The Quest for the Penny Black, page 24
‘What do you want to talk to him about?’
‘I want to know what he does and his intentions.’
‘Good. OK.’
They sat there for another half an hour looking at the puzzle. ‘I bet the first two lines refer to Queen Victoria,’ he announced. ‘Fifty years could be the anniversary of her coming to the throne.’
‘Could be … ’
A knock at the door disturbed their thoughts. Jake went and let Archie in. He stared at Jake noting his improved looks, but didn’t say anything. After taking off his shoes, he went into the lounge. Marvellous, he thought, looking at the furniture and bookshelves.
‘Ah! Mr Brown. Sit down. Now look at this.’ She handed him a sheet of paper. ‘What do you make of this? We think the first two lines relate to Queen Victoria.’
Archie perused it. ‘How many more clues are there left?’ he enquired innocently.
‘Well, after this one, there should be three. But never mind that. What about this one?’
He looked at it. Silence pervaded the room. No one spoke. Then Archie commented. ‘Yes, the first two lines are about Victoria and the fifty is her anniversary. What date is that?’
Mrs W scoured through her journals. ‘1887,’ she replied.
‘Mn.’mused Archie. ‘The ides of March was when Julius Caesar was knocked off, I mean killed. That was on the 15th, I believe.’
‘Yes, so add thirty days to it and we get what?’
He stopped and took out a scrap of paper and pencil and did some calculations. ‘That’s the 14 April. So?’
‘What was recorded and by what?’ queried Jake.
‘Well they didn’t have television or radio so it must have been the newspaper.’
‘Good thinking Mr Brown,’ she uttered. ‘And what paper covered the world?’
‘The Times!’ said Jake.
‘Right. So we’ve got the pattern now. 1887, on 15th April, in The Times.’
‘Where can we go now?’ enquired Archie.
‘Ah, ah. Now you’re in my domain. The British Museum keeps the copies of the paper in their reading room. Do you have time today, Mr Brown, to accompany us?’
Archie thought about it. His guys were distributing the items he had recently received as stolen and wouldn’t finish until about 7 that evening. ‘That’s OK,’ he replied. ‘I’d like to come.’
‘Good. That’s solved. Now we need something to eat before we go. I expect Mrs Jones has left something.’ She looked at Jake.
‘I’ll get it,’ he offered. ‘As long as Rodney behaves himself.’
‘Lock him in the garden,’ she said.
Jake went off into the kitchen to get some food for them. In the meantime, Mrs W and Archie were left alone.
‘So how’s your day, Mr Brown?’
‘OK.’
‘Tell me, what will you do with the money if we find the stamps?’
‘Depends,’ he replied, relaxing on the settee. ‘If I have enough, I’ll start off as a film producer.’
‘What kind of films?’
‘I don’t know. I’ve been looking at Rodney and I’m sure I could come up with a kids cartoon series.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, I’d call it. ‘Rodney, the ankle biting trouser-ripping dog and friends.’
‘Sounds good, but there’s a long way to go, isn’t there?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Oh come on Mr Brown. We both know you’re not a private detective.’
‘Oh.’ He looked embarrassed.
‘Never mind though. It doesn’t matter as long as you’re honest.’
‘I see.’
‘And you’re not exactly honest, are you?’
Archie was in a spot. He couldn’t lie, for he stood a chance of losing it all and besides, he liked Mrs W. She was dotty, but highly intelligent like he was told he was, until the accident. ‘No. Not exactly.’
‘Tell me about it.’
Now Archie had been bottling his feelings for many years and for some reason, it all came out. ‘I was a gifted child,’ he began. ‘On the gifted child programme, but I had a breakdown when I was thirteen and it took me two years to get over it.’
‘Oh dear. What about your parents?’
‘They got divorced about then and I think it tilted me over the edge.’
‘So what happened then?’
‘I ran away from school and came up to London to get away from it all. It was here that I met a friend who was in the stolen goods trade.’
‘What’s that?’
‘Someone else steals things and we buy them cheap and resell them.’
‘I see. So what now?’
‘If we make some cash, I will get out of it.’
‘What about your friends?’
‘Oh, Muster, Raz and Nick, they’re rascals, but I feel responsible to help them in the meantime.’
‘Well, if we make money, they won’t need your help.’
‘No.’
‘Don’t worry Mr Brown; you’re one of us as long as you keep the other thing away from us. Understand?’
‘Yes of course. Thanks Mrs W. It’s a load off my mind.’
‘Now go off and see where our food is.’ He got up and went outside to the kitchen. Jake was there buttering some bread. He had a plate full of cold meat. ‘Wash your hands,’ he instructed, ‘and help.’
‘Christ!’ said Archie. ‘You do look different. I didn’t want to mention it in front of the Mrs.’
‘Cut the crap.’
‘No really. It’s a new you.’ Washing his hands, he helped Jake make the sandwiches. ‘She’s a lovely lady,’ he suddenly said.
Jake stopped. ‘Yes she is. From highly praised Archaeologist, to housewife is a big drop.’
‘When did the husband die?’
‘In 1969 I believe. He caught malaria.’
‘How terrible!’
‘Yes, she misses him but this stamp thing seems to have brought her out of it. That’s why we need to respect her.’
Just then, the lounge door opened. ‘Where is my food?’ she hollered.
‘Coming!’ shouted Jake. ‘Come on you, bring the tray.’ Together, they made their way back to the lounge. Mrs W looked at the sandwiches. ‘I like beef sandwiches,’ she said, taking one and munching away. Jake and Archie looked at each other and smiled. Nothing was boring with her around.
After the meal, Archie offered them a lift in his Imp. ‘It’s a bit small,’ complained Jake.
‘That will do nicely,’ replied Mrs W, glaring at Jake. It didn’t take them long to get to the British Museum. Turning into the VIP car park, they were stopped by an attendant.
‘Stay there,’ he ordered after Mrs W introduced herself. He returned a few minutes later.
‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I didn’t recognise you in that vehicle.’
‘That’s OK,’ she replied, and they parked and went into the building. Going to the reception, she asked where the reading room was that stored the newspapers. Directed to the third floor, they got out of the lift and Mrs W went to reception. After identifying herself, she requested a librarian to help her find an early copy of the newspaper. ‘Certainly,’ said the chief librarian and directed a young member to assist her. Going into the reading room, they were directed to a computer-like screen on a desk and sat on three chairs, positioned around it. Asking Mrs W for the information, she turned on the machine and with some twiddles, found the early copies of The Times.
‘Now,’ she said. ‘What date do you want?’
‘April 15th, 1887.’
In a flash, the front page of the paper appeared on the screen. They bent forward. It was mostly about the troubles in India and the Queen’s celebrations.
‘What about the next page?’
She pressed a button. An image flashed up on the screen. The picture shown was of a statue. As they read, it became apparent that Sir Robert Smithers, Benefactor of The Bethlem Royal Hospital, in Southwark, had opened the ‘D’ ward that day, in the company of the Earl of Warwick. His comments and speech ended with the words:
Within this place of peace and cures, can be found answers for those who choose to find
Under my feet lies the pure earth of the British Empire.
She looked at Jake, ‘Can we have a copy?’
‘Yes. Of course.’ She pressed a button. ‘Now, a copy is available at the counter,’ she said.
‘Wonderful,’ uttered the Mrs. ‘It’s wonderful what modern technology can do.’
The girl smiled. ‘Oh,’ she said. ‘Everything keeps changing.’
‘It does indeed,’ she agreed as they approached the counter. ‘Now how much do I owe you?’
‘That’s all right Doctor Williams,’ the chief librarian interjected. ‘There’s no charge. We have included the whole paper for your interest.’
‘Thank you very much.’ and with the others in tow, made her way out of the museum to the car. ‘Drop us off at home,’ she said. ‘It’s been a long day. Now it’s time to relax.’
After Archie had dropped them off, Mrs W went straight into the study leaving Jake to organise the food. He took a fry- up to her after an hour, to see her hard at work. ‘This one is easy,’ she said. Come back in a few hours and I’ll have had it finished.’
‘OK,’ replied Jake, happy that he could relax in his room and catch up on the sporting news.
For some reason, he wasn’t interested in the girlie magazines any more. His new status had relieved him of his fears and frustrations and he felt as good as any other man. He read the papers then lay back to rest and dozed off.
He was awoken by the call from the Mrs, to come down. Looking at his watch, he noted it was 1 o’clock in the morning. Reluctantly, he put on his slippers and staggered downstairs to the study.
Mrs W was all excited. ‘I’ve done it!’ she exclaimed loudly. I’ve finished the other side of the paper. ‘Listen to me.’ and put a sheet of paper on the desk.
For this place in South Hill Road.
For eight letters make up the riddle
Like the places where we lie. Which stop at a place of peace and abode.
Where water flows and flowers bloom.
Take ten steps north from the sun at four. Then turn sharp right and you will see the place where I am, but not anymore. There lies the answer for thee.
‘Weird,’ he commented.
‘I think we need some help on this,’ she announced.
‘Well, Moira will be here tomorrow as its Saturday, let’s get Mr Brown and his squad round, if they’re free. Then perhaps we can find it.’
‘Good idea.’
‘Can you ring for me please?’
‘Sure.’
‘Well, that’s sorted out.’
Jake went to the phone and rang Archie. He had just arrived at the office. He spoke with him and agreed that he and his team would come to the Mrs’s house at 10.30. He returned to the study. ‘All arranged,’ he said. ‘He’ll be here at 10.30.’
‘Good.’
Just then, they heard the key turn in the lock. ‘Oh that’ll be Moira,’ said the Mrs ‘Get her in here please.’
Jake went out into the hall and returned with Moira.
‘Sit down,’ she said. ‘Now we’ve deciphered another clue and we’d like you to come with us tomorrow. You don’t work on Saturdays, do you?’
‘No, not this Saturday,’ she replied. ‘I’m not sure about Edna. I’ll have a word when she comes in.’
‘Good. We’ll meet here at 10.30. Better wear slacks for this one.’
‘OK.’ She rose and went out.
‘I think I’ll go to the library now,’ Jake said, ‘and see what else I can find out in South Hill Road. I’ll be back later.’
After an hour, he returned to find the Mrs still poring over the diaries she had borrowed from her friend. She announced that Sir Robert was involved in a great many things.
‘I’ll have more on this later,’ she said. ‘What did you find?’
‘In South Hill Road,’ he began. ‘Most of the old houses have been knocked down. However, Hampstead General Hospital is still there, although it’s being demolished soon. It’s well over 100 years old and it’s empty.’
‘Well, that’s a good start,’ she began. ‘Let’s assume it is the hospital.’
‘Something about the place where we are lying,’ said Jake.
‘Well, the wards are the palaces where patients lie.’
‘True.’
‘Then,’ she continued. ‘The wards would have letters or numbers over them, and these letters could be what we’re looking for.’
‘Good thinking. However I’m tired. Let’s continue this tomorrow when the rest are here.’
‘Very well Mr Drew, see you tomorrow.’
Jake went upstairs and quickly turned on his TV. The West Bromwich versus Liverpool match was just about to start.
Chapter 23
Come 9.30 the next day, Edna and Moira knocked on the lounge door. ‘Come inside.’
They went in to find Mrs W and Jake poring over a piece of paper on the coffee table. ‘Sit down girls. The others will be with us soon now,’ she said, handing them a cup of tea.
‘We’ve finished two clues. We think the first part is somewhere around a statue, but it doesn’t give a location. Therefore we’ll start with the second clue. We believe it’s the Hampstead General Hospital.’
Just then, the front doorbell rang. Jake went to the door. It was Archie and Muster. ‘Where’s the rest?’ he asked.
‘Dunno,’ replied Archie. ‘Raz’ll be a bit late but and Nick isn’t answering his calls.’
‘OK. Well come on, take off your shoes.’
‘Is that damn dog about?’ asked Archie.
‘No. He’s in the kitchen.’ They went into the lounge to see Moira and Edna sitting looking at the paper.
‘Hi,’ said Archie thinking Moira looked much more attractive with dark hair. Edna looked good too, he decided.
‘Ullo mom,’ said Muster as Mrs W walked in with the tea.
‘Hello boys. Sit down.’ Once all together, Mrs W explained their mission at the hospital and the reason behind it. Jake and Archie were to carry the walkie-talkies and the leaders would carry sketch boards and paper, making notes as required. The others would be split into the two teams.
‘Drink up,’ she said. ‘We don’t want to be late.’
‘I just want to check the motor,’ said Archie. ‘It isn’t acting right this morning.’ He went out of the room into the road and opened the bonnet. Unfortunately, he left the main door open and Rodney dashed out into the road. ‘Bastard!’ shouted Archie chasing it up the street. A lorry passed and hooted with its horn. The sound frightened Rodney, who ran back to the house. Archie was waiting by the gate and caught hold of Rodney’s collar. Rodney in its moment of terror peed all over Archie’s trousers.
‘Shit!’ he cried, looking down at the mess. Rodney ran into the kitchen and hid down below the lid of his box.
Mrs W heard the fuss and came running out.
‘What’s the matter?’ she asked.
‘Rodney ran out and did this,’ pointing to his wet legs, ‘on my trousers.’
‘Oh. Dear! Well, come on in and we’ll clean it off.’ Archie followed Mrs W to the kitchen where she dabbed off most of it with some tissues.
‘It’ll stink,’ he complained.
‘Oh, don’t be a baby.’ she scolded. ‘We’re all ready now. Come on, the rest of you,’ she commanded walking towards the front door. The others heard her and made their way out to the cars.
‘I’ll go with Mrs W,’ said Moira.
‘So will I.’ agreed Edna, wrinkling her nose.
‘Right,’ said Jake. ‘Mrs W can sit in the front with the girls at the back. The others go with Archie.’
‘Can you put the picnic table and chairs in the boot?’ asked Mrs W. ‘Together with the sandwiches I have made.’
‘Done,’ returned Jake.
He went to the outhouse and after checking Rodney was safe in the house, started the Rover and drove it to the front of the house.
Getting into the car, Muster sniffed the air. ‘What’s that stink? He asked, holding his nose.
A taxi drew up and Nick jumped out. ‘Solly I late,’ he said.
Muster was more concerned with the smell.
‘That friggin dog peed on my trousers,’ said Archie.
‘Christ!’ exclaimed Jake. ‘Wind the windows down.’ They started up and followed Jake down the road towards Hampstead. They drove along South Hill Road Hampstead until they came to the hospital. It had been abandoned some years before and was waiting demolition. A wire fence prevented entry, but it had been breached in places, enabling the people to go in. Parking off the road, Archie had a word with Mrs W.
‘I think you’d better stay here,’ he suggested. ‘It may be dangerous in there.’
‘I agree,’ she replied.
‘But don’t try to drive off, will you?’
‘No, of course not.’ But Jake took the keys, just in case. ‘We won’t be long,’ he said.
Archie decided to let Nick stay with her. ‘And don’t touch anything,’ he said.
‘Vot to touch ere?’
They climbed through a hole in the fence and walked to the main entrance to find it blocked off. ‘Come on,’ said Archie. ‘There’ll be a door somewhere or a broken window.’ They wandered around the building to find a side door ajar.
‘This’ll do,’ said Archie. ‘Come on Muster, open it.’
‘No problem,’ he replied and pushed a jemmy into the gap. After a few strains and groans, the door opened wide enough for them to squeeze through.
‘Right,’ instructed Jake who had taken charge. ‘Now Archie, Muster and Moira, you go to the top floor on that side,’ indicating with his hand. ‘Edna, Raz and me will take this side. Now don’t forget we have some letters to find. It may be a ward number or stencilled on an operating room door, but collect all the large letters you can find. Understand?’
‘Yes.’
‘And be careful. There’s still a lot of junk about plus the occasional tramp. So keep your eyes open. Archie and I have the walkie-talkies, so we can keep in touch. Right, off you go.’
As the teams were making the precarious way around the hospital, Nick was standing outside the car, when Mrs W decided to come out. ‘Mr Nick,’ she said, ‘can you open the boot and get out the picnic table? We might as well enjoy ourselves while we are here.’
