Page 69 of A Treacherous Treasure

The footmen hauled him to his feet, in the midst of his alternating groans and sobs.

After they took him out, Thomas asked, “Did anyone see how he got into the house?”

The servants shook their heads and said, “No, sir.”

He looked at Mrs. Atwater. “When I arrived, the door was unlocked and I walked right in.”

Mrs. Atwater said, “I thought I heard someone on the stairs. I couldn’t sleep, so I went to see if one of the servants was where they shouldn’t be. I came as quick as I could when I heard the gunshot. But someone must have let him inside and then left the door unlocked. The doors are always locked and bolted at night.”

“Is Adler here?” Rebecca asked.

“Who is Adler?” Thomas asked.

“The butler.”

The servants who were standing in the corridor looked around, then said, “He’s not here.”

“Mrs. Atwater? Do you know something of Mr. Adler’s whereabouts?” Thomas asked.

“No, but I remember him saying a few months ago that he was hoping to be able to cease working in a few months and go live with his son in Dorchester. I asked him how he would be able to do that and he wouldn’t answer me.”

“We should go ask Fogg about whether Mr. Adler had a hand in all this,” Thomas said quietly.

“Forgive me,” Mrs. Atwater said. “That was only gossip. Mr. Adler could be completely innocent.”

“No, you were being helpful,” Thomas said. “Thank you. And we shall wait until we have evidence or a confession before accusing anyone.”

“Do you need me anymore, Mrs. Heywood?” The housekeeper turned to Rebecca.

“No, but . . . where is Mrs. Heywood, my mother-in-law?”

“I have not seen her. But she often takes her sleeping tonic, as she calls it, when she goes to bed.”

“Could she sleep through a gunshot?” Rebecca could hardly imagine it.

“I believe she could, when she takes the tonic. It’s mostly laudanum.”

“I see. Thank you, Mrs. Atwater. If you will send one of the servants to take care of Mr. Fogg until the surgeon comes, you may retire to bed. Thank you again.”

“Of course. And I’m very glad you are unharmed, Mrs. Heywood.” She nodded to them both and left the room.

“We should send word to someone,” Rebecca said, glancing at the gun she had used to defend herself. “But we can’t send for the Justice of the Peace.”

Thomas said. “No. Strader is behind all of this, according to Fogg. But I happen to know the Lord Lieutenant of the county. He’s not terribly far away, an old friend. I’ll send for him.”

“Oh, thank you.” Rebecca rubbed her temple, feeling a headache coming on.

“Your ankle,” he said, looking down at her bare feet. “You shouldn’t be standing on it, should you?”

“I forgot all about it.” She noticed now that it was hurting, but not as much as the day before. “It seems to be getting better.”

She suddenly realized they were alone in her bedroom.

“You should go back to bed,” he said. “I’ll go down and question Mr. Fogg and—”

A scream split the quiet.

“That came from downstairs.” Rebecca’s gaze fastened on his.