For three frustrating days, while von Stralick gathered his strength under Aubrey’s care and while Aubrey did his best to concoct a replacement plan, Dr Tremaine’s estate was even more a hive of action than it had already been. Lorries arrived in convoys, backed up to the outbuildings and were loaded up before grinding their way down the mountain again. Aubrey made careful note of these deliveries; he estimated the volumes of the packing crates and made particular count of the coils of wire that were delivered – dozens of them, each the height of a man. He also was intrigued by dispatches – furniture and equipment were shipped out of the estate, but also personnel. Exasperated-looking civilians were herded into the backs of lorries, but also many of the muzzled magical theoreticians. Even while itemising each departure, Aubrey was intensely irritated by not knowing how many of these people were present when he arrived at the Tremaine estate. How could he determine how many were still there?
Dr Tremaine came and went twice before von Stralick announced he was fit for action. That, of course, was a matter of definition, for von Stralick’s belt was two notches smaller, and his skin was greyish rather than radiating good health.
‘We need a foray,’ the Holmlander said as night fell. The customary chill was in the air as soon as the sun disappeared. ‘It is most necessary.’
Aubrey was once again lying on his stomach at the cave entrance, using binoculars to monitor a late lorry departure. Filing cabinets had been loaded into it from the main house which, to Aubrey’s mind, didn’t bode well. ‘I’m keen to find out exactly what’s going on in those outbuildings, but only if you’re fit enough.’
‘I am recovered sufficiently, and if I don’t set foot outside this cave I am likely to go mad.’ Von Stralick did a few arm stretches. ‘And I am not the only one.’
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘You have been like a lion in a cage, pacing up and down, finding it hard to sit still. Your frustration is most obvious, and I apologise for making you wait.’
‘Sorry, Hugo. Something is going on down there, and being so close like this and not knowing what it is…’
‘You do not like not knowing. I understand that. Therefore, let us go and find out.’
‘Capital. Through the woods at the base of the cliff is the only way to go, obviously, but we need to choose the best place to cross the road.’
He brought the binoculars to his eyes to determine the best route but at that moment his field of vision was filled with blinding red light and he jerked back with an oath. Almost immediately, a cloud of dust and smoke rushed toward them, followed by a patter of debris, and he scrambled back into what he hoped was the safety of the cave. Blue-green spots danced in front of his eyes and he shook his head, trying to make them disappear.
The cave walls shook as another thumping concussion hit and dust rained down on them. Aubrey and von Stralick both lay on the rocky floor, arms over their heads as one more, then another explosion erupted, slashing through the narrow cave entrance with ragged orange brilliance.
Eventually, all was silent. Aubrey raised his head and crawled on all floors until he could peer through the dust and smoke.
Dr Tremaine’s estate was a ruin, with only the main house still standing. It was virtually untouched, almost huffily facing away from the blackened wrecks that had once been the newer buildings. A row of poplars that had separated the main house from the outbuildings had been shredded, but in doing so had probably shielded the old hunting lodge from worse damage than the single broken window on the second floor.
‘Someone didn’t want anything left,’ Aubrey said. The dust and smoke was quickly being driven away over the cliff by wind, but the nose-singeing, acrid smell of high explosives was enough to make him screw up his face.
Von Stralick rose and slapped dust from his sleeves. ‘Overly dramatic, but effective. A fire would have done just as well.’
Aubrey shrugged. Dr Tremaine rarely did anything without three or four reasons lined up behind each other like divers on the high board, each waiting to show off her new trick. With the estate’s clifftop position, the explosions would have been seen for miles. A signal, perhaps?
More noise rose from below. Shouting, then Dr Tremaine’s familiar figure bounded from the main house. He gestured in the direction of the gates, which were hastily opened, then he disappeared around the corner. The roar of an engine became a scream and the sporty red motorcar skidded into view, then blasted around the circular driveway. Flames from the ruins of the outbuildings glinted on his goggles. He looked possessed, a demon driver with a long white scarf trailing from his neck. The guards at the gate cried out and jumped back as the motorcar slid sideways on its approach. Dr Tremaine grinned maniacally as he dragged on the wheel, turning into the skid, then the powerful engine snarled, the back wheels bit, and the car shot through and onto the road. For an instant, Aubrey was sure Dr Tremaine’s scarf was going to get tangled in the gate, but the fringed ends twisted and untwined themselves with audacious, casual magic.
The car vanished into the dark avenue of trees that led down the mountainside. Aubrey grimaced. It appeared as if Dr Tremaine had cleared his plate before moving on to the next course.
The howl of the engine echoed from the stony face of the hills, growing fainter as it hurtled toward Bardenford. Aubrey made a fist and drummed on the stone in front of him. He had an appointment with Dr Tremaine, but it frustrated him that he didn’t know when or where it was going to be.