The COURAGEOUS EXPLOITS OF DOCTOR SYN - Thorndike Russell - Страница 30
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“That I never refused a challenge yet, my lord,” the young man replied stoutly. “I’ll do my best, and with so
many good friends at my back I see no reason why we should not be unmasking the outlaw here at this time next
week. And now, Admiral, let us by all means talk it over with the General and Major Faunce. Good evening, Major
Culland, and thank you for you stakes.”
The group followed his example of another formal bow to the Major before leaving him alone. The Major
surveyed them through his quizzing-glass and with a smile of inward amusement strolled out of the club.
An hour later Doctor Syn also left the club, took a hackney coach to the Mitre Inn in the City, collected his
baggage and his henchman, Sexton Mipps, and then took the night coach for the Kent coast.
The next evening the news spread round the village of Dymchurch that five gentlemen had booked the best
rooms at the Ship Inn. Mrs. Waggetts, the landlady, informed Sexton Mipps that they were pleasant-spoken
gentlemen and had bespoken the rooms for six nights. They had satisfied her curiosity as to their presence in such a
remote village by stating that they sought sea air and quiet after a hectic season in Town, and that Dymchurch had
attracted their attention owing to the much-talked of activities of the Scarecrow and his followers.
Mrs. Waggetts advised them for their own good not to venture on to the Marsh or sea-wall after dark.
“We thought we might see something of the fun, and have a good story to take back with us,” laughed one of
them.
Mrs. Waggetts shook her head and advised them to be cautious. Disregarding her motherly advice they put on
their cloaks after supper and strolled out upon the sea-wall.
Here they were questioned by the naval patrol under command of Captain blain. To him they told much the same
story, but the Captain rudely warned them to mind their own business and not to interfere with his plans for
capturing the Scarecrow.
“Let us understand one another, sir,” replied Sir Harry. “There is a public reward posted for the scoundrel. You
can hardly prevent anyone from trying to earn it, and if you interfere with us you may find that you are interfering
with the Law.”
“And you may find yourselves with your throats cut in a dyke.” Retorted Captain Blain, who on returning to the
vicarage told the Vicar that things had come to a pretty pass when a party of dandy Sleuths were attempting to do his
work.
The conversation had been carried on upon the sea-wall beneath the windows of the City of London Tavern, and
the five dandies were unaware that a man who had followed their coach from London on horseback, and had taken a
room at the ‘Tavern’ for six nights, had overheard all that had been said from behind the half-closed shutters.
News reaching Mipps of this man’s arrival, the Sexton went round to the ‘Tavern’ for a drink, had a quick look at
the stranger as he supped alone in the parlor, and then carried his description to the Vicar.
Applauding his factotum’s eye for detail, Doctor Syn remarked: “So Major Cullund, so busy in Town, has taken
a week off business to keep an eye upon his opponents in the wager. No doubt he will try to gain the reward
himself. Well, the more the merrier, and we’ll give them a run for their money. We will lie quiet for five nights,
and then organize a spectacular ‘run’ of contraband upon the sixth. And we will see which of them can catch the
wicked Scarecrow. I should prefer that Sir Harry’s party had that honor, though for our own safety we must do what
we can to prevent it. Tomorrow night we will ride out to the hidden stables and consult with our friend the
Highwayman.”
For five days and nights the party of Dandy Sleuths, as the Captain persisted in calling them, went out and about
upon the Marsh. They visited all the ale houses and were lavish in their hospitalities. For free drinks the yokels
were induced to talk, and made good use of their imaginations. The Dandies carried back with them more
information than they had ever dreamed of getting, and as they discussed it over their wine in the Ship Inn they were
of the
opinion that the Scarecrow was not so popular amongst the men of Romney Marsh as they had been given to believe
by reports in London.
Since Captain Blain refused to speak to any of them after his warning, Doctor Syn, out of regard for his guests,
had to entertain the Dandy Sleuths for dinner at the inn, while the Captain was served in his house by the old Mrs.
Fowey. It was during this meal on the second day of their stay that the Vicar showed them another threatening letter
he had found upon the pulpit cushion of his church. It was written in the familiar scrawl of the scarecrow, and told
him in plain terms to have no dealings with the town gentlemen staying at the ‘Ship’. The old Vicar assured the
gentlemen that he was not afraid.
Meantime Major Cullund kept to himself, and the Dandy sleuths were not aware that he was watching them. But
the old Vicar went to the ‘Tavern’ and confronted him. Cullund told him that he hoped to take the Scarecrow
himself, and so have the laugh against the men who had affronted the Bucks’ Club. Doctor Syn, who owned that the
Major had been in his opinion definitely affronted, gave his clerical word that he would not betray his presence in
Dymchurch to the five gentlemen at the Ship Inn.
“As far as I can see,” stated the Major, “there is small chance of anyone capturing the Scarecrow, since the
inhabitants are so mortally afraid of him. So, Reverend Sir, I shall still get my thousand guineas, since Sir Harry has
only to borrow the sum from his companions.”
Doctor Syn told Mipps that his dislike for the Major increased.
Though the five from the ‘Ship’ worked according to their lights, indefatigably, they were bound to confess
amongst themselves that after four days and nights of watching, listening and seeking, they were no nearer in
finding out anything concrete to help them. And then, while supping late one night the door of the coffee-room
opened and a tall man entered unannounced and closed the door quickly but quietly behind him. Placing his finger
to his lips he tiptoed towards the table, motioning to Sir Harry Sales and Lord Strathway to give him room as he
picked up a chair and placed it between theirs. In whispered tones he apologized for his intrusion, said there was no
need to give his name, but instead could impart information which they would be glad to get, since it concerned the
Scarecrow.
“His safety had always been that of fear amongst his men,” he expla ined. “I know you gentlemen wish to get
him from under the nose of Captain Blain. Well, I can help you to it. His men are tired of his tyranny and I know
there is a plot to kill him after the next run on Friday night. Even for the sake of the reward his men dare not betray
him, knowing he could inform against them all in the Law Courts. Therefore when the last keg is safely put to
hiding they are binding him, and gagging him safe beneath his mask, and placing him in a disused oast house, which
they intend to fire. At the first flame the conspirators will fly for their own safety, but if you dash into the oast
house before the fire gets him you may carry him off alive. For myself I ask nothing, though a poor man, except
that I hate the whole gang of them. I have reason, which only concerns me.”
Closely questioned, and fortified with good wine and Lord Strathway’s filled purse which was pressed upon him,
the stranger gave them further details. The gentlemen, if hidden by the oast house, would see the landing on
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