‘Brother, do you have more questions?’
‘Oh, of course I do but I am not too sure if they will be answered truthfully. I suspect, Master Hornsey, that you know more than you have told me.’
‘Brother,’ Hornsey held a hand up, ‘I have told you the truth.’
‘But not the full truth.’ Athelstan tried to curb his welling temper. ‘Tell me now: why did Marsen choose The Candle-Flame? I have asked the others the same question but I would like to hear it from you.’
‘I suspect it was chosen for him. Master Thorne is probably in the pay of Thibault. The tavern has many entrances by land and by river. The Barbican is a strong, fortified tower, ideal for Marsen, or so he thought, to protect himself and his treasure.’
Athelstan nodded in agreement. Hornsey’s assertion was logical. Most of London’s taverners worked for Thibault, be it out of fear or favour or both. Athelstan decided to take another direction.
‘Marsen,’ he declared, ‘collected taxes. He was good at it, yes?’
‘Yes. He took to it like a rat gnawing cheese.’
‘But he collected information as well, didn’t he?’
‘Of course. Marsen sifted all the gossip and-’
‘No,’ Athelstan interrupted. ‘Marsen was just not a snapper-up of mere trifles, he was hunting, wasn’t he? In fact,’ Athelstan jabbed a finger, ‘he was hunting people like yourself because that was Marsen’s nature, so he could control, bully and blackmail. That was the cause of your quarrel with Ronseval, wasn’t it?’
‘True.’ Hornsey rubbed his face. ‘Ronseval and I used to meet. On that day late in the evening he invited me to his chamber. He wanted me to relax with him. I told him that was far too dangerous. We argued and we sulked, sometimes we whispered and on one occasion we just sat silently. Ronseval didn’t realize how evil Marsen truly was.’
‘Do you think Marsen suspected your secret?’
‘It’s possible. I was adamant in protecting it. Yes, there was a quarrel. I drew my knife and a little blood was spilt, but only a cut. I eventually left and returned to my post.’
‘And?’ Athelstan intervened.
‘The two archers were dead. I was still carrying Ronseval’s dagger. I was so shocked I dropped it. I was fearful-’
‘No, stop.’ Athelstan held a hand up. ‘You left Ronseval’s chamber, yes? The tavern lay quiet, yes? So when you entered the Palisade what did you actually see?’
‘The campfire had burnt down. My two comrades lay sprawled, crossbow quarrels deep in their chest. Apart from that there was a deathly silence. I could not see nor hear anything untoward.’
‘How along had you been away – the truth?’
‘By the time candle in Ronseval’s chamber about three hours.’
‘Paston said you appeared around midnight.’
‘No, that was pretence. I had in fact been there for some time. I didn’t want anyone to realize that. So I went outside the chamber and knocked on the door, pretending to have just arrived.’
‘Your comrades, I mean, if they had survived?’
‘Brother, I was their captain. I told them I was going to patrol the tavern and the surrounding streets – that was part of the quarrel. I wanted Ronseval to leave his chamber,’ he flailed a hand, ‘to walk with me, to go elsewhere. He refused to acknowledge how dangerous Marsen truly was.’ Hornsey picked up the tankard beside him and drained it. ‘As I said, I found both men dead. I immediately ran to the Barbican and knocked. No one answered. I could hear no sound. It was obvious a hideous mischief had been perpetrated. By then I was so terrified I staggered away to be sick. Once I’d recovered, I returned to Ronseval. I told him what I had seen. He asked for his dagger. I told him I had dropped it. We quarrelled. He wanted me to stay but I begged him to flee with me.’ He shook his head. ‘On reflection it was stupid, but I was terrified more than on any battle day. I had deserted my post and my comrades lay slain – the man I was supposed to protect probably so as well.’
‘These two archers … before you left them, how were they?’
‘Oh, they were good men, tired and weary after a day’s work, resentful at being given such an onerous watch. But they had fire and food. They said they had eaten well. Thorne’s meal was hot and spicy. They tried to entice me with what they had left but I couldn’t eat. I said I wasn’t hungry. In fact, I was too nervous.’
‘So they had eaten and drank before you left?’
‘Oh, yes, and with no ill effects.’
‘And Marsen had instructed you to unlock the third clasp of the exchequer chest?’
Hornsey nodded in agreement.
‘So,’ Athelstan mused, ‘what happened? Did Marsen and Mauclerc unlock the other two?’
‘Brother, I cannot say.’
‘And the two whores?’
‘Mere shadows. I saw them slip into the Barbican.’
‘Had Marsen visited The Golden Oliphant, the brothel run by the Mistress of the Moppets?’
‘Of course. Marsen swept in there like Gaunt himself demanding this and that. He would know a few of her secrets as well.’
‘Ah, yes.’ Athelstan stirred on the stool, fighting a deep exhaustion which wearied him. ‘Marsen collected information, knowledge. Was he searching for anything specific?’
‘Certainly,’ Hornsey replied, ‘I heard about what happened in Cheapside, the attack by the Earthworms. Haven’t you or Cranston ever wondered how the Earthworms can suddenly appear on horses in deep disguise all weaponed for war?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Oh, horses can be stabled all over the city but those shields and spears, the masks – where can they be stored? How can a throng of armed men abruptly emerge in the heart of the city? How could they bring in such weaponry without being noticed? Marsen was searching for where those arms were bought, where they could be stored and how they could be transported hither and thither with impunity.’
Athelstan sat silent. Again what Hornsey said was logical. Horses could be stabled at alehouses or taverns, but there were at least forty Earthworms involved with that affray in Cheapside – all those spears, swords and clubs?
‘You see, Brother, the Upright Men have learnt their lesson. A year ago they stored such weapons in taverns, brothels, alehouses, even cemeteries and crypts. They could dig pits but these could be found. Thibault’s searchers were hot in pursuit so now the Upright Men have moved on. Marsen had more than a passing interest in discovering just where these weapons were bought, where they were kept and how they were moved about. Before you ask, Marsen discovered nothing. He was furious. I suspect that’s why Lascelles visited him just for a short while on the evening before the murders. Thibault wanted the taxes but information can be just as precious.’
‘Anything else?’ Athelstan demanded.
‘You told me about Lascelles being killed. Brother, I give this to you in gratitude for what you have done for me. You do realize Thibault was tricked and trapped tonight?’
‘By the Upright Men?’
‘No, by Beowulf the assassin. Somehow or other,’ Hornsey smiled grimly, ‘that murderous will-o’-the-wisp brought Thibault and the Upright Men together. He pedalled information to the Upright Men, enticed them into The Candle-Flame, then gave similar information to Master Thibault. He knew there would be a confrontation. What better time to hide and wait for the opportunity to destroy Thibault and his henchman?’