‘Allingham was found dead on the bed due to a stroke or apoplexy,’ Sir Richard commented. ‘We do not know which. We sent for Father Crispin.’ He pointed to where the priest sat on a chair just within the hall door. ‘He examined Allingham, held a piece of glass to his lips, but there was no sign of the breath of life. So he did what he has become accustomed to doing - gave the last rites. You wish to see the corpse?’

Athelstan turned and looked at Cranston, who just shrugged

‘So you think that Allingham’s death was by natural causes?’

‘Oh, of course! What else? There’s no mark of violence. No sign of poison,’ Sir Richard answered.

Athelstan remembered Foreman’s words - how the lady who had visited his shop had bought a poison which could not be traced or smelt yet would stop the heart. He believed Sir Richard and Lady Isabella were speaking the truth, at least literally: in their eyes, and perhaps even those of a skilled physician, Allingham’s death was from natural causes, but Athelstan thought differently. He agreed with Sir John, Allingham had been murdered.

The young clerk, Buckingham, now dressed more festively, the funerals being over, took them up to the first floor, then up more stairs to the second storey of the house. The middle chamber on that floor was Allingham’s: the door had been forced off its leather hinges and a workman was busy replacing it. He pushed it open for them and they went inside.

The chamber was small but pleasant, with a window overlooking the garden. On the bed, a small four poster with the bolsters piled high, Allingham lay as if asleep. Athelstan looked round the room. There was a short, coloured tapestry on the wall depicting Simeon greeting the baby Jesus, two or three chests, a table, one high-backed chair, some stools and a cupboard with a heavy oak frontal pushed open. He caught the fragrant smell of herbs sprinkled across and stared down at Allingham’s body. He said a short prayer. Cranston sat on the bed just staring at the corpse as if the man was alive and the coroner wished to draw him into friendly conversation.