Disclaimer: These are works of fan-fiction created for entertainment. It is not the intention of the author to infringe on anyone's copyright. No rights infringement intended. Warning: General Audience

The Sharpe Fan Fictions of Paul K.

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Sharpe's Family

PART II

Chapter 7

JUNE, 1788
LONDON, ENGLAND

Richard did grow. By the following year, he was more than five feet tall. Tom Bennet liked that Sharpe could easily lift Twee into houses. But, Sharpe was now taller by more than a head than the other boys. When they travelled, Sharpe stood out. Bennet was worried, but was pleased with how much Sharpe and Twee continued to bring to him.

Recently, Tom was talking with Rory Walsh who had a team of boys who stole from coaches. One of his boys had fallen from a coach and hurt his arm so badly that it was not likely that the arm would heal in a way that he could work the coaches more. Rory had asked him if he had any boys that could help him. Bennet thought to offer Sharpe. Bennet had seen Sharpe running at the cricket fields. He was quick. In Tom’s view, Sharpe would make a good peter layer. For Sharpe, the share he would earn from the loot from a stage’s bags would be more than from boning. And, Bennet would expect a ‘commission’ payment from Walsh for giving Sharpe up. Tom always had boys that he could teach to burgle.

“Sharpe. I have a new opportunity for ya.”

Richard stood before Bennet to hear what was to come.

“Rory Walsh needs a strong, fast, quick-witted lad to help him.” Before Richard can ask, Bennet says. “He robs coaches.”

“Robs coaches?”

“Yes, coaches come to London from far and near. People ride on the inside and outside. Their belongings ride in the back,. Bags and trunks are strapped to the coach. Walsh’s boys cut the straps. Collects the bags. Sells the best things. One night’s work can give ya more than a month’s from our houses.”

Richard wonders why Bennet has not robbed coaches. “Dangerous?”

“Dangerous? Yes, more than boning. Coaches move fast. Not as far to fall, but not as stable. Easier to fall. Also, danger if’n one is caught.”

“Told ya the story o’ Tom, Dick ‘n Harry. They snaffled coaches too. Nigh on three years, now, Tom and ‘arry were caught in Oxfordshire. Got ‘anged at Gloucester. Bodies sent back to London to hang from gallows as example to our likes. Mail coaches ‘ave guards to keep us from stealing. Other coaches ‘as, sometimes. Walsh don’t touch mail coaches. Sure way to be hung.”

“Why does he want me?”

“You are big, strong, fast and smart. Need to be fast to catch coach, strong to cut straps fast, and smart not to get caught or hurt.”

Tom Lord too had noticed that Richard had grown during the winter and uses him often when the team practices. Richard likes playing cricket. Lord, Walker and Lumpy continue to teach him the skills that they have while guiding him to get better.

“If he likes me, can I still play cricket?”

“Ask him.” Bennet pauses. “Interested to snaffle?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll take ya to meet Rory.”



Rory Walsh had liked what he saw when Bennet brought Sharpe to him.”

“Tom tells me that you earned him good coin boning houses. Now ya are too big. But ya are fast, smart and strong.”

“More than most.”

Bennet smiles. “Dick is modest. He is quick enough to play cricket with the Marlebone team.”

“Cricket”

“Yes. I play at practices, not games.”

“Well, then. Do ya like to play?”

“Yes. Hope I can play more.”

“I lighten the load of coaches only a few times per month. As long as ya give me your time before all other, ya may continue with cricket.”

“I give you my time first. Gave Tom same. Like to play cricket. But, have to eat and have a roof first.”

Walsh looks to Bennet then to Sharpe. “Ya’ll do. See me to tomorrow.”



That first week with Walsh, Walsh took Sharpe to Marylebone.

“Ya know this place, Dick?”

Sharpe is surprised that he was taken here and that he was asked. “Yes, play cricket here.”

“Lot of open space. No one to see us, today.” Rory points across the field to a tree. “Run to that tree. Stop. Then come back to me.”

Sharpe looks to the tree, then does as he was told. When he returns to Walsh, he stops and stands. Walsh notes how quickly Sharpe had run and that he was not breathing hard when he returned.

“Ya’re quick.” Walsh reaches into a satchel that he wore. From it, he pulls a leather strap wrapped around a piece of wood. “Own a knife?”

Sharpe nods, then pulls the knife that he has carried with him through the years at the orphanage. Walsh looks at the ‘pen’ knife, then reaches again into the satchel.

“Your knife won’t do.” He hands a larger knife to Sharpe. The knife that Rory gives him was longer and with a thicker handle. It was about eight inches long – half blade, half handle – and more than twice the size of Sharpe’s knife. “Take this. That is a sailor’s knife. Can cut cables on a ship. Will cut straps like these.” He holds up the strap in his other hand.

“Show me how you would cut this.” He holds the strap taughtly between his two hands and in front of Sharpe.

Richard examines the strap. Cutting it will not be the same as picking the ends of oakum.

Sharpe thrusts the knife blade between the strap and the wood. With a quick tug, he saws the blade across the strap as he pulls it towards him. Although the strap resists briefly, he is able to slice completely through the leather so that it falls from the wood.

Rory smiles. “You’ve used a knife before.” Give me thruppence for the knife.”

Sharpe gives Rory a puzzled look. “Not just gonna give ya the knife. Ya got to buy it so ya’ll value it when ya work the coach. If’n it’s yours, ya won’t lose it.”

Richard frowns, but reaches into a pocket to retrieve three pence.

“Good. The knife’s yours now. Next we teach you when to hop a coach and when to cut the bags from it.”



For more than three weeks, Rory took Richard out and back on the roads that the coaches used to come and go from London. Rory told him that the main road to the north was called Watling Street. The coaches that ran to St. Albans and Finchley and north of there used this road. The coaches that ran west to Oxford and Reading used High Street to Kensington Road. Rory had Richard walk with him along those roads. Each time a coach came towards them, whether the coach was going north or south, they stepped to the side of the road to let it pass. Richard was fascinated by the coaches and what they carried.

“Don’t stare boy. Don’t want the coachers to see you watchin’ ‘em. They’ll think ya are sizin’ ‘em up, which we are. Got to be dis creet. Don’t let ‘em notice ya.”

When each coach was out of sight, Rory would ask. “What did ya notice ‘bout that un?”

Richard would describe the number of horses, how big the coach was, how many people rode on the outside, how many windows, whether shades were drawn or open and how many portmanteus or satchels were on on the top, back or both.

Rory taught Richard how to look at the land along the road. Curves and hills in the road were going to be opportunities to climb onto a coach. When there were bushes or trees along those sections of road, a peterlayer, as Richard learned he was becoming, would use them to approach a coach and then to remove the prizes after they fell to the road.

Rory took Richard to many of the sites that would be good for a boy to jump on a coach. Sometimes, Rory would find that another coach thief would be scouting the same locale. Rory would leave to talk to the other man. While Richard waited, he would continue look at the land around him.

When Rory returned, he signaled for Richard to walk away. “Lou is scouting here to jump a coach within a week. He thinks he only has claim to this road. I told him that I would h’extend a gentleman’s courtesy to no come here for a week, but after, I may be back. Lou t’wasn’t happy, but didn’t choose to fight neither. We’ll find another road. Tis time for you to jump yer first coach.”

Richard smiled. He was growing tired of watching the coaches and land only. And, his funds were almost gone. Maggie reminded him only that morning that they would need to give money for the room again.

“Join me tomorrow. My snitches tell me there are some attractive coaches coming from Bristol. Took you to that road two days afore. Showed you a good stretch of road for ya to jump on a coach.”

Richard said farewell for the day to hurry back to Maggie’s and his room.

During the first months that Richard and Maggie lived together, they would both rise from bed early so that Maggie could serve the morning, midday and evening meals. As Maggie grew from being a girl into a young, attractive woman, Mr. Saylor told Maggie that he wanted her to serve tables from the afternoon until he closed the doors. Many of the men who came to eat the evening meal had commented how pretty she was. She could make extra money from these men throughout the evening by showing them extra courtesies. Maggie was sure she knew what the extra courtesies may include, but if she could make more money than the small sum that Saylor paid her, she would try.

For months since then, Maggie came to their bed after midnight. Sometimes, she would want to talk with Richard. Other times, she smelled of gin or ale and would want to sleep. Richard would eat a meal with her before the inn became too busy for the evening meal. After, he would stand at a side of the room to watch over Maggie to make sure she was not in danger from any of the men. Before midnight, he would go to their bed, care for his possessions including counting his remaining money, then sleep until Maggie joined him. Although she was tired, most nights, she wanted to talk with Richard.

Today, when Maggie crawled into bed, it was Richard who wanted to talk.

“Tomorrow Rory takes me to jump a coach.”

“Richard, ‘tis grand news.” Maggie replied with a slight slur.

“Yes, when Rory gives me the money from my share, we can have a grand meal to celebrate.”

“Aye, we can. Now, ‘tis time to sleep.”



Richard woke earlier than normal. He crawled from the bed and did his best not to disturb Maggie. He signaled the morning serving girl for a bowl of porridge and sat alone at a table.

When the girl brought the bowl she said, “My Richard, y’er startin’ yer day early.”

“Have things to do today. Need to go out early.”

“Normal, you eats w’ Maggie. Would yer like some company t’day?” She makes a face that indicates that she would be willing to share his table. The girl is about the same age as Richard and has noticed how Richard has grown and that he often has money, although not a lot. She has also seen how the men at night flock around Maggie. If Maggie were to go with another man, then maybe she could pair with Richard.

“Thank you, no Ginny.” Richard replies curtly.

Ginny frowns and leaves Richard to watch her go. He eagerly ate his porridge. He is eager to meet with Walsh. He expects that it will be a long day away, so he eats every morsel from the bowl.

Richard wants to be there so he sets off as soon as he finishes to eat. He arrives at their meeting place before Walsh. What seems like a very long time after he arrives, Richard sees Walsh coming towards him.

“Ready, Dick.”

“Yes, Rory.”

“Shall we go?” Rory sets off to the west. Together they walk along, but out of sight along the road. Quickly they reach the pastures outside the edge of the city. Along the road are stone walls, fences and hedges to mark the boundaries of fields. They use these as cover to reach the place that the road decends into a small hollow.

“This is our spot.” Rory starts to look around. Ten yards to the side of the road, he finds a boy lying on the ground. For a Summer morning, it had been a cold night.

“Tis that you Tad?”

“Aye, Mr. Walsh.

“What do ya ‘ave for me?”

“Mr. Akers says ‘Tell Walsh that he should look for the red and black coach being pulled by a team of mixed horses. May be the third coach of the morning.’”

“Black and red. Third. Right.”

“He said too to hide from the second coach. Tis mail coach.”

“Aye. Thank e’ Tad.” Walsh hands the boy a coin. Withouth saying more, the boy leaves them back to the west.

“Ya ‘eard Tad, Dick. Third coach. Red and black.”

“Aye.”

“Until then, we ‘ides ‘ere. Don’t want the guards on the mail coach or t’other to see us.”

Sharpe settled into the space near where Tad had been lying.

Shortly Walsh pokes Sharpe. They hear the sounds of a coach from the west. They watch as a yellow and black coach slows to enter the hollow. The driver guides the team with the reins while he uses the brake. After the coach reaches the bottom of the hollow, the driver lays the reins to the horse to urge them to pull as they ascend.

“When our coach comes, this is when you jump the coach. Notice that this coach is full on top. Those passengers would see ya. No good, that ‘un.”

Sharpe watches the first coach leave. He notes that none of the passengers on the top of the coach face to the rear. He wonders if they would see or hear him if he had jumped that coach.

While they wait for the next coach, Richard notes that two men have joined Rory. They carry straps. Rory talks to them at a distance.

All of them seek cover when they hear another coach approach. This time, it comes from the city. This coach’s colors are red and black. Richard wonders if this coach belongs to the same people that own the one that they will target. He may ask Rory later.

Some more time passes when they hear another coach coming from the west. When it arrives at the hollow, Richard notices that it is black with dark red doors. At the rear of the coach, where the bags would be on other coaches, a man stands in a box. Both he and the driver wear red coats. When the coach has passed the hollow, Rory joins him.

“That ‘un was a mail coach. Man to the back is a guard. Carries a musketoon. Shoot ya dead quick if’n ya makes a move on the coach. The driver and guard also watch for snafflers like us. Tell the other coach owners where they may have troubles. Get ready. Next coach is ours.”

Richard checks that his knife is secure and ready. From his pocket, he pulls a cap and cloth that he use to hide his hair and most face.

Rory watches the road for him as he crouches in the brush. Rory’s informant had done well when he had picked this coach to be a target. The coach had only one passenger on the top. That man sat next to the driver. Richard examines the coach’s speed to determine when he will break cover. Rory taught him that it is important to get on the coach while it is ascending the slope and to cut the straps that hold the bags before the coach reaches its new speed. When the bags fall from the coach, the weight of the coach will change. The driver needs to feel that he is accelerating because the horses are able to pull hard again.

When the coach slowed to descend the road, Sharpe moves. As the coach starts to climb the slope, he enters the road, runs to the back of the coach and jumps on. Before the coach reaches the crest of the hill, he cut the straps that hold five leather cases. The bags fall off and behind the coach. Sharpe jumps with the last bag. When he hits the ground, he rolls and rises. He looks to the coach. It continues on the way towards London without stopping.

The men that Sharpe saw earlier joins him. Together they remove the case to the trees. Rory talks with them before they take the cases and quickly move away from Sharpe and Walsh.

“We go, Dick.”

Walsh leaves in the direction opposite to the men with the bags. When they are a few hundred yards from the road, they turn south. They walk parallel to the road until they reach a road that will intersect the London road. They stroll along the road until they reach London.

“Go to Marylebone. Spend time there. Go home at dark. In two days, I’ll have yer share.”

Richard watche Walsh go. He smiled. His first coach. No one saw him. Walsh had told him that snaffling was a job for an agile youngster. Today, Richard had been agile and quick. He smiled because he thought that he was good at snaffling. And, it was fun.

Two days later, Walsh was good to his word. Sharpe was surprised how much his share was. Maggie and he would have money to live for a long time. He couldn’t wait to tell her. Even though Walsh chose to rob only one or two coaches per month, Sharpe would have more money than he would need. He couldn’t wait to tell Maggie. Until then, he would go to Marylebone.

That night, when Maggie came to their room, she was surprised that Richard was awake.

“Dickie boy. What a surprise.”

“Maggie, I have a treat.” He shows her his share from the snaffle.

“Glory be! Dick. So much.”

“We should celebrate.”

“We should. Truly, we should. But, no one here must know ya have this much coin. Dangerous. Give me a few pence. I’ll go get us some drink and food.” Richard smiles as he hands her the coins. With a flourish of her skirts, she leaves the room. In only a few minutes, she returns with some bread, bacon and a jug.

“Now, we can celebrate.”

She gives Sharpe some bacon on a slab of bread. She pours from the jug into the metal cups they use to drink all their beverages. When both cups hold liquid, she raises hers to him.

“Sláinte!”

Then she drinks her cup dry.

Richard tries to do the same, but coughs at the first taste.

Maggie laughs. “Gin, Dick.”

Sharpe slowly drinks the remainder in his cup.

“Strong, Maggie. You drink this?

“Aye, Dick. Better than ale. Normal, I add lots of water. Tonight, is a good night. No water for us. Proper celebration.” Maggie fills their cups again.

While Richard sips more from his cup, he feels the first cup affect him. The gin makes him feel warm and happy. As they finish their food, Maggie moves closer to Sharpe make it easier to fill his cup.

“Dickie, boy o.” Before she says more, she pauses. “Can’t call you boy o anymore can I?”

Sharpe is confused.

“Look at ya Dick. Ya are tall as most men. Strong too. Make some girl a good husband some day.” She giggles.

Sharpe blushes. “But, da girls ‘ll have ya long a fore ya become a husband. Look at ya. Handsome man.” Maggie runs her hand over his face.

Richard is warmed by Maggie’s touch, but lets her continue. Before he realizes it, Maggie moves to place a kiss on his mouth. He backs away, at first.

“First kiss, Dick.”

“Yes.”

“Not, yer last.” She smiles, then kisses him again.”If this is your first kiss, then maybe it’s time to see if ya have the reaction most men have.” While she kisses him again, she reaches down his front. “Well, ya no longer are a boy, Dick.” She smiles.

Sharpe is overwhelmed by the gin and Maggie’s caresses. He doesn’t know what to do, but he is more than willing to let Maggie lead him to bed.

In the morning, Richard and Maggie wake later than usual. Both are slowed by the drink from the night before. Before Maggie leaves their bed, she says, “My Dickie is a man now.” Then she leaves to start her day.

When she’s gone, Richard lies in their bed. What a night!



AUGUST 1788

The summer passed quickly for Richard. Rory selected coaches each month and on different routes. The information that he received about the coaches that the chose to rob gave them valuable bag contents and targets that did not put them at risk to be caught. Rory paid Richard very well for his work. With so much money, Maggie and he ate and drank well. For the first month, Maggie often did more than sleep with him in their bed.

In July, though a powerful local man had started to visit the inn. The first day, he had taken an interest in Maggie. Eogan Murphy is a tall, strong man. The top of his left ear is missing and a scar runs along the jaw line below the ear from a knife fight many years before. He controls a group of bullies by his own brute force. Mr. Saylor and Rory know Murphy because they pay him money to protect them from others in the rookery.

The first evening that he ate dinner at the inn, he pulled Maggie to him after she had served him.

“Aren’t ya a sweet one, lass?”

Murphy is scarred, but is an attractive man. Many women thoughout the Rookery have been bedded by him. Some because he is powerful. Some because he is handsome and he knows how to say the words that will attract women.

Maggie knows of Murphy’s reputation with men and women. She escapes his hold to stand again.

“Sir, ‘t’ank ya. I ‘as work ta do.” She smiles at him. As she tries to leave, Murphy grabs her wrist.

“Well lass, I wants ya to join me when yer work is done.” He smiles at her.

Maggie walks away. At the cook area she talks with Mr. Saylor.

“Mr. Saylor, does I have to serve Murphy?” She looks to her side. Let Ginny ‘ave ‘im.”

Ginny shivers before she looks to Saylor.

“Maggie, Murphy’s taken a likin’ to ya. I owes ‘im money. Can’t ‘ave trouble wit ‘im. Fend for yerself, girl.”

Angrily she replies, “I won’t bed ‘im fer ya. I’ll ‘andle ‘im meself.” Maggie turns to return to serving the room. She has learned how to deflect and avoid advances of men at the tables while flirting with the men to give her a few more coins than what is due for the food and drink. She will need to resist even more without raising Murphy’s anger towards Saylor and her.

Maggie was fortunate that Murphy did not come to the inn often during the summer months. When he did, she was able to use the other customers as an excuse to spend only short times with him. Yet, when she visited his table, he continued to touch her on parts she did not want him to touch. Some times, he was more insistent than others. On nights that he ate at the inn, she would not stay late to drink with her regular customers. On those nights, she would return to their room to talk with Richard. She would speak a stream of words to release her anger at Murphy. When she was finished, she would pull Richard’s arm around her to sleep.

Last week, when Murphy came, he drank more than other times. By the end of his meal, he grabbed her several times. When she rebuffed him, he looked over to Saylor. “Maggie, ya work ‘ere. Saylor t’anks me for my protection. Me t’inks ya should t’ank me too soes ‘e can keep dis place safe from ‘arm.” He glares towards Saylor, then to Maggie. Maggie stands before him, but says nothing. Nor, does she yield to him. They glare at each other for minutes. The room around them watches in silence.

Murphy breaks the standoff first. He stands, slaps Maggie such that she spins and almost falls to the floor, then he leaves.

Maggie stands tall to watch him go. Tears fill her eyes. Her left cheeks has turned dark red. She looks at the room, then goes to Mr. Saylor.

“I don’t wants trouble. But, I told ya I won’t bed ‘im for ya.” She picks up a tray to resume serving the room.

Than night, she tries to hide her red face from Richard.

“Murphy do this?”

“Yes.” “He touches you again, I’ll kill him.”

“Richard, t’ank ya. ‘e’s bigger than ya. ‘e’s killed men. Many. Ya don’ know what ya are sayin’.”

“He can hurt men. Has no business hurting women. I fought at the orphange when bigger boys bullied girls. Will for you too.”

Maggie listens. “Murphy plays rough. Stick to playin’ cricket. I’ll be fine.” Maggie changes from her to Richard. “Don’t ya ‘as a cricket game soon?”

Richard is happy to talk about cricket instead of Murphy. “Yes. Final match of the year. But, not here.”

“Well, need to practice for it. ‘ave fun. Now, ya need yer sleep.” Maggie pulls his arm over her to sleep.





Richard met with Tom after the final match of the season. In May, The Club organized two teams from local players. The teams were composed by choosing eleven players by their last names. The N to Z team included Lumpy Stevens and Tom Walker. As in May, they built teams from last names. This time, they played at Bishopsbourne, Kent. The match took four days. N to Z team scored two hundred thirty and nine runs in its two innings. A to M team scored only eighty and four runs in the first inning. With two batmen left, they needed to score a century. They didn’t. Lumpy Stevens was very effective through the first inning and much of the second. The match ended on Friday after four days. The teamates returned to London Sunday. Richard was at the field to greet them.

“Poor Davey Harris was thrown to the wolves. Our Tom and Harry Walker hit their bowlers for ninety and five runs. They sent Davey to bowl. They would have done better to put you on the team to bowl.”

“Me?”

“I watch you with Lumpy and the Walkers. You have promise, Sharpe.”

Richard is stunned. He has been complimented for his skill at cricket. Maggie’s words about his being lucky may be something.

“Me? Promise?”

“Yes, Sharpe. If you can continue to learn and play like you do as you grow, we could use you on one of our teams.”

Richard is flattered, but doesn’t know how to ask how much the players are paid. He would like to find work that doesn’t risk him being sent to prison or to be killed. He wishes not to offend Lord, so he doesn’t ask.

After the match he joins the teams and Lord to celebrate the end of the season.

Before dark, he returns to his room at the inn. When Maggie can join him, they sit at a table to eat. Maggie isn’t interested in cricket, but enjoys hearing Sharpe tell of tales from outside St. Giles.

“So, Dickie, how was yer day?”

Sharpe tells her of the cricket match, the people in the crowds, the crisp weather of the day and the celebration after.

“So, ya ate yer fill?”

Sharpe was offered some refreshments after the match, but not very many. He was hungry.

“No, nothing to fill me.”

“Well, takes a lot to fill ya, Dickie. Y’er growing again.”

“Yes, Tom Lord told me that too. He told me I have promise as a cricket player.”

“Promise? Cricket? What does it pay ya?”

Sharpe knew that Maggie would ask. “I don’t know. Didn’t ask. Will wait until they offer me. Besides, I owe Rory Walsh first. Didn’t you say?”

Maggie giggles. “Right ya are. Rory Walsh comes first. So you can rob those coaches. So you have money for us. Now, eat so ya can grow and ask this Tom Lord what ‘e offers ya.”

So they ate.



SEPTEMBER, 1788
LONDON, ENGLAND

A week after the last cricket match, Richard spent a day with the team as they packed away the equipment for the season. When they finished, Tom took them to an inn to eat, drink and celebrate the season. Sharpe enjoyed himself so that he didn’t realize how late it was. Although he had ale with the others, he was able to walk from Marylebone to the Rookery.

The streets were dark and poorly lit. But, the quarter moon provided enough light for him to navigate his way. When we boned houses, he had learned how to use light and shadows to make out shapes. Although he had to walk slowly and be on guard for people lying in the street or those that might try to attack him, he made it to the inn without incident.

It was late. When he entered, he saw that the great room was empty. Or it appeared so. He could make out two figures near the kitchen.

Richard was hardly in the room when he heard Maggie crying out in pain. Eogan Murphy was beating Maggie. Murphy bellowed that Maggie was his to do with as he pleased. If she didn’t he would kill her.

Richard pulled his knife and rushed across the room. Before Murphy could react, Richard grabbed him by the hair, then slid his knife across Murphy’s throat as if it was a strap on a coach. His knife easily cut leather. Murphy’s neck was sliced without resistance. Blood sprayed Maggie. The blood soaked her hair and onto her face. When Richard was sure that Murphy was dead, he dropped him to the floor. He stood before Maggie. His hands shook from the emotions of killing Murphy. Maggie just stared at him.



After what seemed like a long time, she stood to stand in front of Richard. She looked into his eyes. She ran her fingers over her face and through her hair. Her hand comes away covered with Murphy’s blood.

When she looks up from her hand, she cuffs Sharpe round the head. “Christ Dick! Look at the mess ya made of me.”

“Maggie, we can wash the blood away. The bruises Murphy gives you stay with you for days.”

Maggie pauses as she looks at her hand as she thinks about what Sharpe has said. She laughs.

“T’ank ye for helping me.”

Sharpe reaches to hold her. As they stand together Richard says, “We need to get rid of Eogan Murphy.”

“Don’t ya worry. I’ll be takin’ care of this.”

Maggie knows that other people have vanished without a trace in the Rookery. She can contact the right men to make Murphy disappear.

“Ya need to go now b’fore his men come looking for him.”

Richard lingers with Maggie. He thinks through all that has happened. Maggie pushes him away.

“Go see James Walsh. He can get ya out of London. Murphy’s friends will find ya anywhere here.

“Ya know, ya can’t stay here any more. Don’t go back to Howick. If’n Jem Hocking finds ya, e’ll beat you then give ya to the chimney sweep again. If’n ya are lucky. Jem could give ya to Murphy’s men. Kill ya. Get out of London.”

“Maggie, Murphy’s men will kill you if you stay. Come with me.”

“Dick, ya fool, I can’t leave London. Murphy’s men will look for ya. I’ll be fine. I ‘ave me work here. I ‘ave others can ‘elp me ‘ere. If’n I go w’ ya, dere’s only one t’ing I can do. On’y ya will be w’ me to ‘elp. I’ll ‘old ya back.”

“How will they know I killed him?”

“I c’n tell the story how ya kill’d Murphy. Dey won’t touch me. Dey will try to find ya. Many ‘ere knows ya don’t like Murphy. When ‘is boys can’t find ‘im, dey’ll seek ya.”

“Why not you, Maggie?”

“Me, Dick? Me? No one will t’ink I kilt ‘im. Dey saw ‘im ‘it me. I didn’t fight ‘im. I’m a girl. No girl could kill Murphy.”

“Now go!” She says as she weeps and hugs Sharpe.

Richard knows that Maggie is right. He holds onto her for a moment, then leaves.

He goes to their room to grab all his possessions, then goes out. Outside he pauses to decide where to go. When he has been working picking locks, he knows that not many roads lead west. He doesn’t know what is north past where James Walsh and he rob coaches.

“I don’t know what is north. No one there should know me.”

“How far will I have to go to be safe? I don’t need Rory to help me go north. If he helps me, he knows where I am. Murphy’s men will beat Rory to learn. If I go alone, no one will know.”

Richard had come to St. Giles four years before. He had coupled with his first woman and killed his first man, and both before he was thirteen. He will go north alone. Quickly, he sets off in the direction he has gone before to intercept coaches. This time he will not return. He doesn’t look back.

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