The Hangman Tragedy Part 3

“The caped crusader? Are you out of your mind?’ Doctor James Longbutton said to the Sir Christopher, not minding the Earl’s indignation at his insolence. Aristocrats like Sir Christopher loved to command, and behest, and the doctor would allow him no pleasure to do so, although the idea of going after Robinhood was inciting, he wanted to hear the Earl beg for it.

The cardinal was still on his execrations, and the impatient crowd listened not with any sort of reverence or piety but with a tremendous expectation that the cardinal would finish sooner than he would have planned.

“Surely, a great detective such as yourself shall not be daunted by such a task. You are reputable, he is formidable, but I know you can help us get to Robinhood.” Sir Christopher said.

“I take it that it is the governor’s wishes to see to that Robinhood is given to the gallows.” Doctor James asked.

Sir Christopher stuttered, ‘Well…well, I am most certain that it would be.’

“You are most certain? The governor is not aware?”

“No. Three days ago, an important person to the governor was visiting Cadbury,” said Christopher.

“I take it this important person never reached Cadbury?” doctor James added quickly.

“You catch on fast. The whole carriage was purloined before it even reached the cemetery. We suspect it is bee hidden in the forest. We need you to infiltrate Robinhood’s circle and find this person.” Said Christopher.

“But that’s not all is it? Assuming I find this person, I suppose my next task would be to dismantle the Robinhood network, wouldn’t it?”

“from the inside, yes. And what a great honor that would be, even for you.” Christopher smiled.

Bleeding aristocrat. James muttered as he turned to Betty who was completely captured by the Cardinal’s jeremiad. “Betty, is this why you have had me brought here?” he said to her, “to pursue some caped crusader?”

“I thought you would be interested,” Betty replied, “you were always stuck in the countryside, I thought a little adventure would interest you.”
James did not answer. He leaned forward to get a better view of the hanging. The cardinal had concluded his sermon and the whole crowd waited for the signal, everyone watched the hangman’s hand waiting to pull the lever. Making a sign of the cross, the cardinal nodded at the hangman, the hangman understood and pulled the lever, and the ground below the condemned man open. The man went down with a force but his feet never touched the earth. His body twitched, then twisted, his veins distended and his mouth opened slightly for a modicum of breath. Quietly and curiously, the crowd watched the suffocating man, twitching like a burn rope.

“They usually don’t last this long,” said Betty, her gaze stuck at the wrangling man.

“So, Doctor,” Christopher leaned to his left ear, “will you help us.”

Yes, he would. He had already made up his mind even before the earl had asked. But he kept silent and watched both the hanged man struggle and Sir Christopher suffer suspense. The man twitched, then stopped moving, then twitched again, then suddenly stopped twitching. The crowd became filled with words again, people began to murmur, and some had even turned to leave, their face emoting excitement.

“Strange hangin’ today,” Betty said as she leaned back into her chair.

Doctor James Longbutton smiled, “Get a hobby Betty.” He turned to the Earl, “yes I will help you. Tell me more of what happened.”