Tom Browning's Schooldays

Tom Browning's Schooldays

By

Joel

Chapter ThirtySix

Mrs Reynold's announcement meant only one thing. I had heard several discussions while in the forge about certain girls thought to be 'in foal'. Within a short time there was a marriage even if the bridegroom looked none too happy when the couple were standing before Uncle Dodd in the church.

Nelly Reynolds must be well on in her time. I knew Bert Perkins had been her follower for at least two years. The deed of which I knew nothing had been performed and I assumed Aunt Matty had held up an admonitory finger. Bert lived with his parents when not at the stables. The family had a well-kept cottage but with three other well-grown children it would not be big enough to house a mother and child as well. Aunt Matty would come to the rescue again, no doubt. All I hoped was that Nelly could keep a tidy house as she was rather slovenly at times. I had my doubts as to her knowledge of cooking having heard her mother scolding her at times.

Still, a wedding was always something to look forward to. After a question or two we found it was to be at midday on Saturday and all in the village who could attend were invited. The fluster was caused as Mrs Reynolds had been given permission by Aunt Matty to prepare pies and tarts to be consumed in the Assembly Rooms after. There would be a barrel of Mr Flaxman's good ale as well.

We heard all this while eating a piece of rather over-cooked tart which had been left a little long in the oven. Though a little singed at the edges it tasted good. We then heard 'our Bert', as he was now named, had been offered a small cottage at a low rent by the Squire's agent as 'our Bert' had a good reputation.

Nelly was busy mixing dried fruits with some brandy and suet in a basin and in her enthusiasm nearly sent the bowl a-flying. Luckily Robin was standing by and gripped the basin while she renewed her efforts with vigour.

Mrs Reynolds shook her head. "That will do, my dear, do not pound it all to nothing. I said mix it, not make a plaster of it."

"That'll make a good rich filling," Nelly commented and poured in a little more brandy.

Mrs Reynolds sighed and waved a finger at her daughter. "That's enough. We do not want it to burst into flames when in the oven, do we?"

We said our thanks for our food. We added that my Uncle would like some sustenance, too. We said our goodbyes as she gathered things together for Nelly to take to the study. We then retrieved our cloaks and hats from the closet by Mr Simpson the butler's room. I think he was rather torn between bidding us good day and enquiring what Philip and the Rector were plotting in the study. Giggling, we escaped and walked round to the Rectory stable. I gave Robin a friendly thump and said it was his fault we had work to do for Thursday.

"We would have had it anyway," he said, "I am glad he makes sure I am kept busy. I do enjoy learning."

I grinned. "Wait until you are at Ashbourne." I gave him another lighter thump. "I hope we will be together with Mr Martin. I'm sure you will be tested by Mr Ridley so make sure you do not give any wrong answers."

"I can only give correct answers to things I know," he said resignedly. "I will give him of my best."

I picked up my friend and lover's concern. As our relationship grew and deepened, I was finding that his sorrows preyed on me, the way they did not with other boys who were my friends. The thought of suffering alongside dear Jabez in such a way! So I sympathised. "Are you worried?"

He smiled, evidently comforted by my concern. He set his jaw in comic determination. "Of course. I have a great battle ahead and my father said I would win if I made my plans like any good military man. Until I know what the enemy will throw at me I cannot plan."

I laughed at my Robin's militancy. "I do not think Mr Ridley is your enemy. He will only ask things which will test your present knowledge. When he tested me I owned that there was a word I did not know. I did not suffer from it. Tell the truth is what I would say."

"But it will be a battle," he emphasised as we undid the reins of our mounts from the post. "I was a groom and now I am to be a pupil. I have a low station in life..."

I held him by the arm. "...You are a pupil. I am a pupil. George Lascelles and Theo Davis are pupils." I shook my head. "No one except those who are not sure of themselves would mention such a thing as the station they think they occupy. Torquil said that only yesterday." I grinned at him. "In any case when we are dressed as pupils we are so alike no one will know which one to despise!"

He gave me the sweetest smile and a light kiss. "My dear Tom, if I was not to have you by my side I would be lost, I am sure."

I smiled back. "Do as I did. I looked at being at school as being like a great adventure. We are of an age when we can succeed without being bullied by older ones as I have heard happen in other Houses. That is not countenanced in Mr Ridley's House. Winstanley says it is because of our system of fagging. There would soon be uproar if any one of us was set upon like some of those poor dolts in Pratt's. I think it helps as Mr Ridley seems to chose those in his House skilfully. We are not all scholars but all work and play well together. Theo says we are a good mix."

"I feel much happier now," he said, "I will try not to come running to my old uncle whenever I have a difficulty but I know you will be there."

We and our mounts were alone as the groom and coachman were with Aunt Matty on her rounds. I put my arms round Robin and gave him a much deeper kiss. We hugged and two sturdy stems were pressed together and moved side by side.

"There is no time now," I whispered, "Tonight!"

Robin nodded against my cheek. "I hope I will look decent for I must go to thank the Squire now."

I felt down and placed my hand against the rampant object. "It may need a blast of cold air on it but that might make it shrivel to nothing," I averred as I stroked it.

He moved his hips away quickly. "No more of that," he said, "And do not mention shrivelling as I would not want to match your meagre prong." He giggled. "It is no good. I cannot match even Isaac and Jacob's banter, Milord Ticklebucket!"

I hugged him again and laughed. "I wish sometimes I had such merry quips as they produce. Where did they get that name, I ask?"

He shook his head against me. "It fits, do you not think? The number of times you have squealed when they have held you after you have been cheeky and they have attacked those skinny ribs of yours."

I let go of him. "I did miss their merry banter when I was away. I am so glad they are still so accepting of me..."

He held my arm. "...That is because you and they are friends and you have not changed. They did ask me if you were different when we met first after our return from school and I said you couldn't be, you were Tom as always."

I smiled at him again. "I want to be Tom always. Please tell me when I am not."

He bowed his head and laughed. "At your command O ticklish Emperor of my soul! Now to my errand. You will accompany me I hope?"

The Manor House where Squire and Mrs Matthews lived was at the other end of the road leading from the church at the end of our drive and some way from the Rectory. It was as old as Careby Hall in parts and had been in the Matthews' family for several generations, as he proudly announced whenever he could. Although he could be rough-tongued with servants and village people he did keep his duties as Squire and landowner at the forefront of his activities. He was a great huntsman and entertained many others who enjoyed that sport, as I myself had experienced. He might be gruff but had a kind heart, too, as I sensed when I had offered him Blaze as a mount. Father was a friend of his and also a confidant, I knew, from overhearing conversations.

We set off and were soon at the gatehouse just inside the surrounding wall. We looked at each other and laughed. "Do you need a piss?" Robin asked as we entered the sweeping drive. I just sneered at him. Mrs Bennett, the gatekeeper's wife, was at the window peering out. "I'd better go and tell her who I am," Robin said, "She's as blind as a bat."

He dismounted and went to the window which was opened a fraction. She screeched some sort of greeting and Robin returned. "She says the Squire is resting after last night."

We both then knew he had been at the bottle, or bottles, again.

"I hope he is in a good mood," I said.

As honest and humble supplicants we went to the back door. A young village boy opened it and did a decent bow on recognising us. "I'll tell Mr Rowlett you are here, Master Tom. And Master Robin is with you." Robin's rise in the world had been recognised!

"No, Bertie," I instructed, "Tell Mr Rowlett it is Master Robin to see the Squire."

The lad bowed again and we followed him as he led us to the butler's pantry. Mr Rowlett was fairly elderly but very sprightly even though, as father said, he liked to finish any bottles the Squire didn't.

The boy was quick off the mark. "Master Robin and Master Tom to see the Squire," he announced at the door. Mr Rowlett almost sprang to his feet and another bow was forthcoming.

I knew one of his daughters had been a dairymaid at our house but had been married for some years and lived in the village with her husband who was a recognised carpenter. I think the boy, Bertie, was her eldest son, twelve or so. So, grandfather had the boy in a good position if the Squire approved of him.

"Master Tom and Master Robin," he said with a smile, "The Squire is in his study and, no doubt, will see you directly. Please follow me."

Mr Rowlett set off at quite a pace and we were soon at the open door of the Squire's lair. I had heard father call it that. I remembered being with him once when he was visiting the Squire and was rather bemused at the ranks of stags' and deers' heads and the glass cases of large, dead fish. Mr Rowlett called our names rather loudly as we knew the Squire was a trifle deaf.

"Tell them to come in," the gruff voice said quite loudly, "Good riders they are and they enjoyed that last hunt. Must see Old Browning to get another mount."

We had our hats in our hands as we entered and bowed. I let Robin do the talking.

"Sir, I have come to thank you for your generous gift. I did not expect it and feel most honoured to be remembered by you and Mrs Matthews," he declared and bowed again.

The Squire looked up from where he was sitting tying flies ready for his next fishing expedition. "My boy, I look on it as my duty to set any of my villagers on the path to a useful position. I have heard such good judgements of you and you have set your own path I am sure. But any journey needs assistance at the start and that small purse is a contribution." He held up a rather tangled mess of brightly coloured threads. "My eyes ain't what they used to be. Can you tie a fly?"

I looked at Robin and observed his knowing grin. We both had watched Erasmus Dodd produce the most alluring flies as his pastime was fishing and he could be as boring on that subject as with the worst of his sermons!

"Sir, I have some experience," Robin said handing me his hat, "I think I may be of help." He took the proffered tangle and laid it on the desk. Very deftly he straightened out the threads and found where they were to be arranged around the hook with a small coloured feather amongst them and bound them with a slip knot twice over. There was a fine pair of scissors on the desk so he used those to tidy the knot and the array. He held up the lure and the Squire smiled and nodded.

"My boy, you are wasted going to school, I would employ you to tie every fly for me." He pointed to an open book propped up by others. "You have made a better job than that one drawn there."

"Sir, I could spend a morning before I am off to Ashbourne and would willingly tie as many as I could. I have seen that book before for the Reverend Erasmus has the same."

I rolled my eyes Heavenwards as he said this. Still, if I helped at least we would be together. I said I would help and that there was no time like the present. We took off our cloaks and the Squire said we should just lay them on a settle near the door. Over the next hour or so we tied flies until our fingers were stiff and the Squire almost ran out of hooks. Our efforts were only interrupted by some good pastries and a tankard of ale each. Young Bertie was drawn in to the task and he showed he had good eyesight and a steady hand and was quick to learn the main knots and how to set the threads and feathers to best advantage. Yes, he was assured of his position in the household!

As we left Squire Matthews shook us both by the hand and said if we learned our Latin as well as we tied flies we were set as good gentlemen. He was sorry his wife was not yet ready to receive us but both were looking forward to the dinner on Saturday evening. Perhaps if Rass was coming he and the Squire could talk flies!

That task done, we were free to enjoy a ride before returning to the Hall for lunch. We didn't go faster than a walk as this old road we took might be treacherous as there were ruts which would have to be repaired after the Spring thaw. It was a bright morning and not too cold so we followed the road down beyond the Manor House and along the river bank.

We reached the end of wall down from Careby Hall where there was a towpath alongside the river. It was very icy so we slowed and stopped as Robin said it was at the other end of the path where the pipes from our new water closets would discharge into the river. Looking back up to the Hall we could see there was a good slope down which was needed to make a satisfactory flow.

"The river there is quite deep as it goes round towards the path from the stables after the village. Father says whatever the Hall produces will be nothing to what comes from the stables at times," Robin said with a laugh.

"At least I don't produce anything like either Blaze or Silver and anyway most of the manure is put on the fields. Think of that! That good grain is milled and you eat it as bread and it is nourished by what all those horses produce."

"That is a marvel," he said, "I have often wondered how it is that all that green grass the cows eat comes out as white milk."

"And those cowpats at the other end as well!" I said with a snigger.

We both decided we were getting hungry so rode carefully up along the wall to the terrace beneath the back of the Hall. There was blue smoke issuing from a number of the chimneys so it would be warm and welcoming. Bobby was full of news as we left Blaze and Silver with him at the Hall stable.

"Your father is none too pleased," he announced with a shake of his head. "There are two fools of grooms who went to that Barley Mow last night and not an hour ago one's been found with his throat cut and the other beaten and robbed. That Constable Rogers doesn't know if he is on his arse, his head or his belly! Your father has set a posse off to find the culprits and if that lad dies they'll hang."

"The one with his throat cut, he's not dead?" I asked. "Who is it?"

"Nay, he was found a-bleeding and Dr Lancelot has ridden out to him. Them's are two new 'uns. Cousins, I think, from Pickworth way. Them's all warned but some daft buggers take no notice. Sooner we get a proper Constable the better, I say." Bobby had no love of Rogers who had tried to arrest him quite wrongly when he went to hand in a pistol which his father had found by the side of the road. The fool had thought he was giving himself up after a robbery!

Such an attack was something to find out more about. The kitchen was in near uproar. There was a scurrying around as rumours of murder most foul were bandied around. Only Mrs Gray seemed unperturbed. "Those silly geese," she said pointing to two weeping kitchen-maids, "They don't even know the pair but think we'll all be murdered in our beds if the criminals ain't captured. Need their heads slapped but it'll make 'em weep more."

We thought it better to retreat so divested ourselves of our outer garb in the hall closet and made our way to the breakfast room as Mrs Gray's parting words were "There's a good lunch awaiting being eaten and nobody about!"

Both Timmy and Benjy were there and were eying the heated dishes. "We got a bit worried as you were late and we thought you might have been robbed, too," Benjy announced as we entered. "You've heard about it?"

I said we had seen Bobby and all we knew was that two grooms had been found beaten and robbed. I didn't mention the cut throat, nor that Benjy didn't sound too concerned about our welfare. I would deal with that later.

He nodded. "Dr Lancelot went off to see how injured that pair were. Your father's at the stables and sent a message to say there was too much to do to come back here for his luncheon," he added.

"So it's just us two for all that food," I said with a grin. I turned to Robin. "Do you think we might invite the serfs to join us?"

Timmy wondered at that remark I could see, but Benjy bowed his head and was most servile. "If it pleases Your Worships I would be most obliged to take part in this fine repast and Master Timmy would no doubt be delighted to join the company."

Timmy looked rather askance until I smiled at him. "Timmy, it's just us boys, no 'masters' and 'servants' for this meal. Come, we will share this together."

"Oh, Master Tom, I hope this is not a jest," he began but got a nudge from Benjy.

"Timmy, pick up a plate and choose!" Benjy said as he handed Robin and me good warm plates ready to be filled.

I chose first from roast capon and a piece of mutton with boiled and buttered potatoes. I saw Robin added a slice of fat bacon to his plateful. Benjy selected less than us as he was still trying not to overeat. Timmy was rather hesitant but Benjy filled his plate for him. I made him sit next to me with Benjy and Robin opposite. Benjy quickly filled tankards with good small beer from our own brewhouse and there was silence after Robin had pronounced a Grace as four hungry lads made short shrift of those platefuls.

We had almost cleared the dishes with that first onslaught and made sure they were clean after our second helpings. There was still a good slice of a filled apple pie with cream for a pudding. Four replete youngsters smiled at each other. "Oh, Master Tom, how can I thank you for making me so welcome at the table?" Timmy said, "I praise the Lord each day for such things that have happened since I left that place."

"Timmy," I said, "You are with friends now and you must exercise what gifts you have and that will be enough thanks." I took his hand and squeezed it.

"I will be good and learn all I can and do whatever is right and needed," he said with a quiet authority.

Benjy was nodding but said nothing. I looked over at him. "Where is Eamonn today?" I asked.

"Mrs Gray has sent him to his mother's with a basket of food. Your Aunt gave instructions the family were not to be neglected. He will be back before dark I'm sure."

As lunch was over Robin and I went up to my room and discussed what we had heard about the attacked grooms. "I expect they thought they might wager some of the money they were paid at Christmastide and were gulled into thinking they might win more. If they did then it was nothing for a couple of ruffians to get their winnings off them," he said.

"Or relieved them of whatever they hadn't placed as bets," I said. "I cannot see how anyone can wager on whatever card may come up."

"My father Steven has said he's seen many a fool parted from his money on his travels. There is no knowing if the players are rogues or not. I have no desire to try to increase any money I have by that method," Robin averred most seriously.

I went over to my desk table with a drawer beneath. I had put the die that had belonged to Black Jack there. We knew it wasn't a true die and was used to cheat. I was looking at it when Robin spoke up again. "If the die were true we could work out what winnings there might be if it was rolled repeatedly."

"Yes, you have one in six chances of calling any number," I said.

"Let us imagine two true dice," Robin said, "How often might you expect two of any number, say two sixes?"

"That is easy," I said, "For any number on the first die you can get any number from one to six on the other, so that is six by six which is thirty-six. Only one pairing will be two sixes so that is a probability of once in thirty-six throws. I would not wager on that!"

Robin laughed. "My father says the same. But if you see two sixes on the first throw would you expect two sixes on the next throw?"

I thought for a moment. "It would not matter. You would still have one chance in thirty-six."

Robin nodded. "That is so, but father has said he has seen many who will not gamble if two sixes appear first as they think it will not happen again. But then if on, say, nine or ten throws two sixes have not appeared more money is placed and lost as they think two sixes must appear soon. It gets even more frantic if two sixes haven't appeared by the twentieth throw. He says he has seen men put a whole handful of coin on the next bet."

I shook my head. "Even I can see that is not a done thing. Just as you can get four or even five heads in tosses of a coin each toss is equal to the last so there is no saying that the next roll of the dice should be two sixes."

"You are correct," said Robin, with a laugh, "But try telling a host of thick-skulled labourers such a truth as father said he did once and nearly got beaten for his forwardness. He said by the thirtieth throw the oafs had put down all their money and the two who owned the dice rushed off with their ill-gotten gains. Father said they weren't seen for the dust their mounts kicked up and the laughs that echoed back to the dolts."

"Their gains were not ill-gotten," I said, "If dice are true such a thing can happen. I trust I'll never be tempted to wager either."

"Aye to that," said Robin with a grin. "Now, how much do you wager that Philip has discovered some secret room piled high with an Emperor's ransom?"

I gave him a sneer. "Not a brass farthing," I said, "But it will be exciting if it is what Uncle Dodd thinks. We shall have to be patient and wait until our return unless the cellar is cleared before we leave on Monday."

There was rap at the door. Robin went over and opened it. Benjy was there with quite a serious look on his face. He came in ready to divulge something or other.

"Those boys found on the road," he began, "I know one of them. He's the son of the carter who lives at Pickworth. My father's just brought things from Mr Hine's ordered by your mother. He said there's a real hunt on and that lad is very lucky he ain't dead. He had a thick muffler on and the knife slashed through that and just caught his neck so dad says." He shook his head. "He's not a bad lad, that Bristow boy, it's his cousin, Henry, who's a wastrel. I can't say I'm surprised he got beaten. Mr Jarvis is in the kitchen and says he'll dismiss the pair of them for disobedience."

Robin looked serious, too. "They'll find it difficult to get another position anywhere after this. They're a pair of fools if they were warned before."

"Mr Jarvis must be very angry to say that," I said, "It's more than the usual bit of misbehaving to merit that consequence."

"That it is," said Benjy, nodding his head. "My father said they'd had a warning about a month ago as Mr Bristow had spoken to him when they met on the road but he said the lad was easily led. I wager the other one will be put to the Navy. He's cunning and needs a firm discipline so my father said."

"Rope's end or a flogging if you don't obey," said Robin. He smiled. "I'd better behave myself, eh, Tom?"

"You need not worry, I'll make sure you keep to the straight and narrow."

Benjy said he'd better get back to the kitchen as there was haunch of venison to be hung ready for the dinner on Saturday. His father had brought that as well as a gift from Mr Jefferson. I wondered if they would be at the dinner. Father and Mr Jefferson were firm friends but his youngest son, Algernon, was someone I did not like although he had entertained us after that last dinner. His sister, Millicent, was quite different and somehow we had to tell her what had happened.

After he left we just sat and chatted until we thought it might be time for a dish of tea and a piece of cake. Lancelot was already in the parlour looking harassed and with a blood- stained kerchief in his hand at which he was peering intently.

"Are those lads badly injured?" I asked even before greeting him properly.

Lancelot looked up. "Both could have been but whatever happened it must have been quick." He held up the kerchief. "This was by the one who had his head battered. He said it was not his and the blood is not from the other one whose throat has a cut. He was beaten as well and both were robbed."

"Who did it?" Robin asked.

Lancelot shook his head. "They do not know. Both were well-taken in drink even this morning and gabbled about two riders with clubs or cudgels. The pair were found on the road back to the village from the Barley Mow. They had been knocked almost into the ditch and would have been dead from the cold if they had not been wearing good cloaks. At least the robbers did not strip them though the other said his muffler was taken."

"Benjy said the one with the cut throat had been wearing a thick muffler so the knife must have been very sharp," I said.

Lancelot looked at me keenly. "A sharp knife! There was another hue and cry this morning. Wheaton the butcher found his shop had the door broken in the night but he kept no money in the shop as everyone knows so I wonder if a knife or two were taken instead."

"It doesn't sound as if the villains were from this or the other village," Robin said, "Have any travellers or vagrants been sighted near?"

Lancelot shrugged his shoulders. "There are always rumours about barns being slept in and no one notes any riders who may pass in this sort of weather." He shook his head "Perhaps it'll be a lesson to any other stupid youngsters thinking they might double their money at gambling." He peered at the kerchief again. "This is a fine cambric I would say. It is not a labouring man's kerchief. I will ask Mr Hine about its quality. It may be stolen but if it was the culprit's own then it is another matter."

Robin laughed. "So it may have been a pair of gentlemen highwaymen robbing the poor!"

A more cheerful Lancelot laughed, too. "That is a thing that has happened, or so I have been told. But, no, I wager this is something stolen and the miscreant who cut that fellow's neck also cut himself or his companion."

We were disturbed then by a far off scream which I surmised was from the kitchens. We looked at each other. Lancelot said he had better investigate in case one of the maids had injured herself. As he got up we heard someone running along the corridor outside. It was Benjy.

"Dr Lancelot, sir," he said breathlessly, "Eamonn is back and he has found a knife with blood on it."

We got up, too, and followed Lancelot and Benjy along the corridor and down to the kitchen. Two of the kitchenmaids were clutching each other and weeping with Mrs Gray and Mrs Clements telling them to stop as there was nothing to worry about. Eamonn was standing by the large kitchen table with a sharp-looking butcher's knife on a plate in front of him. Mr Clements was bent over looking at it.

"Ah, Dr Lancelot," he said, straightening up, "The lad found this on his way back from carrying the basket to his mother." He turned to Eamonn. "Tell the doctor where you found it."

"Please, sir, I was just coming from the cottage where my mother is at the farm and I saw a redness in the snow. Then I saw the knife. I saw it had blood on it when I picked it up and I brought it straight here."

"Is that Cobblers Farm?" Lancelot asked.

"Yes, sir," Eamonn said.

"Was this in the lane to the farm or on the road to the village?"

"'Twas on the road near where the milepost is, sir. I saw that sticking up out of the snow and the knife was five or six yards along."

"Did you see any riders?"

He shook his head. "No, sir, I did not. There was no one the whole way."

"Thank you, you are an observant young man," Lancelot said, then laughed. "The posse have gone the wrong way. Our robbers are on the road towards Pickworth and our brave fellows are looking towards that tavern."

I looked over at Benjy who was the other side of the table craning to look at the knife. "Did you say the pair who were robbed were from Pickworth?"

He nodded. "Aye, that is so. Jacob Bristow and Henry Bristow. They're cousins."

"And the villains have ridden that way," I said. "Perhaps it was some revenge?..."

"...Or the riders did not know they were on the road to Pickworth," Robin added.

Benjy coughed. "I may be speaking out of turn, sir, but Henry Bristow had dealings with one of the girls in the village there and her brothers were not happy."

"You mean they might be out for revenge as Tom said?" Lancelot asked.

"I make no accusations but it could be a reason," Benjy said. "My father says it is a very quarrelsome village and not settled like ours. There's little work and there are three families who vie for precedence tho' none have any land of their own."

"You are very knowledgeable, Benjy," Lancelot said with a laugh.

"Yes, sir, I have been told many things as my mother comes from there but not from one of those families."

"And it is in Rutland, too, so if the miscreants are apprehended they will have to go before Justices of the Peace in that county," said Lancelot with some authority. He shook his head. "It will be a trouble if they are caught there for crimes committed here. I will have to ask my father his opinion."

Lancelot turned to Mr Clements. "Please keep this knife safely locked away and put this kerchief with it. My father is to be witness to documents for Mr Browning this evening so I can tell him what has been found."

Mr Clements picked up the plate and took the kerchief from Lancelot and went towards the butler's pantry. He turned. "It will be kept safe in here. There is a cupboard I can lock."

All this had happened and we had not had any sustenance. The three of us made our way back to the parlour without speaking. Benjy followed us and said the parlourmaids would bring tea which had been made and had stood waiting while all this happened.

"I will be glad to sit and rest," said Lancelot as we reached the parlour, "As well as those lads to be looked at I was called to the stables earlier to see one of the grooms who was kicked and had a cut head besides."

We settled in front of the fire which blazed up as Benjy added more wood. Lancelot continued his tale without being asked. "A mare was being serviced by Invictus and she lashed out and caught the groom holding her on his backside. He battered his head on a post and still lay there when I was called. He was awake by then but shaken with that cut to the side of his head. I dressed it and told him to go back to his bed and rest and sent another groom to sit by him in case he fell unconscious again." He shook his head and pointed a finger. "I have said before, Tom, care must be taken when there is an injury to the head. I did not worry about his backside but I warrant he has a good hoofprint there."

We were disturbed by two of the maids bringing in the wheeled tray. Benjy became rather imperious, dismissing them and taking over the serving. He had just poured three good cups of tea when my father appeared at the door.

"I'll have one of those before I die of thirst," he commanded. Benjy was quick off the mark. A filled cup was handed to him and the contents disappeared in one gulp. "Another, my fine fellow, and then you can serve these lazy coxcombs!"

Both Robin and I had stood as he entered as the good polite lads we were. "Father, we have been busy solving a mystery," I said, "Our opinion is that your posse has searched in the wrong direction."

"What's that?" he demanded, "Those fellows I sent have returned with no result. They found nothing."

Lancelot was also standing. "Uncle, let me explain."

Very concisely he told the tale and my father just shook his head. "We jumped to conclusions. We should have questioned that pair before setting the search. All they found were a set of liars who said they'd seen and heard nothing except the potboy let out two young fellows had been in the inn last night. He got a crack across his head from some rogue for saying that so my lads said." He looked at Benjy. "You think it's a village thing, eh?"

Benjy nodded. "Sir, I would suggest it was."

"And best left there, eh?"

"Sir, a village like that will take care of such matters."

My father laughed. "Benjamin, you have said it exactly." He looked at Lancelot. "That knife could be returned to Wheaton in the morning. Clean, of course." He dusted his hands together. "I will reward the lad for finding it and send a carpenter to repair Wheaton's door if it is damaged."

I must have been staring at my father. Crimes had been committed and were now to be hushed up. He must have seen my concern.

"My boy, what would be the use of trying to find out the perpetrators? If more retribution is to happen let it be out of Lincolnshire. Family feuds are ugly and do not need to spread into innocent areas. A strong message with that kerchief will be sent to the constable in Pickworth who I hope is not as addle-pated as one we know closer to home." He looked at Benjy. "When you have served these mystery-solvers ask Mr Clements to attend on me in the library." He patted his stomach. "I will forego that delectable-looking cake as it might spoil my appetite for my dinner." He pointed at Lancelot. "Your father will be here this evening and all matters are closed." Lancelot nodded. "There will be correspondence in all directions in the morning!"

He went off and Lancelot breathed a sigh of relief. "That was a difficult decision for your father to make, Tom, please do not think ill of him." He must have seen my apprehension as well. "Sometimes there are compromises to be made. I can see your father's point of view and I am sure whatever occurred will be dealt with in due course in the village where the trouble most probably started."

"But we do not know if it was some dispute over a girl," I said.

Benjy came over to me with a good slice of cake on a plate. "Please, Master Tom, I am sure it was. I think we shall find out more when those two are sent off home tomorrow."

"I hope so," I said and took a comforting mouthful of the cake.

Robin had been silent all through this but I knew he was of the same mind as me. What were compromises? Another matter to be discussed with Mr Ridley as we had talked about Sir Thomas More who had brooked no compromise.

All seemed forgotten that evening when a fine dinner was served with both Uncle Dodd and Aunt Matty present. My father had put on a good suit of clothes or his sister would have refused to sit at the same table with him. It was during dinner that father mentioned the documents to be witnessed by Uncle Dodd and Mr Mead, who would be attending later. He continued by saying that Mr Grindcobbe had sent more deeds that morning concerning the transference of land to the railway company and also for buying the farm at Witham. Not only these but there were four special transfers of land. From tonight my brothers and I, together with Robin, would be landed gentry!

To be continued:

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