Page 25 of Mistress of Darkness

As he leaned on them, they helped him to stand. But it was clear he couldn’t stay upright without their help.

“All right,” Gwen said. “Parks, help me get Mr. Sheraton to his bed. Then you must go for the doctor.” Both of them took one of his arms around their shoulders.

“Doctor?” Robert said, as they helped him up the stairs. “Doctor?”

“Yes, Robert,” Gwen said, panting again with the effort of supporting him. “I think you’ve been given some sort of drug.”

* * *

Dr. Thackery had come,huffing and puffing, in the small hours of the night. Gwen quickly introduced herself before leading him upstairs.

“Parks tells me you suspect a drug,” the older man said, not bothering to take off his coat.

“Yes, doctor,” she said, as they climbed. “Despite the fact that his library was on fire, he was very difficult to rouse.”

“Right,” he said as they reached the top. “Parks told me what happened.”

Robert lay on his bed where she and Parks had lain him. Though he was conscious, he was still drowsy and slow of movement. The doctor set his bag down on the bed and threw off his coat.

“Mr. Sheraton,” he said, loudly, “do you know who I am?”

“Dr. Thackery,” Robert responded. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Gwen had to smile a little. The last few hours had been harrowing. As she’d sat by his bedside, she’d watched for even the smallest indication that he might be fading. But his breathing had never faltered and he’d alternately woken and fallen asleep.

“Bring me that candle,” he ordered Gwen, pointing at it.

As she brought it to him, Thackery didn’t take it but leaned over Robert and motioned her to come closer. With a deft and practiced movement, the doctor thumbed Robert’s right eye open wide. Then he did the same to the left.

“Mmm hmm,” he said nodding.

“What is it?” Gwen asked.

Ignoring her, he said to Robert, “Open your mouth and stick out your tongue.” As the doctor examined it, Gwen was relieved to see that it looked normal—at least she thought it did.

As the doctor straightened, he shooed her back. “Out of my way.” He opened his bag and took out a stethoscope. Placing the earpieces in his ears, he put the listening end under Robert’s shirt and stood still, seeming to concentrate. “Mmm hmm,” he muttered again.

Gwen rolled her eyes, almost beyond patience with the man. Why could he not just tell her his findings?

“Send for Parks,” he told her.

Quickly she set the candle back down on the nightstand and raced out the door—and nearly collided with the valet.

“Yes, Miss,” he said a bit sheepishly. “I heard the doctor.”

“And I hear you,” Thackery called to him. “Fetch me a bottle of brandy.” She and Parks exchanged puzzled looks. “Make sure it’s unopened,” Thackery added, more loudly. “And bring a glass.”

When Gwen returned to the bed, Robert had closed his eyes again and the doctor was rummaging in his leather bag. From it he withdrew a dark brown bottle that rattled with the sound of tablets within.

Obviously the man knew something, or at least suspected it. She could no longer contain herself. “Doctor, please, do you have any idea what has happened?”

He paused, scowling his reproach at her. “Well you said it yourself, didn’t you? He’s been drugged, or more precisely, sedated.”

Parks’ footsteps pounded up the steps but slowed to a walk as he entered the room, breathing hard. “Brandy, doctor.”

“Inspect the seal,” he told Gwen then motioned to Parks. “Give me the glass.”

Gwen took the bottle and examined the round cork and the thin strip of paper glued to it. Both appeared to be in perfect condition and untouched. “I don’t believe it’s ever been opened.”