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Chapters (56)
  1. Chapter One
  2. Chapter Two
  3. Chapter Three
  4. Chapter Four
  5. Chapter Five
  6. Chapter Six
  7. Chapter Seven
  8. Chapter Eight
  9. Chapter Nine
  10. Chapter Ten
  11. Chapter Eleven
  12. Chapter Twelve
  13. Chapter Thirteen
  14. Chapter Fourteen
  15. Chapter Fifteen
  16. Chapter Sixteen
  17. Chapter Seventeen
  18. Chapter Eighteen
  19. Chapter Nineteen
  20. Chapter Twenty
  21. Chapter Twenty-one
  22. Chapter Twenty-two
  23. Chapter Twenty-three
  24. Chapter Twenty-four
  25. Chapter Twenty-five
  26. Chapter Twenty-six
  27. Chapter Twenty-seven
  28. Chapter Twenty-eight
  29. Chapter Twenty-nine
  30. Chapter Thirty
  31. Chapter Thirty-one
  32. Chapter Thirty-two
  33. Chapter Thirty-three
  34. Chapter Thirty-four
  35. Chapter Thirty-five
  36. Chapter Thirty-six
  37. Chapter Thirty-seven
  38. Chapter Thirty-eight
  39. Chapter Thirty-nine
  40. Chapter Forty
  41. Chapter Forty-one
  42. Chapter Forty-two
  43. Chapter Forty-three
  44. Chapter Forty-four
  45. Chapter Forty-five
  46. Chapter Forty-six
  47. Chapter Forty-seven
  48. Chapter Forty-eight
  49. Chapter Forty-nine
  50. Chapter Fifty
  51. Chapter Fifty-one
  52. Chapter Fifty-two
  53. Chapter Fifty-three
  54. Epilogue
  55. A CKNOWLEDGEMENTS
  56. H ISTORICAL N OTE

Cecil looked at the boy, his large eyes set hard now. ‘One way or another, he will.’ He looked round. People were still watching us from the boats, but nobody had come yet from the taverns. ‘All right,’ he said. ‘Get those bodies in the river. Quick!’

Chapter Thirty-four

Chapter Thirty-four

I QUICKLY BOUND LEEMAN’S injured arm with my handkerchief. Fortunately the blow Nicholas had struck him, though a long gash, was not deep. Cecil and Lord Parr’s surviving man stood watching. Meanwhile Barak and Nicholas rolled the bodies of Curdy and the Dutch sailor into the Thames, watched in horror by the Spaniard on the neighbouring boat. I cringed when I heard the splashes. Beside me, Leeman remained unconscious. I feared Barak had hit him too hard and that the business of the Queen’s book would bring yet another death after all. Lamentation indeed, I thought bitterly as Barak and Nicholas walked back to us, Barak looking grimly determined and Nicholas slightly shocked. In the water I saw a body rolling over as the current carried it rapidly downriver – Curdy’s, I thought, from its round shape.

Barak knelt and examined Leeman. ‘We have to get him away somewhere, question him when he comes round.’

‘Where?’ I asked.

‘We cannot take him to Whitehall.’ Cecil spoke firmly.

‘My lodgings are not far,’ Nicholas said. ‘And I know my fellow students are out. A friend’s birthday celebration. It’ll go on till very late, they may not be back at all tonight.’

‘You left the party to join us?’ Barak said. ‘We’re honoured.’

‘Yes, we are,’ I said seriously. ‘Your help was important. And that was a grim task.’

Nicholas gave a strange, halting laugh. ‘I have never seen anyone killed before.’

When Cecil spoke his voice was cool but his large eyes held a shocked look: ‘Take Leeman to the boy’s place.’

‘We could carry him between us,’ Barak said, ‘pretend he’s a drunk friend that’s passed out, if we’re asked.’

Cecil looked down at the body of Lord Parr’s man. ‘And we will take this poor fellow straight on to Whitehall and rouse Lord Parr. What is your address, boy? We will send some men there later, to pick up Leeman. It may take a few hours, though. Keep him safe.’

‘We must be careful,’ I said. ‘I had a sense we were followed here. I’m sure I heard someone accidentally kick a stone in that alley.’

‘I thought so, too,’ Barak said. ‘Watch out for us. Nick boy, keep your hand near your sword.’