Free Dread Murder by Gwendoline Butler Page B

then?’
    â€˜Bad,’ said John, ‘very bad. He asked for news and I told him about Dol’s killing. He didn’t like what he heard.’
    â€˜But did he know her?’
    â€˜I don’t think he knew her; he has the pick from the top of the pile – which poor Dol wasn’t, as we all know
– but I think any drawing near of death disturbs him.’
    He knew, as did the other men, although it was never to be touched on, that this King had inherited more than a crown from his father.
    Â 
    I have been — between ourselves — very ill indeed , the King had written to the Countess of Elgin, and it is little known how ill I have been . He gave her no details.
    He had to pretend, to act a lie, even when he felt mortally ill; for had not the Duke of Cumberland spread a lie that he was mad?
    Mad?
    But, of course, it was known.
    At Court people knew or guessed. It was inevitable that the word should spread around at Windsor, from the highest to the low. But it was risky to whisper the word ‘madness’.
    â€˜Keep a still tongue in your head about it,’ John warned his fellow dressers. ‘For I swear I think he will kill anyone who speaks out of turn.’
    Or have them killed.

Chapter Five
    That evening, over several glasses of mulled burgundy (by courtesy of the unknowing but generous King), it was decided that the Major should go down the hill to the Unit, making some excuse which he could surely think up, and have a good look round.
    He knew where the Unit was housed; he had made earlier enquiries and it had not been difficult getting the address. Gracious Street, which lay towards the little town of Egham, was not one of the more prosperous or grander streets of Windsor; but nowhere in this Royal town was really poor, so the small houses of Gracious Street were well cared for.
    The Unit rented a room at Number Seven.
    â€˜Do you know the landlady’s name?’ asked Denny.
    â€˜I do. She’s Mrs Brewer,’ answered the Major.
    â€˜Brewer is it?’ said Denny. ‘She were Brown once,’ he said reminiscently, ‘besides various other names.’
    â€˜Like that, is it?’
    Denny shrugged. ‘I daresay she might have known Dol. Not saying for sure because I don’t know for sure.
But that’s all in the past. Or I daresay it is,’ he finished, hedging his bets. ‘Now she’s got Felix in the house it would be better if so,’ he ended.
    â€˜You’re a well of interesting knowledge, Sergeant, or should I say sink? I must remember that.’ But he spoke amiably; he had known for years the sort Denny was – indeed, what he was had made him more useful.
    â€˜Perhaps I should send you down to Gracious Street after all!’
    Denny grinned. ‘I haven’t seen her for years, and she didn’t live in Gracious Street when I knew her.’
    â€˜Don’t go on.’
    â€˜I think they knocked down where she did live, turned it into a hospital.’
    â€˜I’ll get down there in the morning,’ Mearns said. ‘Do you know how they are getting on?’
    Denny did. ‘Felix has three helpers, all old soldiers, including John Farmer, who might be useful. Brewer would like them; she always had a turn for soldiers. They go out and walk the town while he stays inside, unless one of them comes back with a tale to bring him out. But sometimes he just goes out – when they’re not expecting it, like.’
    â€˜To check up.’
    Denny nodded. ‘It’s what I’d do. You too, I daresay.’ Thoughtfully, the Major said: ‘I’ll go to Gracious Street first. Early. Talk to Felix if he’s there and then take a walk round the town myself.’
    â€˜I could do that part for you,’ Denny offered.
    â€˜No, you stay here. In case another bit or two of
Traddles turns up.’
    â€˜Wonder if Mindy’s been down there for a look?’
    â€˜It