Page 94 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“Sure boss.” Digby was crying, gripping Nash's forearm close to his own chest. “Whatever you say, boss.”
“Go on then.” Nash gave a terribly weak smile, “It's an order.”
Digby got to his feet and looked down to Dr. Fowler. “You fix him doc.” he said, wiping the tears from his eyes. Then he turned back to the locked door, took a running start, and smashed straight through it with his square shoulders.
“What are you doin' here, doc?” Nash coughed out, feeling less and less of his body. “You were supposed to be in Scotland.”
“Yes, well.” Doctor Fowler sniffled, clearly overwhelmed by what was transpiring around him. “I do poorly in the Northern climate.” Nash smiled at Fowler's attempt at a joke.
“I'm dying, doc.” Nash said softly. “Ain't I?”
“Yes.” Fowler was crying now, and he took Nash up in his arms, resting his head against his chest. Although Nash could hardly feel, being held closely like that brought him great comfort and warmth. “I am so sorry. It is my fault. I should not have gotten caught.” he was practically sobbing.
“It's alright, doc.” Nash whispered again. “I'm a terrible person. I had this commin' some time now I think.”
“Come now, you saved my life, or you tried to.” Fowler's face was so sad, yet the sight of it gave Nash such confidence. He was no longer afraid.
“Take care of Digs.” Nash muttered, his eyes fluttering. “He don't know how to be without me.”
“I will, I swear I will.” Fowler cradled Nash's head as the last bit of his life made its way out of him.
Then the bells rang out, signaling the midnight hour. The bells of Winchester Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral sang out the loudest as the bells all over London took up the call.
“The bells.” Nash smiled and shut his eyes. He could feel the warmth of the fire in the depths of the cistern, he could taste the sizzling fat of whatever that day's take had contained, he could see the slim, joyous faces of the children that looked up to him, and he could hear the bells of London, calling him home. Nash let himself relax completely, and he sang his final words.
The bells go up, the bells go down
Ring out the bells of London Town
Two sticks and an apple, ring the bells at White Chapel
Old father pulpit, ring the bells at Old Gate
Mating white aprons, ring the bells at St. Catherine's
Oranges and lemons, ring the bells at St. Clement's
When will you pay me, ring the bells of Old Bailey
When I am rich, ring the bells at Fleet Ditch
When will that be, ring the bells at Stepney
When I grow old, rings the great-
Chapter 24
Leah was tense, although she felt great relief about being on their way. As they regrouped a block away from Cornelius' house, the midnight bells chimed out across the city.
Leah didn't trust that Cornelius would go along with any of this so willingly. If anything, he would try to leverage the situation to his benefit, as he was apt to do.
Nothing about his casual demeanor added up to Leah. She knew that at some point, he would act out, she only had to be ready for that moment.
The bells were eerie in the strange stillness, and Leah couldn't help but shiver at their lonesome tolling.
“Are you sure you want to go through with this, Kenneth?” Cornelius asked from the front of the small procession.
“Shut it.” Leah snapped from the back. Her eyes were darting back and forth over every shadowy angle in sight. Leah knew Cornelius to be a clever bastard, and had she not been clever herself he may well have succeeded in poisoning her.
