W HEN A SERIES of grisly murders coincided with the arrival in London of Dr Marvellos Travelling Circus, the performers found themselves caught up in some rather sinister goings-on. Prometheus the strongman was named the chief suspect and it fell to Cornelius Quaint master conjuror and the circuss proprietor to clear his name. Ably assisted by his Eskimo valet, Butter, and his clairvoyant confidante, Madame Destine, Quaint set out to discover the identity of the true killer before it was too late.
What appeared to be random slayings were actually part of an elaborate plot by his arch-nemesis, the French mercenary Antoine Renard a plot designed to keep Quaints attention solely on his strongmans plight, and off the Frenchmans real objective. Renard was being employed by the Hades Consortium a nefarious organisation that had crossed Cornelius Quaints path before. They sought a legendary elixir believed buried in a London cemetery. Over the centuries it had mutated into a deadly poison, its potency augmented tenfold by its contact with water, which was not good news considering their target was the River Thames itself.
Not without considerable hardship to himself and his troupe, Quaint managed to stop the Hades Consortiums plans, and he watched Renard drown before his eyes. But the conjurors trials were far from over. He soon learned that the Thames was just the rehearsal. The main act was the River Nile in Egypt, and Cornelius Quaint could not help but consider the possibility that he was too late to stop what was already in motion
CHAPTER I
The Eager Pupil
FANTOMA, EGYPT, 1853
I S IT TRUE, teacher? Is Antoine Renard dead? The young woman stormed into the cavernous chamber. The meeting room was almost pitch-black save for a row of torches affixed to a far wall, and their flames snapped at her as she walked past.
The older man sitting at the oval-shaped table barely acknowledged her arrival. His grey eyes watched the olive-skinned woman scrape a wooden chair across the stone floor and slump herself into it before he spoke, a voice coated with a thick Italian accent. Si, la mia allieva. It is true, he said.
Then my operation here in Egypt is sunk! If Renard is dead, then so is everything that we worked so hard to procure in London. That poison was essential for what I have planned for the Nile. Spying the look of discontent on the mans face, the woman quickly lowered her guilt-ridden eyes to the floor. I have failed, teacher.
Almost, growled the man. Prior to his premature death, Renard was able to dispatch the consignment of poison into another operatives hands. The Hades Consortium has more than one dog in our kennel. Without warning, the Italian slammed his fists down onto the marble table, sending a glass carafe crashing to the floor. London was a mistake, Jocasta! I was against it from the start! You allowed Renard too much slack on his leash, and look what happened as a result. He derailed a delicate operation that took months to plan and for what? A petty feud with a circus magician of all things!
The womans eyes flared. But surely you do not think that I had any power over that, teacher. Antoine Renard was always reckless!
As are you, Jocasta, but as my protge I keep you tamed at least, that is what I tell the Hades Consortiums inner stratum. I am quickly running out of favour with the council, and more rides on the success of your plot than just your own fortunes. You have a lot of ground to make up. The Italian twisted his bulk awkwardly in his seat as if constricted by a straitjacket, and he washed his tongue over his pearly teeth. It was not just Renard that we lost in London, remember? The Hades Consortium had been planning Commissioner Drays ascension within Scotland Yard for years! Sir George will not be best pleased to hear of his sons death.
All colour drained from the womans face. Hedoes not know?
Sir George is busy with Consortium affairs in India at present. I do not think the news has reached his ears. Perhaps you would like to be the one to tell him, cara mia. After all, it was your botched operation that was to blame for his sons death.
Surely you are more experienced in reporting failure to Sir George, teacher or need I mention China? said the woman, with a vague smile. It is not just me that has lost cultivated resources of late.
The Italian fumed. That bloated Chinaman was a stubborn fool. There was no way that he would allow us to encroach upon his boundaries, especially after what happened in the old days. There is bad blood between Cho-zen Li and me, let us leave it there. If I were you, I would be more concerned with my own affairs.
I promise you, this project will be a success! said the eager pupil, her smile now in full bloom. On New Years Eve, the River Nile will be awash with the deadliest poison known to man. Egypt will be on its knees begging for mercy, and there are no circus magicians to get in the way this time.
CHAPTER II
The Fond Farewell
LONDON, ENGLAND
W HERE THE HECK is Mr Q? the knife thrower asked the Chinese identical twins, as she coiled her hair nervously around her fingers. He should be here by now!
Dressed in their matching leotards, decorated with the black and white symbols of their namesakes, Yin and Yang exchanged awkward glances and silent thoughts.
He will be here soon, Ruby, insisted Yang. The boss would not miss a party, especially one where he is the guest of honour. He is probably on his way here as we speak.
My brother is correct, added Yin, also seeking to mellow Rubys mood. The boss is a man of his word. When has he ever been late before?
A sudden hush descended upon the trio. Poor Ruby, she had worked so hard to plan this party to be perfect. It was just a shame that she had not factored Cornelius Quaints legendary unreliability into the equation. Although capable of great marvels whilst on stage, the conjurors timekeeping was decidedly less than marvellous.
Wellthere was that one time in Spain, said Yang. We had to perform the entire programme without him.
And Austria. Dont forget Austria, added Yin, unhelpfully.
Ah, yes. Quite right, brother, nodded Yang. I had forgotten Austria.
He spent almost six hours being measured for a new suit and we missed getting our papers stamped, remember? offered Yin. We had to wait three days at the border before they would let us in.
Now that you come to mention itthe boss is always late, Yang said.
Actually, he is renowned for it, agreed Yin.
Thanks, boys, said Ruby through gritted teeth. Youre just the tonic I needed. Remind me never to come to you if Im feeling suicidal which might be in about ten minutes if the boss doesnt show up! The young woman threw her arms in the air and moved swiftly away from the acrobats, leaving them to practise their routine.
The platform at Grosvenor Park railway station was a crowded affair. Colourfully decorated banners, streamers and flags adorned the side of the circus steam train. A hand-painted sign reading Bon Voyage hung from the iron girders of the roof, and all the companys performers and crew had flocked onto the platform awaiting the arrival of their employer. Clowns, jugglers and acrobats were decked out in all their glory in readiness to perform a proper send-off befitting the much-respected albeit currently absent circus proprietor.
Jeremiah the clown had painted himself up (reluctantly, if the look on his face was any indication) and stepped into his most garish outfit alongside his co-performer, Peregrine, who was dressed in a striped shirt and high trousers high trousers, indeed, for the dwarf, who measured just shy of two and a half feet tall. Whilst Jeremiah gulped from a bottle of nondescript brown liquid, Peregrine seemed oddly transfixed by the cuffs of his shirt.