Paul Doherty - The Gallows Murders

On any other occasion there would have been vociferous objections, but Horehound's ghastly death had knocked any querulousness on its head.

Benjamin sat in the sanctuary chair. 'Gentlemen.' He began softly, yet his words echoed round that cavernous church. 'Gentlemen, there is villainy here, the likes of which I have not seen before. This morning Master Shallot and I took two thousand pounds in gold to St Paul's Cross. We were guarded and protected by royal soldiers, as well as other agents of the Crown. However, a cry about the sweating sickness and an explosion caused by a small trail of gunpowder, led to that gold being taken.'

Toadflax was about to spring to his feet and declare his innocence; Benjamin shook his head.

'I know. I know,' he continued. 'All the hangmen were in the garrison refectory.' He turned and pointed at Vetch. ‘You, Master Vetch, can vouch for that.'

The constable's lieutenant nodded slowly. "Yes, I can. As I can also vouch for Sir Edward, myself and Master Spurge. We were in the constable's quarters.'

'I accept that,' Benjamin agreed quietly. ‘Later on, the villains who stole the gold had the impudence to send me a letter whilst I was in Cheapside.' He paused to collect his thoughts. 'Now, until our arrival here, the Tower's gates and postern doors were all sealed and barred, so no one could have left to commit such villainy.' He smiled bleakly. 'And there's the rub. I believe there's one rogue in the Tower and another, his accomplice, in the city. Sir Edward.' Benjamin turned to Kemble. We are the only ones to enter the Tower today?’

The constable nodded. 'Once you were in, Master Daunbey, the portcullis was lowered, and the guards have not been relieved of their duties. Even the masons working outside on the scaffolding were forced to sleep in the cellars, or in any nook or cranny they could find. They will not be allowed out until this evening.'

‘Yet Horehound was killed,' Benjamin went on. ‘By whom?' He stared at Mallow and his apprentices.

'As you know, Master Daunbey,' the chief hangman replied, ‘we all supped and dined together at midday.' He scratched his head. ‘But then we went about our different duties.' 'Such as?' Benjamin asked.

'Cleaning our quarters, sleeping off what we had eaten and drunk.' Wormwood sniggered behind his hand at that. 'And when was Horehound last seen?’

'About an hour before Mallow found him,' Snakeroot declared. 'He'd been drinking, as usual. I saw him staggering across the green.' ‘Had anyone else see him?'

The hangmen all shook their heads and started shouting out where they were and what they were doing.

Benjamin clapped his hands for silence. ‘I don't think you understand the point I’m making.' He got to his feet. Which is what?’ Mallow shouted.

Today the King's gold was stolen,' Benjamin explained, walking over towards him. 'And, Master Mallow, one of your hangmen died. Don't you see? They are both linked. So, if more demands are made, more of you will die.' His words created a pool of silence in the chapel. Benjamin wiped his mouth on the back of his hand. ‘I can do little to protect you,' he said, 'so I strongly advise you not to go anywhere alone, either here or in the city.'

'Is there anything else we can do?' Snakeroot snivelled. He looked so frightened that I thought he'd fall into a swoon.

‘Yes,' Benjamin replied. Tell me something about the three hangmen who died.'

‘We know very little,' Mallow whined. ‘Undershaft was my assistant. He was a family man. He kept to himself.' 'And Horehound?'

'He was a tippler, a sot,' Toadflax replied, tossing back the curls on his head. He stank, never washed; even the whores used to stay clear of him.'

That's why he was by himself,' Wormwood continued, 'wandering the Tower this afternoon. His breeches stank like a midden: when he was drunk, he lost all control of himself.'

"Henbane was different,' Toadflax offered. ‘He had a woman, a whore; he brought her here into the Tower when we celebrated the King's birthday on the sixth of June.' He closed his eyes, drumming his fists on the stall. 'What was her name? Ah, that's it, Marisa! She's a slattern down at the Monkshood tavern. Looks like a gypsy she does: green eyes and raven-black hair.'

'But you can tell us nothing else?' Benjamin looked to where Kemble and his two officers sat quietly. 'Anything at all?' Benjamin pleaded.

Again there was silence, abruptly broken by the harsh cry of a raven outside.

Benjamin and I accompanied Kemble and his two officers back to the royal apartments. Spurge, at Benjamin's request, produced his plan of the Tower from a coffer. This was copied on a great roll of vellum which he spread out on the table, using candlesticks to keep it down at each corner. The drawing was very precise, everything clearly marked.

‘I did it myself,' Spurge declared proudly. The ones Sir Edward gave me when I took up office here were highly inaccurate.'

'Not very good at all,' the Constable agreed. He pointed to the small postern-doors indicated on the map. These, for example, were not on it.'

'Nor this.' Vetch pointed to a dotted line drawn through where I knew the royal menagerie stood. This runs under the royal menagerie; part of it is now used as a wolf-pit.' I glanced quickly at Benjamin but held my peace.

'It's part of the old Roman sewer system,' Spurge explained.

'And, before you ask,' Vetch added, 'early this morning I had the wolves confined. Spurge and I went down there. There are two tunnels: both are bricked off. Not even a mouse could get through.'

'So, you are sure that there are no secret entrances in or out of the Tower?' Benjamin asked.

‘None whatsoever,' Spurge declared. Td put my life on that.'

‘I pointed to the small postern-gates, some overlooking the moat, others the river. 'And this morning all these were guarded?’

They still are,' Kemble replied proudly. 'I, for one, wish to be above suspicion, Master Daunbey. Don't forget, even if someone could leave or enter the Tower secretly, such comings and goings would eventually be noticed.'

Benjamin tapped the map with his hand. 'May we borrow this?' ‘I’d prefer it if you didn't,' Spurge replied. 'In a way, it's as costly as any portrait or tapestry' 'I won't leave the Tower,' Benjamin promised. Spurge reluctantly agreed.

‘Do you wish me to accompany you around the Tower?' Kemble offered.

‘No, Sir Edward, I don't. However, I would be grateful for quarters, a chamber for myself and Shallot.'

Kemble smiled. The most spacious two are in the Wakefield Tower. ‘I’ll have them prepared. Master Daunbey,' he continued, 'can I ask your advice?' 'Of course.'

'If I keep the Tower locked and barred much longer,' Kemble declared, 'people will begin to chatter and the gossip might spread.' Then you had best open it,' Benjamin answered.

And, taking our leave, we left the royal quarters. Once we were out on the green, well away from any window or door, Benjamin stopped and beat the rolled-up map against his leg.

There must be two villains,' he said. 'One stole the gold in the city and the other killed Horehound. But why kill a drunken hangman?' He continued hoarsely.

I stared at a raven hopping towards me, its cruel yellow beak held out like a lance. I stamped my boot and shooed the bird away. (God forgive me, I can't stand ravens: they are birds of ill-omen. Ah, my little chaplain asks me why? It's the way the bastards look at me with their beady little eyes: as if they are truly disappointed that my head is still on its shoulders and not hanging on some pole where they can peck it to their hearts' delight).

What have we established?' Benjamin asked impatiently.

Well, we know there are two people, partners in villainy,' I replied. 'One is here in the Tower. He sent the first letter and tried to kill me by throwing me into the wolf-pit. However, on the latter occasion, Kemble and his officers were not involved. When I was screaming for my life in the wolf-pit, you were with them. The same is true when Horehound's murder happened. All three were with us. So, Master, it must be Mallow or one of his hangmen.'