The Scarlet Derby and Midnight Jay - Volume 1: Gallery of Rogues Read Free

reasoning behind his madness is just diabolical.”
    “I’m afraid I have to agree with you, dear.” The Jay drolly replied. “Do we have a plan?”
    “We fight our way to the platform. Then, I can use a compound I’ve put in my belt to neutralize the glycerol.”
    “I was hoping there was more to it.”
    “I’m afraid not. Let’s go.” The Derby led the charge, taking two guards out instantly by swatting his cane, first into the head of the first random henchman, then the brisket of the second. With a clear view of this scheme’s mastermind, he called him out. “Silas Monstrosity, consider your nefarious scheme properly thwarted!”
    Silas callously looked away from his work onto The Derby. “Well-well, it looks like the sideshow came to pay me a visit.” He raised into view a cane of his own, drawing from the handle a rapier, and began to circle The Derby holding it at the ready.
    “Yes, well, I’m quite sure you’re used to seeing things from behind bars.” The Derby retorted, holding his staff ready for fencing.
    “I’d rather sit in a cage than be caught loose in that gaudy outfit. I suppose you-“
    “Gentlemen, would you kindly begin fighting now?” The Jay shouted from a distance. One could clearly see, in the interim of the two men’s insults, The Jay had quite thoroughly beaten the ugly out of every single one of Silas’ henchmen. Now she was patiently awaiting the inevitable.
    “Yes, sorry to keep you waiting.” The Derby crossed his staff with Silas’ sword. “So…” He struggled “Precisely what did you plan to use the nitroglycerin for?”
    “I was planning on holding Big Ben for ransom, and threaten The Queen into giving me the crown jewels.”
    The Derby sneered, clashing a few more times with Silas’ sword. “Who could have guessed you were capable of such malodorous depths?”
    “I could have guessed!” The Jay shouted.
    “Enough!” With a burst of strength, Silas thrust his blade hard enough to knock The Derby on the ground. He then ran to the vat, wrapping his fingers across a chain that dangled from the platform. “I may not get the jewels, but at least I’ll be rid of you two costumed cretins!” He yanked the chain, laughed maniacally, and then ran off.
    From his seated position, The Derby glanced up to see the giant vial containing the nitrous extract tip towards the beaker. “He’s set the bomb! What should we do!?”
    “Quickly, dear! The compound!” The Jay began to run towards the beaker. Thinking quickly, the Derby tossed her the vial containing the neutralizer. Using her agility, The Jay planted feet up the side of the glass beaker, reaching high enough to catch the vial, and dunk it in the solution.
    There was an explosion.
    Fortunately though, it was chemical.
    The compound had fortunately kicked in just in time to save the duo, leaving them covered head-to-toe in a soggy brownish paste. The Jay wiped the remnants from her face, sputtered and said “Dear, what exactly is in this compound?”
    “Yeast.”
    “Yeast, dear?”
    “Yeast.” The Derby removed his hat, using the brim to scrape gobs off of his suit. “I’m afraid I may have the bottles mixed up again.”
    “Well, I suppose that I should be grateful we’re alive, even if Silas did get away.” She gave another sigh. “For the life of me I’ll never understand why you always take such insane risks.”
    The Derby shook his head. “You decided to join me in this…eccentric little crusade, wear that costume, and yet you don’t understand?”
    “Oh, I understand why I wear the costume,” The Jay replied. “Sometime, You should favor me with the reason why you do.”
    “I should…” The Derby admitted after cleaning himself up as well as he could with his bare hands. “Later. For now though, I think there’s a chemical shower waiting for us back home.”
    “Lead the way dear.” The Jay said curtly, taking her husband’s shoulder. As they walked through the sewers together,