Barak made an uncertain lunge with his sword. He cut only air, but Needler retreated quickly behind the chair.
I felt my stomach turn, then leaned over and vomited its contents onto the floor with a horrible retching sound. ‘Jack!’ I cried. ‘Here, take this!’
He grabbed the pot and swallowed what was left. He gasped and leaned back against his chair, sword still raised at Needler. I put a hand on the back of my chair, my head spinning.
‘Stay up, sir!’ Barak shouted. ‘We must stay up!’
I took long, deep breaths. It was horribly frightening, knowing if we allowed ourselves to pass out now it could be the end of us. But my heartbeat was steadying a little. I pulled out my dagger. The old woman stood too, trembling, hands stretched out before her. ‘David!’ she called in a shrill howl. ‘David! What is happening?’
Needler’s nerve broke. He stepped away from his mistress and ran to the door. Barak started to follow, but staggered. The old woman turned to the sound of Needler’s footsteps, her hands waving helplessly. ‘David! David! Where are you? What’s happening?’
Needler unlocked the door and threw it open. He ran down the steps and out of the house just as Barak leaned forward and vomited as spectactularly as I had. He sank to his knees, gasping.
The old woman turned towards the noise, panicky now. ‘Where are you?’ she shouted. ‘David! David!’ She stumbled, lost her balance and fell with a cry. Her head struck the wall and she collapsed to the floor with a moan.
I staggered to the open door of the parlour, down the stairs and through the front door which Needler had left open. I leaned on it for support and called ‘Help!’ in a cracked voice, making heads turn along the crowded street. ‘Murder! Call the constable! Help!’ Then my legs seemed to disappear beneath me and I fell into blackness.
Chapter Forty-six
I CAME TO WITH A START, jerking away from a vile smell under my nose. I gasped and looked round in confusion.
I was back in the Wentworths’ parlour, but sitting in a chair now. A thickset man in a constable’s jerkin stood watching me. Beside me stood Guy, holding the bottle he had just thrust under my nose. I stared around - the constable and Guy in his apothecary’s robe both looked completely out of place amid the luxurious domesticity of the room. Barak sat sprawled in another chair, looking pale - but alive, the pupils of his eyes reduced to their normal size.
‘The old woman—’ I croaked.
‘It’s all right,’ Guy said. ‘She has been taken away. And her granddaughters. It was quick thinking to use the mustard to make you sick or you and Barak would both be dead by now. You’ve been unconscious nearly an hour. I was worried.’
I took a deep breath, aware that I had a mighty headache. ‘It was you that told me about vomiting and poison.’
‘I remember. You always had the best memory I know.’
‘By Jesu.’ I managed a hoarse laugh. ‘I dread to think of the bill I will have for all you have done this last month.’
‘You can afford it. Can you move your arms and legs?’
‘Yes. I feel weak.’
‘That should pass soon.’ Guy reached to a bowl covered with a cloth on the table. He lifted the cloth and a sharp smell filled the room. ‘I want you to drink this now,’ he said. ‘It will act against any poisonous humours remaining in your system.’
I looked at it warily, but suffered him to take my head and tip the stuff gently into my mouth. It was bitter. ‘There,’ he said, ‘sit back now.’ I did so, gasping.
The door opened and Joseph came in, his face ashen. But he smiled when he saw I had come to. ‘Ah, sir, you are recovered. Thank God.’
I clasped Guy’s arm. ‘Did Needler get away?’ I asked.
‘Yes. There’s a hue and cry out for him.’
‘How did you get here?’
‘You called for the constable.’
‘Yes, I remember that. But nothing else till just now.’
‘The constable found you, Barak and the old woman all unconscious. But you came round for a moment and asked for me.’
‘I don’t remember. Jesu, is my mind going?’
Guy laid a hand on my arm. ‘It will come back to you. But you and Barak are both weak. You must rest.’
The constable spoke up. ‘David Needler’s been taken, sir, that’s what I came to tell you. He tried to ride out through Cripplegate, but the gatekeeper took him. He didn’t put up much of a struggle. He’s in Newgate now.’