TIME MACHINE CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

A young officer was playing the piano and a few couples were dancing together, when Captain Spiller entered with a stranger. Both men looked grim. A young woman who appeared to be a secretary of some kind was with them; her lips were set in a thin line.

The music filtered out almost miserably.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we apologise for this interruption; we have received information that a spy could have infiltrated the party tonight and stolen an important document."

Dylan thought that while it would be something to tell the others about, maybe even raise a smile from Ethan, he hoped sincerely that nobody would be arrested.

Spiller introduced Miss Ruth Wilson who had come from Scotland Yard to investigate an anonymous tip-off.

"Miss Wilson will search the ladies – I assure you there will be no embarrassment involved – and Sergeant Dean and I will search the gentlemen. We shall use private rooms for this and then, begging your pardon, we would ask that once you have been searched and exonerated, that you would go to the drawing room to await your transport. We would prefer this evening to be brought to a close sooner rather than later."

Ben understood that; he just felt horrified that anybody could commit such a crime.

One by one the guests were searched, and each one withdrew to the drawing room. Dylan's eyes met Ben's; they promised a few treats to make up for Ben's special night being cut short. He was taken and searched by Sergeant Dean, and even though the officer was courteous, Dylan felt that frisson of unease that everybody experienced under such circumstances, guilty or not. Having been cleared, he was about to make his way to the drawing room to wait for Ben, when he saw the latter being escorted by two officers. Ben's face was ashen and he appeared stunned.

"Ben?"

"I swear I'm innocent" Ben said, shaking his head slowly as if coming out of a trance.

And Dylan knew.

He believed Ben implicitly; there was no question about that. But he knew the ugly truth; somebody had planted the document on Ben and he was being accused of treason.

Dylan was interviewed again separately, but was released after half an hour, the two officers convinced he had no part in what they saw as Ben's treachery. Ben was taken to London, and imprisoned, the trial was two days later. Despite Ben's heartfelt protestations of his innocence, the cards were stacked against him. People remembered his generosity and the question of where he had obtained the money to be so generous were foremost in the Jury's minds. He was found guilty and sentenced to be executed by a firing squad at the Tower of London in two days' time.

Jamie and Lloyd, not yet knowing why the party had broken up so soon, or why Taylor looked so pale and tense as she left the building, could hardly believe their double stroke of luck. Because of the famous singer being so agitated, they found it almost child's play to rub against her once more and extract the little camera. They couldn't wait to see the photos.

Taylor suddenly turned on them, taking her unease at the shock she had experienced out on the boys.

"And next time I'm singing anywhere, I'll thank you two not to come annoying me" she snapped. The lads didn't care. They had enough to remember her by.

Dylan could not sleep. He'd had to face some grim facts that the reluctant Captain Spiller had been forced to tell him. There was no question of Ben's body being released for burial; traitors were buried in Highgate Cemetary, not released to friends and families.

"Then I'll travel to London. I need to speak to him for one last time" Dylan persisted.

"No civilians will be allowed to speak to him now, Sir. He'll be kept alone in custody until the end."

Spiller felt a wave of loathing for Ben Chiltern wash over him. He knew what the two men were to each other, although he would keep silent on that score, and he resented Ben for breaking his lover's heart like this. He, Spiller, had been so mistaken about the young man.

"Would you like to stay with my wife and myself for a while, Doctor Keogh? Lara would be happy to put you up."

"No thank you, Captain" Dylan replied, "I've no intention of doing anything stupid, if that's what you suspect. I have my young ward to think of."

Nevertheless Dylan tossed and turned for the rest of the evening. He needed Ben's warmth and kindness, and that was gone forever now. And what would this do to poor Lucius? The little boy adored Ben. His mind stabbed about desperately for some vital clue that would prove Ben not guilty. It hurt him to think that it was due to Ben's generosity that he was facing such a violent death, and having his reputation mired by gossip. The village tongues would be wagging tomorrow. At about four in the morning, there was a desperate knocking and Dylan slipped on his robe wearily. So they've come for me now, he thought, and wondered if he would share Ben's fate after all.

But it was Ethan who stood there, tears running down his face.

"Dylan, they can't shoot him! They can't! He's a good man. And I'm so, so sorry-"

"Come in" replied the doctor, a touch of the old Dylan Keogh showing, "And I'd be grateful if you'd blow your nose first."

Ethan did so and followed Dylan into the sparse rented accommodation.

"Look, we have to tell them, Lloyd! Don't be such a nitwit!" Jamie snapped.

Lloyd's lip quivered.

"B-but if we show them these photos, that'll mean they'll arrest Taylor and she'll be shot!"

"And if we don't do anything, Mr Chiltern will be shot, and he's innocent. These photos prove it. Go on, Lloyd. We might get medals!"

"If you take that camera thing to Captain Spiller, I'll…" began Lloyd.

"-Punch me. Yes, I know. But I'm still going to do it. Lloyd, don't you get it? She was sharing plans to get our soldiers defeated in the next battle. They'd have been wiped out, Lloyd. I haven't just gone off her, Lloyd, I hate her!"

Jamie thought hard then delivered his piece de resistance.

"If you let that happen and if you let Curly Chiltern get killed you'll go to hell on Judgement Day. But that'd probably suit you because you'd meet that Taylor trollop. She'll be going to hell."

Lloyd wavered.

"Do you want your mum to know you're in love with a traitress and a harlot, and you're willing to let a good man die because of her?"

Lloyd gave a sob and handed over the camera.

"You take it. I just want to stay here and have a good cry."

Lloyd let Jamie take the camera from his limp grasp, but five minutes later he was tagging at Jamie's heels like a puppy.

Ben sat in his cell reading the old periodical they'd given him. They were kind enough in their way but it was more icy politeness than any friendship or empathy. And why should they be kind, thought Ben, they think I'm capable of betraying my country. What tore at him most was the fact that he'd never now have the chance to see his own parents again. He'd never hug Lucius again or make his peace with Ethan. Being only human, he was afraid of whether or not he'd die in any pain, though he knew this method had to be swift and merciful. Please let me keep my dignity at the end, he prayed. One more day to get through, one more evening, and then hopefully eternal sleep.

Outside, somebody was looking forward to the day after the next very much. Fletcher had found it hard not to whoop aloud when he'd seen whose execution he would be helping with. Mr Smartarse schoolteacher, who had contributed to getting him and his family evicted for a harmless prank on a silly schoolgirl. What goes around comes around and now Chiltern was going to get what he deserved in just over twenty-four hours.

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