The Woodwose of Cannock Chase — page 14: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Ee nnn —_ _ 7 he began his explanation. “Hunstone, I am sorely afraid to tell that your daughter, the Lady Hannah, is lost, shot in cold blood — certainly in error, but in cold blood all the same — by this scoundrel stable boy. Lord Hugh, Bellamy and I rode as fast as we could when we heard the report but resisting capture, the boy shot Bellamy dead where he still lies.” Dalton looked over at Bellamy’s body and Lord Hunstone followed his gaze. Lord Hugh then spoke: “The caitiff then came at us with his knife? and Dalton obliged Lord Hunstone by lifting his cloak to show a small blood stain, “and we had no choice but to finish him.” Lord Hugh and Dalton caught each other’s glance, and the exchange was not lost on Westonby who wondered what it could mean. “But - why would he do such a thing?” cried Lord Hunstone. “An accident for sure? said Dalton, “the distance and — forgive me for saying so — the dishevelled appearance of Lady Hannah - led the boy to believe he had seen our Woodwose, and alas, he did not hesitate.” Lord Hunstone’s body sagged in the saddle. “My God, what a black day this is! One daughter eaten by a monster, the other slain by my own stable boy who has also murdered Bellamy. I fear Lady Hunstone will not live long on hearing this awful news.” Dalton looked with interest at Lord Hunstone and Westonby. “Eaten, you say? Eaten?” It was Westonby who answered the enquiry. “We found remains at the stag’s cave — ” No further explanation was forthcoming but Dalton’s mind began to turn over this new intelligence, dissecting it for serendipitous possibilities. “Then the Woodwose is still abroad? said Dalton, with action in his voice. “We have red work ahead of us gentlemen. I propose Lord Hunstone stay here with his beloved daughter. Lord Hugh, go you to Brockton Hall and fetch a cart with men to help tidy up this tragic place. Westonby, you and I will return to your stag’s cave and see if we cannot track this beast.” Lord Hugh was only too pleased to be away from both the scene and from Dalton, and he immediately rode off in the direction of Brockton. Lord Hunstone dismounted and knelt at Lady Hannah’s side. He briefly touched her still hand, then removed his cloak and placed it over Lady Hannah’s face, reposing in cold death. After a respectful moment, Westonby turned his horse and charged away back toward the cave, Dalton on old Storm close behind him with many ideas crowding his mind. CHAPTER 7. PREPARATIONS AT BROCKTON HALL The servants and workers at Brockton Hall were milling around the stable yard and at the front of the building, urgently asking each other what could have happened to Lady Martha and Lady Hannah. John Deane had been sent for from Blithfield hours earlier and once arrived he had been informed of all that had transpired. “It is beyond belief? said Deane, “the women were skilled riders and I for one do not hold credible stories of Woodwose or Wildmen - why almost certainly these creatures are merely rustics or peasants mistook in unusual circumstance. All the same, we must undertake a search, and in the proper fashion — not this slipshod enterprise Sir Richard Dalton seems to have inspired.” “What should we do, Mr Deane?” asked one of the farm labourers. Deane was well known to them asa practical, intelligent young man brimming with ideas and imagination. John Deane looked around him and then out down the driveway and the open countryside. He turned to the kennel master standing nearby. “Why, we will use the hounds, Dorkins” gaid Deane. “Well scent them with clothes Goi our missing Ladies and the dogs will lead us to them what ere has betook them.” ’ “T will fetch some garments w said one of the nodedtiaide oe ieee? “Bravo, Mary; said Deane to the girl and she sped up the steps into Brockton Hall. “You men)’ said Deane to the assembled workers and servants, “those of you who know the saddle, get you a steed and prepare for the ride of your life.” With excited shouts, some of the men ran to the stable and soon there came the sound of neighing and the clip clop of horseshoes on cobble stones. Deane now turned to the Hunstone’s i pater longest serving “Lowe” said Deane, “fetch the large scale map of Cannock Chase from the cabinet in your Lord’s study. We will carefully plan this expedition and execute it in a professional way that will guarantee success.” “Immediately, Sir? said Lowe and he too hurried up the steps and into the hallway. John Deane mounted his own horse now and listened and watched around him, satisfied that the prepara- tions were sound and that nothing had _ been overlooked. He narrowed his eyes and allowed himself a half-smile. “This day is not ended until I say so” he said to himself. * k * * *k ‘Westonby showed Dalton where to tie his horse when they reached the copse near the stag’s cave. “It is this way, less than a minute’s stroll? said ‘Westonby. “Stay here and guard us well? said Dalton to Storm. The horse neighed softly at its master. The two men started to walk slowly toward their target, looking all about them and listening hard. The cold air was still and except for the sound of distant carrion crows, nothing stirred to break the silence. “So” said Dalton, half to himself, “yet another cave that we missed on our search.” comiclbooks 9. ee THE WOODWOSE OF CANNOCK CHASE a