The Guinea Thief - Chapter 13 cont...

Everyday Jack checked for a letter from London but nothing came. The weather grew colder and just before Christmas Portsmouth had a flurry of snow. Everyone was surprised. In the Red Lion the talk was all of the weather. Delphine indulged her customers, but one evening as she walked home with Jack she couldn’t help saying to him,
“At home in Brittany it rains most of the year. Our weather is not so different from yours. Yet we never talk about it as much as you. If it’s raining, it’s raining, if it’s not, it’s not. Talking about it changes nothing.”
“What do you mean?”
“Every day the men they come in, they order a beer, and sometimes a pie. And then they talk to me about the weather. If I was in a French bar they would be telling me how beautiful I was and how their wife makes their lives a misery. But here, it’s ‘nice weather we’re having’, ‘it’s a bit chilly tonight’, “It’s going to be another hard one.”
Jack laughed.”Well if that’s the case I much prefer it the English way. I don’t want strange men telling you how beautiful you are.”
“Why not? Am I not beautiful?”
“No, that’s not the reason. Of course you are beautiful.”
“You never say it.”
“I don’t need to. You know you are beautiful.”
“But it’s nice to be told.”
“Why do you need to be told something if you already know it?”
“Ah English men. They are so stupid. I wonder they ever get married.”
“What do you mean?”
“All this talk about the weather. Why don’t you talk about love?”
“Love?!”
“Yes, love. L’amour. At home, love is always talked about, even the old women who will never have a man again, still they talk about loves they have had, and loves they have lost. But the English they are so much more ‘pragmatique’. The weather, the dinner, the shopping. Never love.”
“Where has this come from?”
“My head. Where do you think it would come from?”
“Did someone upset you today?”
“Yes, you upset me today.”
“How?”
“You didn’t tell me I was beautiful.”
Jack grabbed Delphine’s hand.
“Come here and let me kiss you.”
“What here in the street?”
“Yes here in the street.”
“In front of everybody?”
“Yes in front of everybody.”
Delphine laughed. “Alright then.”
Jack kissed her tenderly. “You are so very beautiful and if I forget to tell you, it’s not because you are not beautiful, but I am so used to your beauty that to me it’s like saying the sun rises in the morning. Everybody knows it, you can see it just by looking at it. And everyone can see your beauty just by looking at you.”
“Ah Jack. Now you make me blush.”
“I thought that you wanted me to tell you are beautiful.”
“Now it’s too much.”
“Ah women. That’s why Englishmen don’t bother talking about love. We can never get it right.”
Delphine grabbed Jack’s hand.
“Don’t be cross. You did get it right. Today at least.”
“Good, now kiss me again before we go through the door. Once we’re inside the house we’ll have to stop.”
They kissed one more time, a long, lingering kiss.

Christmas came and went and still no news. Finally in the first week of the New Year, a letter came from Mr Ashurst, a barrister in London. The letter was brief and to the point.

Dear Miss Cadoudal
I have been retained by your brother M Georges Cadoudal to represent Mr Robert Goody at his forthcoming trial for murder. A date has now been set for the hearing at the Assizes later this month, in Winchester.
I will be coming to Portsmouth on Monday of next week, the Eleventh of this month, and would respectfully request your prompt attendance at your own convenience on the Tuesday (Twelfth) in the forenoon. I shall be staying at the George Hotel on the High Street and suggest that you come accompanied by a chaperone. I will arrange a meeting room where we can discuss the matter in private, and I would not wish to compromise your modesty by meeting with you alone.
Yours sincerely
Mr Leonard Ashurst KC

The morning of the meeting with Mr Ashurst came round surprisingly quickly. It had been agreed that Eliza should accompany Delphine and they set off at ten in the morning, reasoning that London folks very rarely got up early in the morning. Normally it was just a ten minute walk from Broad Street on the Point, to the High Street in the city, but this morning there was a long queue of people waiting to get through King James gate.
“What’s the hold up?” asked Eliza.
“A cartload of fish got overturned just by the gatehouse. We can’t get through till it’s been picked up. There’s fish everywhere. Can’t you smell it?” said the man in front of her.
Eliza snorted. “Do you really think I’d find the smell of fish extraordinary? We’re right by the quayside you great Galumph! Delphine let’s go sit on the wall for a moment, we won’t be going anywhere for a while, and we’re just going to get squashed in the meantime.”
“Are you alright?”
“Just a bit uncomfortable in a crowd. Nothing to worry about.”
“If you’re sure?”
“Yes, yes. Don’t fret yourself.”
The two women went and sat on the wall by the quay. It was bustling with fishermen carrying lobster pots, crabs, cockles and whelks. The morning’s fish had already been unloaded from the boats bobbing in the water below, and now the last few pieces which hadn’t gone to the market were being loaded into barrels and carts ready to go to the fine houses and hotels in the city.
“Good morning Eliza. Fancy some fresh oysters today?”
“Oh hello George.”
“Delphine shall we have oysters for supper?”
“Yes. Why not!”
“Thank-you George. I’m going into the city just now, so won’t be back to fetch them till later”
“I’m done for the day now Eliza. Tell you what I’ll drop them round your house. Is anyone home?”
“Jack should be there.”
“Actually Eliza, Jack told me he was going to go fishing. He said he couldn’t stand the waiting around with nothing to do.” said Delphine
“Oh.”
“Well I guess we’ll just have to take them with us. How much do I owe you George?”
“On the house Eliza. These ones are spare anyways.”
George handed over the oysters. “I hear poor Robert’s prospects don’t look good. Up before the judge this month I see.”
“We’ll see about that. I think perhaps on second thoughts we’ll leave the oysters for today. Thank you anyway George.”
“Take’em Eliza. I didn’t mean anything by what I just said.”
“No, well. I’m sure you didn’t George. Here’s thruppence, that should cover them.”
“You really don’t have to.”
“Yes I do. Delphine let’s be getting along.”
They walked back to the gate and the queue had eased off. As they walked through the gateway a boy was throwing buckets of water over the cobbles.
“Mind yer feet ladies. And watch out them cobbles is slippery as you like.”
Eliza and Delphine picked their way carefully through the gate and out onto the main street on the other side. Eliza clutched the bag of oysters in her hand.
“It looks like we’ve been to market, not going to meet some fancy London lawyer.”
“When we get to the hotel we can ask them to keep them in the kitchen for us, while we meet Mr Ahsurst.”
“Oh that’s a good idea. You really are a smart girl, Delphine.”
“My father says I am so sharp, one day I might cut myself.”
“It doesn’t always pay to show the men how clever you are. They get suspicious, think you’re out to catch them somehow. But today I need you to put your smarts on. This lawyer is going to be talking all sorts of nonsense and I need you to help me understand what he’s talking about.”
“Oh dear really? I hope my English is up to the job.”
“It is now. You’re talking like one of us now. Only with a nicer accent.” Eliza patted Delphine on the arm.
The George Hotel was a large hotel on the High Street. Two large slightly rounded bay windows stood proudly out from the building on the first floor. These were known as the captain’s quarters and from the street below looked like replicas of a captain’s cabin on the stern of a ship. The hotel was favoured by many high ranking naval officers.
As they walked up the stone steps Delphine saw the bell boy looking at Eliza’s net bag of oysters quizzically. Eliza and Delphine walked into the grand reception area. Two men in admiralty uniform were sitting in brocade armchairs by the fire smoking their pipes. A young man dressed soberly in a navy frockcoat and white breeches greeted them. His only gesture towards the foppish attire of his contemporaries were the white lace cuffs which trimmed his frock coat.
“Good morning ladies. And I how can I help you?”
“Delphine spoke in what she hoped was her fanciest french accent.
“Good morning Monsieur. I am ‘ere to see Monsieur Ashurst the lawyer from London. I ‘ave an appointment à cette heure précise.”
“Indeed. And your name is?”
“Mademoiselle Cadoudal.” Delphine held out her gloved hand for it to be kissed.
“Enchanté Mademoiselle.” Please be seated, and I will tell Mr Ashurst that you are here.”
“Merci.” Delphine turned to sit down. “Ah Monsieur, un petit service, it’s just a little thing. Would you mind looking after these delicieuse oysters for me. Your local oysters are so tempting, quite delicious and I just could not resist them this morning.” Delphine smiled coquettishly.
“Of course. I shall have them taken in to the kitchen forthwith.”
“Thank you, so very much. It is most kind.”
Delphine swept towards the enormous fireplace and sat down delicately on the only vacant chair. Eliza wished she could do the same. But she realised that for the purposes of Delphine’s little charade it would be better to act as the ladies maid and stand behind her chair waiting patiently. She just hoped it wouldn’t be a long wait.
Eliza bent down to Delphine and whispered in her ear.
“You are very good, anyone would think you are a lady.”
“Thank you. That was fun. But now it’s time to get a little more serious.”
A tall man with grey hair pulled back in a pony-tail lightly dusted with blue powder walked towards them. His brocade waistcoat was encrusted with pearls, and his midnight blue velvet breeches were finished off with white stockings. Everything about him said money and style.
“Mademoiselle Cadoudal? Je me suis Monsieur Ashurst, a votre service.” Mr Ashurst clicked his heels together and held out his free hand. Delphine placed her hand in his and he kissed it politely. In his other hand he held a small bundle of papers
“This way please, ladies.”
Delphine rose from her chair and followed him, Eliza kept two deferential steps behind Delphine. Mr Ahsurst showed them into the library. Three of the walls were filled with leather bound books, the fourth wall, the one with the door in it, had a number of large portraits on it. There was no window, and the only light was from the candlebras attached to the wall, and two very large candlesticks on the walnut table dominating the centre of the room. Four chairs were placed around the table. Delphine and Eliza took their seats. A small writing desk with an ink stand and quill pen was at the far end of the room. Mr Ashurst placed his bundle of papers on the table and went to fetch the pen and ink stand and then satisfied he had all his tools about him, he sat himself down.
“Mr Ashurst, I’d like to introduce my companion Mrs Elizabeth Goody, Robert Goody’s wife.”
“Mrs Goody, apologies for not introducing myself, I had assumed you were Mademoiselle Cadoudal’s lady’s maid.”
“That’s fine. I’m very pleased you are able to help my Robert.”
“Well let’s see about that. I suggest we get down to business immediately, as it’s not so many days until your husband is before the judge.”
“When is that exactly?”
“I’ve requested a hearing on the 27th of this month.”
“You requested the hearing?”
“Yes. I did. Many people never make it to trial. They die on the hulks before they get a hearing. If it wasn’t for the unfortunate death of so many innocent people, it’s actually quite an efficient system for ridding society of the criminal class. The chances are quite high that if I had not requested the hearing your husband might never have left the hulk, well not alive at least.”
“Robert said to me that last year one out of every four people died on the hulk.”
“That’s quite normal. And if there is a bout of fever, it becomes higher than that. He’s fortunate it’s winter, it ’s worse in the Summer. If that can be imagined.”
“Well in that case, I must thank you.”
“Not at all. Right I’m going to need you to tell me the facts of what happened. I want you to tell me absolutely everything, leave no stone unturned as they say. Don’t be squeamish and don’t try to protect anyone. I need to know the truth in order to understand how best I can help. What you tell me need not necessarily be revealed to the court. I’ll be the judge of what is and is not fit for public viewing.”
“Bon. So where should I start?”
“First of all for me, who killed Captain Adair. Was it Robert Goody or someone else. That’s where I’d start.”
“Oh so Georges didn’t tell you?”
“No, in fact he spent barely a few moments with me, shook my hand and handed me a purse of gold. No my discussions were conducted mostly through his friend the Comte.”
“ Ah. Quelle surprise. Well the reason Georges is paying so handsomely for your effort, is not because he is such a gentleman. No, not at all. He is paying for you, because he is the murderer.”
“I’m sorry I don’t quite follow. If I was the murderer and someone else was on trial for it, why would I help them prove their innocence? Surely it is in my interests for them to take the blame?”
“But what about justice?”
“Oh my dear. Justice has very little to do with the workings of the court. But I digress. Georges is the murderer and you are quite sure of this?”
“Yes, I saw him do it.”
“Does he know you saw him?”
“Yes. I told him. I came to London and I told him he had to come and tell that he was the murderer. But he refused.”
“Well I can see it’s not the most enticing invitation I’ve ever heard. Did anyone else witness the murder?”
“Witness?”
“Was anyone else with you, did anyone else see it happen?”
“No. I was alone with the Captain. Robert and Jack they heard the shot and came running. Georges had gone before they arrived.”
“So who knew that Georges was on the beach?”
“Well all of them were together on the beach, it was a run, you know, and then Georges left them to go to London and that’s when it happened.”
“Who is all of them?”

“Robert, Jack, Fred, and also Luke, John, Matthew and Mark.”
“How very biblical.”
“I’m sorry?”
“The names.”
“Ah yes that was my brother’s fault, they are his sons. The first were Matthew and Mark. It was when the next boy came along that they decided to keep the joke going.” said Eliza.
“So this was largely a family affair? Robert, his nephews and the other two fellows Fred and Jack?”
“Yes. Jack is Robert and mine stepson. Fred is Robert’s first mate. He’s like family.”
“Is this normal, to have the family on the beach at night?”
“It was a special run, for Georges. It was important that not too many people knew about it.”
“Why?”
“Because of what they were running that night.”
“Which was?”
“Gold. A thousand gold guineas that Georges had stolen from Napoleon.”
“Indeed. Well that’s probably top of the list of things we won’t mention in the court. I suggest you forget you ever said that to me. Next question. Why were you with the Captain?”
“It was an accident really. I was looking for Georges. He knew where Georges was.”
“How?”
“The Captain was working for Robert.”
“Oh. Again a fact that should definitely not be raised in court. We need to ensure that the dead man’s reputation remains intact. I think it’s only proper.”
“Robert would never dream of dragging Davy into this.”
“Davy is?”
“Captain Adair, the dead man.”
“Oh right. I see. It’s important we are clear. So there is a run on the beach. Georges is leaving…?” Delphine nodded her assent. “Good and he accidently bumps into you and the Captain.”
“Yes.”
“If the Captain was with you why did Georges shoot him. Surely he knew that meant he was not a threat. He may have even seen him before?”
“Georges didn’t recognize me. I was in disguise.”
“In disguise. What sort of disguise?”
“I was dressed as a boy so Georges wouldn’t recognize me when I followed him.”
“Why did you need to disguise yourself from your brother, you’ve quite lost me.”
“Because he banned me from coming to the beach, he said it was too dangerous.”
“Well given that a man was shot, your brother may have had a point.”
“But I wanted to see my father.”
“Your father, how does he fit in to this picture?”
“He was bringing the gold from France. Georges had left it with my father, he couldn’t trust anyone else.”
“So George sees the Captain, shoots him. Then what?”
“I screamed. Georges put his gun down. Robert came, and Jack soon after. Robert and Fred carried the Captain to the church. Jack and I rode away.”
“So if Robert had not carried the Captain to the church he would not have been caught. He could have just left the captain to die alone and no-one would have known what had happened to him.”
“True.”
“So I think we need to focus on two things. Robert was not present at the time the shot was fired. And secondly you were. And the one thing we want to avoid saying is why you were all there in the first place. I’ll need the full names of Fred and Jack. Would they be willing to testify as witnesses for Robert?”
“Yes, yes absolutely.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“For me the biggest issue is going to be Georges. Do we name him as the murderer?”
“He is the murderer.” said Delphine.
“Yes but he is also a very important man, and of equal importance, he is paying me. I’m not sure he was bargaining on paying me to implicate him in a murder. The matter I have to consider is this, can I win the case without stating that Georges Cadoudal killed Captain Adair?”
“Can you?”
“Right now my lady I really couldn’t say. I need to think about it a bit more. Justice is a woman, and she is most unpredictable.”