‘Good day again, Ned. This, I take it, is Master Treviot.’
My surprise must have been obvious, for our host continued, displaying no emotion. ‘Of course I know your name. It was really rather foolish of you, Ned, to try to conceal it.’ He indicated two chairs opposite him and we seated ourselves. ‘Like you, Master Treviot, I am a successful merchant. Tell me, do you choose your clients carefully?’
‘Yes, of course,’ I replied.
‘As do I. Before I embark on a business relationship I make a point of discovering all I can about my proposed associates. This is vital when one is dealing in valuable commodities. I’m sure you would agree.’
‘Certainly.’
‘You handle precious metals and gems — costly, indeed. But my trade is in something quite priceless: information.’ He sat back in his chair. He seemed rather pleased with his allegory and developed it further. ‘Information is more difficult to mine than gold — but infinitely worth the effort. You have seen my guest accommodation below. The inhabitants will tell me what I want to know — one way or another — and I already have customers for the information they will impart.’
‘’Tis information I have come in search of,’ I said.
‘Of course, and you have not, I hope, come empty-handed.’
‘No.’ I counted out on to the table five gold coins.
The crisp image of the enthroned king glinted in the candlelight. Doggett’s eyes gleamed and he allowed himself a slight smile. ‘And for this offering you want me to tell you who killed Master Robert Packington.’
It was a statement, not a question, but this time I was careful not to show any surprise. I simply nodded. ‘If you know,’ I said.
He sat back, hands forming a steeple beneath his clean-shaven chin. ‘Well now, just for the sake of friendly debate, let us say that I do know. The question then arises what use I should make of this information.’
‘If you want more money…’
Doggett shook his head. ‘I’m sure Doctor Ned here will agree that money is not everything. Information is valuable but it can also be dangerous, and danger is to be avoided whenever possible. Don’t you agree?’
I declined to comment.
‘If I had the answer to your question,’ Doggett continued, ‘and if I gave it to you, what would you do with the information?’
‘I would obtain justice for Master Packington’s wife and children.’
Doggett laughed. ‘Oh, please let us not confuse the issue with high-sounding words like “justice”. The greater good might be served by this dangerous knowledge being withheld.’
‘I think not — not if there’s a God in heaven.’
‘Ah, well,’ Doggett responded, ‘that is something we might well debate but it is little to the present purpose. We must always consider the possible consequences of our actions. What, I wonder, would happen if I were to set you on the trail of this assassin?’ He turned to my companion. ‘Ned, would you say that our young friend here is inclined to be headstrong?’
Ned responded cautiously. ‘Master Treviot is very determined. He has, perhaps, a tendency common among young people to see everything in black and white.’
Doggett nodded. ‘Would he, do you suppose, leave no stone unturned in pursuit of his friend’s killer?’
‘His interest is rather wider; he is concerned that he, and not Master Packington, might have been the murderer’s intended victim and that consequently his own life is in danger.’
‘Truly?’ For the first time Doggett showed surprise. ‘How so?’
I briefly described the circumstances surrounding Robert’s death.
Doggett listened attentively. At last he said, ‘Suppose I was able to set your mind at rest on that score, would you then abandon your pursuit?’
The man’s cat-and-mouse tactics were beginning to aggravate me. ‘I’ll answer that question with another,’ I said. ‘If you knew the identity of this cold-blooded killer, might he pay you well to protect him?’
I felt rather than saw Ned’s worried reaction. ‘Master Doggett’s business arrangements are no concern of ours,’ he said hurriedly.
Doggett, however, showed no sign of irritation. ‘As the good doctor has intimated,’ he said, ‘life is not printed in simple black and white, like a penny engraving from the print shop. You are a merchant, Master Treviot. Therefore you know the importance of peace. Where there is peace there is confidence. Where there is confidence there is trade. And where there is trade there is profit. I use my influence to maintain peace. Indeed, my reputation depends on it. Within my bailiwick there are many potential rivalries and feuds; men who have scores to settle, families intent on keeping old arguments alive. If I did not exercise firm control… well,’ he spread his hands in a wide gesture, ‘chaos! I simply cannot permit you to go charging around like a loose colt in the marketplace quite possibly disturbing many people and seriously affecting my business.’
‘Then I fear we are wasting each other’s time.’ I half-rose from my chair.
A firm hand pressed down on my shoulder. Another held a blade to my throat. ‘You leave when Master Doggett says you leave,’ the tall man said.
‘It’s all right, Jack. I’m sure Master Treviot meant no disrespect.’ Doggett folded his arms and stared solemnly across the table. ‘I will tell you what little I know and, if you are wise, you will be content with that and dabble in this business no further. Ned, you will stand security for your friend’s satisfactory behaviour.’
‘You have my word on that,’ Ned muttered eagerly.
‘Good. Well, then. The man you wish to identify goes under the name of Il Ombra, which is Italian for “The Shadow”.’
‘Italian!’ I exclaimed. ‘So the rumours of a foreign assassin were right.’
‘He is an ex-mercenary captain who travels widely, offering his services to wealthy patrons. He is an expert in his chosen profession, equally skilled with sword, knife or gun. His favoured weapon is the wheellock, a killing device so effective that it has been banned by the Emperor and other princes.’
‘Wheellock?’
‘An ingenious weapon almost unknown in this country. I have seen one myself. Basically it is a small arquebus that can be wielded with one hand. It needs no lighted match because the powder is ignited by a mechanism that strikes sparks from a flint.’
‘Mother of God, how diabolical!’ Ned crossed himself. ‘What evil will men think of next? Guns that can be carried in a purse or tucked inside a sleeve?’
I, too, was appalled but also excited. A vital piece of the puzzle was now fitting into place. ‘Yes, that is how it was done!’ I cried. ‘The assassin must have kept the gun concealed beneath his cloak until the last moment. When he had identified his victim, he had only to raise his arm and fire. Before anyone knew what had happened, he could slip away. What a diabolical device indeed!’
‘One that will quickly become the chosen weapon for assassins,’ Doggett observed. ‘You may take my word on that.’
‘So,’ I mused, ‘that was obviously the manner of it but how can you be sure that this hell-bred villain was not looking for me?’
Doggett smiled. ‘I mean you no disrespect, Master Treviot, but I doubt whether you are that important. Those who have met Il Ombra tell me that he is a professional killer only a very few can afford. He is at the height of his career and his fees are exorbitant.’
Now my mind was racing. At last I had information. Some glimmering light had been thrown on the mystery of Robert’s death. ‘Where is this man now?’ I demanded.
‘Gone whence he came, I believe. On the way back to his own country, his mission fulfilled. And now, Master Treviot, you have the information you came for.’ Doggett scooped up the coins and dropped them into his purse. ‘Our business is concluded and I bid you good day.’ The tall man’s hand fastened on my arm. He pulled me roughly to my feet and steered me to the door.