Page 61 of Rogue’s Holiday

“There was a threatening note, but their hatred was directed at me. Jack and I have tried to identify the culprits on many occasions but have not been successful. We were prepared for an attack but not on Miss Reynolds. They had rooms somewhere near North Street. I will comb that street tonight and at first light, I will follow the clues to where she has been taken. In the meantime, I will ask the king for help.”

Robbie was escorted with Jack, Lady Sanborn and Miss Crockett to the small anteroom near the king’s chambers where Robbie explained all he knew to his sire.

“We will have the traitors strung up as we did the others!” said the king, who had shed his pasha costume. “What can we do to help you catch them and return Miss Reynolds?”

“If you would spare me a few of your guards, I would go to North Street and scour it for any evidence that she has been there. And we may expect a note demanding a ransom.”

“You shall have whatever you need, Sir Robert.” The king turned to the nearest footman and gave an order.

Worried for the time that was lost while he lay unconscious, Robbie set off on foot accompanied by Jack and three of the king’s guards. North Street was dark, the merchants’ shops closed for the night, except for a few taverns at the other end of the street. But this part of the street with its narrow alleys was where they had spotted the redheaded man.

“Spread out and check the alleys!” he urged. “And look for any carriage.”

There were stables off North Street but before he would resort to checking them, he wanted to see if the evildoers had returned to their lair. He refused to allow himself to think what they might do to a young innocent like Chastity Reynolds.

An hour later, it was clear there was no carriage anywhere on North Street or hidden in its alleys. “Damn,” he said, “there has to be some sign they were here.”

“They may have taken her out of Brighton,” suggested Jack.

“Aye, they might. We can ask about carriages headed to London.” They were about to leave when Robbie spotted a light coming from a second story window. Most people would be in bed at this hour.

He drew the men to him and whispered to the three guards, “Wait here should any run from this door. Jack and I will see what keeps this lodger up so late.”

Pistol drawn, Robbie opened the street door and slowly crept up the stairs. Jack, a knife poised in his hand, followed closely. Robbie listened for voices but heard none until he was in front of the door on the upper floor.

Men’s voices drifted to his ear.

“A tidy piece of work,” said one.

“Neat as a pin,” said another, deeper voice.

“The guvnor should be in London by mornin’ with his baggage wrapped up and ready to deliver.”

“Aye, and in that getup she wore to the masked ball, he should have no trouble unloadin’ the goods.”

His pistol cocked, Robbie kicked the door open. The two men scrambled to grab a weapon. “Don’t move,” he said with ice in his voice, aiming his pistol at the redheaded man just laying his hand on a pistol.

In a very unwise move, the man decided to lift the pistol. Robbie fired, knocking it out of his hand.

“Ye shot me!” said the wounded man, clutching his bloody hand to his chest.

“I’ll do worse if I don’t get some answers.” Robbie laid aside the used pistol and drew another.

Boots pounded on the stairs behind them and one of the king’s guards stuck his head in the doorway. “Everything all right here, sir?”

“Yes,” said Jack, “We’re just ridding the place of these vermin.”

The three guards entered and took up a stance behind them.

Robbie aimed his pistol at the other man. “Now I want answers. Where is the girl?”

The two men shared a glance. “We don’t rightly know.”

“That won’t do,” said Robbie. “There were more of you, yes?”

The redhead nodded.

“And a carriage?”