The Traitor’s Mark

by D. K. Wilson

  There was little cover in which to conceal my party. We drew back about a quarter of a mile to a small copse. I sent Cranmer’s three guards to reconnoitre on foot the small group of buildings. They were gone more than an hour. They returned with a very thorough report and rather pleased with themselves.

  ‘First of all,’ one of them said, ‘there’s very little cover. There’s about fifty yards of open ground all around the main house. The only way to get close is through the stable block. Otherwise we’ll have to wait till after dark.’

  ‘There aren’t many people about,’ another reported. ‘I watched from the back and only saw three men come and go.’

  A third suggested, ‘That was partly because the top man – what’s his name?’

  ‘Brooke,’ I said.

  ‘Yes, him. Well, he was out hawking. We saw him coming back. He had three men with him and, going by your description, one of them must have been Black Harry. I got close enough to touch him.’

  ‘What?’ I gasped in alarm.

  ‘Don’t worry, Master Treviot, they didn’t see me. There’s a ruined cottage over to the east and I was using it for cover when Brooke and the others came past. Just then there was a heavy shower and they pulled in to take shelter. I was afraid they were going to dismount but they just stood in the lee of the building for a couple of minutes. I could hear them talking.’

  ‘Anything useful?’I asked.

  ‘I think they were talking about their prisoners. Black Harry said, “One more session and we’ll break the older one.” And Brooke came back at him sharply. “See you do,” he said. “I go to court tomorrow. Our people there expect results and quickly.”’

  ‘Then it seems we’ve arrived none too soon,’ I said. ‘Thank God the prisoners are still alive.’

  I considered the information we now had and began to formulate a plan. I gathered everyone around and explained what I had in mind. ‘We’re not here for a fight. I want to come out of this without casualties. Our two objectives are to capture the leaders and rescue the prisoners. Our best chance of success lies in reducing the odds against us. I suspect that the prisoners are in the stable block. So we need someone to keep a watch on that. Dick, that will be your job. Take up a position from which you can watch all the comings and goings and report back whatever you discover.’

  ‘Then we go in and rescue those poor devils as soon as the coast is clear,’ someone suggested.

  ‘No, that will warn the gang too soon. I want to keep the advantage of surprise as long as possible. At the moment Brooke and his men think they’re completely secure. The shock of discovering that they’re wrong should confuse them. That will be our opportunity. If my idea works, I think we can stun them into coming out to us.’ I went over the stages of what was a very simple plan. Then we settled down to wait for the dwindling of the light.

  After about an hour Dick reappeared and threw himself down on the grass beside me. ‘They’ve just come to collect the prisoners,’ he said.

  ‘From the stable barn?’

  ‘Yes. Poor lambs; they look half-dead already. They’re being taken for more torture.’

  ‘After, that they’ll be brought back,’ I said. ‘And we’ll be waiting for them. Dick, take Walt and Adam to the barn. When our friends come back with the prisoners, you’ll know what to do. But do it quietly. Take plenty of rope and cloth to bind and gag them. Report back when that’s done.’

  The evening was far gone by the time they returned, laughing and very pleased with themselves.

  ‘That was sweet,’ Walt said. ‘There were two of them. They never knew what hit them.’

  ‘Have you left them well out of sight?’

  ‘Trussed up like pigs for slaughter and covered over with loose straw.’

  ‘What about their prisoners?’

  ‘We untied them and told them to stay well hidden till we got back. We couldn’t bring them here, they’re too weak. One of ’em collapsed with relief when he saw us. For a moment I feared he’d died on us.’

  ‘Right, we must get back before anyone in the house realises something’s wrong. Come along.’ I led the way towards the house.

  We filed into the darkened stable yard and concealed ourselves between the buildings. By now there were lights showing in two of the ground-floor windows of the main house.

  ‘We know where to find them,’ I whispered.

  After a few minutes the kitchen door opened. A man peered into the darkness. ‘Sam, Will, what’s keeping you?’ He stepped out into the yard. ‘Where are—’

  There was a loud thud, followed by a quieter one as he fell.

  ‘Three down,’ I said. ‘Dick, tie him up and put him with the others. The rest of you come with me.’

  We burst into the kitchen. The first person to see us was the cook tending a cauldron over the fire. She let out a piercing scream and dropped her ladle. The three men sitting round the table looked up in alarm and tried to stumble to their feet. They stood no chance. My club-wielding enthusiasts were upon them in an instant. I looked at their faces. Neither Black Harry nor Ferdinand Brooke was here.

  ‘This way!’ I called to Bart and ran towards the inner door. I rushed into the small hall. The two men I sought were supping alone, one each side of a long oak table. The noise from the kitchen had given them some warning and they were on their feet. Black Harry drew a long, thin stiletto. Brooke fumbled at his belt, trying to draw his rapier. Walt threw himself at him before he could do so. His grip fastened on Brooke’s sword wrist. I knew what that must feel like. Walt spent hours every week wielding heavy hammers to beat iron horseshoes into shape. Black Harry was sharper. His weapon was in his hand as I drew my poignard.

  ‘Come on,’ he snarled, bidding me to close in.

  We circled each other and I was careful to keep a safe distance. On the other side of the table Walt’s strong arms had now encircled Brooke and the two men swayed back and forth like fairground wrestlers. However, I did not dare watch their contest. My eyes were fixed on the tip of Black Harry’s vicious stiletto. He waved the weapon to and fro, hissing with animal rage. I ducked beneath the flashing blade; tried to get in a jab with my shorter weapon. He kicked out at me, and I jumped back. As I did so, I saw Brooke break free from Walt’s grasp. The courtier leaped sideways, at the same time pushing Walt hard against the wall. There was a nasty noise as his head struck the stonework. Walt slithered to the floor on the far side of the table.

  ‘Help me!’ Black Harry cried out.

  But Brooke was already running towards the outer door.

  ‘Come on, then,’ my assailant shouted. ‘Do you want to go the same way as your painter friend?’

  Black Harry now had his legs pressed against the table. He glanced across the room as the door closed behind his retreating friend. My eyes followed the direction of his gaze. Stupid! He reached with his left hand for an ale jug and hurled it at my face. Then he lunged again with his dagger. Just in time, I jumped back out of reach. I overbalanced and fell sprawling among stale rushes. Black Harry turned towards the door and took a couple of steps.

  At that moment there was a mighty roar. Walt rose up, gripping the table as he did so and tipping it forward. The massive oak top came away from its trestles. It caught Black Harry sideways on, showering him with trenchers, utensils and food. He fell heavily on the floor beside me. I rolled over. I brought my dagger down on his right wrist. With a squeal he let go of the stiletto. One of Cranmer’s guards rushed in, sword in hand.

  ‘Deal with him!’ I yelled, as I scrambled to my feet, and ran in pursuit of the fleeing Brooke.

  Outside I stopped, my eyes not adjusted to the sudden darkness. I heard running footsteps away to my left, and followed. I found myself in the stable yard and once again paused, ears straining for noise of the fugitive. I could hear nothing above the crashes and shouts still coming from the house. Several figures were in the yard. I ran towards them, calling, ‘Did you see a man come—’

  At that moment a
door to the right burst open. In a clattering flurry of hooves a mounted horse ran into the yard, scattering anyone in its path, and turned towards the gateway. At full gallop Ferdinand Brooke disappeared into the night.

  Victors and vanquished were gathered in the wreck of what had been the kitchen. The cook and scullion were crouched, terrified, in a corner, while my men were finishing the work of trussing up their prisoners. Horton and Garrow, the released clergy, had been brought from the stable and were sitting at the table, having their wounds tended.

  ‘Is everyone all right?’ I called out.

  ‘Simon, here, has a nasty stab wound,’ Dick said. He was by the outside door and crouched over one of the older men, carefully removing his blood-stained shirt.

  ‘Right, you,’ I called to the cook, ‘hot water and clean cloths quickly. No one else hurt?’ I asked.

  ‘A few cuts and bruises,’ someone said.

  Another added, ‘This bunch of poxy knaves had no fight in ’em.’

  ‘Some of ’em’s foreigners,’ a third called out. ‘What d’you expect?’

  One of the prisoners responded angrily, ‘You meet us equal terms, we show you who’s got fight!’

  He was greeted with raucous laughter.

  ‘Congratulations,’ I said. ‘You’ve done well – better than I dared hope. Unfortunately, we lost the king, but we’ve got his chief jester.’ I pointed to Black Harry. ‘He won’t be performing any more of his evil tricks.’

  ‘He’ll dance well on the gallows,’ someone said, to loud laughter.

  ‘You all deserve food and rest,’ I said. ‘We’ll see what’s in the larder and after supper you can all go in search of beds. But we still have a few things to do. Throw this lot in the barn and make sure they’re tied securely. Walt will organise a rota of men to stand watch through the night. Two of you bring in our horses. Find water and fodder for them. We’ll need them fresh for tomorrow. We’ll have to make another early start. It’ll be a slow journey back. And now, Bart, you and I have a pleasant task to perform.’

  I grabbed Black Harry by the collar and pushed him back into the hall. After we had set the table to rights, I forced the prisoner down on a bench, with his hands tied behind him. Bart and I sat opposite.

  I began my interrogation. ‘You recognise my friend here, don’t you?’

  He shrugged and shook his head.

  ‘No? Well, he recognises you as the leader of the band of ruffians who beat to death a defenceless young man in Aldgate on the first of September.’

  ‘He must be mistaken.’

  ‘I have other witnesses who can identify you as their abductor – the man who brought them here to this house and left them to die.’

  ‘Women and children imagine strange things.’

  ‘I didn’t say they were women and children. Then, of course, there are the two priests, held here as your unwilling guests. I’m sure they will have plenty to tell the King’s Bench jury.’

  ‘Lutheran scum!’he muttered.

  Bart intervened. ‘Stop wriggling, lying varlet! ’Tis all up with you. If you’re a man, admit your crimes.’

  ‘Or what? Are you going to take revenge, you pitiable, one-armed loon?’

  I put a hand out to restrain Bart, who was obviously struggling to control his emotions, but he responded calmly. ‘No, I shan’t harm a hair of you. Slitting your throat would give me no pleasure. You wanted to see me swing for your butchery. My delight will come from seeing you at a rope’s end.’

  Black Harry laughed. ‘I shan’t hang. I have powerful friends. You’ve no idea what trouble you’re going to be in for today’s outrage.’

  ‘Oh, if I were you,’ I said, ‘I wouldn’t rely on the Duke of Norfolk or Ambassador Chapuys to come to your aid. They’ll be in a great hurry to disassociate themselves from your murderous career.’

  For the first time the villain was shaken. He realised I knew more about his activities than he thought. He glowered sullenly.

  ‘So you see,’ I continued, ‘there is more than enough evidence to hang you several times over. There’s only one thing I require before I deliver you up to justice. You will sign a confession to the Aldgate killing.’

  Black Harry sneered. ‘And why should I do that? As you say, I’m a dead man anyway.’

  There was obvious logic in what he said but I had to do my best to restore Bart’s good name without further delay. ‘I’m giving you the opportunity to prove that there is still a shred of decency in you.’

  ‘You come here with your crew of heretical cut-throats and dare to talk to me of decency! What is decent about hundreds of souls lured to hell by Luther and his lies? Was your archbishop being decent when he seduced the king into usurping the pope’s position as father of the church? If I die it will be as a martyr to Catholic truth. When you die, I will watch you roast in hell.’

  I stood up. ‘I won’t waste any more breath talking with a fanatic. Bart, fetch some of the others and see that this fellow is made as uncomfortable as possible for the night.’

  The following morning my strange cavalcade made its way back to Tilbury. We had rigged up horse litters for the two clergy, who were unable to walk or ride. I discovered that they had been strung up by shackles round their wrists for hours at a time until their arms were almost pulled from their sockets. They followed half of my men and were, in turn, followed by our prisoners, all on foot. The rest of my gallant band brought up the rear.

  ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t get a confession out of Black Harry,’ I said to Bart as we crossed the marshland. ‘His guilt will come out when he’s convicted but I’m afraid you’ll need to stay out of sight till then.’

  He shrugged. ‘You tried, Master Thomas, but ’tis as you say, useless to argue with fanatics. Their hate drives them.’

  ‘He learned hate in a good school – the Inquisition. He spent years there forcing Jews, Muslims and Lutherans to bow to the pope. I’ve heard terrible stories brought back from Spain by merchants and mariners. Cruelty has fastened itself so tightly on to his soul that I think not even self-interest can dislodge it.’

  On that, I was wrong. Hours later, as the horse ferry was taking us across a grey Thames, Black Harry shuffled his way awkwardly towards me.

  ‘You want me to confess to the Aldgate murder in order to save your friend. Well, if I give you a written confession, perhaps we can do a deal.’

  Chapter 26

  ‘I don’t think you are in a position to suggest deals,’ I said. As I stood in the prow staring at the vessels moored along the Gravesend quay the only thought in my mind was that, within the hour, I would be riding southwards. My single remaining task was to report to Ralph Morice. Then the ordeal of the past weeks would be behind me.

  ‘Wait till you hear what I have to offer,’ Black Harry replied.

  ‘I’ve no interest in your lies and schemes—’

  ‘Your precious archbishop and his friends would, I’m sure, like to get their hands on Master Brooke. He is the pivotal point of all that is planned against Cranmer.’

  ‘Those things are no concern of mine.’

  ‘As you please. But what would your friends say if they knew that you let Brooke slip through your fingers?’

  ‘He can’t get very far. As soon as I make my report there will be search parties out looking for him.’

  ‘Do you suppose he hasn’t thought of that and made plans to ensure his escape?’

  ‘How will he escape?’

  He sneered. ‘That is the information I have to sell. I can tell you exactly where you will find him.’

  ‘And why would you do that? Is it that treachery comes as second nature to you?’

  ‘Does not the Bible you set so much store by tell you that ’tis better to be a live dog than a dead lion?’

  ‘So you think to trade your master for your freedom?’

  That obviously annoyed him. ‘I call no man master,’ he snapped. ‘If I go free, so does your friend and you capture the one man who links t
ogether all the archbishop’s enemies. That is for you a good deal.’

  ‘And leave you free to continue your murderous career? I don’t think so.’

  ‘Of course, I would have to leave the country. There is still plenty of work to be done in Spain.’

  I turned my back on him. Further along the boat Bart was leaning against the rail and looking wistfully out over the estuary. I thought of all he had already suffered and knew how much he and Lizzie longed to get their lives back. A few lines on a sheet of parchment could give them that. Then I thought of Adie, hovering between life and death. Turning again, I said to Black Harry, ‘When we land, you will be taken under guard to jail in Canterbury to await your trial for murder.’

  His response was an infuriating smile. ‘Perhaps.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘If you won’t see sense, somebody will.’ He shuffled away.

  When we arrived in Kent the party divided. I sent most of my men with Cranmer’s guards to convey the prisoners to Canterbury. In order not to slow them down, we hired a wagon in Gravesend to carry the captives and found a local complex of almshouses and hospital where the two priests could be nursed back to health. I set off with two companions to Maidstone, where I hoped to find Ralph Morice. It was not difficult to locate the place where Legh was conducting his inquiries. He had chosen the town’s principal inn and commandeered a large ground-floor room for his purposes. Quite a crowd had gathered outside of people eager to know the fate of those being examined.

  We arrived during the commission’s dinner interval and I was able to locate Morice in the private room where he and his companions were eating. As soon as he saw me at the door, he stood up, excused himself from the company and hurried over.

  ‘Thomas, Lord be praised you’re back and in good time. How did you fare?’ He took me by the arm and guided me out into the street. ‘Let’s walk and you can tell me everything.’

  As we strolled through the busy town centre, I gave a detailed report of the last two days’ activities. Morice listened intently, occasionally asking questions. When I had finished, he grasped my hand warmly. ‘Thomas, you have done splendidly! The whole gang rounded up and, I’ve no doubt, ready to tell all they know in hope of avoiding the gallows.’Then he fell silent and thoughtful.