Andrew Swanston - The King's Return

‘As you wish, Joseph. Is there anything you particularly want me to do?’

‘Ask whatever questions you like and watch for signs of dissembling. Extra pairs of eyes and ears are always useful.’

The Molly who was brought into the antechamber was every bit as foul-mouthed and ill-tempered as the Molly whom they had found in bed with Stoner. So far, the Tower had done nothing for her composure. ‘Where’s that little shit Mottershead?’ she screeched. ‘Bring ’im ’ere and ’e’ll feel the sharp end of my tongue.’

‘Mr Mottershead is otherwise engaged,’ replied Joseph calmly. ‘Now sit down and answer our questions. If you give us any trouble, the warder will bind your hands and ankles.’ With a look of pure hatred, Molly sat. ‘Good. Now, first of all, how did you meet Chandle Stoner?’

‘’Ow do you think? ’E came to the ’ouse.’

‘The house in Wild Street?’ Molly nodded. ‘And when was that?’

‘Around Christmas time, it was. It was so cold the privy was frozen up and we ’ad to shit on the ice.’

‘And when did you leave the house?’

‘The day after the coronation. ’E took me to Lambeth and said ’e’d keep me there in comfort, as long as I didn’t tell no one about it.’

‘And you agreed?’

‘Course I did. I’m not stupid. A big ’ouse and plenty of money. Better than spreading my legs for poxy old men for a few shillings. ’E gave me money for clothes, too.’

‘But no servants?’

‘No, ’e wouldn’t allow servants.’

‘Did he have any visitors?’

‘’E did, but I never saw them. I ’ad to go to the bedroom when anyone came. What’s this all about? What’s ’e done?’

‘All in good time. Did he tell you anything about himself?’

‘Not much. Said ’e was in business. Spent a lot of time in coffee ’ouses, ’e said.’

‘How often did he visit you?’

‘Two or three times a week, until ’e moved in for good. Said ’e wanted to be private.’

‘When was that?’

‘About a week ago.’

Throughout the questioning, Thomas had been watching Molly’s face carefully. He had seen not a glimmer of a lie nor a hint of guilt. She was what she said she was – a London whore who had enjoyed a slice of luck. The luck had run out, but she was neither a traitor nor a murderer.

Williamson clearly thought the same. ‘That will do for now,’ he told her. ‘You will be kept here for the present in case you remember anything of use to us. If you do, ask the warder to send word to me. And don’t forget that you are still under suspicion of being involved in crimes for which you could hang. Your best chance of release is to tell us everything you remember. Names, events, anything. Is that clear?’

‘I’ve told you what I know, and it ain’t much. ’E wouldn’t ’ave told me about ’is business, would ’e? I’m just ’is ’ore. Ask ’im yourself if you don’t believe me.’

‘Not now you aren’t, Molly,’ said Thomas. ‘You won’t be keeping Chandle Stoner warm any longer.’

‘Piss on ’im then. Never liked the shit.’

‘Take her back to her room, warder, please,’ Williamson ordered, ‘and bring Stoner.’

‘She was telling the truth,’ said Thomas, when they had gone.

‘I fear so. But she might remember something. We’ll keep her here just in case.’

Chandle Stoner had evidently decided that his best defence was attack. He stormed into the room and launched straight into a tirade. ‘By what authority do you keep me here, may I enquire? I am not unknown in this city and have friends who will want to know why I have been treated like a common criminal.’

‘Sit down, Stoner, and answer our questions.’ Williamson’s voice was icy.

‘On the contrary, sir. You will answer my questions.’

Williamson stared at him. ‘Bind his hands, warder, and tie him to the chair. If he resists, break his arm.’ When Stoner was bound and sitting, Williamson continued. ‘Understand that you are in no position to make demands. I have the authority of the king to do whatever I believe to be necessary for the defence of His Majesty and his realm. That includes hanging you if I choose.’

‘And on what grounds do you propose to do that?’

‘You are suspected of being a murderer, a thief and a traitor.’

Stoner laughed. ‘And do you intend to hang me three times for these three crimes, not one of which I am guilty of?’

Williamson ignored the question. ‘Have you any knowledge of an enterprise named Quicksilver?’

‘I certainly have. A mining venture from which a number of my friends have made considerable profits.’

‘And others have made losses.’

Stoner shrugged. ‘Business carries risk.’

‘Why did you leave your home in Cheapside and go to Lambeth?’

‘That is none of your affair.’

Williamson nodded to the warder, who clipped Stoner on the ear with his staff. ‘I think you will find that it is. Why?’

‘A man in my position needs privacy.’

‘What position is that?’

‘I am a man of business.’

‘Why did you burn all your documents before leaving the house?’

‘That is my standard procedure for all confidential documents and correspondence that are no longer needed.’

‘Did you know Sir Montford Babb?’

‘Possibly. I meet many people in the course of business.’

‘Did he have an interest in Quicksilver?’

‘I cannot recall.’

‘Did you know Matthew Smith, John Winter or Henry Copestick?’

‘No.’

‘Do you know who murdered them?’

‘That is an absurd question.’ Another nod to the warder and another clip on the ear. ‘No.’

‘Do the names Aurum and Argentum mean anything to you?’

‘As much as they do to you. Gold and silver. What of it?’

‘On one of the letters you burned we found the name Morland. Was this Sir Samuel Morland?’

‘Possibly. I don’t remember the contents of every document.’

‘We think that it was. What business had you with him?’

‘None. Now if you have no more questions, kindly release me. I have nothing more to tell you and nothing to hide.’

‘You will remain here for the present. You should know, also, that I saw the king this morning. At his request, the Privy Council has authorized the use of the rack if I should deem it necessary.’ Stoner went white. No one could withstand the rack and the Council authorized it only in the most serious cases. ‘Keep that in mind when we return tomorrow.’ Williamson turned to Thomas. ‘Have you any questions, Thomas?’

‘Did you have Madeleine Stewart taken to Dartford?’

‘I have no idea what you are talking about.’

‘Take him back to his room, warden,’ ordered Williamson. ‘Give him food and water and keep a guard on him. We will return tomorrow.’

‘Well, Thomas, what did you make of that?’ asked Williamson on their way home.

‘The woman knows nothing. Stoner is lying, but about what exactly I am unsure. He knew Smith, Winter and Copestick and I’m sure he knew Babb. The names Quicksilver, Argent Vive, Aurum and Argentum may be a coincidence, but I doubt it. When he learned about Madeleine’s rescue, he burned his documents and disappeared. Did he arrange the murders, and if so, why? Was he behind Madeleine’s abduction? Is he involved in a spy ring, and if so, how?’

‘And most importantly of all,’ said Joseph, ‘what exactly are the Dutch and the French up to and how are we going to find out?’

‘In that connection, has Stoner’s arrest been made public?’

‘Not yet.’

‘May I suggest that it remains confidential for the moment? I have the glimmer of an idea.’

Joseph raised an eyebrow. ‘Should I be pleased or alarmed?’