The Night of the Absentee Agent
Chapter 19
The Return of the Traveller
When the S.S. Restormel, another steam ship of the Castle Line, docked in New York, Artie disembarked and travelled straight to Washington to make his report in person to Colonel Richmond. He had found plenty of time to rest on the voyage over from England and was happy to be back to work. Colonel Richmond was pleased to see him.
"You had me worried there for a while, Artemus," he said, shaking Artie's hand.
"I'm sorry about that, Sir. The only danger was w...I found myself trapped in that barrel in the ship's hold. After that it was all a matter of passing the time until I could return home."
"Yes, I'm glad to see that you are fully recovered. Well, as you know, we caught that Magpie rogue, though he denied it of course. No need to worry about him now though."
"Why is that?"
"He started a fight with another inmate, in the prison yard, and he took such a blow to the jaw that it killed him."
"Good Lord," Artie said, rubbing his own jaw, remembering the blow Joshua had given him. Thankfully he hadn't been trying to kill him.
"Yes, it was found to be self-defence on the part of the other man. I can't say I feel any sorrow for Morgan North, he tried to kill one of my men, after all."
"I quite understand," Artie said, realising that this would mean Marsh was free of discovery now.
"I'm afraid we don't know where your brother is. Do you have any idea where he might head for if he were travelling west?"
"No, Sir," Artie replied, pleased that he hadn't had to lie to his superior and friend. "Have you sent someone to look for him?"
"No, I'm not sure we could prove any crimes against him anyway. By the way, I forgot to ask, how did you find the English women?"
"I only met one, Sir, and she was both beautiful and charming. I just had time to attend her wedding before I left."
"Poor old Artemus, all those months and nothing to show for it," Richmond laughed.
Artie gave him a pained smile. "Do you have another assignment for me or do you want me to return to the Wanderer?" he asked.
"The Wanderer is due for an overhaul in a month. West is out in the field at present. I want you to take the Wanderer and meet him. I won't know from where until nearer the time when James reports in with his whereabouts. Until then I'm afraid you'll be stuck behind a desk. However, I'm sure you won't lack for female companionship in Washington."
Artie had the grace to look abashed but then grimaced at the thought of being cooped up in an office for four weeks. He'd had enough of that in England and on the ship. Still, at least they'd agreed to team him up with Jim again. He was worried that they'd get someone to replace him permanently. He wondered how West would feel about his return and if he was as anxious as him to get back together.
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"And that's more or less it," Artie said, looking over at his partner. "As you know, Colonel Richmond had me accompany that dreadful woman here, a fate worse than... well not quite death, but close to it."
West was looking both amused and alarmed at the story Artie had told him. "I had no idea," he said. "I just wish I'd been there to look out for you."
"I was fine," Artie said, making light of it."
West had been able to read between the lines and knew it had been more harrowing than Artie was willing to admit. However, there was a puzzled look on his face. "It's a very intriguing story but I don't understand how you could know the parts where you weren't actually there," he said.
"Oh people told me some of it and then I used a bit of artistic licence, but it's essentially true. I'm sorry I was gone longer than intended."
"But you're back for good now, though?" Jim asked anxiously. Much as he'd enjoyed going into the field with Jeremy and Frank, he didn't want either of them to replace Artie permanently.
"Yes, I'm not going anywhere as far as I know."
"Great, you know I'd do a lot to persuade them to keep us together, don't you?"
"So that's why you offered to escort that diva for me," Artie realised.
"It certainly wasn't for the sake of my health."
"It was very good of you, but I have a plan in motion to find her an escort she will find to her liking." He winked.
"I look forward to you achieving the nigh on impossible," Jim said.
"It's quite simple. As it's American men she seems to dislike so much I've decided to present her with an alternative."
"You have a rare and enviable talent," Jim told him.
"I never mentioned this before but I thought you did a very good job of playing Frank Slade. Everyone agreed you looked really ugly."
"I never could understand that," Jim said.
"Hmm, puzzling isn't it? Well, it's time you took the Signorina to the reception, Jim"
"Alright, see you later."
Artie was left alone in the carriage, hoping that Jim would never find out what he had been doing in Washington for that last month, albeit while sitting behind a desk. But that is another story.
THE END
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