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Mrs. Plumstock was shocked by Joe Reed’s presence and thought perhaps she should stay to protect the reverend. “This man wants a word with ye, so I’ll stay a bit longer …”
“No, Mrs. Plumstock, you are most kind, but it is late, and I think you should get home,” the reverend said and eyed Joe Reed. “I cannot imagine what, sir, you want with me at this late hour.”
“I be in a bad way of it,” Joe Reed said. “And I need yer guidance.”
Mrs. Plumstock sniffed and took up her cloak. “Good n
ight, Reverend.”
“Good night, Mrs. Plumstock,” Eustace said and then waved Joe Reed to the hallway and told him to go across and into the library.
As soon as they were closeted in this chamber, Eustace turned on Joe Reed and shouted, “What in all that is holy are you doing here, damn you!”
“Had no choice, have no time. There be some bobbery out by the tunnel. Oi got ol’ Mack there now standing guard, ye might say.”
“What the deuce are you talking about?” Eustace demanded.
“We found two horses tied in Piney Woods not far from the churchyard when we was coming through to meet ye as we planned. Whot? Says Oi. So, we had a look see. In we goes to some blasted tomb, and lo and behold … we hear two people talking, we did. So Oi says, Well, Mack, that’s where the reverend has been hiding the gold.” He took a threatening step towards Eustace. “So here is whot we decided, me and Mack. No more meetings, no more. Ye give us our fair share, and we’ll lope off, we will.”
Eustace ignored all this and said, “Who was it you followed to the tomb?”
“We don’t know who they be, but Mack, he stands ready to fire if and when they come out of that blasted place. So, I’m thinking we best hurry, what say ye, guv … do ye agree to m’terms?”
“Yes, damn your soul. I agree, but if you get caught and mention my name, I’ll have more than your soul. Understood?”
“Understood,” Joe Reed said.
“Right then. I didn’t do all this to allow anyone to stand in my way!” Eustace snapped as he took up his gun from a drawer and headed out.
~ Twenty ~
YOUNG BILLY TUTTLE heard his friends tapping at his window and ignored them. He had chores to do in the morning, as he was strong enough to put in his time. His father needed help, and he wasn’t the sort to take advantage and leave all the work to his parents and older brother.
His friends, however, wouldn’t give up. Tap, tap, tap!
The bed was warm, and he grumbled as he tried to go back to sleep. They continued to tap and whisper his name. It was late, and he sat up and told them to get going and leave him be. They laughed.
He threw his pillow at the window, and his best friend, Al said, “Come on then, Billy-boy … it’s been no fun without ye these days. Come on.”
He was pleased that they had missed him. Perhaps he could sneak off for a time and still get in a couple of hours sleep before he had to get up and feed the chickens like he had promised he would do in the morning?
He got up and went to the window. “What do my twiddle-poop friends want with me?”
“River South woods, that’s where we’re headed. Do ye come, Billy?” Al asked.
“Eh, we’d have to be too careful. I heard tell that old man Bart’s gamekeeper is laying in wait for poachers there. Oi think we should work the Piney Woods. Some fine pheasant there, what say ye?”
“Aye, then … ye be in the right of it, Oi think,” Al said and looked at the two boys at his back, “What say ye?”
The other two nodded, and Billy grinned as he hurriedly pulled on his clothing and climbed out the window. “So be it.”
They were young and ready for an adventure together, and it didn’t take them long to race through the woods, laughing and calling to one another. Then something got Billy’s attention, and he held up a hand for everyone to be still and quiet.
They immediately complied. For as long as he could remember, his little band of lads always obeyed him.
“Whot is it?” Al asked on a hushed note.
“Somethin’, dunno just whot,” Billy answered.
