I began to doubt whether I would, after all, be able to break him. I had no evidence to connect him with any crime. It was time to try bluff. ‘People who know you well enough,’ I replied. ‘People who burned down John Padman’s house. People ready to swear that you incited them to murder.’
‘That’s not true!’ he shouted. ‘I may have complained about Padman’s preaching, but I never …’ Now he was shaking. He sat quickly on an upturned barrel. ‘I had no idea that they would … You can’t implicate me in that business.’
Time for another lie. ‘We have arrested a couple of the villains. I’ve no doubt that, with a little persuasion, they will reveal the names of everyone involved. Everyone.’
‘But I’m not involved!’ Belleville squealed. ‘I only offered them shelter as a favour to a gentleman from London.’
‘Ferdinand Brooke?’
He stared at the ground. I guessed that Brooke had sworn him to secrecy and threatened the direst retribution if he broke silence.
‘Master Belleville,’ I said, ‘have you ever seen a man hanged, drawn and quartered?’
He shook his head, then looked up, panic-stricken. ‘Master Treviot, you must believe-’
‘I will believe you,’ I said, ‘when you tell me all you know about these men and their plans.’
‘Brooke came to see me. A fine-looking gentleman. Expensive clothes. He said he had been sent by his majesty to seek out loyal subjects willing to take part in a secret enterprise.’
‘Doubtless you were flattered.’
‘He sounded very plausible. He said the leading members of the king’s Council were weeding out people who were pouring poison into the king’s ear and placing false teachers in many churches.’
I thought, Now we’re getting somewhere. I said, ‘Did he name these great men?’
‘No.’
‘Oh, come now …’
‘On my troth, Master Treviot, he said I didn’t need to know.’
That could have been true, although I was not wholly convinced. ‘Well,’ I said, ‘we’ll let that pass. For now. The commission will have more questions for you soon. Meanwhile, you’ll be given in charge to the captain and taken to jail.’
‘No, Master Treviot, please!’ He was perspiring freely. He clasped his hands in supplication. ‘I see now that the man Brooke was a traitor but it was only a small thing he asked of me. He was looking for somewhere his cut-throat villains could hide.’
At last. I felt a surge of triumph. One more blow on the nail’s head and this quaking fellow would deliver Black Harry into our hands. ‘So where are these villains?’
Belleville looked around him, as though there might be eavesdroppers at hand. ‘Promise you won’t let it be known I told you,’ he whined.
‘You’re in no position to demand conditions,’ I snapped. ‘Where are these traitors hiding?’
‘The old convent at Swansford,’ he mumbled, almost inaudibly.
‘Part of your plunder from the Dissolution.’ I could not resist the taunt.
‘’Tis still as I bought it. I haven’t decided what to do with it yet. Perhaps a hospital, school or almshouses.’
‘I’m sure you’ll find some way to salve your conscience,’ I said. ‘Now, how many people has Black Harry with him?’
‘I’m not sure. I haven’t been there.’
‘I hope for your sake you can prove that when he comes to trial. You’ve really no idea how many scoundrels you are succouring?’
‘Perhaps half a dozen. Look, you must believe that I’m not privy to their plans. If I’d known what they intended to do-’
‘You would have kept your mouth shut and looked forward to reaping your reward, like the grasping, immoral coward you are. Well, you don’t deserve it, but I will have a word with Dr Legh and tell him you’ve been cooperative. Go with these men and wait in the gatehouse until we send for you again.’
When Belleville had been marched away by the guards, Morice and I returned to the hall and had a hurried conversation with Legh.
‘It seems your guess was right, Master Treviot,’ he said. ‘Now we must follow up this information without delay. How far is this Swansford nunnery?’
‘Fifteen or sixteen miles,’ James said.
‘Well, I cannot go. Master Morice and I are fully occupied. You must see to it, Treviot. Go to Swansford and bring in as many of the gang as you can for questioning. How many men will you want?’
I said, ‘If you can spare six of his grace’s guard, I’ll take the same number of my own men.’ My calmly reasoned reply concealed my pleasure at the prospect of arresting Black Harry personally.
Legh agreed. ‘I’ll see that the troops are ready at first light.’
When I went to the gatehouse Belleville looked up anxiously. ‘What did he say?’
‘He said you could prove your loyalty to his majesty by your silence. Go home. Make no contact whatsoever with Black Harry. Leave the rest to us. If we find the birds have flown when we get to Swansford, we’ll know you have warned them.’
The man’s relief was pitiable to behold. ‘I won’t say anything,’ he whined. ‘I swear it!’
‘Be sure you don’t. Your life depends on your doing absolutely nothing for the next twenty-four hours. Now, be off with you.’
The commission’s business for the day was concluded shortly before dusk. I rode wearily home, too tired to think much about what awaited me on the morrow. Any elation I felt at the prospect of arresting Black Harry had long since evaporated. I certainly felt no pride at my day’s work. Not content with becoming a conspirator, I had turned inquisitor.
Such morose thoughts were quickly swept aside when I reached Hemmings. I had scarcely dismounted when Bart came running from the house.
‘Saints be praised that you’re here, Master Thomas. Come quickly. It’s Adie!’
Chapter 23
He hurried me upstairs and we entered the chamber Adie shared with Lizzie. The shutters were closed and the bed curtains drawn on two sides. The light of a single lamp illumined the worried features of a dozen or more people who were gathered round the bed. Adie lay there, eyes closed, the bleached pallor of her face accentuated by the dark hair spread out on the pillow. Ned was kneeling close beside her, applying a damp cloth to her brow, which glistened with sweat. There was scarcely any rise and fall of the bedclothes to indicate the breath of life.
‘What’s happened?’ I demanded.
Lizzie turned and silently beckoned me to follow. She led the way to my chamber.
‘She’s very sick.’ Lizzie’s usual composure had deserted her and her cheeks bore the stains of tears.
‘So, what is it, a sudden fever?’
‘Yes, but there is worse. If it weren’t for the boys she’d be dead.’
‘Tell me everything.’
‘’Twas just before noon. Young Carl was looking from the classroom window, bored with his lesson. From there the bridge is just visible. He saw Adie climb on the parapet, then disappear. If he had not acted quickly …’ Lizzie dabbed her eyes with a kerchief. ‘He yelled to your tutor and rushed downstairs, out of the house, shouting to everyone to follow. When they got to the bridge they saw her a few yards downstream. Without any hesitation, the two older boys ran along the bank and waded in. The tutor followed. Between them they got her partly out of the water but the weight of her sodden clothes was almost wrenching her from their grasp. Praise God, they were able to hold her till some of the servants came. When I got there I feared we were too late. Adie looked terrible; wet hair straggled over her face, arms hanging down limply. I couldn’t see her breathing. The men picked her up and ran back here. Then – I suppose it was the jolting – she suddenly coughed up water. We got her into dry clothes and put her to bed and Ned’s been with her ever since. She has a fever and she hasn’t moved or spoken – not a murmur.’
‘What does Ned say about her?’
‘He curses because he doesn’t have all his nostrums with him but he says there’s nothing he can give her at this stage.’