‘According to our information,’ Legh said, ‘you have been heard to boast on more than one occasion, “I decide what is preached in my churches”. Is that correct?’
Belleville made a gesture as though waving the accusation aside. ‘If I said that I meant only that I would not tolerate any teaching contrary to that approved by his majesty.’
‘Even if that teaching had the endorsement of his majesty’s archbishop?’
‘Is there any difference between what the king believes and what his grace believes?’
‘I will ask the questions,’ Legh snapped. ‘Confine yourself to simple answers. Have you or have you not challenged the instruction given by priests appointed by his grace of Canterbury?’
‘I may have debated one or two points of doctrine …’
‘Indeed?’ The chairman smiled. ‘Would you be good enough to remind the commission at which university you studied theology?’
Laughter drifted round the hall as the unpopular landowner stood abashed.
‘I take it from your silence that you are not qualified to “debate” holy mysteries.’ Legh smirked at the man’s discomfort. ‘Now,’ he continued, ‘one of the clergy to whom you have given the benefit of your extensive doctrinal knowledge is John Horton, is it not?’
Suddenly, I saw where this line of questioning was leading. I scribbled a note and passed it along to the chairman. He read it, nodded and announced, ‘Before we proceed any further with Master Belleville we will take our dinner adjournment. We will resume in one hour.’ He led the way from the hall.
In James’s parlour the commissioners sat to enjoy the ample meal provided by our host.
Legh said, ‘I had intended to adjourn after we had bundled that pompous little demi-king off to jail, but Master Treviot here seems to have other ideas.’
‘I’m sorry for disturbing your schedule, Dr Legh,’ I said, ‘but it may be that there is more at stake here than an argument between Belleville and Horton. You are aware, I’m sure, that Horton is the curate at Branfield Abbots.’
‘Of course. The poor man’s disappeared. If any ill has befallen him I intend to make Belleville swing for it.’
‘Well, the fact is that Horton is not the only one of the archbishop’s appointees to go missing.’
‘You mean Garrow at Stepton? Yes, we know about him. What’s your point?’
‘There’s also the death of Padman in the mysterious fire at Radlow.’ I hurried on before Legh could tell me that he also knew everything about that. ‘These events have all taken place in the area dominated by Belleville.’
‘Agreed,’ Legh said. ‘So the sooner we call him to account, the better.’
‘Certainly, Doctor. But should we not also be trying to apprehend the gallowsbird directly responsible for these atrocities?’
‘Do you know who that is?’
‘I have a very strong suspicion and, if I’m right, he has links to those at the very top of the papist conspiracy against the archbishop.’
‘Interesting.’ Legh pushed his trencher to one side. ‘Tell me about your suspicion.’
Briefly, I explained the picture Ralph and I were building up of the connection between Black Harry, Ferdinand Brooke and the leaders of the conspiracy at court. ‘If Belleville is another link in the chain,’ I concluded, ‘he may well be harbouring the gang. He may even know the whereabouts of the missing priests.’
‘Well, Master Treviot, I’ll have the truth out of him, never fear.’
‘With respect, Doctor,’ I ventured, ‘might it not be wiser to proceed more circumspectly? If we arrest Belleville, his associates will immediately know of it and take fright. They will find some other haven, probably taking their captives with them. We might lose our only chance of running to earth a band of dangerous, fanatical, papist ruffians.’
Legh looked thoughtful. I hurried on. ‘But if we can track them down we will earn his majesty’s thanks for exposing treachery among his own advisers.’
‘So what do you suggest?’ Legh asked.
‘Let Belleville off with a caution. Then allow me a few words with him in private.’
‘To say what?’
‘That we have identified all the men involved in a major conspiracy and are about to close in on them. They will all, undoubtedly, hang and he will probably share their fate. At the very least his property will be confiscated by the Crown and he will lose everything he has so painstakingly accumulated. His only hope will be to assist the commission by revealing the whereabouts of the criminals he is shielding.’
‘And if your suspicions are wrong?’
‘The blame will fall on me and not his grace’s commission. Belleville will probably claim that I was pursuing some private grudge against him.’
That satisfied the wily lawyer. He obviously realised that, if successful, my plan would win him considerable favour with the king and that, if it failed, he could deny all involvement. Saints preserve us, I thought, I’m becoming as subtle as these law men.
After dinner, with James’s help, I made the necessary, very simple arrangements. We chose a hay barn for the interview. Ralph Morice insisted on being present, though we agreed he should remain concealed. I waited in the stable yard accompanied by two members of the archiepiscopal guard.
When Belleville came out to collect his horse, I accosted him. ‘Please attend on me for a few minutes.’
He raised his voice to protest but the guards took him, one each arm, and steered him into the barn. I followed, closing the door behind me.
‘What do you think-’
I ignored the bluster. ‘We have a few more questions, which I fancy you would rather answer in private.’
He turned towards the door, now held by the burly guards. ‘I have said all I intend to say in there.’
‘A pity. I rather hoped you would grasp the opportunity to distance yourself from the man who calls himself “Black Harry”, rather than share his gallows. However, if you would prefer to take your chance, you are free to leave.’
I watched him carefully. Everything hinged on his reaction. First of all, he stared at me, eyes widened in surprise. Then he took a step towards the door. Then he thought better of it and turned again. That was when I knew that I was right.
‘You are very wise to reconsider,’ I said. ‘You have got yourself mixed up with a band of traitors. We know about Black Harry, Master Brooke and their connections with foreign agents. You’re in a deep hole and the only way to climb out is to tell me everything you know.’
There was still a vestige of resistance in him. ‘Who are these people you’re talking about?’ he asked warily but not diverting his gaze.