Page 154 of A Winter By the Sea
She glanced at the others, then back to Selwyn. “May I tell them why you did it?”
He nodded, shame again coloring his face and neck.
She turned to Emily and the men. “Mr. During learned his mother and young sisters have been sent to debtors’ prison. He has not been able to send his wages in some time and was desperate to help them somehow.”
“Ah.” Mr. Thomson lifted his chin in understanding.
“Sorry, Selwyn,” Bernardi said. “That is dreadful.”
Sarah laid a hand on the man’s sleeve. “I said I would help you, and I shall certainly try. We will think of a plausible explanation.”
He shook his head. “I am no good at fabrication. If someone is going to come up with a story it won’t be me.”
Mr. Thomson turned to Emily. “This is a challenge for our resident author.”
Emily met his gaze. “Very well. It seems simple to me. Mr. During had taken the candlesticks out to polish them, readying them for the day’s solemn use. A local criminal sneaked into the house, held Mr. During at gunpoint—or knifepoint, take your pick—and made off with them. His colleagues joined forces and pursued the man. You two caught up with him in a sea cave, overpowered him with a sword—”
“A kitchen pestle, actually.”
“We shall not mention that detail. Stretches credulity.”
“And where is this criminal now, supposedly?” Mr. During asked.
“He got away in his boat, of course. We never learned his name, so authorities shan’t be able to find him or question him. A pity, to be sure, but at least the royal treasure is secure.”
“Youaregood at this,” Mr. Thomson said, looking at her with admiration.
Sarah said, “I don’t think we need to go into all that. Captain Conroy is angry about the unlocked chest, but he might not yet know about the missing candlesticks. We simply have to plausibly explain their absence.” She looked down at Selwyn’s feet. “And perhaps his ruined shoes.”
“Good point.” Emily tapped her chin. “Something closer to the truth, then. You were ... polishing a pair of candlesticks in our workroom when a letter came for you. When you learned about your family’s dire predicament, you were shocked and upset. You left the candlesticks there and went for a walk on the beach to clear your head and think how best to help them.”
Bernardi nodded. “Maybe then he’ll pay your wages.”
During shook his head. “The captain will still be furious that I left the plate chest unlocked.”
Sarah said gently, “You could admit to a brief lapse of judgment. And perhaps this would be a good time to resign from that position—to avoid such temptation in the future.”
“You’re right, of course.”
Mr. Thomson said, “We will go with you to confront Conroy and the general and demand your back wages. Once you explain your family’s situation and we all lend our voices, there is every chance they will comply.”
“Weall? Does that mean Mr. Bernardi will accompany us?” Selwyn looked hopefully at the chef.
Antoine Bernardi shrugged. “Why not? In for a penny, in for a pound.”
Mr. Thomson asked, “Will you go with us as well, ladies? Another witness or two might help our case.”
Emily looked at her sister, her hair fallen from its pins, skirt hem damp and stained green with seaweed, her usually straight posture slumped with fatigue. “I think Sarah has faced enough frightening men for one day. But I will go with you, if you think it will help.”
Privately, Emily was not keen to face an angry Captain Conroy again, but at least she would do so with James Thomson by her side.
———
When they reached Woolbrook Cottage a short while later, James quietly let them into the house, holding the door wide for Mr. During, who carried the plate chest.
As they entered the vestibule, Captain Conroy’s angry voice rang out. “I don’t know where he is, but find him!”
“Aye, sir.”
