It was late summer in the year 1769 and the streets were growing quiet in industrial downtown Landstown. A carriage rattled down the street, drawing a few curious faces to look out of the pane less windows of the cramped houses that stood awkwardly over the cobbled streets below. The carriage pulled into the shadows and stopped. The horses tossed their heads impatiently as two well dressed men climbed gingerly out of the smart carriage onto the sewage covered streets. Both men covered their faces with handkerchiefs as they paid the driver, who asked curiously; ’are you gentlemen sure this is the right place for you?’. ‘Yes most certainly, we have important business to attend to here’ One of the smart gentlemen answered quietly. ’I wouldn’t have thought there was any money to be made down this end of town. Not enough for you gentlemen to worry yourselves with anyhow!’ Remarked the driver. ’Well that is why we are successful businessmen and you are merely our humble cabby, who ought to keep his opinions of limited knowledge to himself!’ Snapped the second gentleman. He spoke more confidently than the first and had a mop of fiery red hair beneath his proud top hat. ’Sorry sir I was just making a polite observation, I meant no offence by it’ the driver said with a slight tone of sarcasm in his voice. ’Very well, off you go. Thank you driver’. The first gentleman said quietly, but with a slight sense of urgency in his hushed voice. He clearly did not want to be seen or remain hanging around in these dingy streets.
The driver shook the reigns and the horses struck the cobbles and the carriage moved off, clattering noisily down the narrow street, echoing off the close knit houses. The two gentlemen peered cautiously from under the overhanging building, careful not be seen by people looking out of the window. After a few minutes they both quietly headed up the opposite end of the street.
‘I don’t know why we have to go to this awful side of town every month.’ the red headed gentleman grumbled ’I’m sure there are better soirees closer to Upside Manor’ ’I’m sure there are’ The quiet gentleman said, trotting slightly to keep up with his companion. ’ but that would be far too risky, our business partners, acquaintances and authorities are far too close for comfort if we were to head ’out’ in Upside Manor. As you well know. He added.
They walked through a maze of narrow streets, round in circles and up and down, as if they were trying to lose themselves, or someone! Presently they came up a very narrow street almost a tunnel, it was, due to the height of the houses and shops that were stacked upon each other precariously. A small chink of light spilled onto the street ahead of them. Two silhouettes were cast in the light. Both smartly dressed like our first two gentlemen.
One of them was fidgeting with a mixture of nerves and excitement. He was constantly looking up and down the street anxiously. ’Where are they, Edgar?’ He kept asking ’they’re late, I hope they are still coming’. ’Be patient. They’ll come, they never miss out on this. They would be mad to!’ Edgar was a short, fair man, with a tall top hat and long black coat tails, with a stick. The younger gentleman was taller, but clearly lacked his friend’s etiquette, with slightly untidy, but no less expensive apparel.
Shortly they saw the two other men strutting up the street. ’here they are!’ the young gentleman exclaimed. ’Keep your voice down, Matthias!’ Hissed the red headed gentleman as he approached. ‘Sorry Sir Kieran’ Matthias said, shaking Sir Kieran eagerly by the hand. ‘where have you been?’ ‘we didn’t want the driver to drop us too close by in case he followed. He was asking difficult questions already.’ Sir Kieran said ‘ I hope you did the same?’ ‘Of course’.
The four men disappeared down the steps to the source of light, which came from a dingy basement. Sir Kieran rapped on the door rhythmically. It opened an inch or so. A rounded faced man appeared at the crack of the door. Seeing who it was he swung the door wide enough for the four gentlemen to enter, then swiftly and softly closed it behind them. ‘ welcome, Sir Kieran, Sir Edmund’ he said bowing to the red headed gentleman and his companion. ‘ and Lord Edgar.’ He said to the shorter gentleman.