The Unexpected Occurrence of Thaddeus Hobble Read Online Free PDF

into the room – but no, it was just his thin legs. They danced as only thin legs could – quickly, and without order or method, as the lanky thing delivered himself to the men. ‘Stephen Noble, Peter Smith – thank you for coming to me,’ he said in a high yawn, holding out his hand. Before either man could stretch to shake it, Hobble had pulled it away and proceeded to wave it about the room. There was likely no reason for this other than to display and jig about the silk tassels dangling from his bright white sleeve. He was not a young man – far from it – but he was not aged. He wore the passage of time well on his taut face, and a thick head of white curls played well with the swooshing cloak draped over his narrow, slightly bent, shoulders.
    â€˜Honoured to meet the great Thaddeus Hobble,’ Stephen cooed, bowing for added effect.
    â€˜At your service,’ Peter joined in, nodding.
    â€˜You have met my daughter, gentlemen,’ Hobble grinned furiously, lowering his head. ‘Monetary reward is not all I offer you.’
    â€˜She is a fine looking specimen,’ Stephen jumped, pushing Peter aside to get closer to the older man.
    â€˜Alas, poor Willemina – she cannot settle since her mother’s murder. These are lawless times in which we live. The breasts she once suckled from as a babe are removed,’ Hobble sighed. ‘She needs a man to bring her from her stupor.’
    â€˜Indeed she does,’ Darren replied grandly, appearing at the top of the stairs. Peter and Stephen were taken by surprise – Darren had clearly willed his presence here be kept secret from their roving minds.
    â€˜Ah,’ Hobble joyously lapped, ‘Master Aubrey.’ It was now Hobble’s turn to bow.
    â€˜What are you doing here?’ Peter snapped.
    â€˜Exactly as I wish,’ was his cryptic response as he slowly made his way down the stairs towards them. As he neared, Hobble reached into his pocket and brought out a silk coin purse, dropping to his knees and outstretching his hand. Darren snatched it off him, slipping it into his own pocket. ‘Payment number one,’ he clarified.
    â€˜I feel ever so glorious!’ Hobble elated, staying on his knees.
    â€˜I have planted that emotion within him,’ Darren proclaimed in pleasure, ‘for a small fee.’
    â€˜This is barbaric,’ Peter barked.
    â€˜Nonsense! His wife hath been murdered, he had sunk into an irretrievable slump. I brought him back from that… I am The Curer.’
    â€˜You hast not brought the committer of his wife’s murder to justice.’
    â€˜Tis immaterial.’ Darren yawned, checking his pocket watch. ‘Oh Peter, you are such a bore.’
    â€˜Better to be a bore than a petty crook,’ Peter snapped back.
    â€˜Is it? Is it really?’ Darren mused, half rhetorically, as he strolled away tapping his chin. This broke Hobble from his grip, and he got back on his feet.
    â€˜Come, my men, and I shall show you where Mimsie’s murder occurred,’ he said to them excitedly, as if the incident with Darren had never happened.
    As they made their way towards the exit, Peter’s attention was drawn to a minuscule brownish stain on the stone floor. There lay a door to one side, and vague images of a bloodied figure first emerging from it and then scrubbing furiously at the floor with a moist rag briefly flashed through his mind.
    The vast garden to the rear of the property was just as Peter and Stephen had seen it in their vision; save for the dead body, which had now been removed and disposed of. Thick wisteria clung for dear life to a rotting pergola structure which separated the weedy stoned area from the mossy lawn beyond. Acres and acres of overgrown trees and hedging filled the rest of their view.
    â€˜And you say somebody emerged from the trees and just attacked your wife?’ Stephen asked. It was now that Hobble’s