A Conspiracy of Ravens Read Online Free

by Albert Givins, the coachman, and Peter Grimes, the footman, with the help of two other male servants. As they walked, carefully carrying the burden toward the outside laboratory, Serafina forced herself to remain calm.
    The outside laboratory was simply a rectangular, redbrick building some twenty feet by thirty-six, the walls pierced by several windows and covered by tile. It was separated from the house by a series of enormous yew trees, and Serafina moved ahead now toward the door. The men paused with their burden as she opened it and quickly turned on the gaslight. One quick look assured her that the table on which autopsies were conducted was the logical place. It was waist high and would make it easier to tend to Dylan’s wounds. “Let me put something on that,” she said to the men and quickly found several blankets. She made a pad out of them, working efficiently, then turned and said, “Bring him in and put him on this table.”
    The men moved carefully, and Serafina said, “Be as gentle as you can. He may have some broken bones.”
    “Yes, ma’am, so it be,” Peter said. He and the other three men got a firm hold, and Peter said, “On the count of three we go. One. Two. Three.”
    Serafina could not help but notice that Dylan’s face showed no response as he was lifted and placed on the blanket.
    “That’s very good.”
    “Wot else can we do, ma’am?” Albert asked.
    She did not have time to answer, for David came running in, his face still pale and his voice unsteady. “Mum, Grandfather isn’t here. He’s gone to a meeting of the Royal Society in London.”
    She stood there uncertainly, and then Aldora came in, having followed Danny. “What is it? What’s happened?” she cried.
    “It’s Dylan. He’s been badly injured. He needs a doctor.”
    Aldora stared at the still form of Dylan and said, “Father’s not here.”
    “I know. We’ll have to get another doctor. Get someone to fetch Dr. Goldsmith as fast as he can.”
    “I’ll do that, ma’am,” Albert said quickly. He was a small man, having been a jockey at one time, and never lost his cockney accent. “I’ll take the phaeton and the matched bays. They be the fastest.”
    “Hurry, Albert! Explain the situation to him and get him here as fast as you can.”
    “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be quick as the wind.”
    As Albert ran through the door, Serafina turned to see David, who was staring fixedly at the still body of Dylan Tremayne. His lips were trembling, and he was so pale she feared for him. Going to him quickly, she put her arm around him and said, “You don’t need to be in here.”
    “It’s my fault.”
    “No, of course it’s not your fault. It was an accident.” Looking quickly up at Aldora, she added, “Dora, take David to the house, and don’t let anybody else come here. There’s no time for visiting. Oh, and tell Mrs. Fielding to get the small parlour made up into a bedroom.”
    Aldora blinked with surprise. “Into a bedroom?”
    “Yes, get a bed in it. Get some of those chairs and couches out.”
    “I’ll do it myself,” Aldora said, but she cast an apprehensive look toward the body of the wounded man. “Is he . . . is he going to die?”
    “No, of course not. Now, David, you go with Dora, and I’ll come and tell you after I’ve treated Mr. Dylan’s wounds.”
    “Yes, Mum.”
    “Is there anything else we can do, ma’am?” Peter asked.
    “After I’ve treated him, I’ll want you and the others to carry him into the house to the small parlour.”
    “Yes, ma’am, we’ll be outside in case you need us.”
    “Thank you, Peter.”
    Serafina did not watch the men leave. Her mind was already bent on the job that was before her. Going back to Dylan, the thought came to her, I’ve taken care of dead bodies on this very table, but I wish father were here. Taking a firm grip on herself, she went back and began to examine Dylan. Blood was running down from his scalp onto the table. A gust of relief came