A Christmas Garland by Anne Perry Read Free Book Online Page A

cell, and he was right … of course. Dhuleep was gone. There was nothing there except blood and the heap of bedding, blood on that too. That was when Attwood and Peterson came.”
    “You told them what had happened?” Narraway pressed him.
    “I told them that Dhuleep knew about the patrol and we had to catch him. Someone—I don’t remember who—kneeled to see if he could help Chuttur, then we all went outside to hunt Dhuleep.”
    “Did you go together or split up?” Narraway was still clinging to the hope that one of them might have seen someone else.
    Grant’s voice took on a weariness. “We started withinsight of one another, but when there was no sign of him, we split up. I went west. I think Attwood went south and Peterson went down to the river, but I’m not sure.”
    “Did you draw others into the search? Ask people? Send anyone else out?” Narraway asked.
    “Yes, of course. Anyone we spoke to.”
    “Did you find any sign of him?” Narraway went on. “What were you looking for anyway? Footprints? How would you recognize his? Anyone who’d seen him? Who else was around? Soldiers, women and children, civilians? Who could have seen him? Surely someone must’ve, with the knowledge of hindsight?”
    “Of course,” Grant agreed with a twisted smile. “With hindsight! A Sikh soldier in uniform. Not remarkable on any military station in northern India. No one knew that he was escaping. They probably didn’t give him a second look.”
    “He’d just slashed a man to death,” Narraway pointed out. “Those long, curved swords the Sikh soldiers carry are lethal! You said there was blood everywhere. Poor Chuttur bled to death. Dhuleep wouldn’t have escaped without a mark on him. His trousers might have keptout of it, being draped and tight at the ankles as they are, and if they were dark or striped, you might not have noticed. But his tunic would be light, and they’re loose and long-skirted.” He waited expectantly, watching Grant’s face.
    “Perhaps he took it off?” Grant replied after a moment or two. “He’d have had to. You’re right, there must have been blood on it. But he did get away, and it doesn’t matter now. He’ll be miles from here. God knows where. I certainly don’t.”
    “You said you didn’t find any trace of him then.” Narraway was not ready to give up. “Did you later?”
    “Yes.” There was no light of satisfaction in Grant’s face. “There was blood, just splashes here and there. And stains against a wall and a doorpost. Didn’t help. I’d like to think some of it was his, but I don’t know whether Chuttur even got a blow in or not.”
    He lowered his eyes, his mouth pulled tight. “I’m sorry. I liked Tallis. He seemed to be one of the best. But if he engineered Dhuleep’s escape, then I’ll be happy to see him hanged. I don’t have to do anything but tell the truth for that. Someone came in from the outside. Hadto. No other way. That person must have struck Chuttur, stunned him at least, and then let Dhuleep out, and maybe gone with him, leaving Chuttur to die.”
    “And you’re sure you can’t open that door except from the outside?” Narraway asked.
    “Yes. Didn’t I say that?” Grant bit his lip. “Chuttur couldn’t even get out himself. All he could do was raise the alarm and wait, poor devil. You can’t save Tallis, and you shouldn’t.” He faced Narraway squarely. There was sadness in his eyes but no doubt at all.

    N ARRAWAY FOUND A TTWOOD , THE SECOND SOLDIER TO arrive at the prison, working in the magazine. He had to ask his superior officer for permission to release him for as long as Narraway required him. It was given grudgingly, and Narraway and Attwood stood in the shadow of the magazine’s huge walls to talk. Narraway could not help wondering why General Wheeler had not chosen this for his entrenchment, rather than the miserable earthworks.
    Attwood was in his late twenties, a career soldier with a scar down one cheek and