The Devil and His Boy Read Online Free PDF Page A

parents.”
    “No!” Tom was amazed to find himself saying it. “I don’t want to stay.”
    “Then let’s go.”
    With his back turned to him, the traveller didn’t see the landlord snatch up a knife that had been lying on a table. Tom opened his mouth to call out a warning – but the traveller had no need of it. He must have heard something, for in less than a second his sword was out of its sheath. He spun round and slashed down twice. The first stroke gashed Slope’s arm, drawing a thin line of blood. The second sliced across his stomach and for a horrible moment Tom was sure it had killed him. But the blade had only cut through the waistband of his trousers. As Sebastian Slope howled in pain, they slid down to his ankles, exposing a pair of knees like over-sized conkers.
    “This way, Tom.”
    Not sure if he was awake or asleep, Tom followed the traveller out into the yard and watched as he saddled and made ready his horse. It didn’t take him very long. As he led the animal out of the stable, he smiled at Tom for the first time. “You’ve never ridden a horse,” he said.
    “No, sir.”
    “It’s not difficult. You’ll sit behind me and hold on to me. You’ll soon get used to it.”
    “Where are you taking me, sir?”
    “To London.”
    London!
    London was a four-day ride away but for Tom it could have been on the other side of the planet … on the other side of the moon even. London was a city, he knew, with a tower and a river and a cathedral so great that the church at Framlingham could fit inside it. He had heard it said that crowds of people lived there; not just dozens of people but hundreds, maybe even a thousand.
    He tried to speak but couldn’t find the words. In silence, he allowed the traveller to help him on to the horse and clung to the saddle, hardly daring to move. He was much higher than he had imagined and he was grateful when the traveller climbed up and sat before him.
    “Say goodbye to it, Tom,” the man said. “You’re starting a new life.”
    But before they could move, there was a screech and Henrietta Slope emerged from the inn. Her husband was right behind her, holding up his trousers with his good hand.
    “What are you doing?” she squealed. “You’ve no right! I’ll have the law on to you.”
    “I am the law,” the traveller replied. “And you have every reason to fear me. But although you don’t deserve it, I’ll play fair with you.” He threw a handful of coins into the mud. “This is for my room and board. Now be silent and let us pass.”
    The traveller kicked with his feet and the horse trotted forward. At the same time, Henrietta threw herself in front of it. Tom wasn’t sure what happened next. The horse reared up and he clung on for dear life. Henrietta fell back, losing her balance. With a great scream, she crashed to the ground, slap into the middle of a pile of soft and steaming horse manure. Sebastian tried to help her but, with his trousers in a knot, he was too slow.
    The horse had left the courtyard. Tom and the traveller were gone. Henrietta Slope took her husband’s hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet. She gazed down the road at the horse with its two figures already vanishing into the distance. “Are you all right?” Sebastian asked.
    Henrietta wiped a hand across the back of her leg. “I stink!” she exclaimed.
    “I know, my dear,” Sebastian agreed. “But don’t worry. The horse manure will hide it.” He held up his hand, blood trickling between his fingers. “He cut me!” he complained.
    Henrietta looked at the blood, then back at the road. “It’s nothing compared to what Ratsey will do to him,” she muttered.
    “Ratsey…!” Sebastian had forgotten but now an ugly light came into his eyes. He tore a piece off the bottom of his vest and wrapped it round his hand. “You think he’ll find him?”
    “He’ll find him. Ratsey never misses.” Henrietta’s cheeks twitched as she tried to draw lips that weren’t