Ripper Read Online Free PDF Page A

which.
    Suddenly the horses screamed and the carriage slid to a halt, throwing Abberline forward and forcing Washington to catch the chief inspector as the carriage wheels finally came to a sliding stop. Stevenson was still holding his strap and seemedto be muttering to himself.
    They heard Sergeant Anderson cursing at someone unseen at the same time they heard footsteps approaching the carriage door. As Abberline straightened and then nodded his thanks to Washington for saving him a nasty headache, the door opened. As the inspector sat back into his seat he saw a familiar face, only this time the man was dressed in his scarlet army uniformcomplete with gold braid. Abberline’s jaw set and then he angrily stepped from the carriage, pushing the man out of his way.
    “You bloody bastard, you told me this nightmare was ended,” he hissed as he leaned into the face of the tall but strong Colonel Albert Stanley of Her Majesty’s Black Watch. “Now we have not just one, but two. One of my men was butchered tonight alongside another woman bythe man you said was no more of a threat!”
    For the first time in five meetings with Stanley the man’s face was not one of arrogant disassociation, but one of fear. The colonel looked around and then said, “My apologies Chief Inspector for the intercept. Whitechapel will have to wait.”
    “Hey, what the bloody hell is going on here,” Inspector Washington said as he exited the coach and angrily approachedthe colonel and Abberline. Suddenly the small but impressive Sergeant Anderson stepped swiftly in front of the younger inspector and just shook his head. The black cap was lowered toward the eyes, but Washington was still able to see the man meant business. Abberline held up his right hand to stay his man.
    “Inspector Washington, this is Colonel Stanley of Her Majesty’s Black Watch. I believehe has something to add to the night’s doings.”
    Washington stopped but kept staring at the Sergeant, who stood his ground in between the young policeman and the colonel.
    “We have business elsewhere Chief Inspector, and you of all men deserve to be a part of what has to be done.”
    “Then I can expect your cooperation in protecting a material witness who may be able to identify the man known asthe Ripper?”
    “I am not following you Chief Inspector,” Stanley said in frustration at the delay.
    “Mr. Stevenson?” Abberline called out.
    At that moment, Robert Louis Stevenson leaned out of the carriage and then locked eyes with Colonel Stanley.
    “That’s the man who has followed me for three years, off and on through Europe and America.”
    “I see you have finally caught up on your homework ChiefInspector?” Stanley looked from Stevenson and to Abberline as the fog swirled. “You may do with him as you wish. I have my orders, and nothing in them mentions Mr. Stevenson here.”
    “Then I have your word as a gentleman that no harm will befall my witness by you or any member of your unit?”
    “Damn you sir, we must go, and go now!” Stanley said as he turned away.
    At that moment a wagon with twentyarmed soldiers came around the corner and stopped mere feet from the three men.
    “May we use your coach?” Stanley said as he stopped and then gestured to the men to step in. “This official nightmare ends tonight.”
    “Against Her Majesty’s orders, Colonel?” Abberline asked, not moving toward the open coach door and the worried-looking Stevenson inside.
    “On the contrary, Chief Inspector, the queenhas signed this man’s death warrant and has authorized his elimination. That means that this man, this writer, is witness to nothing. How could he be if the Ripper, or Jekyll and Hyde if you prefer, never existed. Now, do you want to assist in the Ripper’s destruction, or do you wish to stay here and listen to more children’s stories by the great Robert Louis Stevenson?” Stanley asked as he heldthe coach door open, not even sparing a glance at the famous