The Holy Innocents

Chapter Thirteen

Half an hour later, I stepped outside the front door, and almost at once became aware of a general sense of expectancy and fear. At the corner of High Street, where it curves downhill towards East Gate, a group of people were engaged in earnest conversation, and it was plain that this was no idle morning gossip. Opposite, an upper casement of a house had been flung wide open and its mistress, her hair not yet dressed and braided, leaned out, calling to a man on horseback, who had reined in his mount below. A second horseman, in the livery of the Mayor, entered through the West Gate behind me and clattered over the cobbles as though his life depended on it.

One of my neighbours emerged from the dwelling next to Master Colet’s and shouted across to his friends, ‘What’s to do? Our man, Jack, has just returned from the bakery and is full of some tale of murder, but who’s been killed, or where, be doesn’t know.’

The horseman slewed around in his saddle.

‘It seems the outlaws were out and about last night and slaughter done. It’s reported that Mayor Broughton has sent to Exeter for the Sheriff to come in person, and it’s expected that when he does, he’ll raise another posse to try to smoke out these fiends for good and all. Accompany me as far as the Mayor’s parlour and we’ll hear what His Worship himself has to say.’

The lady added from her eyrie, ‘I heard they struck twice, in two separate spots well removed from one another, which, if true, is something new and means that they may have joined forces with a second robber band.’ She shook her head sadly, the unbound hair, still dark in places but liberally streaked with grey, swinging mournfully about her face. ‘What lawless times we live in! What my dear mother would have made of it all I dare not think. The saints be praised, she’s safe in her grave these fifteen years.’

The two men murmured sympathetically and prepared to move on, greeting several other acquaintances who had, meantime, appeared at doors and windows, attracted by the sound of urgent voices. Before he could join the horseman on the opposite side of the street, however, I seized my neighbour’s arm.

‘Sir,’ I said, releasing his sleeve as soon as he turned his indignant gaze my way, ‘you won’t know me, but my name is Roger. I’m a chapman by trade, and I’ve been lodged next door by Master Oliver Cozin, the lawyer, to keep an eye upon the house for Master Colet. Did you…? Did you, by any chance, hear anything last night, during the hours of darkness?’

The man’s lean features registered alarm. ‘Hear anything? Like what, pray? Dear Heaven, are you saying that the outlaws may have breached the town’s defences? Colin!’ he called to his friend, but fortunately the horseman was still deep in talk and did not hear him.

‘No, no, sir!’ I interrupted hurriedly. ‘This had nothing to do with the robbers. This noise was more like the singing of a child. But whether the voice was that of a boy or a girl, I was unable to distinguish. Did either you or any member of your household hear it?’

‘The singing of a child?’ My gentleman grew irascible. ‘What nonsense is this? We’ve more serious matters to deal with this morning than your nocturnal fancies, as you’re no doubt aware.’ His gaze narrowed. ‘Didn’t I see you supping at the castle ale-house last evening? Mmm. I thought I wasn’t mistaken. And downing some of Jacinta’s best Rhenish if I remember rightly. No doubt, it went to your head and made you tipsy. In future, leave such drink for your betters and stick to ale. All right! I’m coming! I’m coming!’ he added, as the horseman, whom he had addressed as Colin, finished his conversation and grew impatient to move on.

Walking beside his friend’s horse, he vanished round the bend in the roadway, intent on his quest for further information. I tipped my hat and bowed to the lady opposite, but she, suddenly becoming conscious of her state of undress, whisked herself inside and slammed shut the casement. The other people, too, disappeared indoors, anxious to let husbands, wives or masters know of the night’s happenings and of the possible arrival of the Sheriff later in the day.

With my own inquiries to make, I put off eating for a while and directed my feet away from the castle ale-house towards the West Gate. The same man I had talked to yesterday was on duty again today, and was at that moment arguing fiercely with a cowherd who wished to drive his animals from the Rotherfold to pasture, on the other side of town.

‘You must take them by South Street and the Foregate. Clear passage must be left within the walls in case my Lord Sheriff and his men arrive.’

‘’E’ll not be ’ere until nightfall,’ the cowherd protested angrily. ‘Maybe not until tomorrow. ’E ain’t long been sent for, so I ’eard. It’s a long way round by South Street. Why should me and my beasts travel all that way?’

‘Get along with you, you lazy varmint!’ the gatekeeper exclaimed wrathfully. ‘You ain’t entering here, and that’s a fact. If you give me any trouble, I’ll see you set in the pillory, so I will. Stand aside, now! You’re interfering with those about their lawful business.’

Grumbling, the cowman turned about and departed with his herd, to the great inconvenience of those trying to enter into the town, and for the next several minutes, the gatekeeper’s attention was fully occupied. I was, however, able to speak to him at last, and was greeted civilly enough as an old acquaintance, although not with quite the geniality of the previous day, when traffic had been slack.

‘What can I do for you, then, friend? Here’s a terrible night’s work by all accounts.’

I agreed, but briefly. There were already more travellers approaching up the hill from the Leper Hospital, as well as from along the Plymouth road.

‘Yesterevening,’ I said urgently, ‘near to curfew, did Master Colet enter by this gate?’

‘Master Colet?’ The man rubbed his nose thoughtfully with one ham-like fist. ‘Close to curfew?’ Slowly, he shook his head. ‘No. I saw nothing of him. Why do you ask?’

‘No reason,’ I answered hastily. ‘I… I thought I recognized him in the street last night, as I left the castle tavern. But I was most likely mistaken.’

‘Most likely you were.’ The gatekeeper shrugged his massive shoulders and turned away to greet the next arrivals.

‘You’re sure?’ I persisted. ‘You’d have known Master Colet if you saw him?’

He gave me a look of withering scorn. ‘And him living within a few yards of the gate for more than two years? Do you think my head’s stuffed with wool? Of course I’d know him! Get along with you, chapman! I’ve work to do. Now then, lad, where are those sheep bound for? Pasture or the Shambles?’

So, Eudo Colet, if he had followed me from Agatha Tenter’s cottage, had not entered by the West Gate. I would make further inquiries at the East Gate later, when I had broken my fast.

Jacinta herself welcomed me as I stooped beneath the lintel and seated myself at a table near the doorway. She hurried across as soon as she had finished serving two travellers with their meal of oatmeal, boiled bacon and salt herring.

‘Here’s a to-do,’ she said, wiping her hands on her apron. ‘You’ve heard, no doubt. Indeed, the whole town must have heard the news by now. Two attacks by the outlaws last night, as far afield as Dartington and Bow Creek. And murder done in the latter place, they’re saying.’

My blood ran cold.

‘Bow Creek? That’s where Grizelda Harbourne has her holding. Is she safe? Who’s been murdered? Have any names been mentioned?’

Jacinta plumped down on a stool opposite, one hand creeping up to her mouth.

‘Grizelda! I’d forgotten her, God forgive me! But I know nothing but what people are saying, that great damage was done that way. A house burned down. And a body discovered in the ashes, early this morning, by two woodsmen on their way to work in the forest. Now, lad, what can I bring you?’ But my appetite had deserted me. I was gripped by a credible fear that something had happened to Grizelda. I jumped to my feet, ignoring the landlady’s protests that I could not leave until I had eaten.

‘I must go at once,’ I said. ‘I must find out if Grizelda is safe.’

A gleam appeared in Jacinta’s eyes, the outlaws momentarily forgotten as she scented gossip.

‘So, that’s the way the wind’s blowing, is it? A little long in the tooth for you, I should have thought, but a handsome enough woman. And age brings experience, they say.’ She let out a raucous cackle of laughter.

I ignored her and made for the ale-house door. All I could think about was getting to Bow Creek as quickly as possible.

By now, the morning’s traffic had increased so much, both in and out of the town, that I had no difficulty obtaining a ride on an empty haywain, which had been relieved of its load and was returning in the direction of the Harbourne River.

The driver, who had lodged overnight in the Priory guesthall, knew no more of events than I did, and was hurrying home to reassure himself that his wife and children had not been harmed.

‘I can’t help worrying, although my holding’s a good half mile to the west of where they say the robbers struck, towards Luscombe way.’

Nevertheless, his natural anxiety caused him to make all speed, and we covered the ground between Totnes and Ashprington while the sun was still low, and the eastern sky streaked with the faint, luminous pink of early morning. One or two fleecy clouds now and then obscured the face of the sun, but they were trembling and insubstantial. It was going to be another warm and rainless day.

I said goodbye to the hayman on the outskirts of the village, making my way through the trees by the narrow track which Grizelda and I had traversed together two days earlier. My nose picked up the faint and acrid smell of burning, and I quickened my pace, half-hoping that I might see some evidence of the outlaws’ villainy when I reached the huddled duster of houses, which would mean that Grizelda’s holding was safe. But although there was a great deal of feverish activity, with some of the younger women crying hysterically into their aprons, or clinging, pale and wide-eyed to their menfolk, there was no sign of damage, no smoking ruin which would indicate that it was here and not elsewhere that the outlaws had struck.

A sergeant, wearing the Zouche livery and despatched from the castle garrison to make inquiries, was gentling his uneasy horse as the villagers swarmed around him, the men all talking at once, anxious to give their different versions of what might, or might not have been heard or observed during the night. I approached a stout, elderly matron, seemingly calm enough to answer questions, standing on the edge of the little crowd.

‘What’s to do? Rumours in the town say that a house was burned to the ground by the outlaws, and someone murdered.’

The woman nodded, without turning her head to glance at me, but keeping her eyes fixed on what was happening in front of her.

‘Rumour says true for once, then. Grizelda Harbourne’s cottage was utterly destroyed, and a body’s been discovered in the ashes.’

For a moment, my voice failed me. Finally, however, I managed to croak, ‘Grizelda’s?’

My informant did look round at this, a little frown puckering her forehead.

‘Thanks be to Our Lady, no! Are you a friend of hers, lad?’ As I waited for the agitated beating of my heart to subside, I considered the question. Could I honestly claim to be Grizelda’s friend? I had only met her the day before yesterday. Yet, in that short space of time, I had not only grown to know and like her, but I also wished to know her better.

What her feelings were for me, though, I had no idea. Perhaps I had no right to lay any demands upon her.

‘Let’s just say I’m a chance acquaintance of hers, but one who is worded for her safety. You know for a certainty that it was not her body found in the ashes?’

The woman smiled broadly. ‘Lad, look over yonder. Wearing the blue gown. Grizelda. There, she’s seen you. She’s coming towards us.’

By the time the woman had finished speaking, Grizelda had skirted the crowd and was beside me, her handsome face, a moment ago so dark and brooding, transfigured by a welcoming smile.

‘Roger! What brings you here? Oh, I’m so glad to see you!’ She held out both her hands.

I took them in mine. ‘I came to see if you were safe,’ I told her, ‘only to learn that it is your holding which was attacked last night, and your cottage which is burned to the ground. And a body among the ruins! I was afraid …’ Unable to finish, I took a tighter grip on her fingers.

‘You thought me dead. And you cared.’ The smile faded and she drew a deep, shuddering breath, a tear trickling slowly down one cheek. ‘Forgive me,’ she went on, ‘but it’s so long since anyone had kindness enough for me to worry about my fate.’

I drew her into my arms, to the great interest of the elderly dame standing beside us, and kissed her gently between the eyes.

‘Tell me exactly what’s happened,’ I urged her.

Grizelda rested her head against my shoulder.

‘There’s little to tell. Last night, I slept yet again at my friends’ holding, as you advised. But in the late afternoon, just as I was leaving the cottage, Innes Woodsman waylaid me and begged me, if I were not sleeping there myself to let him use it for the night. He must have kept watch on it the previous evening and taken note of my absence.’

‘Begged you or threatened you?’ I interrupted.

‘Oh, his manner was sufficiently humble for me to agree to his request. And he had a deep-seated cough which was tearing at his throat. Dear sweet Saviour! Why did I not follow my inclination and refuse him! He would still be alive!’

‘He was burned to death, then, not murdered?’

Grizelda indignantly tore herself free of my arms. ‘He was murdered by those devils just as surely as if they had stabbed him with a knife. Indeed, a knife would have been quicker and cleaner, I have no doubt.’

I frowned. ‘But why would the outlaws burn down your cottage? What could it possibly avail them?’

‘Revenge,’ she answered simply. ‘They returned for my pig and my cow. But, as I told you yesterday, I have lodged Snouter and Betsy in my friends’ byre and sty, along with their own beasts. When the outlaws found them gone, they grew angry and set fire to the house. I was the one they intended as their victim.’

Yet could Innes Woodsman not have escaped in time? I wondered. But the thatch would blaze fiercely, as, too, would the building’s wattle framework. A man sleeping soundly might well find himself trapped before he had time to come fully to his senses. And even had he managed to avoid the furnace, he would have run full tilt into the murdering hands of his oppressors. It might so easily have been Grizelda had she not heeded my warning that the outlaws would probably return, and followed my advice to stay with friends.

As though reading my thoughts, she smiled suddenly and once more clasped my hands.

‘I have you to thank for preserving my life. You urged me to caution. I cannot express my gratitude enough.’

‘You have no need to be grateful,’ I told her, stroking her right cheek and feeling the faint, thin line of the scar which ran from her eyebrow halfway down her face. ‘You did what your own common sense dictated. But what will you do now? Will you remain with your friends?’

The crowd was dispersing, the villagers returning to their homes, the day’s work still all to do. The sergeant prepared to depart and report back to the captain of the castle garrison.

Later, he would no doubt be summoned to wait upon the Sheriff, whenever his lordship arrived in Totnes. He glanced round until he saw Grizelda, then, riding towards her, leaned from the saddle to speak.

‘Mistress Harbourne, my condolences. Also, my heartfelt thanks for accompanying me to your holding and bearing witness as to the corpse. Not a pleasant charge to lay upon one of your sex. I must congratulate you on your courage. My lord Sheriff may wish to hear your testimony for himself. Where may he find you, if he needs you?’

Grizelda hesitated for a moment, before replying, ‘In Totnes. At the house belonging to Master Eudo Colet.’

The sergeant nodded briskly and rode away, leaving me stating stupidly at Grizelda.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said, laying a conciliatory hand upon my arm. ‘I was just about to tell you. I have nowhere else to go now. My friends cannot keep me indefinitely. Their holding is small and they have growing children. They are willing to look after Betsy and Shouter for me, but for myself, I have now no means of earning my keep. I cannot and will not be a burden to them.’

‘And… Master Colet has agreed to this arrangement?’

She grimaced wryly. ‘Not yet. He knows nothing of it. But I am sure that even he will not say me nay in the circumstances. The Crouchback house was, after all, my home for the best part of my life, and where else should I go in my hour of need? And it will only be until I can find myself a place as housekeeper to some respectable household. That should not be difficult. I am known in Totnes.’

‘So you will require me to quit the house?’ I asked, speaking as steadily as I could.

Grizelda raised her eyes to mine, holding them with a look which was half amusement, half defiance.

‘That will be up to Master Colet when he gives his yea or nay to my request.’ She grew sober, her lips compressed. ‘I hate having to throw myself on his mercy, but I know of nothing else to do. I have lost everything, even my clothes. I have only what I am wearing. Without a roof over my head, I am like to become a parish pauper.’

I said thoughtfully, ‘Before you commit yourself to sleeping once again in your old home, there are things I must tell you. But first, are your friends at hand? Would they, from the kindness of their hearts, supply me with food and drink? I have had no breakfast. I have money in my purse. I can pay them.’

‘Were they here, they would be offended by any such suggestion,’ Grizelda assured me. ‘But they have already returned to their holding. They are poor people and cannot afford to waste the daylight hours unnecessarily. They know my intentions. We have said our adieus. But I have some acquaintance with the goodwife you were speaking to earlier. I might prevail upon her to provide us both with bread and ale.’

The stout woman proved obliging, and Grizelda and I sat on a wooden bench outside the goodwife’s cottage eating oatcakes spread with honey and drinking mead. Our ears were filled with the gentle humming of the bees from the hives at the bottom of her garden.

When I had finished recounting to Grizelda the events of the previous night, she sat silent for several minutes, frowning into space. The sun was hot on our faces, and all about us the woods which surrounded the village clearing spread warm and fragrant, sloping down to the banks of Bow Creek.

At last, she said slowly, ‘You think now that it was Eudo Colet, trying to frighten you away?’

‘To maim me, injure me, so that I could no longer pursue my inquiries. Yes, I’m sure of it. The stay of the gallery had been cut clean through. It had not broken.’

‘And you think this attempt was made because of your visit to Dame Tenter’s cottage?’

‘Again, yes. There was time enough for him to follow me and enter the town before curfew. He must still have keys to the house in his possession. He could easily have entered the back yard and concealed himself in one of the outhouses, or in the kitchen building itself. What would there be to stop him?’

Grizelda chewed her lower lip. ‘But what of the child you heard singing? That could not have been Master Colet. His voice is not deep, I admit, but it has nothing of a green boy’s high pitch.’

‘Nor of a young girl’s.’ I nodded. ‘No, it’s that that worries me and makes me still a little fearful for anyone remaining alone in that house at night.’

‘You think he employed witchcraft?’ Grizelda asked, her breath catching in her throat.

I shrugged my shoulders. ‘That’s a question I can’t answer. We all know that the powers of darkness exist, and can be harnessed. But to accuse a man without proof is not something I should wish to do. It’s a hanging matter.’

‘You believe, however, that I should be on my guard if Master Colet agrees to my lodging there?’

‘I think you must take care. I should prefer it if he’d let me stay there with you, but I think he’ll seize on your request as a means to rid himself of an unwanted guest, without having to resort to any more of his tricks.’

Grizelda’s head reared up sharply. ‘Do you suspect Eudo of trickery? For trickery’s not witchcraft, although I sometimes think that there is kinship between them.’

I pressed a hand to my forehead. I had a nagging pain between my eyes and a slight feeling of sickness in my stomach, the undoubted results of a disturbed night and a delayed breakfast. I took another long draught of the goodwife’s excellent mead and felt a little better.

‘The truth is,’ I admitted, ‘! don’t know what to think any longer. I am confused, and cannot see the part played by Master Colet in the disappearance of his stepchildren. Indeed, except for last night’s occurrence, I might begin to think that there was none. Now, why does that vex you?’

‘Because I think you too easily fooled,’ Grizelda responded tartly. ‘There is some connection between him and the outlaws if only we could find it. But enough of that for now. I must get to Totnes without any further delay and present myself at Dame Tenter’s.’ She smiled suddenly. ‘Will you give me the pleasure of your company on the journey? I’m sorry for what I said just now. I don’t really think you easily fooled. Far from it. But I think you won’t regret getting back on the road and putting these unhappy events behind you. You’ll be your own man again, Roger, and I believe that to be the most important thing to you in the whole wide world. And dare you look me in the eye and tell me that I’m not right?’