"Smith, Wilbur - Courtney 02 - Monsoon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Smith Wilbur)

had won his knighthood in the service of Good Queen Bess. As one of
her se a captains he had fought with great distinction against the
armada of Philip of Spain. Over a hundred years ago Sir Charles had
built the chapel to the glory of God and in commemoration of the fleet
action at Calais. He had earned his knight, hood there, and many of
the Spanish galleons had been driven in flames on to the beach, the
rest dispersed to the storms that Vice-Admiral Drake had called the
Winds of God.

The chapel was a handsome octagonal building of grey stone, with a tall
spire that, on a clear day, could be seen in Plymouth almost fifteen
miles distant. Tom vaulted easily over the wall, and sneaked through
the apple orchard to the iron-studded oak vestry door. He opened it a
crack and listened intently. The silence was impenetrable.

He crept inside and went to the door that opened into the nave.

As he peeped in, the sunlight through the high stained-glass windows
lit the interior like a rainbow. Those above the altar depicted the
English fleet locked in battle against the Spaniards, with God the
Father looking down approvingly from the clouds as the Spanish galleons
burned.

The windows above the main door had been added by Tom's own father.
This time the foes who were being battered into submission were the
Dutch and the hordes of Islam, while above the battle stood Sir Hal,
his sword raised heroically with his Ethiopian princess at his side.

Both of them were armoured and on their shields was blazoned the croix
paug of the Order of St. George and the Holy Grail.

The nave was empty today. The preparations for Black Billy's wedding,
which would take place next Saturday, had not yet begun. Tom had the
building to himself. He ran back to the vestry door, and stuck his
head out. He put two fingers in his mouth and gave a shrill whistle.
Almost immediately his two brothers scrambled over the outer wall and
ran to meet him.

"Up to the belfry, Dorry!" Tom ordered, and when it seemed that the
redhead might still protest, he took a menacing pace towards him.

Dorian scowled but disappeared up the staircase.

"Is she here yet?" Guy asked, with a hint of trepidation in his
voice.

"Not yet. It's still early." Tom crossed the floor and went down the
dark stone staircase that led to the underground crypt. When he
reached the bottom, he unbuckled the flap of the leather pouch that
hung beside the sheathed dagger on his belt. He brought out the heavy