Sword of Shame (46 page)

He stops abruptly in the open doorway, and sees a burly figure standing close to the sword. He appears to have a weapon in his hand. Appalled that something may happen to his prized exhibit, John Lascelles rushes across the gallery floor, grabbing the sixteenth-century mitten gauntlet as he passes. He slips it on his hand, and clubs the burglar over the head with the armoured appendage. An inexplicable rage has taken him over, and he hits the man again and again as he collapses.

Wallis Barker slumps lifeless to the floor, his brains bashed in just like his great-great-uncle's. Blood spurts from the open head wound, splattering over the inscription on the ancient blade. On its bed of purple velvet, and bathed in red light, Bran's sword seems to sing.