*Yes, my lord. The net is closing in on him.'

The storm caught them in open country. Alerted by the first rumble of thunder, the posse increased its speed to a gallop as it tried to outrun the threatened downpour. No cover offered itself. A second rumble of thunder was followed by a flash of lightning that made the horses neigh and roll their eyes. Rain soon followed, a heavy, relentless, blinding downpour that soaked them within seconds and formed puddles on the track. The sheriff's officers had an important task to do but they could not perform it in the middle of a thunderstorm. When a hamlet finally appeared ahead of them, they drew extra speed from their horses with a jab of their spurs. Bent low in their saddles, they rode on through the swirling rain and cursed aloud as another flash of lightning illumined their plight.

The man hiding in the ditch curled himself into a ball until all the hors.e.m.e.n had charged past. It was the third posse he had encountered in the past few hours. Travelling on foot slowed him down but it made it easier for him to move unseen in the ditches or behind hedgerows. He waited until the drumming of hooves was drowned out by another roll of thunder before he hauled himself out of the little stream that was forming around his ankles. n.o.body would search for him in that deluge. It was a welcome friend. Lashed by the rain, Starculf broke into a loping run and headed due east.

Chapter Twelve.

On the last stage of their journey back to Norwich, their luck finally ran out and they were soaked by torrential rain. Gervase Bret was not dismayed, feeling that his second visit to Olova was well worth being caught in a violent storm, but he was sorry that Golde had to suffer alongside him. It was some time before they could find shelter and it was far too late by then. They were well and truly sodden. Capricious clouds eventually cleared to allow the sun to peer inquisitively through but the damage had already been done. It was a wet and dispirited troop that Gervase led back into Norwich castle.

After conducting Golde to her apartment, he went off to change out of his damp clothing. Alys was waiting for him in their chamber. *Gervase!' she exclaimed as he entered. *You're dripping wet!'

*I don't need you to tell me that, Alys.'

*You look as if you've been swimming.'

*It felt rather like that.'

*What happened?'

*We were caught in the rain three or four miles south of here. The skies opened. It could have been worse, I suppose,' he said, starting to take off his things. *We might have been drenched on the way there.'

*Did you see Olova?'

*We did.'

*Were you able to get the information you wanted?'

*I got even more than I dared to expect, Alys. I'm so glad I went back.'

*And I'm so glad that I stayed here,' she confessed, looking at his bedraggled condition. *It was a long day here but at least I was dry. We heard thunder in the distance earlier on. I was afraid that you'd get struck by lightning.'

*I was,' he said, fondly. *The day I met you.'

She moved in to give him a kiss then recoiled at the soggy touch of his apparel. Gervase laughed. While he continued to undress, she told him about the pleasant time she had spent with Brother Daniel during his absence and apologised for being so difficult when he insisted on travelling without her.

*I can see now that it wasn't my place to go with you, Gervase,' she said. *Am I forgiven?'

*There's nothing to forgive, my love.'

*The truth is that I felt so very tired today.'

*Did you manage to get any sleep?'

*Yes, this afternoon.'

*You couldn't have done that on horseback.'

*I know,' she said, cheerfully. *All things considered, I was better off here.'

Gervase was pleased at the way in which she had come to accept the situation. A sincere apology made for a warmer welcome than would a sharp rebuke for leaving his wife behind. When he had put on dry attire, he gave her a hug of grat.i.tude. Knowing that he would not divulge them, Alys had sensibly not pressed him for details of what he had learned on his visit. That, too, earned his thanks. By the time they adjourned to the hall to join the others, they had put their disagreement completely behind them.

The visitors were dining with the sheriff and his wife, attentive hosts who made sure that their guests lacked for nothing. Brother Daniel ate with them again, appet.i.te heartier than ever, mind alert to engage in any friendly debate that arose. Golde seemed to have recovered from the exhausting ride, having shed her wet garments and looking resplendent in a blue chemise and gown. While Eustace Coureton amused the ladies with a succession of anecdotes about his own wife, Gervase took the opportunity to pa.s.s on his news to Ralph Delchard and Roger Bigot, hearing in turn what progress each of them had made with their inquiries. The sheriff was interested to hear that Olova had actually met Starculf.

*What sort of man risks his place by castigating the steward under whom he works?' he said, thoughtfully. *A brave one, surely.'

*And an honourable one,' added Gervase. *The argument between them arose because Hermer boasted about violating Aelfeva, a defenceless girl whom he'd stalked. Starculf was outraged on her behalf.'

*Yes,' added Ralph. *Even to the extent of finding the victim's kinfolk in order to apologise to them. Starculf is a considerate man.'

*He's a murderer,' said Bigot, sternly. *He showed little consideration to Hermer.'

*How much consideration did Hermer show to that girl?'

*That's not the point at issue, my lord.'

*Starculf was provoked by what the steward did.'

*It doesn't excuse his own actions.'

*No, my lord sheriff,' agreed Gervase, *but it does suggest that Starculf is a man with a strong moral sense. It may have driven him to extremes but it can't be entirely ignored. I'd like to meet him.'

*You will, Master Bret. When my men arrest him.'

*Where are they searching?'

*All over the county. The main roads are being watched to cut off his escape.'

*What about the ports?'

*Word has been sent to all of them. A reward has been offered for information leading to the capture of Starculf. It's only a matter of time before we take him.'

*I wonder how the lady Adelaide will react,' said Ralph.

*She'll rejoice at the arrest of a killer,' replied Gervase.

*Oh, I think she'll be pleased that the crime is solved but I suspect she'll wish that the perpetrator were anybody but Starculf. She liked the fellow, I could tell, and knew him far better than she was prepared to admit. Though she'll deplore what he did, I fancy that the lady Adelaide will show him a little sympathy as well.'

The sheriff was brusque. *That's more than I'll do!'

*Or me,' said Ralph evenly. *But the lord Eustace and I were both struck by the way she talked about Starculf. Her denials were far too hot to be taken seriously.'

*The lady Adelaide won't have all that much sympathy for him,' said Gervase. *Had it not been for Starculf, she might now be the owner of the gold elephants she covets so much. If the murder had not occurred, the earlier theft of the treasures might never have come to light and she would have regarded herself as their rightful owner. Instead of which, she now knows that they're beyond her reach.'

*Yes, Gervase. They'll be returned to the abbey.'

*As a wedding present, they're null and void.'

Ralph chuckled. *That puts paid to the lord Richard's hopes.'

*But it raises an interesting question,' noted Gervase. *Now that Richard de Fontenel is no longer a possible suitor, will the lady Adelaide turn to his rival? Are we to hear the announcement of a marriage between her and the lord Mauger?'

*That depends on what he has to offer.'

The blow was so hard that it sent him reeling backwards until his body slammed against the wall. All the breath was knocked out of Judicael the Goldsmith.

*Tell me!' demanded Mauger Livarot.

*My lord,' gasped the other, shaking with fear. *Don't strike me again.'

*I won't use a fist next time,' warned Livarot, drawing his dagger. *Now, speak!'

Judicael shook his head. *I can't, my lord.'

*Yes, you can.'

*I gave my word.'

*Who cares about that?'

*I do,' whimpered the other. *I have to. I'm a craftsman. My customers trust me. If I abuse that trust, I lose their faith.'

*You'll lose more than that if you continue to defy me!'

Livarot brandished the dagger and the goldsmith cowered against the wall. It had been the worst possible start to a new day for Judicael. No sooner had he opened his shop than Mauger Livarot burst into it, demanding private information and threatening violence if it were not forthcoming. Impatient and irascible, he had already demonstrated his readiness to resort to physical a.s.sault. Judicael was neither brave nor resourceful. He lacked the courage to stand up to his visitor or the guile with which to talk himself out of his predicament. The blow across his face had not only shocked him and left the first tentative signs of a bruise, it made him fear for the safety of his hands, the essential tools of his trade. If his truculent customer were to inflict serious damage on them, Judicael's occupation would be gone.

Standing up straight, he made a doomed effort to a.s.sert himself. *If you come any closer,' he said, *I'll report this to the lord sheriff.'

*Go on, then,' taunted Livarot, blocking his way.

*I must ask you to leave the premises, my lord.'

*What if I refuse?'

*Please!' he begged.

*Not until you tell me what I came here to find out.'

*That's impossible, my lord.'

*I won't wait much longer, Judicael.'

The goldsmith tried to sound firm. *I'll be forced to summon the lord sheriff.'

*Will you?'

*Yes, my lord.'

*And what will you tell him?'

*That you a.s.saulted me for no reason at all.'

*But I've a very good reason.'

*My lorda"'

*And you're giving me an even better one,' continued Livarot, jabbing the point of his dagger at the man's throat to pin him against the wall. *You won't be able to say much to Roger Bigot if I slice that ugly head of yours from its fat body.'

*No, no!' pleaded Judicael.

*Then answer my question.'

*It's more than my life is worth.'

*You won't have a life if you don't tell me the truth.'

*You've no right to treat me this way.'

*Try stopping me.'

*I implore you, my lord. Leave me be.'

*Only when you have the sense to tell me.' His dagger p.r.i.c.ked the goldsmith's neck hard enough to draw blood and to instil terror. Eyes bulging and mouth agape, Judicael was now running with sweat. There was no way out. Mauger Livarot would not be denied. The goldsmith gently touched the scratch on his throat and saw the blood on his finger. He shuddered.

*You're asking me to break a confidence,' he said, weakly.

*No, Judicael. I'm ordering you to do it.' A second jab with the dagger produced a yelp of pain. *You had a visit from the lord Richard yesterday. I have a witness who saw him come into your shop. He'd not take the trouble to ride all the way here unless it was on important business. What was that business?'

*It's a confidential matter.'

*The lord Richard brought you a commission, didn't he?'

The dagger drew more blood from his throat and Judicael capitulated. *Yes, my lord,' he said, trying to stem the flow with a hand.

*Well?'

*He asked me to make something for him.'

*Some jewellery, perhaps?'

*Two gold elephants.'

*Elephants!' repeated Livarot. *Are you sure?'

*The commission was very specific, my lord,' said Judicael, relieved that the dagger had now been lowered from his neck. *The lord Richard had two miniature elephants stolen from his house recently. They were crafted out of solid gold by a Venetian master. The lord Richard wanted exact copies to be made.'

*How could you possibly do that?'