-16- Nocturnal Visitors

Since Sir Harry was the closest to the door, he opened it to reveal, of all people, Doctor Edwards. Entering the room, the doctor said, "My dear Lady Winter, I saw your traveling chaise in the courtyard, and I couldn't believe it. I do hope you do not mind my joining you for a few minutes. I wanted to check up on your Uncle Simon." Rushing to explain further, he went on, "I am called to London and will continue my journey tomorrow morning." Espying his patient, the doctor began to approach him.

Lady Winter rose and extended her hand. She shook the doctor's replying, "But of course you should join us. Your arrival could not be more timely. Uncle had an unsettling journey, and we have decided to stay the night here. I would that you see to him and reassure me that we did not leave Brighton too soon." Her worried expression cast a shadow over her countenance.

Doctor Edwards saw to his patient immediately and the men ushered the doctor and Uncle Simon upstairs to his chamber. This left Lord Stanton, Lord Henry and the ladies to spend a little time in conversation. They decided to play whist before they retired. Mrs. Willowby, the landlord’s wife, had already escorted Lady Winter's household staff upstairs, so it was just the four of them in the room.

"I am so pleased the Doctor was passing through and saw our carriage," she exclaimed. I have worried that I rushed our departure instead of letting Uncle rest more. He seemed strong enough, but I must have misread his cheerful disposition for his being more recovered." Lord Stanton patted her hand gently saying, "Lady Winter, you are always putting others before you. All will be well." He smiled and suddenly the evening promised to be more enjoyable than she had hoped.

Sir Harry dealt their cards and for the next hour or so, they laughed, joked and played partners. The men won finally and then it was off to their beds for a good night's rest. They would prepare to leave by nine o'clock, right after breakfast. The gentlemen escorted the ladies upstairs and bade them a good night.

Lady Laura preceded her Aunt into their bedchamber. As their window was open, Alice was lying down inside her little crate. Laura walked to the window and closed it. The late August evening had turned much cooler and this would allow Alice to sleep on her mistress’s bed. Sarah knocked on the door and came into the room. Curtseying, she then helped them to ready themselves for sleep. They thanked her and she went off to her own bed. The ladies settled down into their comfortable feather mattress and soon they were asleep. Alice yawned, stretched and closed her eyes. She purred and soon she was softly snoring into the night air.

Looking up at the bedroom windows of The Wooden Ship, the watcher had decided to climb up to the older man's bedchamber, after the whole household was quiet. Those jewels must be recovered and tonight was perhaps the only chance to check and see if he had the pouch hidden in his belongings. Since they hadn't been found in the front parlor, the old man was the most likely to have picked them up. Tonight was it.

Getting a ladder from the stable had been tricky, as the stable lad was making his nightly rounds and the ladder had to be quietly carried toward the inn. Once it had been lifted and leaned against the brick wall, the nocturnal intruder climbed the rungs as fast as possible. Thankfully the window was open. This was a good sign that fortune was smiling down. Once inside, a quick but silent search produced nothing. The old man was lying on his side and was snoring very loudly. Good enough to muffle the visitor's footsteps.

A continued search through all of his personal belongings proved that the elderly gentleman did not harbor the priceless gems. Climbing out the window and back down the ladder took only a few seconds. The ladder was returned to the stable, so that none would be the wiser. Time to consider who might be in possession of the jewels, for without their recovery, financial doom was imminent.