Davey interrupted. ‘Not cowering, George, please. I never cower. But,’ he turned to Andrew, ‘we’d been waiting so long, you know, it seemed likely something had gone wrong. We were worried about Tybbs, of course, but tell the truth, we were a touch more worried about ourselves. Hastings had disappeared some time back and we were there in a huddle being watched over by six huge guards. And me without even a knife in my belt.’
‘Coulda’ defended yerself with the gittern,’ suggested Casper. ‘I reckon a splinter from that could be right nasty. Straight up a nostril, or into some bugger’s eye. And the strings. Throttle nice and tight, I reckon. I seen some bastard garrotted once. Shit hisself as the wire cut right into his gullet. The blood were nothing compared to the other muck what came pouring out.’
Everyone pretended to ignore this insight. Jon Spiers, meanwhile, was unaccountably wide awake. ‘We were remarkably pleased to see you, sir,’ he told Andrew. ‘But puzzled, I must admit, when you informed Lord Hastings that the Duke of Gloucester ordered our immediate release. Now, how would you know? And what did it have to do with him? Don’t he like Throckmorton, neither?’
Andrew’s lips twitched. ‘I am sure he would not, had he ever met the man.’
Mistress Spiers was just as confused. ‘I think,’ Felicia said, ‘it would be most helpful, Mister Cobham, if you would kindly explain what happened from the beginning. I’m sure we have no right whatsoever to question you, which we have never done in the past, as you know, but I admit we’ve often wondered about your situation.’
‘True,’ Ralph nodded. ‘Can’t help curiosity, you know. And you being the principal benefactor of our lives. But we knew when to keep our mouths shut before.’
‘Until Tybbs got snatched by that miserable bastard,’ grinned Davey, putting one booted foot up on the table, leaning back and draining his cup. ‘And the poor girl came staggering home in such a sorry state, so she had to tell us what happened. Threw herself on my mercy, and of course I rose to the occasion, as always. That’s when we started to put the clues together.’
They were all looking at Andrew when Ralph sat up very straight and said, ‘You’re a royal spy, aren’t you, Mister Cobham?’
Andrew did not answer directly. He also leaned back in his chair and drained his cup. ‘I notice that everyone is here,’ he said softly, ‘except our Mister Parris. Luke is, perhaps, too busy?’
Tyballis shook her head quickly before Davey could say anything rude. ‘I think he’s out. But he was just as helpful and involved as everyone else at the time, you know. He’s the only one amongst us who could write, having been a monk of course. So he scribed the message we sent to Throckmorton, pretending it was from Lord Marrott ordering more arsenic. That’s why I knew Throckmorton would come to see Marrott at four of the clock.’
‘Luke Parris wrote the message?’ Andrew’s eyes narrowed. ‘I see. A great deal becomes clear.’
‘It was a good plan,’ nodded Ralph. ‘Mister Switt’s plan mostly, with advice from the rest of us. And we all took a hand, even little Ellen. Went with Nat, she did. He’s our best lockpick, and she’s small enough to get into tight corners.’
‘Picking whose locks?’ demanded Andrew, turning to Nat.
‘Ah, yes,’ grinned Nat. ‘That was something I was getting around to telling you. Thinking Throckmorton was plotting against you, we decided we’d take a look in his coffers. We grabbed whatever we found, mostly parchments. But the money – well, it went against the grain, but I only took a handful – not that there was too much of it, to tell the truth. Now you’re here, sir, I shall simply hand the papers over.’
‘How … interesting,’ decided Mister Cobham. ‘But you need not address me as sir, you know. Andrew will do. I repeat, my use of the name Lord Feayton is simply for convenience. Mixing with the lords of this realm, befriending those at court and intimidating others would be considerably more tedious without some title to give me entrance. It denotes nothing, yet serves a purpose. My name is Cobham.’
‘You told me it wasn’t that either,’ said Tyballis, but then looked quickly down at her lap. ‘It’s none of our business, of course.’
‘No, it is not.’ Andrew looked around at the cluster of eager faces. ‘I have always had a great dislike of too many involvements, or of those who wish to know too much about me.’ He turned to Ralph. ‘You call me a spy. It is not a description I have ever used, but it is close enough to the truth. Therefore my trade is in secrecy, and my natural inclination is strictly private.’ He looked back to Tyballis, and smiled gently. ‘But it now seems I have acquired a parcel of interested allies who clearly deserve acknowledgement. I cannot and will not begin by unburdening my past, but it’s true I have used many names. Indeed, I have always chosen to ignore my own, for reasons which are also my own. But as I say, Andrew is sufficient.’
‘Fair enough. But I must say, I should be mighty curious to know how you came by this house,’ Nat said.
‘Which is another matter I consider utterly irrelevant to this discussion,’ sighed Drew. ‘What I can tell you is that when I returned to London just three days ago, I was approached by someone of my acquaintance, informing me Baron Throckmorton had been ordered by Lord Marrott to supply a quantity of arsenic, and bring it to him at Westminster. This acquaintance – being someone I have recently threatened with dire consequences should he ever again involve himself with poisons – begged me to deliver the package on his behalf. It happens that I know Marrott and have been endeavouring for some time to discover his motives with regard to – let us say – assassinations. However, that he should ever have ordered such a delivery at Westminster appeared absurd, even for someone of Marrott’s arrogant stupidity, particularly since he certainly knows Throckmorton is not permitted entrance there. I therefore accepted the commission and approached Marrott, but without delivering the arsenic with which I had been supplied. Entering Westminster Palace armed with enough deadly poison to murder the entire court did not seem entirely wise. Indeed, I thought the whole business a trap. I was curious to know whose trap, either Throckmorton’s, or Marrott’s.’ He nodded to Tyballis, still smiling. ‘I admit it had not occurred to me that it might be yours, my dear.’
‘My God, Drew. You really could have been killed.’
‘Not for that reason. I am not so inexperienced, my dear. Indeed, I went to see Hastings first. Had the trap been intended to ensnare either Marrott or myself, undoubtedly the palace guards would have been warned to watch for my arrival. I therefore pre-empted my arrest, and disclosed the entire situation to Hastings. He already knew, you see, that Marrott was privately suspected of – certain transactions. Although I had never previously met Lord Hastings, I was aware that my own employer had spoken to him concerning me. I was therefore able to introduce myself and explain my mission. His lordship also explained the unexpected group of minstrels who had entertained him that afternoon. I was able to forestall their arrest, and having seen who they were, sent them home. Seeing them was a considerable surprise, I assure you.’ Once again Andrew turned to Tyballis. ‘Seeing you, my dear, was a far greater shock. Hastings had not prepared me for that.’
‘But what did Marrott say?’ insisted Jon.
‘Apart from wanting to kill me?’ Andrew laughed. ‘He naturally denied ordering anything from Throckmorton. When I disclosed the business of the arsenic, he insisted that was purely a mistake. He claimed simply to have ordered digestive powders once before, and a minute quantity of arsenic is known to be useful for the treatment of many ailments. Lord Marrott is now equally furious both with myself, and with Throckmorton.’