Page 72 of My Gentleman Spy
“Mr. Little would you please go upstairs to the master bedroom and retrieve my pistol. It is in the top drawer of my bedside cabinet,” hesaid.
“Sir?” replied Mr.Little.
Brutus appeared from under the chair and leapt into Will's lap. She began to purr and Will imagined that she was enjoying the spectacle which wasunfolding.
“Didn't you hear me? We have an intruder. I have the blackguard hold up in the cupboard. Fetch mypistol.”
When Mr. Little hesitated, Will urged himon.
“Oh, and do be careful handling the pistol. It'sloaded.”
The last words he said loud enough so that Hattie could hear. As Mr. Little reluctantly headed upstairs, Mrs. Little shifted uneasily on her slipper shod feet. Her hands were held together tightly in a twisted prayer. Desperation etched deep lines in her soft craggyface.
Will stroked Brutus while the cat appreciatively worked her claws into his leg. He gritted his teeth, determined to maintain his veneer of an outraged householder.
“Do we have any rope? I should like to restrain the villain before I call for the Bow Street runners,” hesaid.
“Why would you do that?” Mrs. Littlestammered.
He knew full well it was wrong of him to use the loyal housekeeper in such a devious way, but Will was determined that Hattie understood the repercussions of what she had done. Under any other circumstances the Littles would likely be out on the street with no references the moment their employer discovered their role in Hattie'sdeception.
Will admired them for what they had done. They were no longer in the employ of the Wright family, and would have been well within the law to have refused to help Hattie. Not aware of Will's true identity, they had taken a huge gamble on hoping he would understand when their secret house guest was inevitablydiscovered.
It was now time for Hattie to repay theirloyalty.
“Well the authorities will soon have the villain under lock and key. I dare say before a magistrate first thing tomorrow morning and on board a ship to the penal colony of New South Wales before the month is out. He won’t be stealing from kangaroos while he is there,” he smuglyreplied.
He banged his fist hard against the door behindhim.
“You'd like a long sea voyage, now wouldn't you?” hebellowed.
Hattie to her credit remained silent, giving nothingaway.
Mr. Little reappeared, pistol held limply in his hand. He handed it toWill.
“Is it really necessary, I mean couldn't we just talk her out of the cupboard?” heasked.
Will pushed Brutus off his lap and rose from the chair. He picked it up and made a great show of moving it to one side of the door. Then turning to Mr. Little, he fixed him with an enquiringstare.
“Her? Who said anything about our intruder being awoman?”
Mrs. Little put a hand to her mouth and then burst intotears.
“Oh, please don't hurt her Mr. Smith. She had nowhere else to go. Miss Hattie is a kind soul, always doing the lord's work. She has been through so much. I beg of you show hermercy.”
With perfect timing, the door to the cupboard opened and Hattie stepped out into thefoyer.
“Mr. Saunders has already shown me more mercy than I deserve Mrs. Little. It was he who rescued me in Gibraltar and brought me back to England. I have no right to impose on his good graces any further,” shesaid.
Will nodded. Saunders notSmith.
Hattie started for the front door. Will was still angry enough with her to be tempted into letting her make it to the front gate. A look at the tearful Mrs. Little promptly changed hismind.
“It's cold and it's late. I suggest you won't last too long outside wearing only a thin gown,” hesaid.
Hattieturned.
“I shall gather up my things if you are agreeable and find some other suitable lodgings,” shereplied.
