'I have never met you in my life.'Hugh Veitch sounded remarkably cheerful for a man in a dungeon, and far too friendly to be a Veitch.
'The Tweedies and Veitches have been at feud for generations,' I reminded.
'So I believe,' Hugh Veitch said.'I came from a different branch of the family, so I know little of affairs in Faladale.'
That was unexpected.
'I can see little profit in arguing about it,' Hugh Veitch said.'We are both prisoners of the Armstrongs so it would be best if we put our differences aside for the present, don't you think?'He gave a little laugh.'We can kill each other later if you wish.'
Remember that I had been brought up with tales of the cruelty and treachery of the Veitches.This reasoned and sensible response was not what I expected.'Oh,' I said and relapsed into surprised silence.
'I will take that response as agreement,' Hugh Veitch said.'How did you come to be in this unfortunate predicament?'
I wondered if I should reply to a Veitch and decided it would probably do no harm.'I was a prisoner of the Yorling,' I said, 'and Wild Will captured me.'
There was silence for a few moments.'I have never heard of this Yorling,' Hugh said.'Why did he hold you?'
'I do not know,' I told him.'He refused to say.Why does Wild Will hold you?'
'Oh, I am to be hanged.'Hugh sounded remarkably calm.'We are at deadly feud apparently, the Veitches and the Armstrongs.'
'I am sorry,' I said.
'No need for sorrow.It is the way of things.It seems that the Veitches are at feud with many people.'
I could imagine his shrug.
'Well, I do not wish to be hanged,' I said, 'and neither should you be.Is there a way out of this place?'
His laugh was unexpected.'If I find one, I will let you know, Jeannie.'I heard him move, 'but chained to a staple it is hard to move, let alone escape.'
'I am not chained,' I said.'I suppose that Wild Will did not think it worthwhile chaining a mere woman.'
Hugh laughed again.'I don't think any woman should be called 'mere','he said.'It was because of a woman that I am here.'I heard the rattle of chains and a subdued curse as he moved again.'These things are damnably uncomfortable.It will be a relief to be rid of them, even to be hanged.'His laugh was short and not without humour.
'Can I help you?'I stood up, feeling my way along the roughness of the wall.I had only taken five steps before I stumbled over the top of him, standing on his right foot.'Oh, I do apologise.'
'It is a small matter,' he said.'I have another foot left.'
I felt around, grabbing hold of a foot, and working my way up to an ankle until I found the iron clasp.'I can free you,' I said.'It is a simple device.'I drew the pin that held both halves of the machine together.Hugh pulled his foot free.
'Thank you,' he said, as I found the second ankle and released that also.'Now could you do my wrists as well?'
I fumbled in the dark, following the line of his hard, lean body.His arms were pinioned above his head, with both wrists fastened to staples that had been hammered into the stone walls of the dungeon.The pins were rusty and harder to release so I struggled, gasping with effort as I strained.
'I don't think I have the strength,' I said.'I have a woman's fingers.'
'And a woman's compassion and determination.'Hugh encouraged me as I worked the pin from side to side within its slot.
'How long have you been chained here for?'I asked.
'I do not know,' Hugh said.'I lost count of time.You're doing well.Please don't stop now.'
I felt movement with the pin.I pushed and pulled, straining against the stubborn iron until I pressed my knee against Hugh's shoulders for purchase and gave a final yank.The pin jerked out and I fell backwards to land with a crash on the stone floor of that dungeon.I lay still as the pain added to that caused when Wild Will had hit me.The filth and stench on that floor were abominable, as you may imagine.
'Jeannie?Are you all right?'There was concern in Hugh's voice.I heard the slight rasp as he dragged free the final pin holding his other wrist and then he was kneeling by my side.'Are you hurt?'
'I am all right,' I said.
