FORTY-FIVE
I waited a few moments for signs of another oncoming attack, focussing hard on my heartbeat and the rhythm of my breath. It didn’t come.
I sighed and handed Chancellor Owen’s flask back. ‘Does Chessie know, yet?’
He shook his head. ‘Found you, first.’
‘Do we know how it happened?’
The tremendous beard shifted like a thunderhead, rumbling uncertainly. ‘Are you sure you want to hear right now?’
I nodded.
The explanation was very much what I would have guessed. As the party prepared to move to St Mary’s, it was decided that the vulnerable members should not be left undefended. Doctor Seward remained at his psychiatric hospital in Purfleet with his son, and Uncle Joe stayed at Uncle Abraham’s bedside at the Holmwoods’ London house.
Shortly after one o’clock, the nurse employ
