‘What does this mean?’ He demanded. ‘You said we were going to Worcester…’
‘Did I?’ I replied. ‘Well, just now I want you to take a walk with me and my steward. If your legs hold up, that is.’
He would have protested, but saw it would avail him nothing. Leaving Lockyer with the horses, Childers and I frog-marched the man through the trees until we reached the Witching Pool. As I expected, there was no-one about. Cobbett’s man Mount, who had turned me away the last time I was here, had left his service, according to Tait: just another minion, it seemed, paid for his silence and sent packing.
‘Here we are,’ I said, as cheerfully as I could. We stopped near the edge of the pool, its surface dark and still but for an occasional ripple from the breeze. ‘How long is it since you were here, I wonder?’
The question was for Humphreys, who wet his fleshy lips, eyes darting about as if seeking a means of escape.
‘I pray you, be at ease,’ I told him, letting go of his arm. At my signal Childers did the same, the two of us standing together to face him.
‘We’re all men here, are we not?’ I went on. ‘So why don’t you tell us about the Cobbett girls, and what you liked to do with them? I speak particularly of Susanna, who met her tragic end at this very place, as you’ll recall.’
The man threw me a fearful look, then lowered his gaze.
‘And her young swain, too,’ I continued. ‘The shepherd, beaten and dragged away from his flock - poison forced down his throat, I heard. Then dumped in the water, so it would look as if he’d tried to join his lost love in spirit.’
‘In God’s name, what do you want of me?’ Humphreys blurted. Sweat showed on his brow, as he tugged uselessly at his bonds. ‘I swore to you, I know nothing of that.’
‘You did,’ I agreed. ‘As you’ve kindly admitted to the murder of the woodman who roamed hereabouts. So, we’ll go back to Susanna Cobbett, shall we?’
The man swallowed, his gaze flitting from me to Childers, who regarded him stonily. ‘See now,’ he began, somewhat breathlessly, ‘if you mean to implicate me in her death somehow, you are utterly mistaken. I was a friend to those girls – almost an uncle! I would never harm any of them…’
‘You’re lying, you vermin,’ I broke in, with a swift glance at Childers: it was time for a performance. ‘You used her like a whore, as you would have done her sisters. Chattels, to serve your twisted desires…’ Raising my voice, I took a step towards him and put a hand to my sword.
‘In truth,’ I snapped, ‘I’ve a mind to end your miserable life here and now. Tell Standish you tried to escape, and attacked me - what could I do but defend myself? I have a witness to speak for me… have I not?’ I turned to Childers, who nodded at once.
‘You have, sir,’ he said. ‘But I urge you to master your feelings and let the law take its course. This man faces the gallows already, so-’
‘Yes, yes,’ I answered testily, making a show of reining in my anger. ‘But then again…’ I fixed Humphreys with my hardest expression. ‘I’d sorely like to deal him a few cuts for good measure. We can say he put up a struggle.’
‘God in heaven…’ Eying each of us in turn, Humphreys almost swayed on his feet. ‘Have mercy, I beg you!’
‘You do what?’ With a quick movement, I put hand to belt and drew my poniard. It had barely left the scabbard in years, and would likely cut naught but cheese, though Humphreys could not know that. When I held it up, his mouth fell open in terror.
‘Have mercy, did you say?’ I lunged forward, put the poniard to the man’s neck and held it there until he quaked. Childers, meanwhile, appeared to forget that I was acting and hurried to seize my arm.
‘Master Justice, stay yourself!’ He shouted.
I ignored him. ‘You dare to ask for mercy?’ I snapped at Humphreys. ‘How often did Susanna do so? How many times did she beg to be spared your depravity, yours and her father’s? And that night, when she dared to stand up to him in her anguish - when she knew she was carrying his child - you were there, weren’t you? Did you silence her, or did Cobbett? Answer me, or I’ll-’
‘He strangled her!’
Humphreys’ cracked voice, filled with fear, rang out in the wood, startling both my steward and I. It startled a few birds too, sending them scattering from the treetops. Lowering the poniard, I drew back, even as Childers let go of me. The pair of us gazed at the man, who had just given me the confession I needed, though I was stunned by its substance. We could only watch as, all resistance spent, he suddenly fell to his knees and began to weep.
‘She fought him,’ he sobbed. ‘Until he lost all restraint… it was done in a rage. I could never have committed such an act… whatever else I did…’
He broke off and gave way to tears, while all I could do was turn away, drawing long breaths. I too was sweating, I realised, droplets running from my brow. Absently, I sheathed the poniard and looked at Childers, who was aghast.
‘His daughter?’ He murmured, meeting my gaze. ‘Cobbett slew his own child?’
I made no answer. After a while I turned to regard Humphreys: as abject a figure as I ever saw, crouching like one facing execution - which in time, he would.
‘So,’ I managed at last, ‘the girl was already dead when she left Ebbfield - but you helped take her body away.’
He barely nodded, his face to the ground.
‘You took her to Tait’s Crossing, where the ferryman waited,’ I continued, looking down at him.
‘No - Cobbett roused Tait, and told him we needed his boat.’
Humphreys turned his head towards me, speaking hoarsely. ‘She was wrapped in a bundle, tied across a horse… I stayed back while Cobbett struck his bargain. The ferryman left us to make the crossing… he didn’t see her body.’
That, at least, came to me as a relief. Tait was a villainous old goat, I thought, but he was not an accomplice to Susanna’s murder – unlike the man kneeling before me. In no uncertain terms, I spelled it out for him: just another crime to add to the charges. His response was only silence.
‘Well now…’ drawing a long breath, I took a step towards him. ‘I do believe you’ve told me all you need, for now. You and Cobbett took his daughter’s body across the river, brought her here and did your best to make it look as if she’d drowned herself. And since no-one examined the body, nothing could be said about strangulation. Your landlord has been most thorough in covering his tracks, has he not?’
‘Meanwhile,’ I continued, ‘a culprit had to be found - a scapegoat, whom Cobbett wished to be rid of. Save that it’s more difficult to blame Agnes Mason for the death of Rhys, since she was already imprisoned. Yet the youth had to be removed – and you still swear you were not involved in that?’
‘By the Christ, I do!’
His face red and puffy, Humphreys looked round suddenly. ‘I never went near him! Damn you, I’ve confessed to taking Berritt’s life - what would it avail me to deny another killing? The result will be the same, will it not?’
Once again, he slumped and turned away; but he was right, and I had no cause to disbelieve him. Pondering the matter, I knew that Cobbett still had the most compelling motive to do away with Howell Rhys – but that would have to wait.
‘I think we’re done here, sir, are we not?’
Childers was eying me, his distaste for the whole business evident. Seeing his eagerness to be gone, I could only agree. I was on the point of asking him to help me drag our prisoner to his feet, when:
‘Parson Woollard,’ I said, as the notion occurred. ‘I had almost forgotten… what’s the nature of your relations with him?’
Humphreys stirred. ‘What do you mean, relations?’ he muttered. ‘I had none, save slight acquaintance.’
‘The funeral,’ I said. ‘By Susanna Cobbett’s grave… I watched you when no-one else did. I saw how you smiled, as I know something of Woollard’s practices. Tell me - was he another of Cobbett’s wicked circle?’
There was a moment, th
en the man let out a bitter laugh, more like a bark.
‘He would sorely have liked to be,’ he spat. ‘That fool… he was naught but Cobbett’s instrument, kept to do his bidding with promises that would never be honoured. You speak of a circle? There was none, but the landlord and I…’
On a sudden he reared himself, tugging at his bonds as if he could tear them asunder.
‘Enough!’ He shouted. ‘I’ve told all, and put my head in the noose – and I swear to God, death will be a release! Now take me away from here, or throw me in the whoreson pool to drown – for I no longer care a fig!’
And those were the last words I would hear him speak.
***
To return to Thirldon after such a day, with its air of tranquillity, was a blessed relief.
It was evening, and I had done all that I could do: delivered Humphreys to the prison in Worcester, and sworn out a warrant against him for the murder of Ned Berritt. I would write a report, I told the sergeant-at-arms, and send copies to all those I could think of including Standish. Having rid ourselves of our burden, my servants and I rode out of the city, crossed the bridge and took the homeward road with lighter hearts. Within the hour I was at supper, tired and saddened, but ready to tell Hester what had occurred. Childers, for once, was not present. Pleading an aching head, he had excused himself and gone to bed. Hester offered to send a supper to his chamber, but he had refused.
‘The girls are abed too,’ she said, as we sat with cups of sack. ‘They have been together all day.’
‘Did you speak with them?’
‘A little. On one thing, they are both adamant: they will never return to Ebbfield. Jane swore to me that if we tried to send her home, she would run away. While Alison assured me that she would rather die.’
I heaved a sigh: somehow, I had to tell the sisters what had befallen Susanna, since they appeared to be uncertain. It would be one of the hardest things I had to do.
‘They’ll stay here for the present, of course,’ I said. ‘But in time, other arrangements must follow. Perhaps they can be made Wards of Court.’
‘They spoke of relatives in Gloucester,’ Hester said. ‘On their mother’s side, I should say.’
‘Yet in the meantime, I must inform Cobbett of their whereabouts,’ I told her. ‘I can’t delay it any longer - indeed, he may know already.’
She nodded, and reached out to place her hand on mine. ‘This has been an ordeal for you. I fear I was not always approving of your actions, but you have brought justice for Susanna.’
‘Not yet,’ I answered, with a shake of my head. ‘Bringing a charge of murder against a man like Giles Cobbett will not be easy. The only witness is Humphreys, and I cannot count on him when the matter comes to trial – assuming it does. The wretch has nothing left to lose.’
‘Can you be certain that Humphreys was the only witness?’ Hester queried. ‘Surely there were servants who saw him depart, with the body shrouded as it was?’
I gave a snort. ‘They wouldn’t dare go against him - not even the nurse. She worships the man, from what I can see.’
We were silent then, each of us pondering the matter, whereupon on a sudden, I thought of Boyd. It was four days since I had last seen him, though it seemed longer.
‘See now, why should I not press for a new inquest, on Susanna?’ I said. ‘New evidence has emerged which Childers and I can swear to. Boyd and I could go to Standish and demand it – if he refused, I could threaten to go over his head.’
Despite my weariness, I had brightened somewhat. Should Standish be unwilling to entertain the notion, it would look suspicious. I knew he favoured Cobbett, hence he might appear to be trying to cover up his daughter’s death. But given what we now knew…
‘I suppose you are right,’ Hester said then. ‘And, if you would hear my counsel, it would be to cease going off on any further missions of dubious legality - questioning people and so forth - and let the law prevail. In short, put aside your feelings concerning Standish, and take the whole matter to him.’
I met her gaze, but on a sudden I was filled with doubt. Given my relations with the Justice, matters could easily turn unpleasant, even ending in disarray. Though I knew I could count on Boyd as a voice of reason, if he would be my witness.
‘Well, you too are right,’ I said at last. ‘I’ll send messages first thing tomorrow, and be in Worcester by mid-day…’ I sighed. ‘After I have told Jane and Alison what I’ve uncovered.’
‘We will tell them together,’ Hester said.
TWENTY
The next day, I had barely left Thirldon on my way to Worcester when a new resolve formed: I would go once again to the Guildhall to visit Agnes Mason.
Despite all that had happened – or indeed, because of all that had happened – I had a strong desire to see her. In primis, I would inform her that matters were moving at last in her favour, even if I could not assure her of imminent release; and secundus, I might satisfy myself that she was not being maltreated. I was unaware how matters stood just now in the city. And as I rode, suspicions arose again about who might have arranged for that paper to be nailed to the doors of the minster. All trails now seemed to lead back to the one who had begun this whole affair: Giles Cobbett, a man I now burned to see arrested.
It was approaching mid-day when I entered the city, walking Leucippus slowly through the bustling throng. By now, I had striven to put behind me the distressing hour Hester and I had spent with Jane and Alison, in which I told them the circumstances of their sister’s death. We had expected them to be distraught, and so they were, but in the last moments I spent with them, some degree of calm seemed to have settled. I left them in tears, hugging one another, while Hester remained to offer what comfort she could.
Hence, it would be untruthful of me to say that I approached the task ahead with dispassion. I feared my anger would triumph once I faced Standish again. But I hoped to have Boyd as my hand of restraint: I had sent Elkins early with a letter, giving the good doctor a fuller account of events. In this frame of mind, having found a horse-holder, I walked to his house and made my presence known. Boyd’s servant admitted me, then coughed to gain my attention.
‘If I might make bold, Master Justice,’ he said quietly, ‘I should tell you that the doctor is out of sorts. There has been an incident.’
I paused. ‘What manner of incident?’
‘I think it best he tells you himself.’
I entered Boyd’s parlour, hat in hand, and he rose to greet me… whereupon I stopped in mid-stride. There was a large purple bruise on his temple.
‘What in God’s name has happened to you?’ I asked.
‘Well might you wonder,’ he replied, in dour tones. ‘You could say that the wound is a result of your request, to visit your incarcerated friend at the Guildhall.’
In consternation, I returned his gaze. ‘What, was there an affray?’
‘After a fashion. I told you that feelings are running high. People gather outside, and anyone who visits the witch – or Mother Blackcat, as they’ve dubbed her – is suspect. In short, a handful of ruffians jostled and insulted me, to the point where I was obliged to draw sword. Several missiles were thrown – the evidence of which you see.’
He sat down, gesturing me to do the same.
‘You poor fellow,’ I murmured. ‘I can but ask your pardon-’
‘You need not trouble yourself,’ Boyd broke in. ‘For what I have to tell you is somewhat unpleasant.’ He waited until I was seated, then: ‘It seems Mason has not refused food – not entirely. She takes a little.’ He paused, then added with a frown: ‘Though there’s a jailer who appears to enjoy watching her suffer. I do not know his name-’
‘Burton,’ I snapped. ‘By heaven, I’ll make him pay.’
The doctor sighed, then fumbled on his side-table and held up what I saw was my recent letter.
‘What a wicked and tawdry business you have uncovered,’ he said. And when I barely nodded: ‘I have given it som
e thought, yet I’m uncertain what is the best course of action. Do you still mean to go to Standish?’
‘Of course,’ I replied. ‘He’s both Magistrate and acting Coroner. And he knows I will not let the matter rest, but call on other authorities if I must. Whatever his relations with Cobbett, he will be damaged by association. He has to act, or appear to be at fault himself.’
‘And you believe you have enough evidence to accuse Cobbett of murder?’
‘I do.’
He was silent for a while, whereupon I asked him if he had seen Agnes in person. He shook his head.
‘I was not permitted. However, I spoke with one or two people I know, and the sergeant-at-arms. When I told him that I came at your behest, he was willing to talk.’ A frown forming, he added: ‘The man seemed ill-at-ease. I believe he might even suspect that Mason is innocent of the charges.’
I thought on that, before broaching the matter that now troubled me. ‘In view of what’s happened, I cannot ask you to come with me to Standish,’ I said. ‘I’ve involved you more than I had right to.’
‘Well now, as I recall,’ my friend said, ‘I asked you to keep me informed of the case, as I was more than willing to accompany you to Ebbfield that day. And now…’ a wry look appeared. ‘I heartily dislike being told to keep my nose out. This is a matter of principle and of justice - moreover, I too have a reputation in this city.’ He paused for a moment, then: ‘Hence, I will be your witness when you confront Standish. And I will request that a new inquest be held into Susanna Cobbett’s death. But I pray you, don’t ask me to visit Mistress Mason again.’
I gave a sigh; I was both relieved and resolved. ‘No… that’s something I must do myself. And if I return here in an hour, would you be ready to accompany me to the Justice’s house?’
He indicated assent, then lowered his gaze. ‘That Woolland – what a vile excuse for a parson,’ he muttered. ‘I should have been less courteous with him, that day in Kempsey.’
He looked up, and fixed me with a gaze which was enough to spur me on: onwards to what I hoped was the last phase of this whole, tragic affair. Determined, but with some trepidation, I left his house and made my way directly to the Guildhall.
The Witching Pool: A Justice Belstrang Mystery (Justice Belstrang Mysteries Book 2) Page 15