Steps to the Gallows Read Online Free

Ackford let go of him. ‘That’s better. Jem will be fine. His head has been cracked open and he’s still jangled but, in time, I’ve no doubt that he’ll make a full recovery.’
    ‘Thank heaven for that!’
    ‘His main problem concerns you.’
    ‘Why me?’ asked Ackford. ‘I yearn to offer my sympathy.’
    ‘He’s expecting the sharp edge of your tongue, Gully. In fact, he’s terrified that his place here is in jeopardy and that he’ll lose both his home and occupation.’
    ‘Jem will always be welcome here.’
    ‘Then it’s important for you to tell him that in person. Coming from both of you, kind words will aid his recovery more than anything else.’
    ‘What do you mean by both of us?’
    ‘Jem’s eye has alighted on one of our servants.’
    Ackford grinned. ‘Then it has to be Meg, the sweet young thing with the dimples, and I don’t blame him for a second. Has he declared himself?’
    ‘He’s far too timid for that, Gully. Now that Meg will be helping to look after him, the situation may change. However, you’ll want to see him yourself. What lessons are booked?’
    ‘Only one, Peter – it’s an hour improving someone’s swordsmanship.’
    ‘Then I’ll take on the instruction.’
    ‘I’ll be off immediately,’ said Ackford, grateful for the offer and heading towards the door. ‘Thank you, Peter.’
    ‘Tarry a while because I have to give you instruction as well. Mr Paige was your friend, Gully. On the ride to my house, I want you to dredge up everything that you can remember about him. In particular,’ added Peter, ‘I’ll need to know exactly what he told you when he came here. Piece the conversation together word for word, if you can. It may contain something that will ultimately lead us to the killer.’
    ‘I’ll do my best.’
    ‘Be quick about it. We’ll not be alone in the hunt.’
    ‘I know. A reward notice will prompt others to join in the search.’
    ‘I’m not thinking about greedy individuals with the smell of money in their nostrils. I’m talking about the Runners.’
    ‘They’ll have to be involved, Peter.’
    ‘We’ll be up against Micah Yeomans and his men once again. That’s why we must use what little advantage we hold.’
    ‘I concur.’
    ‘Paige turned to you because he trusted you. That places an obligation on us. We failed him,’ said Peter, solemnly. ‘The only way to atone for that failure is to catch the brutal killer who dispatched him to his grave. And, above all else, we must do so before Yeomans and his crew.’
     
    People who walked past Eldon Kirkwood in the street rarely gave him a second glance. He was a skinny, bearded man in his fifties with a dainty step and an aura of insignificance. Those who faced him in court, however, saw him in a very different light. In his wig and robe of office, the Chief Magistrate at Bow Street took on remarkable substance in every way. When he peered at offenders over the top of his spectacles, he could make even the most hardened criminals quake in their boots. His tongue had a caustic bite, his compassion was almost non-existent and his judgements invariably resulted in the maximum punishment for any convicted malefactors. A dominating figure in court, he was even more intimidating in the confines of his office. Yeomans and Hale, Principal Officers at Bow Street, had faced the most desperate villains in London without quailing but their legs always trembled slightly when they were summoned before Kirkwood.
    ‘You have work for us, sir?’ asked Yeomans, tentatively.
    ‘Of course I do,’ snapped the other. ‘I didn’t send for you sothat we could discuss the phases of the moon. Use what little intelligence the Lord gave you, man.’
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    ‘And the same goes for you, Hale.’
    ‘Indeed, sir,’ said Hale, meekly.
    Standing side by side in front of the desk, the Runners felt like two wayward pupils about to face the wrath of their headmaster. They could almost hear the swish of the