Read Cave of Secrets for Free Online Page B

instead of tea.
    That is something else I was wrong about, Flynn thought glumly.
    One of the men took a carved German pipe from his mouth long enough to call Flynn by name. Another pushed a stool forward with his booted foot. A large fellow with ginger whiskers said, ‘Are you well, William?’
    Flynn gave a wan smile. ‘Well enough.’
    ‘We did not expect to see you again so soon. What brings you back to the capital? Business as usual?’
    ‘Pah!’ Flynn sounded disgusted. ‘Not this time. I have been seeking an interview with Richard Boyle.’
    ‘Any success?’
    ‘I waited all morning in his town house next to Dublin Castle. Magnificent place. Swarming with servants. One of them showed me to a room the size of a barn and left me there without even a drink in my hand. Every time I put my head out the door I was told the earl was busy.’
    His friends exchanged meaningful glances.
    ‘Oh, I saw the earl all right,’ Flynn said bitterly. ‘Saw him out the window as he drove away in a fine carriage – four perfectly matched greys and a man in crimson livery riding postillion. And not so much as a wave of his hand to me.Order a coffee for me someone, please.’ When a steaming bowl of coffee was placed before him he did not drink, but stared into the dark liquid as if seeing his future. ‘It’s the fourth time Boyle has avoided me, his soul to the devil. I cannot go cap-in-hand to him again.’
    ‘Quite right too,’ said Ginger Whiskers. ‘A man has his pride.’
    ‘Pride is a fine thing,’ another remarked, ‘if one can afford it.’ He smoothed his hands across his plum-coloured waistcoat . ‘William, you must remember that Richard Boyle is the richest man in Ireland now. He is hounded night and morning by petitioners. I dare say he is sick of the sight of pleading faces.’
    An older man with a harsh voice like two stones scraping together said, ‘Don’t spare any sympathy for Boyle. Underneath the fine feathers he is a scoundrel who is busy lining his own pockets at the expense of others. The Lord Deputy Thomas Wentworth is a better fellow altogether. He may not be the warmest man I ever met, but I would swear on my brother’s life that Wentworth is honest. Which doesn’t sit too well with Boyle, of course. If we have to choose sides, I choose Wentworth. Boyle has no respect for the king and no real feeling for the people.’
    William Flynn looked deeply worried. ‘My family lost their lands in the Elizabethan War,’ he said. ‘I have only a few acres I inherited from an uncle. A political appointmentwould enable me to protect them. One word from an influential friend was all I needed to get my toes under the government table in Dublin. Instead …’ He sagged on the stool. ‘Instead, I have called the wolf into the fold.’
    Plum Waistcoat leaned forward and licked his lips with interest. ‘Really? How?’
    ‘By inviting Richard Boyle to Roaringwater House. I boasted of the fine estate I had created out of nothing. He was impressed, all right. He decided then and there to extend the plantation of Munster and grab the land for his favourites .’ William Flynn’s voice dropped to a shamed whisper. ‘And in my confusion … in my craven fear of his power … I offered to help.’
    ‘You poor fool,’ said Ginger Whiskers. ‘You might as well have handed him the deeds to your land.’
    Pipe Smoker studied his smouldering tobacco. ‘Perhaps you should apply to Thomas Wentworth instead.’
    ‘Waste of breath,’ declared Plum Waistcoat. ‘The interests of the Crown are all the Lord Deputy cares about. He runs roughshod over everyone else in the name of King Charles.’
    Harsh Voice said, ‘The king needs all the support he can get. In spite of his efforts on their behalf, the Catholics still don’t trust him. The Puritans hate him, the Scots have rebelled and there’s war looming between Charles and the English parliament.’
    ‘Meanwhile here in Ireland Wentworth and Boyle arefighting