The Traitor’s Mark (15 page)

‘Do you know whether we'll find our black friend at home?' Walt asked.

‘No, but I hope we may have got ahead of him. The last time we saw him he was probably heading for Kent Street. He has friends in the county with whom he can rest so I doubt whether he would be in a hurry to get to the ferry. We may be able to check on that when we reach Gravesend. To answer your question more fully, Walt, I don't know what we'll find when we get to Fletcham. I suspect all we'll be able to do is spy out the land and wait for reinforcements. For now I suggest we all find somewhere to rest. Life may get hectic when we go ashore.' I found a corner where I could wrap myself in my riding cloak and curl up by the bulkhead. Fitfully, I slept.

When, at length, we were set ashore the afternoon was well spent. At Tilbury no one had, apparently, noticed a party of mounted men coming from the ferry that day. However, whenever I mentioned a rider on a black horse I noticed that people looked at me warily or exchanged
anxious glances. We easily obtained directions to Fletcham and discovered it to be a hamlet on rising ground some five miles further along the coast. It was a scattering of very simple dwellings and there were few people about. Since we had to assume we were in enemy territory we asked no questions. We divided into pairs and split up to explore the surrounding countryside. When we reassembled it was Walt who brought information of what seemed to be the only house in the locality substantial enough to serve as a base for Black Harry and his band.

He led us to a high-walled estate. A chained gate denied access to the short drive leading to the manor house.

‘What now, Master?'he asked.

‘Let's find a way in,' someone said. ‘We've come this far; why stop now?'

‘That's right,' another agreed. ‘They broke into Hemmings. Let's see how they like it.'

‘I'd be happier if I knew how well guarded the place is,' I said. ‘Anyway it might not even be the right place.'

As I spoke I edged my mount forward for a closer look at the gate. On one of the stone pillars I made out a carved coat of arms. I peered closely. ‘I've seen this before,' I said.

‘Where?' Walt asked.

‘I can't remember. It wasn't carved.' I concentrated all my attention on the simple heraldic device. ‘It was ...'I removed my gauntlets and fumbled with the strings of my purse. ‘I think it was ...' I reached my hand to the bottom
and found a crumpled piece of paper. I smoothed it out and squinted in the fading light at the drawing of a cup and cover. ‘Yes, it
is
the same. Look.' I handed the paper to Walt. ‘A chevron between three animals of some sort.'

Walt agreed. ‘Yes, you're right, Master, but what ...'

I explained. ‘This was sent to me by Holbein. I assumed it was just a mistake. But now I think it was a deliberate message. He hoped I might show it to someone who could make the connection.'

The others were now crowding closer, trying to get a look at Holbein's design. ‘What connection, Master?' one of them asked.

‘The connection between Black Harry and whoever is supporting him. He knew that the men who attacked him on the road and who murdered his assistant were sent by whoever wanted to prevent his information reaching the archbishop. He knew I was trying to find these men. Perhaps he sent the drawing as a clue – or a warning. Since he dared not go to Cranmer in person, he hoped I might be in contact with his grace and would show him the picture. If I'd thought about it properly, I certainly would have done so.'

‘This is the right place, then,' someone said. ‘What are we to do, Master?'

‘The first thing,' I said, ‘is to find out who's at home. Walt, you take John and Simon and go round to the left. The rest of us will follow the wall to the right. When we meet we'll compare notes.'

Some twenty minutes later both groups had come together on the far side of the walled grounds.

‘Not very large,' Walt commented. ‘Not half the size of Hemmings. In good order, though.'

‘Yes,' I agreed. ‘The walls are well kept and the only small door we found was securely bolted. Did anyone hear any noise inside?'

‘All very quiet, Master.'

‘Not a sound.'

‘I heard nothing.'

‘Well,' I said, ‘we mustn't assume too much from that. We'll climb the wall and everyone keep your wits about you.'

‘We passed an ideal spot,' Walt said. ‘There's a copse comes right close to the wall. We can leave the horses there, well hidden, in case anyone comes by.'

We found the location and dismounted. I delegated Simon, the youngest of our party, to stay with the horses. He protested. ‘Let John stay outside. I'm better in a fight than him.'

‘All the more reason why we need you out here. Stand near the gate. If you hear anyone coming, get yourself over the wall and come and warn us. If there's any fighting – which God in heaven forbid – we'll need someone who can go for help. If we're not back here within the hour ride like the wind to Tilbury and wait for the men that Cranmer and Moyle should be sending. The rest of you
remember we are just spying out the ground. If you see any of Black Harry's men inside make sure they don't see you. We've come to find out if the hostages are here. That's all. If there's any fighting to be done it must wait till we have reinforcements. As soon as we've found out what we can we'll all make our way back to the horses. Good luck, everyone.'

Inside the grounds we again split into two groups cautiously approaching the buildings from different directions. A three-quarter moon came to our assistance. I felt excited and fearful. I was not afraid of another confrontation with Black Harry's men. The anxiety that gnawed at me was that we would find nothing; that there would be neither gang members nor hostages in this house; that the whole expedition would prove to have been a waste of time and effort; that I would be no nearer the conclusion of the wretched business by this night's end than I had been at its beginning.

My two companions and I approached from the south side, cleared the undergrowth and reached the edge of a lawn badly in need of scything. The black bulk of the house reared before us, with not a lighted window to be seen. As we moved further round there was still no sign of life.

‘The place is deserted,' Walt said, when we eventually met up again. ‘We've missed the slippery hacksters.'

‘There's only one way to make sure. We'll go to the
stable yard. If they've taken the horses, you'll be right. Either they'll have fled or they haven't got back yet.'

Quietly we moved to the rear of the house. The gate to the yard stood open. As we entered, no animal noises greeted us and when we looked in the stables, every stall was empty.

I sat on the edge of the water trough. ‘God's body, what a wasted day we've had. The hostages aren't here.'

‘Like enough he's killed them,' someone muttered. ‘God grant I get my hand on the murderous villain.'

‘Don't let's be too sure,' Walt said. ‘He boasted that he'd still got them. I reckon he'll keep them as long as they can be any use to him.'

‘Pray God you're right,' I said. But I remembered Ned's analysis of the kind of man we were up against – a man who took a positive delight in causing suffering and pain; the sort of unnatural creature who would look on with fiendish pleasure while his men hacked defenceless children to pieces. ‘He'll be angry because we made a fool of him in London. He might vent his spite on the hostages.'

The others stood around in a semicircle, waiting for me to make a decision. ‘Well,' I said, standing up, ‘there's nothing we can do here. Let's go back to Tilbury and wait for the men Cranmer and Moyle are sending. Perhaps we can organise a wider search tomorrow.' They turned, dejected, towards the gate, knowing, as I did, that the suggestion was born of despair, rather than hope.

‘Wait!' Walt spun round.

‘What is it?' I whispered, my hand going to the dagger at my belt.

‘I heard something.'

We all strained our ears, alert now to a possible trap.

‘Over there,' Walt said softly, pointing to the door of the hay barn.

I motioned everyone to form a line and we moved forward, clutching whatever weapons we had. Now, I could hear the sound also – a shuffling and bumping, It was probably an animal but I was not prepared to take any chances. When the others were in place, I reached out a hand and drew back the bolt. Instantly the large door crashed open and the sharp end of a hay fork passed within inches of my stomach. I grabbed the haft and tugged. My assailant slithered and tumbled out, screaming like a pig about to be slaughtered, and fell at my feet.

My first thought was that some inmate from Bedlam had escaped and taken refuge in this lonely place. The creature was scantily clad in grimy, blood-daubed clothes. Its hair was long and tangled. Its face in the moonlight was pale and its eyes gleamed like those of a cornered animal.

It looked up, ready, as I thought, to spring at me. Then it spoke. ‘Master Treviot? Is it you?'

‘Adie!' I gasped in relieved yet horrified recognition and helped the young woman to her feet.

‘Praise God! Oh, praise God!' She fell into my arms,
sobbing. But abruptly she stood away. ‘What am I thinking. The boys! Find the boys. They're at the back.'

Two of my men rushed into the barn. Moments later they reappeared, each carrying one of Holbein's sons, tied with thick cord. Walt took his knife and severed the bonds.

I stepped across and knelt beside them as they were set on their feet.‘Are you all right?'

Carl stretched his limbs and stood up straight. ‘Henry was a bit frightened,' he said. ‘But I said you would find us.' He looked straight into my eyes. ‘It took you a long time.'

At that point my relief and the lad's bravery got the better of me. I hugged the two boys to me and wept.

‘Best be moving, Master,' Walt said. ‘The sooner we put some country miles between us and this place, the better.'

‘You're right. Get a couple of the others to carry the boys. I'll help Adie.'

She was sitting on the horse trough, dipping her sleeve in the water and wiping her face. I took out a kerchief and soaked it. ‘Let me help.' I gently bathed her brow. ‘Adie, I'm so sorry about this.'

She managed a slight smile. ‘All's well, now, Master. I told the boys you'd come for us – and here you are.'

Once more I was on the verge of tears. ‘Are you badly hurt? We must get away. The hellhounds may be on their way here. Do you know anything of their plans?'

‘They went away to London a couple of days ago. They said they wouldn't be back soon.'

‘That's good,' I said. I thought, Our skirmish might have made them change their minds.

I helped Adie to her feet and half-carried her across the long grass. It took three of us to get her and the boys over the wall. As soon as I was mounted Adie was handed up and I settled her astride before me. When Carl and Henry were similarly seated we set off. The journey was slow, uncomfortable and was made worse by a thick river mist rolling in over the marshes and obscuring the moon. At . least there was no one else on the road and for that I was thankful.

Then, when we were not far from the ferry, we heard the clopping and jingling of a group of horsemen coming towards us. My immediate thought was that this must be Black Harry returning to his lair. I softly called urgent orders to the others. I steered my horse off the road into the cover of the mist. Walt and John, who were carrying the boys, followed.

As the other travellers drew level a gruff, authoritative voice called out, ‘Who's that? Show yourselves!'

I recognised the speaker and urged my mount forward. Sir Thomas Moyle, well-wrapped in furs, peered at me. ‘Treviot? That you? What's going on? I got your note and came straight away. I thought I'd better come in person. What's all this about someone called Black Harry?'

‘Sir Thomas, I'm much relieved to see you.' I explained, in as few words as I could, the day's events. ‘And now,' I
concluded, ‘we must get this poor woman and the children somewhere dry and warm. They're exhausted.'

Moyle grunted. ‘You'll find nothing of that sort this side of the river. This is a God-forsaken country. There's reasonable lodging to be had in Gravesend. We must get you there.'

He ordered his men to turn round and we all rode back to the ferry jetty. If Moyle had not been with us that is probably where we would have had to spend the night. The ferrymen would have refused the four crossings necessary to convey us all to the Kent side. But Moyle's bluff authority and, doubtless, his gold overcame their reluctance. By midnight we were lodged in a moderately comfortable Gravesend inn and even provided with food. Moyle sent most of his attendants home but also spent the night at the inn. ‘I want to get to the bottom of this business,' he said.

But we both had to wait until the following morning to hear Adie's harrowing story.

Chapter 11

Sir Thomas had procured a private room for us to break our fast and there, the following morning, while we were waiting for Adie to join us, I gave a full account of the last few days' events.

‘If what you tell me about this Black Harry is true, the sooner we have him kicking his heels in air, the better,' Moyle said.

‘We shall hear from Adie the sort of rogue he is and why he is a danger to the realm.'

‘Tell me about this “Adie”. Strange name for a young woman.'

‘She tells me it is short for “Adriana”.'

‘Adriana who?'

‘Imray – a foreign name. I know nothing about her family.'

‘So what is she exactly?'

‘A nurse employed to look after Master Holbein's children.'

Moyle frowned and grunted.

‘Is that a problem?'