'He looked a hard man,' Mark said. 'Though it was difficult to tell, his head stuck on the floor of that tomb.' He laughed, a touch shrilly, and I realized he too had been affected by the sight.
'Robin Singleton was a type of lawyer I detest. He had little law and that ill-digested. He made his way by bullying and bluff, supplemented with gold slipped into the right hand at the right time. But he did not deserve to be killed in that terrible way.'
'I had forgotten you were at the execution of Queen Anne Boleyn last year, sir,' Mark said.
'I wish I could.'
'At least it served to give you some ideas.'
I nodded sadly, then gave him a wry smile. 'I remember a teacher we had when I first went to the Inns of Court, Serjeant Hampton. He taught us evidence. He had a saying. "In any investigation, what are the most relevant circumstances? None" he would bark in reply. "All the circumstances are relevant, everything must be examined from every angle!"'
'Don't say that, sir. We could be here for ever.' He stretched himself out with a groan. 'I could sleep for twelve hours, even on this old board.'
'Well, we can't sleep, not yet. I want to meet the community at supper. If we're to get anywhere, we must know these people. Come, there's no rest for those called to Lord Cromwell's service.' I kicked at the wheeled extension, sending him sliding back under my bed with a yell.
===OO=OOO=OO===
Brother Guy led us to the refectory, along dark corridors and up a staircase. It was an impressive chamber, a high ceiling supported by thick pillars with wide vaulting arches. Despite its size, it was lent a comfortable air by the tapestries lining the walls and the thick rattan matting on the floor. A large, beautifully carved lectern stood in one corner. Sconces filled with fat candles cast a warm glow over two tables set with fine plate and cutlery. One, with half a dozen places, stood before the fire and the other, much longer, table was further off. Kitchen servants bustled about, setting out jugs of wine and silver tureens, rich odours escaping from under their lids. I studied the cutlery at the table nearest the fire.
'Silver,' I remarked to Brother Guy. 'And the plates too.'
'That is the obedentiaries' table, where the monastery office holders sit. The ordinary monks have pewter.'
'The common people have wood,' I observed, as Abbot Fabian came bustling in. The servants stopped their work to bow, receiving benevolent nods in return. 'And the abbot dines off gold plate, no doubt,' I muttered to Mark.
The abbot came over to us, smiling tightly.
'I had not been told you wished to dine in the refectory. I have had roast beef prepared in my kitchens.'
'Thank you, but we will take supper here.'
'As you wish.' The abbot sighed. 'I suggested Dr Goodhaps might join you, but he adamantly refuses to leave my house.'
'Did Brother Guy tell you I have given authority for Commissioner Singleton to be buried?'
'He did. I will make the announcement before dinner. It is my turn to give the reading. In English, in accordance with the injunctions,' he added solemnly.
'Good.'
There was a bustle at the door, and the monks began filing in. The two officials we had seen earlier, the fair-haired sacrist Brother Gabriel and Edwig, the dark-haired bursar, walked side by side to the obedentiaries' table, not speaking. They made an odd pair; one tall and fair, his head slightly bowed, the other striding confidently along. They were joined by the prior, the two officials I had met at the chapter house and Brother Guy. The other monks stood at the long table. I noticed the old Carthusian among them; he gave me a venomous look. The abbot leaned across.
'I hear Brother Jerome caused offence earlier. I apologize. But his vows mean he takes his meals in silence.'
'I understand he is lodged here at the request of a member of the Seymour family.'
'Our neighbour, Sir Edward Wentworth. But the request originally came from Lord Cromwell's office.' He gave me a sidelong look. 'He wanted Jerome kept somewhere quiet, out of the way. As a distant relative of Queen Jane he was something of an embarrassment.'
I nodded. 'How long has he been here?'