The Quickening Maze Read Online Free PDF

always stronger, more shocking than he could anticipate.There were noises, but only two patients were in the large central space overlooked by the balcony and other rooms. The others were shut away. One of the loose ones stood still and rubbed a patch of scalp already rubbed bald. The other, a woman, ran towards them, staring at Stockdale, and began lifting her soiled dress. Fulton stared, horrified, but unable to look away. Before she’d revealed more than her dirty, folded knees, Stockdale took her arms firmly and tugged down her dress. ‘She shouldn’t be allowed to mix with men if she’s subject to this . . .’ Allen said.
    Saunders, the attendant who’d opened the door to them, apologised. ‘She hasn’t behaved that poorly. I think it’s you, doctor, or you, William. Perhaps she expects an examination.’
    The woman writhed, growing quieter in Stockdale’s grasp. ‘Don’t want to do that,’ she muttered. ‘Don’t want to do that.’
    ‘That’s quite right,’ Allen told her. ‘You don’t.’
    ‘Just let her go,’ Saunders said. ‘She’ll be fine now, little outburst over.’
    Saunders was short and strong and cheerful with blunt, capable hands that Fulton stared at. His fingertips were wide, the nails thick and yellow; his thumbs were jointed at two right angles, turning parallel to the palms. His eyes were bright among pleats of aged skin. Beneath one eyebrow hung two small growths, smaller than berries. He seemed to take his work easily. He smiled and hummed as he handled his charges, who were frantic with fear and pain. ‘At eleven-thirty,’ Saunders said, ‘we’ll let a few more out to exercise. These two have had bad nights is why they’re out having a breather. But we’ll address Mr Francombe first. I’ve two lads up by his door, plucking up courage.’
    ‘Very good. Shall we go up?’
    Saunders led the way up the stairs to the cells behind the balcony. From there Fulton looked down on the two freed patients, shuffling, drowsy as smoked bees.
    ‘Morning, gentlemen,’ Allen greeted the waiting attendants.
    They replied and stepped away from the door. Allen looked through the grille at the big man sat leaning against a wall, grey-faced, holding his hard belly.
    ‘Good morning, Mr Francombe,’ Allen shouted through the door.
    Dull eyes looked back at him, looked away.
    Matthew Allen turned to his men. ‘Very good. You four, I want you to get in, seize hold of him, and get him out of there. It will be best if he’s in a bath, or on one of the tables, when I force the evacuation. Fulton, you stay here. Stockdale, Saunders, you take the legs.You other two, grab his arms. Do we all know what we’re doing?’
    ‘Yes, doctor,’ Saunders answered.The others nodded.
    ‘Very good. In you go.’
    Saunders unlocked the door, lifted the latch.‘Ready?’ he asked, and then the four of them strode in.
    Fulton stood behind his father’s shoulder and watched the struggle. Mr Francombe, after a volley of oaths, began roaring and bleating as he fought. His effort of violence was extraordinary. Saunders and Stockdale were flung back and forth as he kicked.The other two twisted and wrestled with his arms. He raised himself up off the ground between them, then sank down pulling his four limbs together so that the attendants bumped each other. From his face hung wisps of drool. He tried biting one of the men holding his arms. The attendant had to release the other arm and push back on Mr Francombe’s forehead as hard as he could.
    ‘Fulton, if you want to take part,’ Allen said, in a surprisingly weary voice, ‘you might usefully go in now. Go in behind him and get hold of his head. Get hold of his ears.’
    ‘Really?’
    ‘Fine. Hold this.’ Allen handed his son his bag and went in himself. Fulton, shamed, followed him in.
    Allen did as he’d instructed Fulton, circled quickly behind the five panting men, squatted down and tried to get a firm grip of Francombe’s head. He thrashed so