‘Is there an inn nearby they might have used?’ I asked. The scouts had reported denials from them all, but frightened people have been known to lie.
Biccus shook his head. ‘There is only one place I can think of that they could possibly have gone. There’s another farmstead at the bottom of the hill, with a lane that leads to it — runs along the wooded valley by the stream. Part of what was once our tribal home. I suppose it’s possible the travellers might have turned in there — for shelter anyway — though I would not have thought they’d choose to force themselves on to a private farm.’
‘Private farm? I thought you said those lands were part of our terratorium?’ the commander challenged him, and then explained — since Biccus was obviously mystified, ‘Didn’t you say the land was annexed by the garrison, in order to grow provisions for the soldiery? The travellers might have gone there looking for some troops.’ He glanced at me. ‘Protection, possibly?’
Biccus shook his head. ‘The army stopped farming out there years ago, when the full legion left. Most of the fields are back in private hands.’ He glanced at me and added in muttered Celtic, ‘Didn’t come back to our family of course — the confounded Romans bought it for a fraction of its worth, but when they sold it they asked the market rate — and naturally we couldn’t raise the price.’
‘Do you know the present owners?’
He gave a bitter laugh. ‘Never met them, and would not wish to if I could. Roman sympathizers, all the lot of them. Anyway, the owner’s moving on. He’s already sold his stock and produce — not that there was very much of it to sell. Some ex-soldier who used to have the place but never made it pay.’
‘A legionary veteran?’ That would be logical. Legionaries were often given land (in addition to a handsome sum) when they had served their term. ‘Part of his retirement settlement, I suppose?’
Biccus shook his head. ‘Not this one. I hear he bought it for himself. Of course, I never personally asked him, so I can’t swear to it — but you know how people talk.’
I knew by this time how Biccus talked, when he felt encouraged to! I could imagine the pig-man’s family exchanging views and news about the incomers who’d usurped their lands. I nodded silently.
His next words confirmed my thoughts. ‘My cousin met him once and found him disagreeable. Not the first idea of how to run a farm. No, though no doubt he got it at a bargain price — if he really was a soldier once, he would have known the appropriate officers to bribe.’
The commander gave a warning cough. Of course, we’d slipped into our native tongue again. I glanced at him, suspecting that he’d taken offence, but the insult to the army had been lost on him. I gave him a more tactful version of what had just been said and he turned back to Biccus. ‘Very well. Go on with your story. And this time stick to Latin, if you please.’
Biccus ran his grubby arm across his face and again attempted to comply, although he sometimes struggled to find the proper words. However, it was intelligible enough. ‘Why the fellow wanted it is anybody’s guess — he’s done almost nothing with it and the lands have gone to ruin — but now he’s found a wealthy buyer to take it off his hands. Offering a small fortune for it, as I understand, and doesn’t even want the equipment or the stock, because he wants to build a brand-new villa on the site.’
I turned to the commander. ‘There you are!’ I cried triumphantly. ‘That’s the solution! It must be Voluus! In which case that’s obviously where the wagon-party spent the night! I must get out there! Commandant, I beg you to arrange some transport for me at first light: I must go and see the place before the trial.’
In my enthusiasm I had said too much. He looked at me coldly. ‘There is no “must” about it, citizen. You know quite well that I can sanction nothing of the kind. I might be swayed sufficiently to send a scout, perhaps — if your patron will defray the cost, and if you can persuade me that the trip will be of use.’
EIGHTEEN
I should not have been surprised. It was sufficient concession for him to have allowed me to stay here and speak to Biccus at all.
‘I apologize, commander, if I sound presumptuous,’ I said, forcing myself to sound properly contrite. ‘But you can see that this might solve the mystery of where the cart was overnight. If Voluus has just bought property of his own nearby, it would be an obvious place to stop: he could arrange to have the horses and the men provided for. And being on his own land, he’d assume that it was safe. Much safer than stopping at any public inn. .’ I trailed off. I was not convincing him.
He shook a disbelieving head at me. ‘But did Biccus not just tell us that the purchaser intended to build a villa on the site? Doesn’t that suggest that it wasn’t Voluus? Why would he require a second country house when he’s already bought a site from Porteus? And I’m assured he has. Forest-lands on the other side of town. I believe I mentioned it to you.’
I could only say feebly, ‘Perhaps he’s changed his mind.’
‘Then he has changed it since I spoke to Florens earlier today. He says the lictor has sent on detailed instructions for the plans, and asked Porteus to set his slaves to work to finish clearing off the land. He’s even listed the materials he wants — marble and all sorts of expensive building stone — and requested Porteus to buy them in for him, so that construction can begin as soon as he arrives. Obviously he’s anxious to oversee the actual building work himself. I simply can’t believe that he’s bought a different site instead. When would he have had a chance to do it, anyway?’ He shook his head again. ‘It must be someone else. Even another moneyed veteran perhaps. Plenty of people are anxious to settle hereabouts, and Biccus tells us that the land is good.’
I had to concede that the commandant was right. No one builds two brand-new villas outside of the same town, and certainly not both within an hour’s easy ride. That would be a pointless exercise, quite apart from the phenomenal expense it would entail. But I was reluctant to give up my idea that there was some connection between the farm and Voluus. I could not believe in pure coincidence.
‘Perhaps the story about wanting to build a country house there isn’t true. Or. .’ I was struck by an interesting new idea, ‘. . perhaps the new owner isn’t actually Voluus himself, but someone that he knows.’ I turned to the pig-man. ‘Biccus, do you know any more about this purchaser?’
The pig-man shrugged. ‘Only that he is a foreigner. That’s all I know for sure. Somebody said they’d heard he might have come from Gaul.’
‘Gaul!’ I pounced upon the word excitedly. ‘Then it could easily be a friend of Voluus.’
The commander raised an eyebrow and said wearily, ‘A friend who robbed him and murdered all his slaves? Or betrayed them to the rebels — which comes to the same thing?’
I stared at him. ‘Great Mercury! Then perhaps it’s not a friend at all, but an old enemy? You don’t suppose those threats that Voluus received. .?’ I turned to Biccus.
The pig-man seemed to positively blanch under the furrows of dirt upon his face. ‘Did you say threats?’ He looked beseechingly at me. ‘You can’t blame me for that. Look, citizen, I admit that I once stormed down to the farm and shouted to the owner that I would burn his ricks if he didn’t stop his dogs from harrying my pigs. But I’m just a humble freeman and I’ve already told you everything I know. I’ve never heard of this man Voluus — whoever he may be — and I’ve certainly never sent him any messages.’
‘No one is accusing you,’ I said. ‘Voluus is the owner of the treasure-cart and he is on his way from Gaul. I simply wondered if the man who’s newly bought the farm could be the person who wrote the threatening note, especially if he comes from over there.’