A/N: Thanks, once again, for all of your kind reviews on the past chapters. Just a reminder, I mentioned at the beginning of Chapter 1 that Sybil is still alive in this story. This chapter finally gets exciting; hope you like it!
Chapter 4: A Mystery Bullet
Early the next morning, Mr. Carson locked his cabin door and headed out. He had seen something yesterday that had bothered him, and today he knew what he had to do to fix it. He hopped on his horse, Alice, and rode into town in the direction of the general store. As soon as he got there, he passed the store and headed towards the back yard. There, he took the cream-colored envelope containing the letter he had written yesterday and dropped it into the post box of Mrs. Isobel Crawley. He spurred on Alice and rode back to the house, where he climbed back into bed without anyone noticing he had ever left.
oOo
"No, the red one, I think," said Mary. She was deciding what dress to wear to the hanging. Sybil was sitting on her bed, and Edith was in her armchair, helping Mary decide. Well, not really helping.
"Mary, it's terrible that you think of something as trivial as what to wear when a man's life is going to end today!" Sybil said. "Honestly, I think Grandmama goes too far sometimes!"
"We all know that she has a temper. It's a lucky thing that we're in her good graces," Edith pointed out from the chair.
"I'm serious, Edith! Since when does stealing a penknife warrant a man's death?" Sybil questioned angrily.
Mary cut in. "Sybil, she's the Mayor, and you'd do well not to question her authority."
Sybil was about to reply when Cora's voice could be heard from downstairs. "Girls! Come on, we can't afford to be late!" The girls rushed down the stairs and got into the wagon that was waiting for them outside to take them into town.
oOo
Mrs. Hughes walked away from the square where the hanging was being held. She walked a couple streets down until she found the alley she was looking for behind the Grantham Arms Hotel. She walked briskly down the alley, checking occasionally to make sure that nobody was following her. She had to be very careful with what she was about to do. Being always observant, Mrs. Hughes knew that there were ladders leading up to the rooftops of each building in town, and she was grateful for one of those ladders in particular right now. Checking once more to make sure no one was around, Mrs. Hughes climbed up the ladder to the roof of the hotel. Just as she suspected, from here she had a perfect view of everything that was happening in the town square below. She took out her .45 gauge pistol and readied herself.
As soon as Mr. Carson saw Mrs. Hughes leave the square, he knew it was time to move. He watched carefully where she was headed, and when he saw her begin to climb to the roof of the Grantham Arms, he started to walk on the other side of the road. He walked down the avenue until he was exactly opposite the hotel and Mrs. Hughes. The barber shop happened to be directly across the street from the Grantham Arms, but it was a bit shorter. Perfect, Mr. Carson thought, just what I need. He turned down the alley behind the barber shop and climbed the ladder up to its roof. Luckily, Mrs. Hughes hadn't noticed him yet.
oOo
"…And for numerous crimes against the Dowager Mayor, John Pegg is hereby sentenced to be hanged by the neck until dead. I shall now ask the prisoner for any last remarks?" finished Sheriff Gillingham. The terrified young man shook his head. "Very well," Gillingham said, "let's begin."
Deputy Green tied a noose, and then fastened it to the gallows. Then, he roughly pushed Pegg onto the boards and put the noose around his neck. Green walked over to the lever that would let the floor down.
Sybil clutched Branson's hand and turned away. She couldn't bear to watch this innocent young man's life being taken away from him. She shuddered when she heard Green pull the lever, and Branson sucked in a breath and put an arm around her. But then, something completely unexpected happened. A gunshot rang out across the square, and all the spectators ducked and covered their ears. The gunman must have been a crack shot, because the rope that was holding Pegg was split in two by the bullet. The young man, too terrified even to speak, got up and ran.
"After him!" the Mayor screamed from her place of honor. "Actually, wait! Let him go! Find that shooter! Search everyone for guns, look on every rooftop! Let no one leave the square!" The square was in uproar. Sheriff Gillingham and Deputy Green began to search everyone for weapons, and they sent more men up to the buildings to search for the shooter.
"Look for a bullet, people! It could be anywhere!" said Green. But no bullet was found. Nobody was found to be carrying any weapons, and a couple hours later, the Mayor allowed everyone to leave. Furious and outraged, the Dowager called a meeting of the Gillingham and Green to discuss this mystery shot.
oOo
Once the whole family and the staff had gotten back to the ranch, everyone was very tired. The younger staff was buzzing with news of the hanging. Those who had not attended were quickly being filled in. Mr. Crawley called an assembly of the entire household in the great hall. He quieted the excited murmur and began to speak.
"Now, I know that this afternoon has been very… exciting, to say the least. But I want to say that it is not our responsibility to inspire talk about what may have happened. Leave the figuring to the Mayor and the authorities. Please, I would like to hear no further talk on the matter. Carry on with your duties as you normally would. That will be all. Thank you," said Robert calmly.
The staff began to file out the doors to attend to their regular duties. However, Mr. Carson motioned to Mrs. Hughes to follow him. They had some things they needed to discuss.
A/N: Well, there's going be a juicy talk coming up here. I'll have my mom write that so you guys can get the Chelsie you've been waiting patiently for. Let me know how I am doing; thanks for reading!