The Night of the Absentee Agent

Chapter 18

The Wedding

Artie had dinner with the Ambassador and his staff that evening. There was one other guest, Mr Jonas Armstrong, a businessman from Manchester, whom the Ambassador was hoping to persuade to sign a large contract with the United States Government. He was straight forward and suspicious of Americans. Afterwards, when port had been drunk and tea was being poured, Artie found himself talking to Armstrong.

"You've told me that you're here on behalf of the United States Government but you didn't say exactly what your role is," Armstrong said.

"I'm just a messenger boy," Artie said, modestly. "I wouldn't want to bore you with the details."

"I see, top secret," Armstrong guessed. "I shan't pry. So you're leaving London tomorrow."

"Well, I won't have any reason to stay here once my business with the Embassy is finished."

"I wish I could go home to Manchester," Armstrong said, "but I have more talks tomorrow and possibly the day after that."

"Will you agree to their demands," Artie asked.

"Probably, but I think I'll insist that they come to Manchester. I want to get back to my business and my wife."

"If they're keen enough, they'll agree."

"I fancy a trip to a boxing club while I'm in the Capital. Will you have time to join me tomorrow morning?"

Artie, not wanting to jeopardise the Governmental negotiations with Mr Armstrong, accepted the invitation, with some reservations.

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"Good Lord, did I do that?" Joshua asked, when he saw Artie's black eye. "I'm really sorry, man"

"Thanks, but it was my own fault for agreeing to a sparring match with a middle-aged business man," Artie said, wincing.

"Well, I'm sorry anyway," Josh said. "Cat put me straight about your argument and I shouldn't have punched you."

"Did she now? Let's keep it between us, hey?" Artie said, wondering just when Mrs Masters had become Cat.

"Of course, I wouldn't do anything to embarrass Cat."

"Good. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to go to my room."

"Can I get you anything?"

"A whiskey would be welcome."

"You got it."

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There was a knock on Artie's bedroom door and Josh entered with a glass in his hand.

"Thanks," Artie said, taking it from him."

Josh stayed where he was.

"Can I help you with something?" Artie asked, taking a sip of the whiskey. "Only I'd really like to get some rest."

"I just wanted to have a word with you about Cat."

"Yes?"

"We've decided to get hitched."

"That's a bit sudden isn't it?"

"What can I say? It was love at first sight, for both of us. You don't mind do you? Cat said you'd be all right with it."

"It's marvellous news. I'm very happy for you both. I'd show it more if I wasn't feeling so terrible."

"I understand. I'll leave you in peace now."

After Josh had gone, Artie downed the remainder of his drink and lay down on the bed.

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Everyone else in the house was agog at the news that Josh and Cat were to be married. They didn't know the truth about the arrangement between Artie and Cat but they had their suspicions, especially as Artie and Josh seemed to be the best of friends, as did Artie and Cat. Mr Oakley was beside himself with joy, imagining all of the Manning offspring on which to focus his wealth and attention. There was to be no announcement in the newspaper this time around, instead the world was to be presented with the news of the wedding, in just under three weeks time, before Artie was due to leave for America.

"The best man won," Artie would tell anyone who even attempted to question him about the second engagement coming so close to the first. His friendly congratulations to Cat meant that no one else felt awkward about accepting the new situation.

Because Cat already owned a house and some land in Wiltshire, inherited from her first husband, it was decided that the stud should be set up there. So everyone travelled down there to make plans, with the promise that they would be back in two weeks to arrange the wedding, and Artie was left on his own, except for Mr Mayberry and the numerous visits he paid to Mr Oakley. The old man was missing his daughter but was reassured by the fact that, after her marriage, she would be no further away than she had been before she was widowed.

Artie hadn't much to do except riding and reading books from Mr Mayberry's library. He wanted to write to Jim to tell him about his adventures but Richmond had told him to keep his assignment a secret and, though his aim had been accomplished, as far as his superiors were concerned, he didn't feel he had the right to decide to divulge the story yet. Instead, he wrote plans for future contraptions that could be used in the field, though he had no way of building them at present. He also worked on theoretical chemical bonds that would result in substances useful for explosions, sedatives and adhesives. By the time the others returned, he was itching to return to his laboratory on board the Wanderer to put his plans to the test.

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As promised, after two weeks, the house guests returned, having stopped off in London to buy wedding clothes.

Mr Oakley's housekeeper had begun organising the food for the wedding breakfast and Cook was in the middle of baking an ornate cake.

Artie was wondering what he would wear, as he hadn't been in clothes suitable for a wedding when he was kidnapped. He was extremely grateful to Sam when he came bursting into his bedroom that evening with a complete outfit for him.

"As we're the same size, I thought I could stand in for you at the tailor's," he said, laying the clothes on the bed. "Don't worry, even though we're twins, I didn't buy identical outfits."

"Thanks, Sam," Artie said. "By the way, when I was at the Embassy, I found out that the book seems to be closed on your exploits. They decided you must have headed west, once you escaped form custody. No one will be looking for you over here."

"Thanks, Artie, for not giving me away. I know we're twins but I still couldn't expect you to look out for me. After all you don't really know anything about me."

"That's true, but I got to know Marsh very well, and I respect his choice when it comes to friends."

"He's a decent guy and a great friend," Sam acknowledged. "He and Clara have decided to get married at the same time as Josh and Cat."

"I'm glad to hear it. That way I get to see him married as well before I go back home."

"Are you sure you don't want to stay on and help us with the stud?"

"Yes I'm sure. I have to get back to my job, a job I love by the way. Besides, horses and I don't mix too well. They're all right for getting around on but that's where I draw the line."

Sam laughed. "Well, I'll let you know where to contact me. We'll be staying at Cat's place for a while, until we find somewhere nearby to settle down. I'd like it if you wrote every so often."

"I'll see what I can do."

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The double wedding took place on a beautiful summer's day, at the parish church in Lambourn, by special licence. It was the first wedding Artie had ever attended and he thought the brides looked beautiful and happy. After the wedding breakfast, the speeches and the toasts, Artie packed his bag, said goodbye to all his new friends and his brother and set off for the coast, so that he would be there when his ship left early the next morning.

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