Death of an Adept

"That's hardly surprising," Adam said. "The fumes given off by a Hand of Glory are intended to incapacitate the victim not only physically, but psychically as well."

Peregrine's red-rimmed eyes widened slightly. "Really?"

"Really," Adam said. "And that's one of the things about this incident that gives me serious cause for concern. If the intruders had simply wanted you unconscious, they could have used any one of a number of knockout gases available to the medical profession. The fact that they resorted to using a Hand of Glory argues that they know something of your talents and wanted to put you out of action on more than one level."

"Well, they succeeded in that," Peregrine muttered, briefly pushing his spectacles up to rub at the bridge of his nose. "I've still got a thumping headache."

"Fortunately, the headache and the nullifying effects are only temporary," Adam said. "Once you've had a chance to get some sleep, you should be back in full possession of your faculties. But, for the moment, I'm afraid you'll have to resign yourself to sitting on the sidelines while the rest of us try to piece the facts together."

"I'd certainly be grateful for an explanation," Peregrine said. "From what you've told me, the Hand of Glory is not an easy charm to manufacture. What were these people after, that they were prepared to go to such extravagant lengths to procure it?"

"I've been thinking about that," Adam said grimly, "and I don't like the answer that keeps turning up. This was never intended as a burglary; it was meant to be a kidnapping."

"A kidnapping?" Peregrine blanched. "Good God! Why would anyone want to kidnap Julia and me?"

"I don't know the why," Adam said, "and I would rather not speculate too closely. Especially since the most likely who is Francis Raeburn."

"Surely not!" Peregrine blurted. When Adam merely gazed at him in silence, he said protestingly, "But that would mean that he's been keeping us under surveillance at the same time we've been out looking for him."

Adam nodded. "Not a very reassuring thought, is it? I think we're going to have to tread very carefully from here on out."

When they returned to the main house, Humphrey met them with the news that Julia was resting comfortably in her room.

"And where is my mother?" Adam asked, as he and Peregrine shrugged out of their coats.

"She's in the library, sir."

Nodding his thanks, Adam led the way to the library, and was somewhat taken aback to discover that his wife was there ahead of him. But if Philippa was in any way perturbed, she gave no sign of it.

"I'm glad you're back," she told the two men. "Julia's in bed and should sleep through till morning. In the interim, Xim-ena and I have just been discussing how best to dispose of this repellent object."

She indicated the tin on the desktop, the lid now replaced. Swift to take in the situation, Adam inferred that Ximena had been given at least a partial briefing with respect to the Hand.

"I'm not sure we're ready to dispose of it just yet," he said cautiously, uncertain how much or how little Philippa had been moved to say in his absence. "The police didn't find much evidence to go on during their part of the investigation. That means that, as loathsome as it is, the Hand is our only tangible link with the perpetrators. It's probably in our best interest to keep it intact - at least until we've had a chance to examine it more carefully."

He went over to the desk and started riffling through his desktop Rdodex.

"Who are you thinking of phoning at this hour?" Peregrine asked.

"The estimable Harry Nimmo," Adam replied. "With you temporarily hors de combat, it occurs to me that we could do with some reinforcements - and Noel is out of town until tomorrow. Actually, perhaps you'd care to do the honors. Since I know him mainly by reputation, a request for assistance is bound to seem less of an imposition, coming from you."

With a nod, Peregrine came and took the phone, then hesitated with his finger poised above the keypad. "How soon were you thinking of asking him to join us?''

"Tonight, if he can possibly manage it," Adam said. "I know it's late, but the sooner we get our investigation under way, the sooner we'll have the answers we need."

While Peregrine was making the call, Ximena looked to her husband for enlightenment. "Who is this Harry Nimmo?''

"A friend of Noel McLeod's," Adam replied, "who's helped us out in the past. His gifts are not unlike Peregrine's, but he's only beginning to explore his potential. This would seem to be a good time for him to get some experience in the field."

Peregrine rejoined them a moment later, looking somewhat relieved.

"Harry's agreed to lend a hand," he informed Adam. "He was a little anxious when he heard that Noel isn't available, but he's on his way."

"Did he give you an ETA?" Adam asked.

"About half an hour."

Nodding, Adam glanced at his watch, then turned to the two women with an air of apology.