Death in St James's Park

Angebote / Angebote:

It was not a pleasant trek from St James's to Dowgate. The wind cut through Chaloner's clothes and more snow was in the air. He tried to walk quickly, but the streets were too crowded and ice underfoot made speed impractical. He eventually arrived at Post House Yard and stared at the General Letter Office, wondering what was happening inside it that he had been told was so dangerous to the country's stability. The square was busy, approaching the deadline for domestic mail, and there was an air of quiet industry as people hurried up and down the marble steps.Chaloner noticed a cart near the entrance to the square. Vehicles tended to avoid Post House Yard, because the alley into it was narrow and they ran the risk of getting jammed. The cart was not very wide, but it was tall, and piled high with firewood. There was no horse in its traces, and it had every appearance of being abandoned. Chaloner frowned. Fuel was expensive, so why was no one guarding it? Moreover, it was oddly stacked, with logs laid at peculiar angles. Then he saw a wisp of smoke curl from inside the heap and caught the distinctive reek of gunpowder. In a flash, he knew exactly what was about to happen.