Free Peril on the Royal Train by Edward Marston Page A

friendly. He stopped, bided his time, removed his top hat and ran a hand through his hair. Pretending to scan the landscape in front of him, he suddenly swung round on his heel and looked directly behind him. Colbeck was just in time to see someone dive unceremoniously behind a bush. There was no need to speculate on whom it might be. The uniform gave the man away.
    It was Superintendent McTurk.
     
     
    Tam Howie conducted his visitor into his office and closed the door behind him. Ian Dalton had called on a fellow merchant but he hadn’t come to discuss business. They were committed members of the same kirk and Dalton had been present at the meeting when Howie had tried to persuade the others to take more extreme action against the railway companies. He was one of the two converts to Howie’s cause. Younger and stockier than his friend, Dalton had grown tired of their lack of success in the battle against the desecration of the Sabbath.
    ‘You spoke well the other day, Tam,’ he said.
    ‘Not well enough to win the argument, I’m afraid. The rest of them are like Gregor Hines – too old and too frightened to do what’s needful. It fair sickens me, Ian,’ complained Howie. ‘When we have the means at our disposal to strike with real effect, why don’t we use it?’
    ‘I couldn’t agree more.’
    ‘It’s not as if we can’t afford it.’
    ‘Quite so, Tam – my pockets are deep enough.’
    ‘And so are mine. What better way to spend our money?’
    Both men made a comfortable living by importing and selling goods during the week. On Sunday, however, they transacted no business. That would have been morally wrong on the day of rest. Their Sabbath was devoted to attendance at kirk services and Bible-reading. Their respective children had been brought up to maintain that tradition. Because they were keen market rivals, Howie and Dalton didn’t see much of each other socially. What brought them together was a shared purpose.
    ‘You were right,’ said Dalton. ‘We must do more.’
    ‘Some of us have already moved in that direction,’ confessed Howie. ‘We’d wait until Doomsday until Gregor and the rest of the old guard finally see sense. I just won’t stand by and watch the trains run all over Scotland on the Sabbath.’
    ‘What have you done, Tam?’
    ‘That’s between Flora and me.’
    Dalton was taken aback. ‘Are you saying that your
wife
is involved?’
    ‘Aye – she’s involved right up to the hilt.’
    ‘Good for her!’
    ‘Flora is as passionate a devotee of the cause as I am.’
    ‘We’re lucky to have two such people in our midst,’ said Dalton. ‘The others may not want to follow your example but I certainly do. If there’s work for my hands, just tell me what it is.’
    ‘That depends on how far you’re prepared to go, Ian.’
    ‘I’ll go all the way.’
    ‘Even if it means breaking the law?’
    ‘Even then, Tam – you have my word. After all, Jesus broke the law when he felt that it was right to do so. We only follow where he led. You can count on my unqualified support.’
    ‘Thank you,’ said Howie, grasping his hand and shaking it vigorously. ‘We need help, Ian. There’s a limit to what Flora and I can do alone.’
    ‘Rely on me from now on.’
    ‘You do realise the risk that you’re taking, don’t you?’
    ‘I’m a businessman. I take risks all the time.’
    ‘But you don’t usually flout the law when you’re doing so. Very well,’ he went on, ‘let’s take a little time to mull this over. Each of us can decide what we prefer to do to make the railway companies sit up and take notice. Be bold, Ian,’ he said, bunching a fist. ‘This is no time for faint hearts.’
    ‘I can be bold when the need arises,’ boasted Dalton.
    ‘Then let’s leave it at that. Flora will be delighted by the news. We had the feeling that you inclined towards us.’
    ‘It’s the only way to show how serious we are in our beliefs. If we cause embarrassment to the railway