‘Shut up!’ He smiled evilly again. ‘You’re in the shit, you are.’

A moment later Maleverer strode into the room.

Chapter Seven

SIR WILLIAM GLARED from me to Barak and then at the terrified apprentice. ‘What’s going on?’ he barked.

I managed to keep my voice calm. ‘We are investigating the glazier’s death for the coroner, Sir William, as you instructed. We just arrived; I was questioning the apprentice -’

‘Oh. Yes.’ To my surprise, he seemed to have forgotten his own instructions. ‘Why up here?’

‘He was listening at the door,’ Barak said, nodding at young Green.

Maleverer leaned over and grasped the apprentice by the ear, yanking him to his feet. He stood, plump limbs trembling, as Maleverer glared into his terrified face before turning to me. ‘Well, what have you got out of him?’

‘He says Master Oldroyd had no enemies he knew of.’

‘Does he?’ Maleverer turned back to the boy. ‘What do you know of your master’s affairs, eh? What have you heard listening at doors?’

‘Only about his business, sir, only his business.’

Maleverer grunted, released the boy’s ear and drew a deep breath. ‘I’ve talked with the Duke of Suffolk,’ he said. ‘His instructions are that I should investigate this personally. It seems Oldroyd was crooked in his business dealings with us. It needs looking into.’

‘No, sir,’ the boy said. ‘Not maister -’

He broke off as Maleverer landed him a terrific clout across the face. He fell back across the bed, blood pouring from his mouth and from his cheek where a ring Maleverer wore had cut a gash. Sir William looked at me. ‘I’ll take this little squealing pig back to St Mary’s and see what some questioning can get out of him. Are there any other servants?’

‘A housekeeper, I believe, who is out shopping.’

‘We’ll have her in too.’ He turned to the nearer guard. ‘Get two men and take the boy back to St Mary’s. The rest of you can help me search this place.’ A guard hauled young Green to his feet. He gagged, spat a tooth into his hand, then started weeping in terror and shock. The guard manhandled him out of the room, still bleeding profusely. Sir William turned brusquely to the other guard. ‘Now go down and get that search organized.’

‘What are we looking for, Sir William?’

‘I’ll know when I see it.’ Maleverer watched him go, then glared at me. ‘This matter is out of your hands. Forget about it, understand?’

‘Yes. We-’

‘Out of your hands. And those words you heard Oldroyd say this morning, about the King and about that name -’ he lowered his voice – ‘Blaybourne. You say nothing of that to anybody, do you understand? Have you mentioned it to anyone?’

‘No, Sir William.’

‘Then leave, both of you. Go about your business -’

He was interrupted by the sound of a commotion outside. He turned to the window. Two soldiers could be seen hauling the apprentice up the street. The boy’s legs had given way and they were dragging him along the earth by the arms. He was howling with fear, begging to be let go. The doors of all the neighbouring houses had opened and there was a babble of voices as a crowd, mostly women, came to their doors. Someone called ‘For shame!’ after the soldiers. ‘Southron dogs!’ another shouted. Maleverer set his lips.

‘God’s death, I’ll have them all in gaol!’ He marched furiously out, and a moment later I heard him bawling at the crowd. ‘Be about your business, unless you want taking in for a whipping!’

Barak nudged me. ‘I think we should get out while we can. Let’s go the back way.’

I hesitated, glancing at the spot on the wall the apprentice had looked at, then nodded and followed him downstairs. Another two soldiers were guarding the back gate. I explained we had been there on official business, but had to show my commission before they would let us out. We found ourselves in one of the narrow side-lanes and followed it out to the main street. We walked slowly back towards the Guildhall, both a little shocked by what had happened.

‘Can we get some lunch?’ Barak asked. ‘My stomach feels my throat’s been cut.’

‘Ay.’ I realized I was hungry too; we had had no breakfast. We found a busy inn where we ordered some bread and pottage and sat at a vacant table.

‘What was all that about?’ Barak asked, quietly so our neighbours would not hear.

‘Jesu knows.’

‘Why’s the Duke of Suffolk involved? He’s in charge of the Progress, isn’t he?’

‘Yes. He’s the senior official, close to the King.’

‘What was Oldroyd up to? They wouldn’t send a troop of soldiers if he’d been overcharging for taking out the glass. That’s balls.’

‘No. I think that was the first thing that came into Maleverer’s head when he saw us.’ I lowered my voice. ‘It’s something political, it has to be.’

‘Something to do with the conspiracy?’ Barak whistled softly. ‘I remember Oldroyd sounded like he might be a papist, mourning the stained glass.’

I nodded, then frowned. ‘God knows what they’ll do to that apprentice.’

‘Poor little arsehole.’ Barak gave me a hard look. ‘Still, apprentices often learn things through listening at doors and with a callow lad like that scaring it out of him is the quickest way to the truth.’

‘That’s what Lord Cromwell would have done?’

He shrugged. ‘If the boy has any sense he’ll tell them all he knows.’

‘And he did know something,’ I said thoughtfully. ‘He kept glancing at a spot on the wall, as though there were something hidden behind that hanging.’

‘Did he? I missed that.’

‘I was going to tell Maleverer about it, but he stormed out.’

‘Maybe we should go back and tell him now.’

I shook my head. ‘You saw he wanted us out of there quick. I’ll speak to him later.’

‘Anyway, we’re off the case. Can’t say I’m sorry.’

‘No. Yet…’ I hesitated. ‘I cannot but wonder what it is all about. I’ll never forget that desperate look in Oldroyd’s eyes. What he said about the King and Queen and that name, Blaybourne. It was obviously important after all.’

‘Seems so.’

‘I’d guess that when Maleverer told the Duke of Suffolk about Oldroyd’s words they meant something to him. He’d know secrets of state Maleverer wouldn’t.’

‘Your curiosity is piqued, then?’ Barak grinned. ‘We’ll have to watch out now; you will be wanting to investigate the glazier’s death after all.’

‘No, I have enough to deal with.’ I pushed my bowl away. ‘We should go,’ I said. ‘There is another delightful gentleman I should see today. Master Radwinter. As we are in the city, let’s get it out the way before we go to Master Wrenne’s.’

IT WAS EASIER to negotiate the narrow crowded streets on foot than on horseback, and within half an hour we had crossed the city. York was far smaller than London, and we were beginning to recognize the landmarks. It was raining again by the time we reached the castle, a mizzling rain that seemed to sink into one. The leaves and mud of the inner bailey were slimy underfoot. I looked up at Aske’s skeleton.

‘ ’Tis not healthy to stare too long at these displays,’ Barak said quietly.

‘Broderick told me that sight should be a reminder of what lawyers may come to.’ I looked up at the tower, the little window at the top that marked Broderick’s cell. ‘Well, I had better go in.’

‘Do you want me to come with you this time?’ Barak asked.

‘No.’ I smiled. ‘I know you’re curious, I would be in your shoes. But I feel I have to meet Radwinter man to man. If I took someone with me he’d take it as a sign of weakness.’

He nodded, and I led the way to the guardroom, where the hard-faced fellow from the day before agreed Barak could sit by his fire. He took me again to the tower, unlocking the outer door.

‘May I leave you to go up by yourself, sir?’