The Golden Flask (43 page)

"I see that you men do not carry bayonets," she said presumptively. "It is just as well. Here you are obviously cutting yourselves with your sharp wits, and with knives you would truly do each other great harm."

"M'lady condescends to speak to the rabble," said one of the redcoats, sweeping down in mock courtesy. "We are thrilled."

"It is clearly the most thrill you have ever seen in your lives," said Alison.

"I can suggest a much better thrill," said the redcoat,
pointing the butt of his gun so that it just barely touched her dress.

"And undoubtedly you would suggest a price as well,
as you are the type that can only find diversion by pay
ing for it," she answered, pulling her skirts back.

The soldier's fellows nearly fell over themselves
laughing. He could not let himself be humiliated so
easily. Feeling himself growing hot, he reached quickly
into a pocket and threw a shilling into the dust as Ali
son began walking away.

"Come," she answered, "your mother was paid twice
that to conceive you."

The private was not the type to accept defeat grace
fully. But Alison had learned a few things and gained
considerable poise in the two days since she had faced
a similar, if more inebriated, foe with Daltoons. As the
soldier puffed out his chest and advanced, she slipped to the side and kissed him on the cheek. He stepped
back in amazement — and tripped over her outstretched
leg.

"Do not be so fresh from now on," she said. "And
shave, or else no woman will ever kiss you."

The entire company of soldiers began laughing so hard tears streamed from their faces. Her victim bore
as dazed and angry a countenance as King George betrayed when first presented with the Declaration of In
dependence.

His fellows caught him as he rose.

A gray-haired woman stepped up and began scolding the men in a severe tone to be about their business. Her voice
brought the men's sergeant, who barked that they had
better get their dirty hides the hell back at their posts or face a prompt whipping.

"You must be more careful," the old woman warned
Alison when the danger had passed. "They interpret any remark as an invitation."

"I can take care of myself."

"I am sure you can, dear." The woman patted her scarf carefully. "Are you traveling alone?"

"My father — my cousin, that is – and I are going back
to the city. I am to meet him nearby, at the Peacock."

"Be careful. There are many soldiers about. To say
nothing of the lower types."

"Are the soldiers looking for someone?"

"A fat Dutchman who is a horrible rebel," said the
woman. "He instigated a riot to escape prison in the city yesterday. It's the talk of the place, they say. A
man has been going through the docks, looking for him and offering a reward. He is said to owe him a consid
erable sum."

"A Dutchman launched the riot?" Alison was truly incredulous, as she knew the real story and wondered
how it had been twisted. "How?"

"He broke out from jail with a regiment of men, and
then tried to rob a young lord of his valuables," said
the woman. She nodded deeply, as if she had just con
firmed the standing of one of the Eight Wonders of the
World. "He is the commander of a large army of rebels. He heads the Sons of Liberty. Be on your guard."

Chapter Thirty-seven

Wherein, Jake and Alison discover there is no pirate like an old pirate.

J
ake was amused though
overly surprised to find that van Clynne had been promoted.

"He is becoming quite famous," he told Alison when
she found him in the tavern a few minutes after her
encounter with the old woman. "I have no doubt that he will eventually supplant General Washington as leader of the Revolution."

"There is a man going around looking for him but he has confused the description," Alison told him. "They
think he is smart!"

"He is very clever in his way."

"Not as clever as you."

"Still, I think we had best wait for dark and find a more private way across the river. If they are looking for Claus, they may know of me as well."

Jake and Alison made their way through a good
roast chicken with full trimmings as the spy considered
his best course. There would be many boats available for the taking once dusk fell, though the heavy presence of guards did tend to complicate matters.

By now Culper and Daltoons would be worried
about him. Perhaps they had solved the puzzle without his assistance. So much the better then. He would go
ahead with his plan to kidnap Bauer in broad daylight
and carry him to General Washington trussed like a prize pig.

Jake's contemplation of this happy sight was cut short by the arrival of a poorly shaven man with a rough jacket and open collar. He was not very tall, and as he stood over the table with a half-stoop his mouth was a few inches below Jake's ear. His whisper released an odor of gin so strong that Alison curled her nose and pushed her seat back.

"I could not help noticing, my friend, that you seem to be dallying here," suggested the man, whose appearance and manner showed great familiarity, with the sea. His grin revealed he was several teeth short of a full set, and his left pinky, plopped with the rest of his hand casually against the chair back, ended at the knuckle. His black trousers dragged to his heels and his white shirt puffed out from a chest any rooster would be proud of.

"And what would it be to you if we were?"

"Oh, nothing, friend, nothing." The man pulled back the empty chair gently and sat. "Evening, miss. A very pretty blanket on your hair. Very becoming."

"It is an Arabian scarf," declared Alison.

"Yes, yes, I thought so myself." The man nodded, then turned his full attention back to Jake. "I believe you may be in need of discreet transportation."

"Why would you think that?"

The man laughed lightly and patted Jake's arm. "No pirate like an old pirate."

"What's that mean?"

"Nothing, sir, nothing. Two pounds, that's all."

"For?"

"Delivering you where you are going. The Jerseys, I assume?"

The uninitiated might miss the suggestive intonation of the destination. The Jerseys were a favorite destination for smugglers.

Jake shook his head. "I am neither a pirate nor a smuggler."

"Oh," said the man, starting to get up. '"Scuse me, then. Beg pardon, miss."

Jake caught the man's arm; there was just enough rue surprise beneath the confident grin to trust the man.

"Tell me where to meet you. I will give you the desti-
lation after I arrive."

"That isn't the way it works, sir. Some destinations are more costly. The rowin', an' all."

"I will make it worth your while. Assuming, of course, you are a confidential man."

As he said these last words, Jake glanced down toward his lap. The old pirate did likewise, and saw that he was within aim of Jake's Segallas.

Again, surprise melted to a grin.

"Quite confidential, sir. A very confidential man, am I
. I like your ways. They remind me of a captain or two I
knew in the days of yore."

"Have a gin on me," said Jake, producing a coin.

"Obliged, sir, obliged." He tipped the cap he was
wearing. "I will find you on the road," he said in a soft
voice. "Wait an hour."

Before they left the inn, Jake sought out the tavern
owner's wife and told her his cousin felt chilly with the
night air. He persuaded her to sell him a shawl, then
wrapped it around Alison loosely enough to give the
small Segallas a nest at her sleeve.

Jake put his knife in his boot but kept the officer's pistol just visible beneath his jacket, where it would have some deterrence value. He tucked the vial of
sleeping powder and the smaller bottle with the death
potion into his waistcoat pocket; they could be quickly
retrieved yet would be secure in their containers. The
dueling pistols, loaded with their trick potion, were
safe within their waterproof case in Jake's bag, hung
across his chest by a rope.

Thus prepared, Jake and Alison left the inn and be
gan walking warily up the street in the opposite direction of the ferry, parallel to the water. If anything, the
number of guards on the street had increased, and there was nearly a full company of redcoats at the ferry.

On the other hand, the clear sky that had cooled the
night had changed its mind, and was now unfurling a
blanket of mist over the water to provide a little
warmth. It was just the thing to steal quietly across the
river in.

"I've never been a pirate before," said Alison, tugging her cape around her shoulders.

"And you are not now. Say nothing." Jake saw a shadow near a building a few yards ahead, but when
they approached, realized it was nothing but the odd
reflection of a drainpipe.

The buildings around them gave way to an open
shoreline as they walked. Jake felt apprehension grow
ing in his stomach, and began to think it might be safer
just to steal a boat.

A hiss greeted them from a clump of bushes ahead.

"Aye, ya took yer time, but it's a pirate's right to go
when and where he pleases," said the man they had met inside the Peacock. He stood and unsheathed a lantern. "This way then."

He skipped ahead on the road, taking them down a
stony path to his boat. Even in the darkness, it was
obvious the vessel had been recently painted. Jake took
this as a good sign, for not only did it indicate the craft
probably wouldn't leak, but that the man knew his
business well enough to profit handsomely. Paint was a
capital expense afforded by only the most successful
smuggler.

"Up, with ya, lass. Before boarding, sir, your destina
tion."

"Manhattan. Along the docks, but not at the ferry."

"Manhattan?"

"You know the place?" said Jake sarcastically.

"My business is strictly cash and carry," said the man. His disappointment was understandable; the close destination would bring a paltry fare, hardly worth his effort.

"Here is a crown for you."

"A full crown?"