The King's Evil

When he got back to the house in Addle Hill, his wife was waiting for him in the kitchen. Sarah Bale looked up from the table without reproach.

'You are late,' she observed.

'I had much to do, my love.'

'You have been saying that every night for a week, Jonathan. The children miss their bedtime kiss from you. How much longer will this investigation go on?'

'Until an arrest is made,' he said. 'As you well know, my own duties occupy most of the day. It is only in the evening that I can take up my search for the man who murdered Sir Ambrose Northcott.' 'Where did that search lead you this time?'

Jonathan Bale lowered himself on to the chair opposite her. 'It began with a meeting,' he explained. 'I sent word to Mr Redmayne to find me at the wharf near which the Marie Louise was anchored. He has been as busy as I have so we had much news to exchange. When he left, I scoured the taverns to see if I could pick up any more details about Sir Ambrose's ship.'

'I can smell the beer on your breath,' she said tolerantly.

'At least I now know where she is sailing.'

'Good. How was Mr Redmayne?'

'Civil.'

'He could never be less than that,' she chided. 'He is a perfect gentleman. It pains me that you cannot bring yourself to like him.'

'We were cast in two different moulds, Sarah.'

'So were he and I, yet I find him very affable.'

'Then you speak for yourself,' he said. 'I do not have time to find the man affable or not. We are investigating a murder together. It is a solemn undertaking. The most it leaves room for is companionship.'

'You are softening towards him,' she teased. 'I can see.'

'Then you see more than I feel.'

'So be it. Let us forget Mr Redmayne for the moment,' she said briskly. 'Someone else demands your attention. I hoped that you'd be home earlier because she sat in this kitchen with me for hours.'

'She?'

'Hail-Mary Thorpe.'

'What did she want?'

'To speak to you, Jonathan.'

'Why?'

'Her husband has been arrested.'

'On what charge?'

'She is not certain. He was taken from the house while she was visiting a neighbour. Mrs Thorpe thinks that it might be for refusing to attend church and to pay tithes.'

'Let us hope that she is right.' 'Why?'

'Because those offences carry a mild punishment, Sarah. If he is lucky, he may get away with a fine. My fear is that he could be arraigned for a far more serious offence.'

'What is that?'

'Printing and distributing a seditious pamphlet,' said Jonathan. 'I am fairly certain that he is the culprit and tried to warn him of the dangers he faced. But you know Jesus-Died-To-Save-Me Thorpe. He enjoys danger. The man welcomes arrest.'

'His wife does not welcome it. She has only just recovered from a serious illness. Mrs Thorpe needs her husband beside her.'

'I made that point to him.'

'Would that he had heeded your advice!'

'It is not in his nature.'

'What will happen to him?'

'That depends on the charge brought against him,' said her husband, stroking his chin. 'If that pamphlet were found on his premises, it will go hard with him. Mr Thorpe could face a long prison sentence or even worse.'

'Worse?'

'Transportation.'

'God forbid!'

'What state was his wife in?'

Sarah heaved a sigh. 'She was very agitated, poor dear! It took me an age to calm her down. Mrs Thorpe was hoping that you might be able to help her in some way.'

'There is little enough that I can do, I fear.'

'Could you not find out with what he is charged?'

'Yes, Sarah. That is easily done.'

'Mrs Thorpe would be most grateful.'

'Who made the arrest?'

'Tom Warburton.'

'I could wish it was any other constable,' said Jonathan with a grimace. 'Tom Warburton does not like Quakers. If it were left to him, every member of the Society of Friends would be hurled into prison.' He hauled himself up. 'I'll walk to his house now. There is a good chance that Tom will still be up. He can tell me what charges Jesus-Died- To-Save-Me Thorpe faces.'

'What of Mrs Thorpe?'

'If I see a light in her house on my way back, I will call on her and tell her what I have learned. Otherwise, I will have to leave it until first thing in the morning.'

'Either way, she will not get much sleep tonight.'

'It is not the first time her husband has been taken.'

'That makes no difference,' she said, rising to her feet and reaching out to touch his arm. 'She is suffering badly. I know that you must perform your duties without fear or favour but they have been good neighbours to us. Try to help them, Jonathan. There must be something you can do for Mr Thorpe.'

'There is, Sarah.'

'What is it?'

'Pray.'