"Well, more or less. Val called me some names and then gave me my instructions. When he threatened to shove me out, I decided it was time for my move. We waited until we clattered into some woods and then I rolled out of the boot."
"Bravo, lad," Sarge interjected much to everyone's surprise.
Jamie winked at the giant before he took up the tale. "I was rather winded at first. My ears were ringing something fierce but all in all I was in good shape. Val had told me to lie perfectly still until the carriage was out of sight. In actual fact, sir, I couldn't have moved at all. After I cast up my accounts, I walked as fast as I could until I finally was able to hitch up with a carter who was going to London. And here I am."
The low-key triumph at the end of the boy's tale was more touching than a shout of joy. Drew could well imagine what the child had been through, more from what was left unsaid than what he had mentioned. Beneath the dirt, there was a gray pallor to the boy's face that indicated his exhaustion.
"You've done an admirable job, Jamie. Tell me about Val and then we'll see about getting you washed up and fed. It's almost four and I can imagine with all your activities, you may have worked up quite an appetite."
"I'm bloody starving, Lord Farrington!" the boy howled, delighted when his audience broke into laughter.
The tension in the room had eased once they realized that the boys were not lost in London but hot in pursuit of Stoddard. Although Val and Blaine were still to be accounted for, at least the situation was not as hopeless as it had been earlier.
"Just a little bit longer, Jamie," Drew said as he noticed the droopy-lidded eyes of the boy. "What was Val's plan?"
"It was pretty difficult talking much for fear of being overheard. We were whispering and such but I think I got the drift. I gave him the pocketknife that my father gave me and a bit of the ready. I was flush today because Momma slipped me some coin for our trip to the docks. Val made me keep some in case of emergency but he's plump in the pocket, I can tell you. He was going to stay with the carriage until he was sure they had gotten to their hidey-hole and then he would hightail it back here."
"Excellent plan, lad."
Drew was more and more impressed with the boys' enterprise. The Bow Street Runners could not have produced any better detectives. He was silent for a moment as he considered his own plans. Once decided, he began issuing orders.
"Tate, take the boy up to Val's room for a wash. I'm sure you can find something for Jamie to wear until his own things arrive. Frau Puffentraub, you will arrange for a tray and the preparation of a room for the night." He turned to the boy, taking in the wide grin of delight. "I will send off a note to your father, asking permission for you to remain with us until tomorrow. You have played an important part in this drama so it is only fair that you remain for the denouement."
"Good show, sir. I'd rather like that," Jamie said.
Suddenly his expression changed and the eyes staring up held a haunted quality. Drew was painfully aware that for all his bravery Jamie was little more than a child.
"Lady Yates will be all right, won't she?" The boy swallowed several times before he could continue. "She a grand old girl. Didn't take a bit of lip from the fancy Dan and when those two bullies come up on her, she snapped at them and they shuffled their feet like babes with their nanny. You will get her back all right, won't you, sir?"
"You have my promise," Drew said.
The boy's eyes flicked over his face, then nodded in satisfaction. Drew was incredibly moved by the word picture Jamie had drawn of his courageous Blaine confronting the two thugs. He clenched the muscles in his jaw as he turned to Sarge.
"Alert the stables to ready my rig and tell them to keep a sharp eye out for Val. It would be best if you waited out front. He'll be in a hurry so he might not take time to go round to the stables. Also, on your way out, send Timmons to me."