“The very best of men.”
“I’m so sorry for what I’ve done after you have been so good to me.”
“And yet he gave you no choice. I would be no different if someone I loved was threatened.”
“Is it true what that you work for the king?”
He nodded. It wasn’t his story to tell, but he could give her that much.
“I will ask you no more.”
“Adam is a strong-minded young man. Yes, his legs are not strong, but he will look after himself until we reach him. His sister has taught him that, I’m sure.”
“It was not always the case. Our father treated Adam like an invalid, locking him in his room, but we have changed that since leaving.”
“You are a very strong woman.”
“No more so than many.”
He disagreed with that but kept silent, as the carriage was stopping at the bottom of Nobby Lane.
“How will we find him?”
“We will start asking questions at Nobby Lane and expand our search from there. Sam, I don’t know how long I will be. Hogan, if you will come with me, please.”
He jumped down and moved to stand beside Ruby.
“We’ll find your brother, Ruby.”
The jealousy that shot through Forrest as the footman put a hand on her shoulder was not comfortable. In fact, he could say he’d never felt it before.
Ruby started moving then, running along the lane.
“Ask whoever you see in the lane if Adam has been seen, Hogan. Then widen your search out onto the street. I can’t believe no one has seen a boy on crutches leaving here. It is not dark but will be in a few hours. Someone had to have seen something.”
“Very good, Mr. Howarth.”
He followed Ruby and found mayhem when he arrived at number 11 Nobby Lane. All the residents were out on the street, and with them was a man dressed in a brown suit.
“Not now, Mr. Robins!” one of the Amble sisters yelled. “We have a crisis!”
“Any news?” Forrest asked Mr. Zwart.
“None. But Miss Penny, who often sits on the corner of Nobby Lane and Tacky Street, said she saw a carriage pull up there about the time of Adam’s disappearance. Said she had a client, so she had to leave. When she came back, it was gone.”
Forrest did not want to know what line of business Miss Penny was in but had a fair idea.
“Good day to you. I am Mr. Robins.”
Forrest looked at the man now standing before him. Dressed head to toe in brown, he had a large moustache and narrow eyes.
“I am the landlord of this fine establishment.”
“Fine, is it?” Forrest looked at the dilapidated building. “You, sir, are a disgrace. This place needs many repairs. But I have no time to discuss that with you now.”
“Th-there is not a thing wrong with my building!”
“Good day.” Forrest walked around him.
