The Half-a-Moon Inn Read Online Free PDF Page A

obey? Aye, I can see I’m going to have to put some manners in you meself, and teach you to be grateful for me hospitality.” She whipped the switch across his toes one more time, and returned to warming herself by the fire.
    One by one the callers descended the stairs, yawning and grumbling and still groggy with sleep. There were a half dozen of them, all men, and a rough and ragged lot at that. Quickly, Miss Grackle warmed up some gruel and set Aaron to serving it to the guests, keeping a sharp eye over him all the while. The food smelled awful to Aaron, and he watched in amazement as the guests ate it up briskly. But before the first one to finish had a chance to step out the door, Miss Grackle placed herself in the doorway and cleared her throat conspicuously.
    â€œMuch as I hate to offend your innocent hearts,” she began, “’twould weigh down me conscience if I weren’t to warn you before you set out that there’s been a right lot of thieves about lately.”

    One man’s hand reached instantly for his breast pocket, another man’s darted to his cap.
    â€œThick as rats in a cellar, they are, and pleased to pick you clean as a coat stand. ’Twould be worse than sending a baby into a bear’s den not to tell you so, and a burden on me soul as well. So take heed in the woods, me worthy gentlemen, and keep your eyes open. And godspeed to you.”
    One by one they finished their breakfasts and filed past her. When the last one had mounted his horse and set off, she turned to Aaron and burst out laughing.
    â€œOh, but it’s nice to have me a boy such as you, one who’ll keep me secrets locked up tight as artichokes.” Aaron watched as she pulled two money pouches out of her great apron pocket and emptied out a trickle of coppers.
    â€œAye, Sam, I’m one of the villains you heard me speaking of, and all I do is sing out the word ‘thief’ and every one of ’em points me straight to his money, sure as a compass points north.” She laughed again and flung the emptied purses into the fire.
    â€œAye, and it’s only after they’ve reached for ’em that I finger their pouches. Let ’em discover it when they stop for a meal, and blame the man next to ’em. Or when they pull in somewhere else for the night. But they’ll remember it clear that they checked their purses before leaving The Half-a-Moon Inn, and still had ’em with ’em.”
    She counted the money in her hand once again, and stood warming herself by the fire.
    â€œOh, me hands move fast, lad, quick as swifts and swallows. But they’re dishonest hands, you understand, and me great-great-grandfather who built this house was a worthy judge and an honest man—may his soul rot in heaven! Oh, he laid up these chimneys with his own honest hands—and built a curse into ’em as well, lest any of his thieving brothers should snatch the house for himself when he died. Aye, for it’s only honest hands that can get the wood to catch in the grates. Your hands, lad!”
    Miss Grackle cackled like a hen. “The last of me boys ran off quick as a ghost at sunrise, he did—and froze to death in the bargain. So ever since the air’s turned cold I’ve been having to rely on the guests to build fires. But here you blow in with the first of the snow—aye, you turn up handy as a thimble, boy. Now, pitch another load of logs on the grate and then back to sleep with you. You’ll need it for tonight, lad, believe me.”
    Aaron built up the blaze and climbed upstairs, his feet still stinging and sore. He searched for his boots without success, sat by the window and stared outside. It was snowing again.
    How had he gotten himself into such a fix? Could his mother truly have abandoned him, as Miss Grackle had suggested? Or was she waiting for him at home right now, wondering what in the world had become of him? He’d been so