‘But who was the spy in their group?’ I asked. ‘And who was he reporting to?’

‘It certainly wasn’t Leeman,’ Barak said. ‘He’s a true believer if ever there was one. Nor Myldmore; he knew nothing of Bertano or the Queen’s book. Greening and Elias were murdered. Vandersteyn – I doubt it, he’s crossed the Channel in triumph with Anne Askew’s manuscript. That leaves Curdy, who’s beyond questioning, and the Scotchman McKendrick, who’s still out there somewhere.’

‘And McKendrick was Curdy’s lodger.’ Nicholas knitted his brows. ‘It has to be one of them, or perhaps both.’

‘If it’s McKendrick,’ Barak said, ‘he’ll be running to his master at court by now. Whoever that is.’

‘Someone who’s working with the conservative faction,’ I said. ‘But who? Secretary Paget runs the official spy network. But each of the courtiers has their own network: the Duke of Norfolk, Rich and Wriothesley who have hitched themselves to Gardiner’s wagon.’

Nicholas asked, ‘You think Rich could have been involved with the theft of the Lamentation?’

I sighed. ‘Rich was after Anne Askew’s book, and he didn’t seem to know anything about the Lamentation. But you can never trust that snake.’

Barak said, ‘Whoever is holding it may indeed be ready to reveal it to the King when Bertano comes. For maximum impact. That could explain why it hasn’t already been made public.’

I shook my head. ‘I am sure these men would have done it already, to bend the King’s mind further against the reformers and towards making an arrangement with Bertano when he arrives. Use it to turn the wind against the reformers again as soon as possible.’

‘Then where is it?’ Barak asked angrily. ‘Who has it?’

‘God’s death, I don’t know!’ I passed a hand over my brow.

‘Could McKendrick have it?’ Nicholas said thoughtfully. ‘If he was the spy, and was given the book by the thieves, then maybe – if he’s been on the run with the others – he hasn’t had time to hand it over to whoever he’s working for?’

‘But it’s been nearly a month,’ Barak answered.

I said, ‘It’s unlikely. But anything is possible. I’ll have to discuss it all with Lord Parr.’

‘Or . . .’ Nicholas said.

‘What?’

‘What if the spy was playing both ends? What if McKendrick – assuming it is him – was indeed working to some master at court, but kept his own beliefs, and made sure the Lamentation did not fall into the wrong hands? Perhaps he had it stolen, but kept it himself?’

‘It’s far-fetched, but it’s possible. Thank you, Nicholas.’ The boy looked pleased.

‘Now, Jack, it is late. Nicholas and I will wait here, but you must get back to Tamasin. Where did you tell her you were going tonight?’

‘Only that I was meeting old friends for a drink.’