Edward Marston - The Counterfeit Crank

‘Then say how he was battered to death.’

‘Three of us did it,’ admitted the other, expelling a mouthful of water. ‘My partner and I were helped by a man named Gregory Sumner.’

Nicholas was satisfied. ‘Then come out and join them in court,’ he said.

He retrieved one of the oars from his boat and offered the blade to Olgrave, who clung on tightly as he was pulled out of the Thames. Sodden and spluttering, the man was soon twitching on the landing stage like a giant fish.

‘Let’s get you back to Bridewell,’ said Nicholas.

Anne Hendrik was so thrilled to see Dorothea again that she kissed her on both cheeks. The girl burst into tears and gabbled her apologies. It was late when Nicholas arrived back in Bankside with her, but Anne did not mind being roused from her bed to welcome them. To have them both safely returned was more than she had dared to hope. Dorothea began to tell her story until exhaustion made her eyelids droop. Anne put her to bed then came back into the parlour, where Nicholas was still sitting.

‘I never thought that we’d see her again,’ she said.

‘I am sorry to bring a problem back to your door, Anne.’

‘It relieves my mind to know that she is alive and well. And Dorothea may not be a problem for long. I’ve a neighbour who is looking for a servant girl. If we can teach her what to do,’ suggested Anne, ‘we may find a new home for her. And she will not lack for a young friend. Jan Muller, my apprentice, is quite smitten with the girl.’ She sat beside Nicholas. ‘Now, then,’ she said. ‘Tell me what really happened.’

‘Owen is the hero, Anne. He rescued both Dorothea and me.’

‘What was she doing outside Bridewell?’

‘Remembering what happened inside the place.’

Calmly and with typical modesty, Nicholas told her about his own adventures in the workhouse, and the subsequent arrest of Beechcroft and Olgrave. He recalled the fight on the landing stage.

‘Is it not strange?’ he said. ‘Ralph Olgrave was so afraid of drowning that he would rather be hauled out of the water to face certain death on the gallows.’

‘You mentioned something about ledgers.’

‘They were account books for Bridewell. One was accurate, and the other a tissue of lies concocted to fool any inspectors. When I got back there, I collected them from the roof where I’d left them. Yes,’ he added with a laugh, ‘and I helped down the poor keeper who was stranded up there. He managed to get up on the roof with a musket to shoot me, then lacked the courage to climb down again.’

‘You should have left him there, Nick.’

‘I saw one man fall to his death. That was enough.’

‘All is now settled, then.’

‘Not quite, Anne.’

‘What more remains?’

‘Some unfinished business at the Queen’s Head,’ he said. ‘I’ll need to borrow your horse again for I have to be at the inn soon after dawn. Otherwise, I may miss him.’

‘Who?’

‘A man who was hoping to sneak away tomorrow with a large amount of money in his purse that he obtained by trickery.’

‘Trickery?’

‘Cards and dice, Anne.’

‘What’s the fellow’s name?’

‘Philomen Lavery.’

Philomen Lavery was up early to eat a frugal breakfast before packing his bags. There was a tap on the door of his room and the landlord let himself in. He pumped Lavery’s hand appreciatively.

‘I am sorry to see you leave,’ he said.

‘It would be foolish to stay any longer, Adam.’

‘Where will you go next?’

‘Back to St Albans, I think. Then on to Bedford.’

‘Do not forget us in Rochester,’ said Crowmere. ‘It’s two years since we last saw you at The Red Lion. I expect you back again one day.’

‘I’ll be there,’ promised Lavery. ‘How much do I owe you?’

‘Nothing, my friend. All debts are settled.’

‘Then I’ll bid you farewell and steal away.’

‘Let me help you,’ volunteered the landlord, picking up one of the bags.

‘Thank you, Adam.’

Lavery reached for the other bag and the large satchel beside it. When the two men turned towards the open door, however, they found their way blocked by Nicholas Bracewell. Quite unperturbed, Lavery produced one of his innocuous smiles.

‘If you wish to play cards,’ he said, softly, ‘you come too late. I must away.’

‘We need to have words, Master Lavery,’ said Nicholas.

‘About what?’

‘A pupil of yours, now working in Bridewell.’

‘A pupil? I’m a merchant, sir, and not a schoolmaster.’

‘Yet you taught this particular lad well,’ said Nicholas. ‘His name is Ben Hemp and you instructed him in the art of making false dice.’

‘Dice?’ repeated Lavery in surprise. ‘But I know nothing of dice. I devote myself to a pack of cards, as many of your fellows will testify.’

‘I’m told that dice were also rolled on your table last night, Master Lavery, and that you won game after game. When you faltered,’ Nicholas went on with a meaningful glance at Crowmere, ‘your confederate inherited your good fortune.’

‘Are you accusing me, Nick?’ said the landlord.

‘The two of you worked together from the start.’

‘I’d never even met Master Lavery until he turned up at the Queen’s Head.’

‘Oh,’ said Nicholas, ‘I suspect that you and he are old partners. You bring in the gulls and your friend cleverly fleeces them. By using an accomplice, he makes it appear that he does not win all the time. That would only attract suspicion.’

‘These are vile allegations,’ warned Lavery with vehemence. ‘Especially when you have no proof to back them up.’

‘It lies in one of those bags. Wherever you keep your marked cards and your false dice, there’s proof enough of your villainy. Be glad that I’m the one to find it, Master Lavery,’ said Nicholas. ‘Were some of my fellows here instead, you’d not escape without a sound whipping.’ He turned to Crowmere. ‘Neither of you.’

‘I thought that we were friends, Nick,’ protested the landlord.

‘It was only a counterfeit friendship.’

‘Did I not arrange a feast for Westfield’s Men?’

‘You did,’ agreed Nicholas, ‘but you made us pay for it ourselves when you stole the takings for one of our performances. And your friendship was seen in its true light when you made off with half our wardrobe.’

Crowmere turned puce. ‘I deny it!’

‘Then perhaps you can explain this, Adam.’

Nicholas stepped into the room so that the massive frame of Leonard could come into view in the doorway. Across his arms, he was holding a velvet cloak, two velvet gowns and a mayoral robe.

‘There’s much more besides in that chest,’ he announced.

Crowmere flared up. ‘What were you doing in my room, you oaf?’

‘Searching the one place that you somehow forgot to search,’ explained Nicholas. ‘Leonard acted on my instructions. I thought that our wardrobe might still be here somehow, and you were the only person who could possibly have it. Just think, Leonard,’ he said. ‘If you had not found these costumes, you would have carried them downstairs in that chest when the landlord left us. We’d never think of looking for them in his tavern in Rochester.’

‘Let me say now that I had nothing to do with the theft of your wardrobe,’ declared Lavery, righteously. ‘That was Adam’s idea.’

‘Be quiet, Philomen!’ said the landlord.

‘I’ll not be arraigned for your crimes.’

‘You’ve committed enough of your own,’ noted Nicholas. ‘I fancy that the Queen’s Head is only the latest inn where you have tricked money out of honest purses. I hope that you enjoyed your stay here.’