The Secret of Bell Cottage

Chapter Twenty-seven - Sheila

Sheila cringed at the sound of the pistol being cocked. She had to do something. She couldn't just hide here, on the steps behind Gideon's broad back. There had to be some way to stop this madman. Being one step up she was able to peak over Gideon's shoulder and see the whole thing. Looking past Mary's blonde head, she saw Kitty hung limp in the wiry steward's grip as he struggled to support her weight against his thin frame. Poor Kitty who lost her wits at any little shock. She could only pray the young maid remained unconscious.

There had to be some way of both rescuing her and saving Gideon's life. If only there was some way to distract Coombs from his deadly intent. Suddenly Sheila felt that by-now-familiar cold chill ruffle and tug at her skirts. An icy puff of air rushed across her ear, sending chills racing up her spine. She glanced behind but all she could discern beyond the pool of light was utter darkness. As she turned back she looked down at Mary and found those deep blue eyes staring back at her. Despite the grave situation they were in, her tiny face reflected calm intelligence.

"Blow out the lamp." The little girl whispered softly. So softly, Sheila doubted even Gideon heard her.

"But what about Kitty?" Sheila tried to keep her own voice low but Gideon must heard her question and assumed she was addressing him.

"I can't get to her." He admitted softly and she could hear the frustration in his voice.

If only Coombs would release her maid, she knew Gideon might take the chance. He was more concerned about Coombs hurting the Kitty that he was about the pistol pointed at his own head. Sheila wanted to kiss him for his self-sacrifice and yet strangle him too. He shouldn't be forced to place any life before his own.

"Papa will save Kitty." Mary insisted.

"What?" Gideon queried softly.

Sheila didn't know if he realized it was Mary who spoke. Again she felt that cold chill, as if the ghost was encouraging her to hurry. With sudden resolve, she leaned up close and whispered a warning, "Get ready."

Then she quickly ducked and blew out the light. Instantly, they were plunged into inky darkness. At the same moment, using her grip on Gideon's shirt, Sheila tugged with all her strength as she dropped to the floor, taking him with her. He bent his knees at just the right moment to land in her lap on the steps. The landing was as painful as it was timely. She caught the ledge of the step, connecting with her hips and calves, and when Gideon crashed down he drove her further backwards, so the stone was digging into her flesh. But Sheila ignored the pain.

She held on to Gideon for all she was worth as she prayed for their safety. They both went down just as the roar of the pistol echoed all around them. In the quick flash of light, Coombs' face took on a demonic cast and then the tunnel was enveloped once more in darkness. Following, in the fading echoes of the blast, a tremendous gust of wind spun up out of nowhere and suddenly Coombs screamed in terror.

"No! No! Stay back! No!"

As unexpectedly as the gale blew up, it vanished and everything went quiet. It took Sheila a few moments to realize she still gripped Gideon's shirt in her clenched fists. He was warm and breathing and at first a feeling of relief washed over her. He was alive. And then she remembered those moments of terror when that deadly pistol had been aimed at Gideon's head. Had the bullet found its mark? Was he even now bleeding out in her arms? Panicked, she succumbed to the instinctive urge to run her hands over him in search for injuries.

"Gideon! Are you hurt? Where did to bullet hit?" Her voice was shrill with worry as she continued her blind search.

"No," he shifted as he sat up, relieving her of his weight. "I'm fine." Gideon assured her softly.