The Frost Fair

    'Is that why you left the school?'

    'It was, Mr Redmayne. I like to be treated with respect.' 'Henry, too, suffered at his hands.'

    'Even more than I did. He was livid. He talked of shooting Signor Maldini.'

    'But not of stabbing him in the back.'

    'He could never do that,' asserted Crenlowe, rising to his feet. 'Henry Redmayne is first and foremost a gentleman. You, above all people, should know that.'

    'I do,' said Christopher loyally. 'I can see that you're a busy man, Mr Crenlowe, so I'll not impose on you for much longer. But I would like to ask about that evening when the four of you had a meal together.'

    'Ask anything you wish.'

    'Henry told me that you had a chance meeting with Signor Maldini?'

    'And so we did. It was not far from Fenchurch Street.'

    'So the four of you were walking along together when you were accosted by the fencing master. Is that what happened?'

    'No, Mr Redmayne.'

    "Then perhaps you could explain what did.'

    'Certainly,' said the other. "There were only three of us strolling along that evening - Sir Humphrey Godden, Henry and myself.'

    'Where was Captain Harvest?'

    'He arrived with Jeronimo Maldini.'

    Christopher was astonished. 'Even though he knew how much you all disliked his friend? Some people might say that that was an act of provocation.'

    'James said that he had met Signor Maldini by accident. He'd arranged to meet us at the tavern and did not expect to encounter the three of us in the street. In fairness to him, when the argument started, James was the one who tried to quell it.'

    'Do you believe that the meeting with his friend was accidental?'

    'I did at the time.'

    'And now?'

    'I think that James was lying,' said Crenlowe seriously. 'He merely pretended to intervene in a quarrel that he had deliberately set up. Henry Redmayne and Jeronimo Maldini were like two fighting cocks. Captain James Harvest was the man who sharpened their spurs.'

Chapter Eight

    Jonathan Bale always felt uncomfortable when he visited the house in Fetter Lane. It was spacious, well-furnished and filled with the individual touches that only a man of artistic talent could devise. It made his own home seem small, bare and lacking in any real character. The presence of a servant was another factor that set the two abodes apart. Employing someone to cook, clean and run the house was a concept that Jonathan would never have considered, even if he could have afforded the expense. There was streak of self- reliance in him that rebelled against the very notion. While he liked Jacob Vout as a person, therefore, the man's role as a servant made their relationship uneasy for him. The constable was soon shuffling his feet.

    'I'd best be on my way,' he decided.

    'Mr Redmayne will be back very soon,' said Jacob.

    'I'll call again later.'

    'Why bother when you can see him now? He's eager to speak to you, Mr Bale.'

    'And I wish to speak to him, Jacob.'

    'Then try to be patient. You'll not have long to wait.

    Jonathan sat back in the chair but he could not relax. Anxious to pass on what he had learned, he had called at Christopher's house that afternoon and been disappointed that his friend was not there. Twenty minutes had elapsed so far and he was increasingly restless. Since he had no interest in the architectural beauties of Europe, the paintings that covered the walls held little charm for him. Holding his hat between his knees, he played nervously with the brim. It was left to Jacob to strike up a conversation.

    'How is your son, Mr Bale?' he asked.

    'Which one?' replied Jonathan. 'I have two.'

    'His name is Richard, I think. He found the body in the ice.'

    'Oh, yes. He did, alas, and the memory still haunts him.'

    'Have you told him that a man has been arrested for the crime?'

    'Yes,' said Jonathan, 'but Richard does not know his name. I see no reason why he should, unless the prisoner is convicted of the murder. The boy has been shocked enough already. He'd be even more upset if he realised that it was Mr Redmayne's own brother who is held in Newgate. That's why I kept it for him. Richard has great respect for your master.'

    'Mr Redmayne speaks fondly of both your children.'

    'There may come a time when the truth can no longer be suppressed.'

    'In other words, you believe in his brother's guilt.'

    'I've yet to be persuaded of his innocence, Jacob. What about you?'

    'I've no opinion to offer, Mr Bale.'

    'But you must incline one way or the other.'

    Jacob was discreet. 'I'm just grateful that I serve one brother and not the other.'

    'They are hardly like two peas in a pod,' said Jonathan. 'I've never known two brothers have so little in common. My sons look, talk and think alike. It's only natural that they should do so. But your master is so different from Henry Redmayne that the two of them might be complete strangers.'

    'Adversity brings out family feeling.'

    'True. And I admire Mr Redmayne for standing by his brother.'

    'Even though you believe that he is wasting his time?'

    'I can only follow my instinct, Jacob.'

    'Then I'll do the same,' said the old man, moving to the front door as he heard the sound of hoof beats in the street. 'Unless I'm very much mistaken, Mr Redmayne has come home at last.'

    Jacob opened the door in time to see his master dismounting from his horse. Hearing that he had a visitor, Christopher handed the reins to his servant and went straight into the house. After an exchange of greetings, he sat opposite Jonathan.

    'I'm sorry to keep you waiting,' he said with a gesture of apology, 'but it's been a busy day. As soon as I got back from Richmond, I had to call on Martin Crenlowe and, after that, I spent an hour or so with the lawyer I've engaged to represent my brother.'

    'Did you learn anything of value from Mr Crenlowe?'

    'A great deal, Jonathan. He was much more helpful than Sir Humphrey Godden. It was good to meet someone who's wholeheartedly on my brother's side.' He saw his friend wince slightly. 'Crenlowe even took the trouble to visit Henry in Newgate. I'll go there myself this afternoon.' Christopher leaned forward. 'But what of you?' 'I've not been idle, Mr Redmayne.'

    'You wouldn't know how to be. Did you speak to Captain Harvest?'

    'Yes,' said Jonathan, 'and I also tracked down the watchman who helped your brother to his feet that night. I was glad that I did so. Many new facts came to light.'

    Christopher was hopeful. 'Did they help to change your mind?'

    'I fear not.'

    "Then they confirmed your opinion that Henry is guilty?'

    'In some ways.'

    'Oh. I see.' He was crestfallen. 'Well,' he said, rallying quickly, 'perhaps the evidence that I gathered will persuade you.'

    'I long to hear it, Mr Redmayne.'

    Christopher sat back in his chair and gave him a succinct account of his respective visits to Sir Humphrey Godden and Martin Crenlowe. He did not pretend to like either man though he had found the latter far more pleasant. Jonathan listened intently and waited until his friend had finished before he offered any comment.

    'Sir Humphrey Godden was adamant that your brother is innocent?'

    'Yes, Jonathan.'

    'It did not appear so from your description of what was said.'