D. Wilson - The Traitor’s Mark

‘My Lord, I think him very unreliable.’

There was a murmur round the table and I was aware of many pairs of eyes fastened upon me.

‘Let me explain,’ I continued. ‘The Black Harry I first encountered seemed to me nothing more nor less than a violent, unprincipled hellhound, ready to commit any abomination in return for money. More than that, he was a man so devoid of humanity that he actually enjoyed inflicting pain and suffering, quite apart from any financial advantage it might bring him. Later, when I spoke to him, I slightly revised my opinion. Now he seemed to be a fanatic, driven by loyalty to papal religion and obsessed by hatred of heretics. I knew he had been a servant of the Inquisition in Spain, so I readily believed him when he told me he would willingly die for his faith. Yet, within hours, I was obliged to change my opinion yet again, when he offered to betray his colleagues in order to save his own skin.’

Hertford leaned forward with a stare that was disconcertingly intense. ‘Would you say that his latest change of tactics is motivated solely by self-preservation or by something more subtle?’

‘I’m not quite sure I understand Your Lordship.’

Hertford explained. ‘Walden claims he can help us to apprehend Ferdinand Brooke, who, as you already know, is the vital link between English conspirators and foreign papists. Do you think he’s simply playing for time? He knows that there are other plots afoot against those of us who favour the Gospel. He might hope to defer his own execution until such plots come to fruition and his friends can engineer his release.’

‘Surely, My Lord, he is merely showing himself to be a menial of the Devil, who, as Scripture assures us, is the father of lies.’ The speaker was a cleric sitting at the extreme right of the table.

Cranmer said, ‘What Prebendary Ridley reminds us is undeniably true, but it helps us little in the present instance. We know our enemies are working with frantic haste to make a case against us to his majesty. It behoves us to act with equal despatch.’

‘We have letters from Bishop Gardiner to his nephew urging him to undermine the archbishop’s authority in Canterbury,’ someone said. ‘Surely that’s all we need without having to trust in rakehells and assassins.’

‘And Dr London is under investigation in the Fleet for perjuring himself in court with false accusations against his grace,’ another voice added.

Ridley said, ‘All this is true but we must not be complaisant. I say we should use every weapon God places in our hands.’

At this point Anthony Denny introduced another thought. ‘There’s more at stake here than foiling the intrigues of our own enemies. England is about to be dragged into a disastrous war with the Empire against France. His majesty is enthusiastic for it. He will hear nothing said against his friend, the Emperor. If we could apprehend Brooke and expose his nefarious dealings with the imperial ambassador, we could open the king’s eyes to what is really going on. I believe any risk is worth taking if it can draw us back from the brink of war.’

Cranmer smiled wistfully across the table. ‘You see, Master Treviot, how divided we are. Is there any guidance you can give us?’

I almost had to pinch myself to make sure I was not dreaming. Was I really sitting here with some of the greatest men in the land, discussing issues of war and peace? Choosing my words with extreme care, I said, ‘May I know what you have promised Black Harry in return for his cooperation?’

Cranmer replied. ‘That he will be placed on the first available ship leaving England and no further action will be taken against him as long as he remains abroad. If, however, he should at any time return, he would be fully accountable in the king’s court for all his crimes.’

‘In that case I would suggest that you keep him in very close custody until you have Brooke safely under lock and key. And then honour your promise. Broadly, I am in agreement with Prebendary Ridley. Use this wretch for your own ends if you can but, if he fails you, show no mercy.’

‘I’m afraid he’s already thought of that,’ Morice explained. ‘I have had three long sessions with him and he is not prepared to trust us. He says, “When you’ve got your man, what is to stop you going back on your word and delivering me to the hangman?” What he is asking is that he accompanies us when we go to arrest Brooke and that, as soon as he has pointed Brooke out to us, we let him go.’

‘In that case,’ I said, ‘you should wash your hands of him. I’ve been close enough to this rogue to recognise the smell of trickery.’

In the silence that followed there was much exchanging of glances round the table. Eventually, Cranmer said, ‘Master Treviot, thank you for your help. We are much indebted to you.’ I was dismissed.

I had no chance for a private word with Bart before dinner, which we again took in the hall. Then, as soon as we rose from the table, I saw Morice leave his place at the archbishop’s side and stride down the hall towards us. Outside in the courtyard he shook my hand.

‘Thank you, Thomas. Your contribution was invaluable.’

‘Did you manage to reach a decision?’ I asked. ‘There seemed to be a marked difference of opinion among you.’

‘Yes. It wasn’t easy, but I think we got there in the end. I need to explain it to you.’ He glanced meaningfully at Bart and only continued after I had sent him to fetch the horses. ‘There are two things I must tell you. The first is that, after much debate, and not without some reluctance, we have resolved to accept Walden’s offer to lead us to Brooke.’

‘You know my opinion on that.’

‘Indeed, but the court party has a different perspective. Hertford and Denny were adamant that we must grasp every opportunity to lay our hands on Brooke.’

‘Then I wish you every success. What was the other thing you had to tell me?’

‘That is more difficult, and I hope you will not take it amiss. Believe me, I did stress – very strongly – that you had already done much more than we had a right to expect of you.’

I stared at his care-furrowed face. ‘I imagine I’m not going to like this.’

He nodded. ‘I fear not. It was just that you have had such close dealings with Black Harry.’

‘Go on.’

‘They’re asking you to come with us when we go to apprehend Brooke in case he tries any more trickery.’

‘Asking?’ I said.

Morice avoided my gaze. ‘You know what I mean.’

‘And when will this take place?’

‘That is yet to be determined. Now the decision has been made I must go back for more talks with the prisoner.’

‘God’s blood! What have we come to when high policy is made by one of the foulest villains ever to be lodged in an English jail?’

‘Nevertheless …’ Morice shrugged. ‘I am told to request you to remain at Hemmings while we complete our plans. When the time comes we will despatch a fast courier to summon you.’

‘Well, I will not be at Hemmings for a couple of days,’ I said brusquely. ‘I have a vital engagement elsewhere.’

As soon as Bart reappeared with the horses I bade Morice a brief farewell, mounted and led the way down the long drive.

When we turned on to the highway, Bart said, ‘Master Thomas, we are going the wrong way. This is the London road.’

I unfastened my purse and took from it Black Harry’s confession. Without a word, I handed it to him to read.

Bart must have read the brief confession three or four times. So intent was he that he was almost unseated when his horse stumbled in a pothole. At last he held the paper to his lips and kissed it.

‘Where did this come from?’ he asked.