Read Instruments of Darkness for Free Online Page A

pursuing this business. So be it. I must do what I think is right if I am to look my family in the eye. Your assistance would be invaluable. I wonder how I can ask it, though. You may have nothing to lose, but I cannot see any gain for you in this. I do not flatter myself you offer your services for the pleasure of my company.’

    ‘Perhaps you should.’ She raised her eyebrows. ‘No, madam, I have no intention of flirting with you, but you spoke before about the dangers of being isolated and how one’s judgement may become warped as a result.’ He looked down sadly at the design of the carpet under his black shoes. ‘I fear I am looking in the wrong place in my current work, so you take me from nothing of importance, and you know from my paper that I occasionally indulge an interest in the markers of murder. I have nothing better to do than help you ruin yourself.’

    ‘Whatever your motives, sir, you have my thanks.’

    The door opened and the maid stepped into the room.

    ‘Ma’am, the Squire is here.’

    ‘Very good, Dido.’

    As the Squire bustled in he beamed at Harriet with such open-hearted pleasure, Crowther’s thin frame was almost thrown back by the force of it.

    Squire Bridges was a well-built man, perhaps some ten years older than Crowther, and could never have been mistaken for anything in his life other than an English country gentleman of the old school. He had the red complexion and solid girth of a man who enjoyed vigorous exercise and noisy dinners. Indeed, his personality seemed altogether too solid and massive for the gentle confines of the salon - it seemed to strain at the walls, questing amongst the furniture to spread as much goodwill as possible. Crowther felt immediately tired, looking at him.

    The Squire flung himself towards them with his hands outstretched.

    ‘Dear Mrs Westerman, what a pleasure to see you! An ornament to the morning! And looking as ever the picture of health! I must take a proper look at you, my dear. For you know, Mrs Bridges will not let me rest till she has extracted every particular of your appearance from me, as well as all the news! And Miss Rachel is three times more beautiful this month than last - we just exchanged our good days in your hallway. We do not meet often enough, my dear. I feel it, and my wife feels it, and tells me so!’

    Harriet stepped forward with a laugh and shook the Squire’s hand with great friendliness.

    ‘I am very well, as you see, sir. You may deliver good reports of us all. Stephen is blooming, the baby strong, and the latest news of Commodore Westerman full of fine winds and good officers! That is to say, he speaks well of those under his command.’

    The Squire’s attention sharpened a little. ‘He has some doubts over Rodney, perhaps?’ Harriet said nothing. ‘Well, we shall see, we shall see.’ Then he looked enquiringly towards Crowther, who had slunk into whatever thin shadows the room could afford as if he feared the Squire would eat him.

    ‘Squire, this is Mr Crowther who took the Laraby house last summer. Mr Crowther, our local Justice and good friend to all, Squire Bridges.’

    They made their bows, the Squire’s face lightening still further with the anticipation of a new acquaintance.

    ‘An honour, sir. I have heard of your reputation as a man of science and am glad to know you. Very glad indeed.’ He peered eagerly into Crowther’s face for a moment. Then, turning back to his hostess he became in a moment all serious concern. ‘Now Mrs Westerman, tell me of this sad business. All I know is a body was found in your woods this morning.’

    Harriet proceeded to share with him all they knew of how the man had died and Hugh’s conviction that it was not his brother. The Squire’s face grew gradually more sombre, and as she continued, he could not refrain from exclaiming under his breath, ‘Oh, a sad business! How shocking!’

    Harriet finished and the Squire was quiet a few moments. Then: ‘I