you’re gonna get hit when you do that. Didn’t want to hit you.” Mr. Punch chattered. “Come on. Don’t be dead.”

Mr. Punch heard the door to the next room open and the sound of quick footsteps.

“What to do?” Mr. Punch stood quickly.



Did you miss Chapters 1-123? If so, you can read them here.