'Please ignore him.' The prior's face had gone pale this time; broken purple veins stood out on his cheeks. 'He is unhinged,' he added, setting his lips tight.
'Who is he? What is a Carthusian monk doing here?'
'He is a pensioner. We took him in as a favour to his cousin, who owns land nearby. Out of charity for his condition.'
'Which house is he from?'
The prior hesitated. 'The London house. He is known as Jerome of London.'
I stared. 'Where Prior Houghton and half the monks refused to take the oath of allegiance and were executed?'
'Brother Jerome took the oath. Eventually. After Master Cromwell applied certain pressures.' He gave me a hard stare. 'You understand?'
'He was racked?'
'With most dire pains. Giving in unhinged him. He deserved it for his disloyalty though, did he not? And this is how he repays our charity. He'll hear more about this.'
'What did he mean just now?'
'Jesu knows. I told you, the man's insane.' He turned away, and we followed him through a wooden gate into the abbot's garden, where a few livid winter roses stood out among the bare thorny branches. I glanced back, but the crippled monk had disappeared. The memory of those burning eyes made me shiver.
CHAPTER 5
A fat man in the blue robe of a servant answered the prior's knock. He eyed us worriedly.
'Urgent visitors for his lordship, from the vicar general. Is he here?'
The servant bowed deeply. 'That terrible killing.' He crossed himself fervently. 'We had no warning of your coming, sirs. Abbot Fabian is not back, though he is expected any time. But pray come in.'
He ushered us into a wide hall, the panels brightly painted with hunting scenes.
'Perhaps you would wait in the reception room,' the prior suggested.
'Where is Dr Goodhaps?'
'In his room upstairs.'
'Then we will see him first.'
The prior nodded to the servant, who led us up a broad staircase to the upper floor. The prior halted before a closed door and knocked loudly. There was a squeal from within, then we heard a key turn and the door opened a crack. A thin face topped with untidy white hair peered out anxiously.
'Prior Mortimus,' the old man said in a squeaky voice, 'why clout the door like that? You startled me.'
A sardonic smile flickered briefly across Mortimus's face. 'Did I? Forgive me. Ye're safe now, good Doctor, Lord Cromwell has sent an emissary, a new commissioner.'
'Dr Goodhaps?' I asked. 'Commissioner Matthew Shardlake. I have been sent in reply to your letter. I come from Lord Cromwell.'
The old man stared a moment, then opened the door, admitting us to a bedroom. It was well appointed, with a curtained four-poster bed, fat cushions on the floor and a window overlooking the busy courtyard. A pile of books lay on the floor, a tray containing a pitcher of wine and pewter cups balanced on top. A log fire burned in the grate and Mark and I made for it at once, for we were both chilled to the bone. I turned to the prior, who stood in the doorway, eyeing us watchfully.
'Thank you, Brother. Perhaps you could inform me when the abbot returns.' He bowed and closed the door behind him.
'Lock the door, in Our Saviour's name,' the old man squeaked, wringing his hands. He made a sorry sight with his white hair disarrayed and his black cleric's robe creased and stained. From his breath I gathered that he had already sampled the wine.
'The letter arrived? Thank the Lord! I feared it would be intercepted. How many of you are there?'
'Only we two. May I sit?' I asked, lowering myself carefully onto the cushions. As they took my weight the relief to my back was wonderful. Master Goodhaps noticed my disability for the first time, then looked at Mark, who was unbuckling his heavy sword.
'The boy, he's a swordsman? He can protect
us?'
'If need be. Are we likely to need protecting?'
'In this place, sir, after what happened — we are surrounded by enemies, Master Shardlake—'
I saw he was terrified, and smiled reassuringly. A nervous witness, like a nervous horse, needs to be soothed along.
'Calm yourself, sir. Now, we are tired and would be grateful for a little of that wine while you tell us exactly what has happened here.'