D. Wilson - The Traitor’s Mark

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.’

‘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.