The journey passed without difficulty: from Highnam we rode south-westward through Westbury, Newnham and Blakeney, with the harvest still in progress in the fields. Then, as the day waned, we entered the Forest of Dean, falling into single file on the narrow road. At last, weary and saddle-sore, we reached Lydney and drew rein before The Comfort inn, the horses blowing and snorting in the afternoon haze. It was nine days since I had left here to sail downriver with Spry – but now, my first thought was for Leucippus. Dismounting quickly, I left the gelding in the care of Parry’s men and hastened to the stable – only to receive a shock.
My beloved horse was gone.
In dismay I looked about, seeing only an old piebald nag in one stall; where Leucippus had been there was nothing but straw. Whereupon, gathering my wits, I went out and marched to the inn door. When I entered, the first person I encountered was Henry Hawes - who jumped as if he’d seen a ghost.
‘Master Pride, sir…’ he faltered. ‘I… it’s good to see you, after… or I should say, you’re most welcome.’
We stared at each other. I was non-plussed by his manner – until a notion struck me with some force: the man had thought I was dead! Could Spry have told him of it, in the belief that Yakup had carried out his grisly task? More, had what occurred on the Last Hope not been reported? Darrett, I recalled, was no friend of Spry, or of the foundry men…
‘You look somewhat pale, Master Hawes,’ I said at last. ‘Did you not think I would return? I left my horse, did I not?’
‘Indeed… of course you did.’ He swallowed, trying to gather himself. ‘I’ve had the boy take him out for exercise a few times, seeing as more than a week’s past, and…’
‘I see,’ I broke in, not believing a word of it. ‘Perhaps you’d be good enough to tell me where he is now?’
‘He’s out in the forest, sir,’ came the quick reply. ‘If you’d like to make yourself at home, I’ll send word. He’ll soon be returned… and your chamber is free, as arranged. Have you had a long journey?’
On a sudden the host was all bustle, calling to his daughter to see that the gentleman’s bed was aired. I must be hungry, he said – supper could be ready within the hour. Meanwhile, would I take a mug at the house’s expense?
‘Most cordial of you,’ I said. ‘But what of my friends outside? There’s a sergeant and four constables, come all the way from Gloucester - thirsty men all. Shall I bring them in?’
Hawes gulped, before managing a nod. ‘Indeed, sir… all are welcome at The Comfort.’ But mention of officers of the law had caused him alarm – and on impulse, I decided to frighten the daylights out of him.
‘I’ll confess I wasn’t honest with you when I was last here, Master Hawes,’ I said, placing my hand on my sword-hilt for good measure. ‘In truth, my name isn’t Pride. It’s Belstrang – former Justice Belstrang, magistrate of Worcester. I’m here on legal business, to assist with an arrest.’
To my satisfaction, it worked well enough. Hawes made no answer, but appeared to shrink somewhat. Finally he cleared his throat and asked: ‘Might I enquire as to who is to be arrested, sir?’
‘Well now…’ I put on my bland look. ‘You know how the land lies hereabouts, perhaps better than most. Why don’t you hazard a guess?’
But we were interrupted, as the door swung open and Sergeant Parry walked in. Taking in his surroundings, he threw a glance from me to the hapless host and back.
‘Is this someone you know, Master Belstrang?’
‘It is,’ I nodded. ‘Henry Hawes is master of the Comfort, and a wellspring of intelligence too - or of gossip at least. Will you bring your men in, and we’ll take supper together?’ Turning to Hawes, I added: ‘You offered such, did you not?’
‘Well, mayhap I did…’ he eyed Parry, forcing a weak smile. ‘I pray you, seat yourself, master. There’s a chine of beef, and some roasted woodcock-’
‘That’ll serve us well.’ Without delay, Parry turned and went out again. Through the open door, voices could be heard along with the clink of harness. Feeling somewhat calmer, I looked about for a table, whereupon my eyes fell on the inn’s only customer, sitting in a corner open-mouthed.
It was Jonas Willett, who had clearly heard every word.
‘By the Lord…’ he gazed at me, then gave a shake of his head. ‘My boy had you down as a snooper of some kind, sir… but never a Justice. Or even an ex-Justice.’
‘No matter, Master Willett.’ I threw him a smile. ‘My fellows and I have come to stir things up a little… perhaps when it’s all over we’ll take a mug together, shall we?’
And with that I sat myself down, stretched my tired limbs and looked forward to supper.
***
That evening, having seen his men billeted in the village, Parry conferred with me in a corner of the inn. It was quiet – too quiet. Word of our arrival had got round quickly, it seemed, and for the present most of the population of Lydney had stayed away. Even Jonas Willett, who had nothing to fear as far as I knew, had left soon after we had spoken.
‘I intend to ride soon after daybreak,’ the sergeant told me. ‘If you’ll be our guide, once we reach the foundry we’ll dismount, then close in. How many men are there, do you know?’
‘I’m unsure… a dozen, perhaps,’ I answered. ‘But they won’t be armed as your men are. Once Russell’s taken, I doubt the others will offer any resistance. To my knowledge they’re owed wages, and are discontented.’
The other nodded, whereupon I rose and told him I had an errand: Leucippus had not yet been returned, and my unease was growing. Having looked about for Hawes without success, I went outside and walked to the stable, where a light showed. Hearing voices, I entered - and stopped.
Two men stood close together beside the stalls, squaring up to each other in angry fashion. One was Hawes, while the other looked familiar: a rough-clad, scowling fellow - whereupon recognition dawned. He was Combes, the man who had got the better of Thomas Peck, that night in the inn when I had stopped them fighting… the same night on which Peck had lost his life, and I had received that brutal warning. As I appeared both of them turned quickly, then fell silent.
‘Master Hawes,’ I said. ‘I expected my horse to be here by now. It grows late, does it not?’
This time Hawes did not appear to have an explanation to hand; rather, he looked anxious. Taking a step away from the other man, he summoned an apologetic look. ‘Your pardon, Master Pride – Master Belstrang, I should say. There has been a delay, and-’
‘Delay?’ It was Combes who spoke up, and harshly. ‘Double dealing, I might call it.’ He too took a pace forward, but on recognising me in turn, sword and all, he hesitated. Finally he asked: ‘Did I hear you say your horse, sir?’
‘You did,’ I replied. ‘Of what interest is it to you?’
The man paused again, then threw a belligerent look at Hawes, who refused to meet his gaze.
‘You whoreson knave!’ he spat. ‘Why, the horse wasn’t yours to sell!’ His hand shot out, to grip the hapless host by his collar. The other hand came up too, balled into a fist…
‘Enough!’ I called out, hand on sword, in an echo of that other night when I had drawn it to such purpose. ‘There’s a sergeant-at-arms in the inn, and constables nearby. Go any further, and I’ll have you arrested for affray.’
Another silence fell. Combes dropped his hand and let go of Hawes, who at once hurried towards me.
‘I pray you, sir, let me explain,’ he blurted. ‘There’s been a misunderstanding… nothing you need concern yourself about. The horse is safe and well-cared for, and-’
‘So he is – and in my possession!’
Eyes blazing, Combes advanced towards us, pointing a finger. ‘And it’s I who’ll do the explaining.’ Mastering himself with difficulty, he faced me. ‘This man offered me the horse, for ten sovereigns. I told him I had a buyer but would need to raise the money, so he said I could keep him for the present. He swore it was above board… settlement of an old debt.
’ He threw another baleful look at Hawes. ‘Then, mayhap I was a fool for trusting one of Mountford’s lackeys!’
I met his eye, but observed no guile: only righteous anger. Glancing at Hawes, I saw him fumbling for words… and now I understood. Striving to keep my own temper, I took a step back, drew my rapier and levelled it – not at Combes, but at the landlord.
‘I had a notion you’d thought I was dead,’ I said. ‘That’s what Spry told you, wasn’t it - that I’d been dealt with on the river, and wasn’t coming back? And was my mount your reward, for services rendered?’ Drawing a breath, I fixed the man with my hardest look. ‘I could have you charged with horse-stealing - do you know what the penalty is?’
Silence fell. Hawes was stock-still, eyes lowered - then he jumped: a rapid sideways movement, by which he meaned to duck past me to the door. But Combes was quicker: his meaty hand shot out again to grasp the host’s arm, then he was flung to the stable floor to sprawl in the straw. Upon which I leaned forward, pointing my blade at his neck.
‘Let’s go into the inn, shall we?’ I suggested. ‘The sergeant might want to ask you a few questions – as do I.’
I turned to Combes. ‘My thanks for your assistance,’ I said, ‘and my condolences for the way you’ve been deceived. If you’ll bring my horse back here now, and see him well bestowed, I’ll pay you something for your trouble.’
The other hesitated, then let out a long breath. ‘Well then, it’s I who’ll thank you,’ he allowed. ‘For I would have purchased a stolen beast, and…’ He trailed off, frowning at Hawes who was sitting up, a sickly look on his features. ‘Like I said, it looks like I was the fool.’ Facing me, he added: ‘Your horse will be here within the hour, and you’ll see all is well with him.’
He was about to leave – yet on impulse, I stayed him.
‘What was your quarrel with Thomas Peck, the night he died?’ I asked sharply – causing him to give a start.
‘It was nothing,’ he muttered. ‘We’d taken too much drink…’
‘No, there’s more,’ I said, summoning my magistrate’s tone. ‘As a forester, he was angry at you foundry men… you are a foundryman, are you not?’
Combes was looking uncomfortable now. So with my sword still levelled, and one eye on Henry Hawes, I pressed him.
‘You left before Peck and I did,’ I said. ‘And a short time later he was dead… while someone dealt me a blow to the skull, telling me to leave Lydney. Do you know aught of that?’
No answer came. Instead, Combes allowed his gaze to shift towards the host of The Comfort – whereupon I stiffened.
‘Good God, was it you? Or was it someone known to you?’
In anger I twitched the rapier, bringing it closer to Hawes’s throat. Instinctively he flinched away - but I caught the look in his eye, and knew I had struck on something.
‘Get up,’ I snapped. ‘And walk slowly before me, back into the inn.’ Turning to Combes, I jerked my head towards the door. ‘Bring my horse here, now – and I swear, if there’s any sign of distress about him, you will suffer for it. More, you can forget about a gratuity until I’m satisfied you’re guilty of nothing worse than a brabble at the inn. Do you see?’
He met my eye, but said nothing. Instead he got himself outside, while I turned my attention to the man who was now my prisoner. ‘So, you’re known as one of Mountford’s lackeys, Master Hawes,’ I said, keeping the rapier levelled. ‘I somehow thought that might be the case… shall we proceed?’
***
It was a very different interrogation from the last one I had conducted, in the castle at Gloucester, of the Spaniard Sebastien who went as a Turk. Hawes was a slippery fellow, but he was caught and he knew it. Once I had given some details to Parry, the sergeant and I took him upstairs to my old chamber. He took the only stool, while the two of us sat down on the bed. Below us, the inn remained quiet.
Being somewhat short of patience now, I went on the attack.
‘Who killed Peck?’ I demanded. ‘Was it you?’
‘Good Christ…’ Hawes shook his head quickly. ‘I swear on my daughter’s life, I did not. Besides, you saw me go back into the inn – how could I have followed him without your knowing?’
‘And yet you were evasive about his death,’ I retorted. ‘You knew full well he hadn’t fallen and cracked his head.’
He hesitated, then: ‘I still swear I would never have harmed him. He was a customer.’
‘Then if not you, who did?’ I threw back.
He lowered his gaze, wetting his lips: what a contrast there was now, from the stone-faced host who had seen me off, the day I left for Bristol. But Hawes had served Parry and his constables with his own hands a few hours since, and knew well enough what case he was in. Finally he swallowed, and spoke.
‘I may know some things… things of value to you.’
I exchanged looks with the sergeant, but remained silent.
‘You must understand…’ The Comfort’s host paused, looking away. ‘Matters are not as you think, here in the forest. They’re poor folk… miners, foundrymen and foresters, who scratch a living. When money is offered for private services – more than a man makes in a month or even a year, it’s hard to say no-’
‘What’s this, a sermon or a history lesson?’ Parry broke in. ‘Master Belstrang asked you a question, so answer it.’
‘You mean, as to who killed Tom Peck?’ Hawes shook his head again. ‘I swear I cannot tell you. You need to-’
‘Damn you, Hawes,’ I broke in angrily. ‘Don’t tell me what I need. You said you knew things of value – so out with them!’
But he was torn; both Parry and I saw it. Torn between the consequences of what he had done in the matter of Leucippus, and what might befall him if he accused someone of murder. Hence, we gave him a moment to reflect, until:
‘There’s a man they use, to deal with anyone who makes difficulties for them,’ he said, speaking low. ‘I mean the Mountfords… or I should say, Master Francis. I swear to God I don’t know who he is, save that he must dwell close by. And in truth I’m glad I don’t - for should I give him away, I’d likely end up in a coffin myself.’
He looked up, eying each of us in turn, and added: ‘You see the power the ironmasters have - over me, and everyone else. I owe my living to them. And those who do their bidding wield power too… especially Tobias Russell. It’s him you should ask – though you’ll have to rack him for an answer.’
And with that, Hawes drew a breath and rose to his feet. I would have protested – but Parry laid a hand on my arm.
‘I think we have enough for the present, sir, don’t you?’ he murmured. ‘We know where Master Hawes is, if we need him again.’ To the other he said: ‘You have an inn to keep, don’t you?’
Hawes gave the sergeant a bleak look: he was spent, his shoulders hunched. Without a word, he went to the door and left us. After a moment, I too stood up.
‘Well now, it seems Francis Mountford employs an assassin,’ I said. ‘One who disposes of loose-tongued people who threaten his affairs. People like Thomas Peck, for example - or perhaps meddlesome men like me.’ Turning the matter over, I heaved a sigh; I was indeed, I reflected once again, lucky to be alive. Facing Parry, I asked him if he believed what Hawes had said, and received a nod in reply.
‘I do, sir… for he’s in our power,’ he said. ‘Were we to charge him with horse-sealing, he could face the gallows.’ He thought for a moment, then: ‘It seems that a great deal rests on our apprehending your friend Master Russell in the morning – are you prepared for it?’
‘I am,’ I replied, after a moment. ‘More, I believe I might even relish it.’
TWELVE
We left Lydney a little after daybreak as Parry had intended, riding in quiet fashion up the river towards Cricklepit. The village was already stirring, and the foundrymen would be at work, for the furnaces are never allowed to grow cold. Our party was unchanged in every respect, save one: that the sergeant was now in possession of
the bare facts concerning Russell’s private shipments of ordnance.
The previous night, after what had transpired, I found it difficult to keep Parry in the dark about the true purpose behind our mission. I trusted him, and believed he could take whatever decisions were needed. Hence, we had talked for a half hour outside the inn, Parry smoking his pipe while I told my tale. In truth, I may have been somewhat loose-tongued: I was in a far better humour, for Leucippus was now back in the stable, unharmed; it was a joyful reunion. Standing under the starlit sky, I gave the sergeant a brief summary of what I knew. As he took it in, I found my gaze wandering upwards, to where the Great Comet still blazed; it was fainter now, perhaps further off.
‘By God, sir…’ Parry took his pipe from his mouth, and exhaled. ‘I wish Justice March had told me this, before we set out. I’d have brought more men with me.’
‘I believe we’ll be adequate to the task,’ I replied.
‘We’ll have to be. As you’ve said, it’s a matter of treason - far beyond the warrants I’ve been given.’
‘I know,’ I said. ‘But I’m not without powers. Give me Russell, unarmed and guarded, and I’ll do the rest.’
Now, reflecting on our conversation in the cool of the morning, I wondered briefly whether I had done aright: Parry was taut, and seeing his humour his constables were silent. Yet they carried poniards and horse-pistols, and the sergeant himself was permitted to bear a sword. Between us I felt sure we could deal with any threat. As for Russell… I recalled the man’s cold stare the last time we spoke, and girded myself.
We were at Cricklepit soon enough, where all appeared as normal, with the mill-wheel turning and chimneys smoking. Having dismounted as planned, we walked in a line towards the furnace-house. Soon a workman appeared, then another, to stop in alarm at the sight of armed men approaching. As we drew closer, one of them turned and called to his fellows within. I looked to Parry, who to my relief remained calm.
Deliverance: A Justice Belstrang Mystery Page 10