The Gateway - Chapter VI: Suspicions and Speculations

Geoffrey, no doubt, was in a state of absolute confusion. Whoever had killed his livelihood and drawn such woe into his spouse’s countenance, it would seem, was very well financed. The pearl earrings were expensive and thus, as far as Geoffrey could gather, there were only two girls of the social stature, and ownership of an estate back where they came from who could possibly afford to own such exquisite jewellery. These two young ladies were namely Susan and Felicity, the two girls who were staying with the Reverend. This, Geoffrey, despite the lack of motive, could sufficiently fathom to mean one, or both, of them were responsible. However, the investigation, on his part, to find the assailant was laden with incoherent details due to recent events that did seem to be linked with the incident, but provided no material that could allude to evidence that would contrive to put the killer in a guilty light. The incoherent details subsisted of that one of his workers he had recently forced into gratifying him, namely Mary, the milkmaid, had disappeared – giving him reason to believe it was indeed her, and furthermore hitherto the slaying of the animals, his sickles, the same tool it had been decided had been used to perform the act, had gone missing; further incriminating one of his own workers. Geoffrey subsequently decided both parties were involved and spent the majority of the afternoon searching what had recently been Mary’s room. It was during this search that Geoffrey’s weak and selfish brain began to exert something comparable to intelligence. He had slowly realised that if he did reveal that Mary was responsible then it was more than likely the socially torrid and decadent details of his relationship with Mary would come to light. He would ultimately lose Nell and in all probability his freedom. Geoffrey would realise that if he made Susan a scapegoat; she, who was already under much scrutiny, due to her brother’s blasphemous outbursts, would no doubt bear the brunt of village suspicion and prejudice thus bringing her to be convicted with the felony. Accordingly Geoffrey engineered a speech, which would present the incriminating evidence, explicitly the pearl earring, to be naturally, on monetary terms, linked to Susan, to be pronounced to the Reverend and local law enforcers as soon as possible.

When I awoke the next morning it was dull and raining outside, typical of winter. I did not know that by tonight the sky would be alive with colour, fire and the agonising scream of men. I knew little of the forthcoming events when I got up from my bed and staggered down for breakfast, but what was to unfold would shed light on the soldiers words as the light of the fire tonight would reveal Susan’s true self.

As I entered the kitchen my Aunt ushered me to get dressed.
‘There’s a village meeting today, hurry up and get dressed.’
‘What’s it about?’ I inquired, fearing the worst.
‘Geoffrey thinks he knows who killed his cattle.’
I turned away and shot up the stairs before Aunt Laura could see my pained countenance. I got dressed and called down the stairs:
‘What time is the meeting?’
‘’Alf an ‘our,’ my father called back.
I then, upon receiving this information, bounded out of the front door and ran towards the village.

‘You again?’ Reverend Osborne gave a shrug, ‘I suppose you want Susan again, she’s in her room.’ He stared at me and smiled. ‘You do realise she’s a little old for you don’t you? I know she’s very pretty, but trust me son, she is not the type of lady you want to spend your efforts on.’
I gave a weak smile and wished that my visits here were, indeed, on the grounds of a childish attraction to an older, unconquerable woman. I knocked on the door, having felt her rage before when entering of my own accord.
‘Come in,’ she said.
I did so.
‘John? I trust you did as I asked?’
‘Yes, but Susan, you may not have heard but Geoffrey is to hold a village meeting in roughly fifteen minuets. He is to reveal who he believes to have committed the crime, and I thought I should warn you, since I expect either you or Mary are his main suspects.’
‘Geoffrey, no doubt, will blame me. It would be foolish of him to accuse Mary; she would reveal his advances. I, however, am vulnerable. Even if I were to explain Mary was responsible for the slaughter, it would be my word against his as Mary has recoiled to Dark Moor and thus, given the prejudice and hate against me in the village, Geoffrey would have his way and would be free to commit his next lust-fuelled crime. John, we must find a way to stop Geoffrey committing these abhorrent crimes against the fairer sex; who knows how many young, naïve girls he has seduced… or forced himself upon. He is a danger to our society and the sort of man who should not be allowed to exist in this country. If only we could deport him to Australia with all the other convicts like we did back in the old days. Unfortunately times have changed and we must strive to keep things the same as much as we possibly can, par women’s suffrage of course. Geoffrey and his kind would not be allowed to get away with such things under a Conservative government. The Liberal see too much good in everybody, but John, people in this country must realise that human beings are flawed and sometimes inclined to commit felonies against their own; these people should be locked up forever – or hanged, which is just as commendable, if not more.’
I smiled indifferently, not really wanting to agree or disagree with her, for agreeing with her would conflict my views and disagreeing with her would not put me in a favourable light. Susan sat on her bed and started contemplating a way to stop Geoffrey. She sat in a meditative stance for about five more minuets before her bleak eyes flashed with excitement and a thin smile formed on her face.
‘This Geoffrey, John; Mary told me he has a weakness for young girls, is it true?’
‘As far as I know. But Susan, why did you help Mary anyway?’
‘Why? Is it not obvious? I detest men like Geoffrey, I detest most men, and I helped Mary because she was a woman, because man had done wrong by her; the earrings were my guarantee that I would help her, as well as an act of friendship. But that is of little consequence now. I have decided what to do, but it will require your help. You must go to Dark Moor now and alert Mary to as what the forthcoming meeting will entail, I will come with you part of the way to avoid the meeting and then I will make my way to the King’s farm. You must tell Mary to do the same, and then you may go home if you wish. Tell her to meet me in the barn where Geoffrey keeps the crop harvest.’
I nodded and watched as Susan opened up her window and jumped out. Before you jump to all sorts of conclusions I must hasten to add that Susan’s room was on the ground floor and thus she didn’t break any bones. I followed her and we ran towards Dark Moor. We concealed ourselves behind hillocks as we made our way towards the Dark Wood where Mary was in hiding.
‘Thank you for this John, you are steadily restoring my faith in men, when one has had to live with the brothers and father I have, one cannot help but feel hatred for their sex.’
I told her it was no effort on my part, a lie of course, but it was in endeavour of being socially correct as Susan would no doubt expect good breeding among her peers and I was trying my best to conceal my poor breeding and mediocre upbringing.

The walk to the Dark Wood was long and hard work due to the hilly terrain, and the beauty of the scenery was marred by my worry as what my relations must think to my absence. When we actually reached the wood I could see that it was very dense and ideal for hiding oneself. Susan bid me goodbye and instructed me to call out for Mary as finding her would be difficult. I observed Susan making her way toward King Farm as fast as the constraint of the material of her dress would allow. I then turned and cautiously entered. The trees were all stripped of their leaves and the pale blue sky, which had been invaded by the winter clouds, gave the place a rather haunting atmosphere. One could easily imagine people have died here and been forgotten; I was verily expecting to find a human skull by a rotting log. I gave a rather feeble ‘Mary?’ and received no answer. I raised my voice and Mary emerged into sight about three minutes later looking very unkempt and much like an untidy version of Susan, except not as handsome.
‘Oh, you’re the boy who told me about Geoffrey ain’t you?’
‘Yes. Susan had told me to instruct you to meet her in the crop barn on King Farm.’
‘Why does she want me to go there – we’ll be caught by Geoffrey?’ Mary asked puzzled.
‘He’s in a meeting,’ I answered, ‘he’ll be a couple of hours explaining who he thinks killed his cattle and then everyone will decide what to do with them.’
Mary contemplated this for a moment before setting off towards King Farm. I decided I would follow her; if she didn’t object that is, as so if Geoffrey did come face to face with them I would be a witness to what he did and could help prosecute him in a court of law. What I didn’t realise as the time was that what Susan intended was to come face to face with him – and to take justice into her own hands.