The Wisest Fool mog-4

by Nigel Tranter

  "It seems at least as though the stranger had an especial love for your family, my lord 1" Cecil put in dryly. "Interesting."

  "More than interesting," Lennox added. "Four Stourton's name came up in our investigations, likewise. Eh, Geordie."

  "Only indirectly," that careful man pointed out. "His name given only as a reference. We were seeking the identities of any Catholic borrowers of moneys, or large sellers of goods, as Your Majesty suggested. There were none in my books, of any significance. None that I know to be Catholics. Then we went to my fellow money-lender and jeweller, Sir William Herrick, who was also the late Queen's goldsmith. He had received, in pawn, almost a year ago, considerable plate. On which he had advanced three thousand pounds. Two thousand pounds to one party and one thousand pounds to another-both known Catholics. The first was Mr. Francis Tresham, who gave the name of Lord Stourton for his security. The second was Sir Everard Digby. The pawnings were within a week of each other." The quick indrawing of three different breaths, at the enunciation of these names, clearly was significant The King looked round them all. "Well, my lords-what o' it?" Monteagle moistened his lips. "Francis Tresham, Sire, is also my brother-in-law. His two sisters are wed to myself and Stourton." "Ha! You say so? Now we could be moving!" "Further, to which, She, Tresham was involved in Essex's rebellion," Cecil put in. "He is a plotter. Moreover his father, Sir Thomas Tresham, is well known as a man aggrieved, much fined for recusancy in the late Queen's day." "Aye-so they hae a grudge against the Crown. We progress. And you, Suffolk? Hae you no' something to tell us?"

  "Only, Majesty, that my nephew Arundel had been asked if he was to attend the parliament opening-asked, that is all. He had said no-for he has a distemper of the bladder, it seems. He is a sickly youth, as you know. It was Sir Everard Digby who asked him!" "So-o-o! Digby, eh? He's o' a namely family. Is that a', man?" "Yes. When Arundel said that he would not be going, Digby said no more. It may mean nothing." "It's fell coincidental. By ordinar!"

  "There is another matter, She. Relating to Tresham, not Digby," Heriot mentioned. "A month ago, Tresham hired a three-masted barque from Ebenezer Willison, trader, of Duck Wharf. It was said to be for trading to the Low Countries. But it is still lying in the Thames."

  "Did I no' tell you!" James crowed. "This Tresham is in it deep as the neck. Aye-we'll hae him talking. And then dangling on the end o' a rope! Aught else, Geordie?"

  "No, She. Save for one small matter perhaps. Amongst the plate pawned by Tresham was some engraved with the arms of Catesby -or so says Herrick. It need not signify."

  "Sir William Catesby is a kinsman of Tresham's," Monteagle observed.

  "And was also in the Essex business," Cecil added. "He has a wild son, Robert, who has been in some trouble." He cleared his throat "You have done well, Master Heriot." That was scarcely warm, but it was a major acknowledgment

  "I told you Geordie kens what's what," the King said, beaming. "What o' yoursel', my lord? Did you no' discover aught?" "Little to the point, She. Save that the Earl of Northumberland had been advised by his kinsman and steward, one Thomas Percy, against attending the opening. Strangely, on the grounds that he might be put to the question, at the parliament, by your royal self, She, regarding your Commission of Ten, sent up to settle the problem of the Border disputes. Presumably the Percys have uneasy consciences over the Borderland situation!"

  "That I can believe! And you reckon this nothing to the point? A different matter, forby?"

  "I would not like to say, for sure. Northumberland is not a Catholic-or not a known one! But this Thomas Percy may be, and in the plot. And wishes to save his chief. So tells this story. I have not had time yet to enquire as to his religion. But he is a gentleman-pensioner of your own, with duties around this palace."

  "You say so? Waesucks- we're getting a wheen names now. Aye, plenties. What o' the ambassadors, man?"

  "It was there that I wasted most of my time, Majesty. At Somerset House, with Don Juan de Tassos. It seems that he has' not been warned. Nor has the Pope's envoy. Both declare that they are coming to tomorrow's ceremony. So the plotters, it seems, are not depending on foreign aid. Or greatly concerned for the envoys. Which makes me wonder, She. Gives me cause for some doubts."

  "Doubts, man? At this hour? After a' that's been uncovered. What mair do you want?" "It is still so much supposition, Your Majesty. A tall structure, yes-but built on but scanty foundations. A plot there probably is. But whether it is to blow up the House of Lords, or no, is but conjecture." "Then put it to the test, man. Arrest a' these named men forthwith-Tresham, Digby, Catesby, Percy. For questioning. I wager we'll soon find out what they ken. Bring them before me. If they ken anything, I'll mak them talk! And I'll swear yon Tresham kens something." "Too soon, She. We must have something to confront them with. More than conjectures. Some fact" "These cellars? Under the House of Lords?" Heriot said. "They seem the likeliest place to put gunpowder. You could search these. If there is nothing there, we must consider further. But if there is…" "Exactly," James agreed.

  "Dangerous," Cecil objected. "In that they might take fright. Believe that all was discovered, and flee. The main plotters. Be sure these will not all be biding in some cellar under Westminster! And it is the leaders we want"

  Suffolk spoke. "See you, it is my duty as Chamberlain and acting Earl Marshal, to ensure the proper ordering of parliaments. To arrange all ceremony. I could make a round of inspection of the buildings. Alone, or with an officer. Look into the cellars in the by-going. None could take fright from that It is my simple duty." "What if you stumble on them? The conspirators?"

  "I must needs ask them what they do there. They will have some story to tell, for sure. If I can, I must seem to believe it And leave. Pass on, without affrighting them. To give you time to make the arrests…"

  "I still do not like it If I were one of these men-which God forbid-I would then conceive all lost They might even seek to slay you, Suffolk!"

  "Not so. Slay the Lord Chamberlain, knowing that I would be missed immediately? Search be made for me, and all discovered? All thrown away. No, no."

  "Why not take the Lord Monteagle with you, my lord?" Heriot suggested. "Since he is a Catholic. His presence with you might soothe the conspirators' fears-if you find any."

  "A right guid notion, Geordie. That's it, Suffolk, you and Monteagle go. Forthwith, aye. We've wasted time enough. Be expeditious about it, mind-we've no' that long to act And back here wi' your report We'll hae a bit refreshment while you're awa'."

  "If you will permit my withdrawal-I will make certain arrangements," Salisbury said, "whilst we wait Alert certain, er, henchmen of mine. And some of the Guard. To be prepared to make arrests. So that no time is lost"

  "Aye, Cecil-off wi' you. And you, Knevett, go wi' him. Be back within the hour…"

  The three Scots left in the anteroom considered each other. James winked heavily.

  "We could ha' dealt wi' this fine and well, lacking them a'!" he said, confidentially. "They need it a' spelled out for them! Whereas dictum saptenti sat est! But in England we maun humour the English! Och, but they can be wearisome stiff. That's the worst o' them, I do declare. Stiffness. Cast-iron. Mysel', I like a bit quick-silver. Like we hae in Scotland."

  "Such as the Master of Gray?" Lennox enquired, smiling.

  "Even so, Vicky. Even in roguery there's lightsome ways o' doing things. I miss it-aye, I miss it"

  "I doubt if even the Master of Gray would have considered blowing up King, parliament and everyone in authority, men, women and children, with gunpowder " Heriot observed. "If this is indeed the facts of it She-there is one point which troubles me stilL This of Tresham and Digby-that money they gained by the pawning. This was done a full year ago. The plate has not been redeemed, admittedly-but a year ago. If it had been a month, two months even…"

  "That's nae difficulty, Geordie," the King assured. "The plot could ha' been a year back, just as well as today. The parliament was to ha' been a year ago. But I put off
the opening for six months-and then another six. Och, they'll no' gie me my money. Nor yet will they agree my terms for the uniting o' the kingdoms. They're fell obstinate-right contumacious. The Commons. They canna meet forby I summon them So I've been teaching them a lesson, aye. Now, I need them to pass these laws I've made for a regulation o' the Borders. You ken-to bring to an end a' the strife and rieving and feuding and moss-trooping. I'll no' have it, in my united kingdom o' Britain I've sent up this Commission o' Ten, to do the work, half Scots, half English, But it will cost money-grants-in-aid, compensation, bounties. And that means parliament's approval, God damn them! So-I open parliament the morn," James got to his feet "But-come you into my bit cabinet. There's cauld meats and wine. As well be comfortable while we wait."

  Cecil and the magistrate Knevett were the first back. Then, somewhat later than the suggested hour, Suffolk and Monteagle arrived, both obviously much excited.

  "We have it, She-I swear we have it I" the Earl cried, almost as soon as he entered the room. "In one of the cellars, A man called Johnson. A desperate fellow, I vow! A wild eye. With a lantern. Much coals…"

  "Aye, aye, my lord-tak your time. Let's hear it in some order. And no need to shout, man."

  "Your pardon, Sire. I… we made circuit of the hall and galleries. All in order there. Then the cellars. Starting from the river end. We had an officer, with keys. But two we could not enter-the locks so rusted with disuse. Another empty but for the rats-faugh, a hundred rats I Big as cats. And the stench. Then a larger one. Locked. But we could not get the key in. Another key on the inside. So we beat on the door. In time, this man came. He had a lantern. He called through. Asked if it was Thomas. Or John. I said, aye, Thomas. My own name. He opened. A wild man. But no ruffian. Good clothes. A sword. A gentleman of sorts. We did not challenge him. I said I was Thomas, Earl of Suffolk, seeing that all was well for tomorrow's opening. Monteagle named himself…"

  "I had never seen the fellow before," that man put in. "But he seemed to know my name."

  "Not to alarm him, we but glanced into the cellar. There was a great heap of coals and wood. Going far back. No other men that we could see. We asked him what he did there, and at this hour of night. He said that he was servant to Master Thomas Percy, who rented the cellar from the Crown…" "Ha-Percy!" James exclaimed. "We come to it!"

  "Yes, Sire. He said that this Percy used the cellar for storage of his coals and billets. For his house nearby. And others. The gentlemen-pensioners' houses. The man-he said his name was John Johnson-was sorting his master's coals, for a new load was coming in a day or two. For the winter. I said his master must like to keep himself warm, for he had a good supply there already. And he said this Percy let other pensioners use it also. A thin story. But we wished him a good night, and left him. We heard him lock the door behind us. And came straight to Your Majesty." "Mercy on us! And you dinna think he took fright?" Both lords thought not.

  "Waesucks-are you satisfied now, man Cecil? Wi' our conjectures and suppositions?"

  Grimly the Secretary of State nodded. "Yes, She. I think that we can safely try to make the arrests now. This Percy, Tresham and the rest Although, to be sure, they may be in hiding."

  "We'll get the man Johnson, at the least. If he hasna bolted already. Then question him as to the others."

  "She-with respect no! There is this ship, in the river. The others might be aboard her. Or would flee to her, on the first hint of trouble. And get clean away to sea, in the dark. We must not have them alarmed one moment before it is necessary. I will have the watermen see to the ship, to prevent it sailing. And watch other shipping at the quays. But this will take time. We must place guard on the cellar, yes-but not take this man Johnson before need be. I want all these conspirators-all!"

  "Aye-you're right man. But we darena lose this one sure capture. If he's still there."

  "I suggest, She, that Knevett here, with a party, goes down. To watch the cellar door. Ascertain that the fellow is still within. Remain nearby to guard it. Not challenge or enter, unless forced to, by being discovered or by the man leaving. Then, when we have the ship, and have arrested the others-in, and take Johnson. Others may come to join him. This must be handled with much care." "Aye, well. It's your business, Cecil. You'll ken what you're at."

  "I have my methods, She. Sir Thomas Knevett-collect a party of the Guard. Not too many-for they must remain hidden. Six or eight will serve. Cover them in cloaks-we want no interest or outcry from citizens. Take up position opposite or near the cellar door. There are merchants' warehouses there, for the quays. And wait You understand?" "Yes, my lord."

  "You others, my lords-and Master Heriot-need not be further detained. I will now handle this matter…"

  "Not so, Salisbury!" Suffolk exclaimed. "I am acting Earl Marshal. This is as much my responsibility as yours. I'm damned if I'll be pushed out at this pass! I'm going back with Knevett He may require guidance…"

  "So ami!" Lennox declared. "I'm certainly not going quietly to my lodging and bed, now. Eh, Geordie?"

  "You will find it a cold, wet vigil, I think, my lords!" Cecil said thinly. "But so long as you abide by what I have said…"

  "Och, man-we're no' a' bairns!" the King reproved. "We've a' done well this night-we'll see it out I'd come doon there mysel’-but it wouldna look right. No' right. But you'll a' keep me right well informed, mind. For I'll no' sleep until I hear the outcome. And I want to see this man Johnson, when you tak him. Bring him here. I ken how to deal wi' his like!"

  In the end, Monteagle went off with Cecil; and Suffolk, Lennox and Heriot, heavily cloaked, accompanied the magistrate down to Westminster, picking up half-a-dozen Yeomen of the Guard as they went.

  The thin drizzle of the day continued, cold and raw-for it was nearly midnight. The damp, earthy smell of the Thames permeated all these riverside streets. Without the usual link-bearers, they hurried anonymously through the narrow, dark lanes-and such very few people as were about gave them wide and wary berth. Coming to the old Palace of Westminster, they moved cautiously round the riverward side of it, a deserted area of docks and storehouses, and Suffolk pointed out the significant cellar. Fortunately there was a warehouse almost opposite, with a pend through its basement. This pend was blocked by a gate, locked, but it was set far enough inside to leave a space where men could huddle in cover and darkness.

  Before settling to their vigil, Suffolk and Knevett went over quietly, to the cellar door, to look and listen. They came back, heads ashake.

  "Not a whisper of a sound. Or a chink of light," the Earl said anxiously. "He may have gone. Taken fright, after all. God's eyes -we should have taken him when we had the chance. All this caution of Cecil's. He's an old woman…!"

  "He may still be inside," Lennox said. "Maybe asleep. If he is but on guard, waiting, he needs no light, need not move about…" They settled to wait, since there seemed nothing else to be done.

  It was cold and uncomfortable, as the Secretary of State had prophesied.

  Midnight chimed from a score of church clocks-the 5 th of November. About half an hour later, footsteps sounded on the wet cobblestones-one man's. They huddled back.

  It was difficult to see anything in the gloom, but it was evident that the newcomer was on the other side of the street. He halted, opposite-and distinctly they all heard a key fit and turn in a lock, the faint creak of a door opening and shutting, then silence..

  "You heard that?" Suffolk whispered. 'That was a key turned on the outside. Therefore there cannot have been one on the inside. So the cellar was empty, locked from without. Our man must have gone away, and come back. No doubt to warn his fellows, of my visit. Now he's back. Or another is."

  "So at least we have someone to capture and question," Lennox said.

  They waited again. One o'clock struck. Nobody else came. The watchers shivered in their cloaks, all excitement gone out of the business, the gentry all but deciding that they had had enough. Two o'clock. Parliament would be opening in nine hours.
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  Then there were sounds of the key turning in the lock again. There had been no more footsteps. The door creaked.

  "Quick!" Heriot jerked. "He's coming out If he's going away, we'll have to take him. Cannot let him get away again…"

  They heard the door close and the lock click again. That was enough. The man was leaving, locking the door behind him.

  Lennox leading, they rushed out, dividing right and left to prevent escape either way. Hemmed in the narrow street, taken completely by surprise, their man had no chance. One against ten, he put up little struggle. Knevett declared that he arrested him in the King's name.

  Heriot delved into the fellow's pocket and found the key. He went to open the cellar-door once more, and they all hustled within, shutting and locking it again. Someone struck a light and the tinder flared. The lantern, still warm, stood on a shelf near the door. They lit it

  "It's the same man," Suffolk declared, "Johnson. Aye-we would like a further look at Master Percy's coals, Master Johnson!"

  The man was swarthy, with an Italianate look to him, slender, wiry, keen-featured, with long, flowing hair and a small black beard. He glared at his captors, certainly did not cringe, and held his tongue.

  The cellar proved -to be larger than had seemed likely from the outside, and very deep. Coals and timber were heaped up to form a barrier, but it could be seen that the chamber went far beyond that. One of the Guard, clambering over the coals, shouted, "Barrels!" he cried.

  There were no fewer than thirty-six barrels of gunpowder stacked in the long probing cellar, two of them great hogsheads- sufficient explosive to demolish an even larger and stronger building than this old palace. According to Suffolk, they were directly under the Lords' chamber.

  Leaving most of the Yeomen to guard the cellar, and to arrest anyone coming to it, they took the man Johnson back with them to Whitehall.

  King James was in his great bed, nightcap on, but very much awake. He insisted on the captive being brought in for his personal interrogation, there and then. They would see what they could get out of him, before Cecil got his hands on the crittur, he declared.