The Witching Pool: A Justice Belstrang Mystery (Justice Belstrang Mysteries Book 2) John Pilkington (top 10 ebook reader TXT) 📖

on the last occasion I was here. It looked more like a scene of disarray, with raised voices, mainly those of women. As we drew rein, Childers at my side, everyone turned to look at us, and a familiar figure hastened forward: the ageing servant I had encountered on the day of the funeral, whose name I now recalled was Matthew.

‘Justice Belstrang, sir…’ he made a hurried bow. ‘Are you come to help us? For God knows, we are sorely in need of it.’

In surprise, I gazed down at him. ‘Why, what has occurred?’

In agitation, his hands clasped together, the old man spoke rapidly. ‘The girls, sir – they are gone. Did you not know?’ Seeing I did not, he added: ‘Mistress Jane and Mistress Alison… their beds were found empty this morning. My master has ridden out already, taking every man he could. Even the youngest stable-boy is about to go.’ He blinked, gazing up at me. ‘I thought you were here to join the search.’

His face was drawn with worry - and I was at once confounded, my purpose dashed. I glanced at Childers, who looked dismayed. What was to be done now?

‘Has anyone an inkling as to why they left?’ I asked. An image came to mind of Jane Cobbett sitting her horse, her anxious face… it was a week ago.

‘It seems not, sir.’ Mournfully, Matthew shook his head. ‘Though Mistress Dowling might.’ I followed his gaze, to see the nurse standing among the handful of servants. I knew she had seen me, though she kept her distance.

‘We must help, sir,’ Childers said. ‘Those girls might be in danger. The more riders there are to scour the country the better, don’t you think?’

I could only consent. The other Thirldon men had eased their mounts forward, awaiting instruction. ‘Yet, if Cobbett and his men are already abroad, we need some direction,’ I said. ‘Or we’ll all end up chasing our own tails.’

I dismounted, and handed Leucippus’ reins to Lockyer. ‘I’ll speak with Mistress Dowling,’ I told Matthew.

‘As you wish, sir.’

The old man moved aside. Leaving my companions, I walked across the cobbles. Servants, maids and kitchen wenches moved away as I approached the nurse. There was no performance from her this time, as at the inquest: she looked taut, even nervous.

‘Have you any notion of where they might go, Mistress?’ I asked, without preamble.

She hesitated, then: ‘I have not, sir.’

‘Truly?’ I fixed my eyes upon hers. ‘You, who know your charges better than anyone?’

She shook her head. ‘A prank, perhaps, or a silly game…’

‘Somehow I doubt that,’ I broke in.

‘Well…’ she drew herself to full height. ‘Whatever the case, we achieve nothing by standing here,’ she said frostily. ‘I’m no great horsewoman, or I would go out myself. Whereas you and your guards…’ her face grew hard. ‘For that is how you appear,’ she added. ‘I would wonder at your purpose, had I not more pressing concerns just now.’

‘Then I won’t detain you further,’ I said, reining in my displeasure at her insolence. ‘And should your master return before I do, I pray you tell him that I came to his aid, as I would that of any neighbour in difficulty.’

I turned away – but almost at once, felt a tug on my sleeve.

‘Master Belstrang…’

I looked round sharply, and was struck by the sudden change in her manner. There was more than anxiety in her expression: to my surprise, there was fear.

‘He… I know my master would thank you,’ she said, avoiding my gaze. ‘We want nothing other than the safe return of his daughters, as quickly as can be.’

I waited for her to meet my eye; but when she would not, I gave a brief nod and walked back to my party.

The search lasted the entire day, yet brought no result.

At first, after conferring briefly, we had split up and ridden off in pairs: Childers and myself, Elkins with one of the gardeners, Lockyer with the other. Elkins would go east as far as Norton, Lockyer southwards to Kempsey and beyond, as far as Clevelode. It seemed unlikely that two girls without horses could have got any further. And since it appeared that they had gone during the night, they would have moved slowly. I ordered my people to ride every path, search every copse and hedgerow, every barn and byre, calling at farms along the way. Meanwhile Childers and I would backtrack along the Worcester road, skirting the river bank. If the girls were found they should be taken to Ebbfield, riding double with their finders. To which order, it was Lockyer who had raised a troublesome question.

‘Supposing they don’t want to go home, sir?’

In truth, the thought had already occurred to me. It seemed certain that Cobbett’s daughters had run away, in which case…

‘Bring them to Tait’s Crossing and wait for me,’ I said. ‘We should all meet there, before sunset.’

Whereupon we had parted, though without much hope on my part. I had a notion Jane Cobbett would have expected a search, and taken steps to thwart it.

Thereafter, the day wore on as Childers and I rode up and down, seeking any trace of the missing girls. We stopped at cottages, questioned travellers and drovers, without success. Twice we encountered Cobbett’s mounted servants on the same mission. I spoke to one of them, though his manner was brusque, and he would only say that they had found no sign.

It had occurred to me that Jane might have money, and might have intended to get to Worcester where she could hire a coach. I mentioned it to Childers, who had grown thoughtful throughout the afternoon. When we stopped to drink from our costrels and allow the horses some rest, he spoke up.

‘I fear we are wasting our efforts, sir. If those girls have fled