Read Scorpions' Nest Online

Authors: M. J. Trow

Tags: #16th Century, #England/Great Britain, #Fiction - Historical, #Mystery, #Tudors

Scorpions' Nest (32 page)

BOOK: Scorpions' Nest
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From nowhere, Alleyn hooked a cane under Greene’s satchel and flicked it up so that it sailed through the air to be caught neatly by Marlowe who wrenched it open. Greene tried to snatch it back but he found his way blocked by the shoulders of Alleyn and Henslowe and gave up. Marlowe riffled through the close-written pages inside.

‘“From jigging vein of rhyming mother-wits”’ he read, ‘“And such conceits as clownage keeps in pay, We’ll lead you to the stately tent of war, Where you shall hear the Scythian Tamburlaine Threatening the world with high astounding terms, And scourging kingdoms with his conquering sword…” Yes,’ he said. ‘It certainly sounds like me.’

‘Kit…’ Greene grinned, helpless now and desperately looking for a way out. ‘There must be some mistake. I was doing you a favour. Bringing it to Henslowe here to be put on for you, as a surprise.’

‘Surprise, indeed,’ Henslowe grunted. ‘You told me it was written by Robert Greene.’

‘Tell me, Robin,’ Marlowe said, closing the satchel again. ‘What did you intend to do about Part Two?’

‘Part Two?’ Greene repeated.

‘Well, of course. “The Second Part of the Bloody Conquests of Mighty Tamburlaine. With his impassionate fury, for the death of his lady and love…” Yes –’ he shrugged a shoulder at Alleyn, who was looking dubious – ‘I know that needs work.’

Greene looked astonished.

Marlowe closed to him. ‘Robin, Robin,’ he murmured. ‘You didn’t really think I’d leave the
whole
play for your grubby little fingers to find, did you?’

‘I find there is evidence of a crime here, Master Marlowe,’ Henslowe said, putting on his official voice.

‘So do I,’ echoed Alleyn.

‘I think we need a couple of Constables of the Watch,’ Henslowe said as he crossed to the window. ‘Didn’t I see a couple outside a minute ago…?’

But Robert Greene had already vanished, clattering away along the passageway to roll and tumble down The Rose’s steps.

‘Quite an exit,’ mused Alleyn. ‘I may have to pinch that!’

Henslowe sidled up to Marlowe as they left the room. ‘I assume that we
can
put on
Tamburlaine
, Master Marlowe? Ned has learned the part already.’ He glanced across at his biggest draw, currently adjusting his cloak in his reflection in the window. ‘Or as good as.’

Marlowe let the entrepreneur sweat for a moment, then turned to him with a smile. ‘Of course you may, Master Henslowe,’ he said. ‘And I may even offer you Part Two if I don’t get a better offer elsewhere.’ He slapped the man on the shoulder and ran lightly down the stairs to emerge at the back of the stage. He drank in the smell of cheap paint, wood shavings and glue and felt his blood stir. There was certainly something about a theatre that made a man feel he could do anything.

There was a scuffle of feet away in the shadows and he stepped to the edge of the stage, peering into the dark that wasn’t totally dark.

‘Is there anyone out there?’ he called, his hand on the hilt of his dagger. ‘Show yourself.’

The scuffling came closer, but still he couldn’t quite make out the shape, ducking and diving across the space where soon the groundlings would cluster.

The voice when it came was very close and very familiar.

‘Master Marlowe,’ it said, from the level of his buskins on the stage’s apron, ‘Kit?’

He stepped back, saw who it was and crouched down to put his arm around the boy’s shoulders. ‘Tom,’ he said, kneeling up and looking at him. ‘Still playing girls?’

‘No, Kit,’ the boy said, laughing. ‘Ned Sledd was right to sack me from that role. I live with a nice girl just down the road, we’ve got a room all to ourselves, use of pump. I’m stage manager here now, and it’s a great life.’

Marlowe looked up, to where the cold winter sky filled the magic of the O. ‘A great life, Tom?’

‘It really is a great life, Kit. Will you not join us?’

BOOK: Scorpions' Nest
5.45Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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