‘Because L’Estrange is something of a phanatique himself, Williamson does not trust his judgement,’ Chaloner went on. ‘He recruited Newburne and Brome to spy on him.’
Leybourn gave the ghost of a smile. ‘Williamson is almost as stupid as his lumbering Hickes. He chose two men who were deeply involved in the horse business and with the Hectors.’
‘Joanna and Brome killed Newburne when he tried to cheat them,’ said Thurloe. ‘They killed Finch because he was interested in the coded music. They killed Colonel Beauclair, because he caught the horse thieves in the act. And they killed the two sedan-chairmen, because they carried Beauclair’s body to White Hall.’
‘Meanwhile, Smegergill decided he wanted to inherit his best friend’s property sooner, rather than later,’ said Chaloner. ‘But first, he wanted to add to it. He worked Maylord into a fury of indignation over Newburne’s dishonesty with the profits from the costermongery, and devised a plan to steal the solicitor’s jewels. It entailed Maylord teaching Newburne the flageolet.’
Thurloe took up the tale. ‘Unfortunately for everyone concerned, Maylord learned about the horse thefts when he happened across some of the odd music in Newburne’s house. The knowledge that he had unearthed Hector business terrified him.’
Chaloner frowned. Here was something that did not quite ring true. ‘Did it? I thought we had agreed that he was stronger than that.’
Thurloe shook his head. ‘Going to the authorities with what he knew was equal to signing his own death warrant. Of course he was afraid.’
‘Was Smegergill involved in the thefts?’ asked Leybourn.
Chaloner nodded. ‘Yes, but I am not sure whether he demanded a piece of the action after Maylord made his discovery, or whether he was in it from the start. However, I know he was presented with some stolen horses for his services, because Greeting told me so.’
‘And he was prepared to go to considerable lengths to retrieve the incriminating “documents” from Maylord’s room,’ added Thurloe. ‘I suspect Ireton involved him long before Maylord stumbled across the secret.’
‘I imagine you are right,’ said Leybourn. ‘Everything I have heard about him indicates he was not a man to let a lucrative opportunity pass. And he and Ireton were friends, after all.’
‘So, poor Maylord had to be silenced before he could reveal what the Hectors were doing,’ said Thurloe. ‘Ireton was quite happy to oblige, and Smegergill helped. Foolishly, though, neither of them thought to ask where Maylord had hidden the music before they smothered him.’
‘Or the key to Newburne’s box,’ said Chaloner. ‘The second of the pair that he thought — wrongly, I imagine — would allow him to claim Newburne’s jewels. Smegergill was doubtless delighted that his friend’s riches would soon be his, but was concerned about how Maylord’s death would look, too.’
‘Because he would be the obvious suspect for the murder?’ asked Leybourn.
Thurloe nodded. ‘So he and Ireton left a cucumber at the scene, to conceal what had really happened. He would have knocked you over the head as soon as you had provided him with what he wanted, Thomas. You felt guilty about his death, but he brought it on himself.’
‘What about Dury?’ asked Leybourn. ‘Who killed him?’
‘One of the Hectors, on Joanna’s orders,’ said Chaloner. ‘He was investigating them too, and was coming close to the truth. He was lured to Smithfield and strangled in Hodgkinson’s print-shop. Hodgkinson was probably complicit in the affair, although his role is a murky one. I have no idea who owned his real allegiance.’
‘I am sorry about your cat,’ said Leybourn, after they had walked in silence for a few minutes. ‘It survived the flood and made its way back to your room, but I heard it died in the explosion that took place there.’
‘What explosion?’ demanded Thurloe, shocked. ‘You have not mentioned this before.’
‘I forgot,’ said Chaloner.
‘You forgot an explosion?’ asked Thurloe incredulously.
‘Secretive,’ said Leybourn to the ex-Spymaster. ‘I told you, he is secretive. But I shall tell you about it. It was set by Brome and Joanna. After using Hodgkinson to find out what Tom had learned about his operation, Brome tried to shoot him, but missed. Brome killed Hodgkinson, though, then fled, because he had no more ammunition for his gun and knew he could not defeat Tom in a sword fight. However, he had already set the trap in Tom’s room — he must have done it early, because otherwise the bridges would have been closed, and he would not have been able to get there.’
‘Fortunately, the powder was damp,’ said Chaloner, wanting an end to the tale. ‘The “explosion” was reduced to a very loud hiss, according to my landlord.’
‘What was he doing in your rooms?’ asked Thurloe curiously.
‘He went to let the cat in. The device was set to ignite when the fire was lit, which my landlord did to dry off the cat.’
‘But the landlord survived,’ said Thurloe. ‘Does this mean the cat did, too?’
‘It hissed back, apparently. It is alive and well, and making the most of London’s rats.’
‘But you will not be joining it for rodent repast now you are gainfully employed with the Lord Chancellor,’ said Thurloe. ‘At least, not until you annoy him the next time.’
A mile away, in White Hall, Spymaster Williamson left his office. As usual, he donned a heavy cloak and a broad hat, so he would not be recognised. It had been several days since the Hectors’ empire had collapsed so spectacularly, but no one had come knocking on his door, demanding to know why he had maintained such a close association with it. Somehow, the Earl’s spy had failed to see the connections, although it had been a tense time, and he was glad it was over.
‘And the Lord Chancellor is happy with Heyden’s explanation?’ he asked the small man at his side, just to be sure. ‘He does not think there are questions that remain unanswered?’
‘No,’ replied Bulteel. ‘He is not naturally curious about matters of espionage, and Heyden’s report has satisfied him completely.’
‘Good,’ said Williamson, relieved. ‘Newburne was stupid to have left the music lying around for Maylord to find — and Maylord might have become a serious problem, had Ireton not acted when he did.’
‘Ireton was just in time,’ agreed Bulteel.
They walked in silence for a while, until Williamson spoke again, ‘I trust you did not go empty-handed from the affair? I know about your new house in Westminster, but Newburne’s hoard was worth a good deal of money. I imagine you and Heyden took a little, and shared it between you?’
‘Not Heyden,’ said Bulteel. ‘I do not think it even occurred to him. But a few gems happened to fall into my pocket when I was given the task of washing them. Here is your half.’
Williamson raised his hands. ‘Please!’ he demurred, although an acquisitive gleam flared in his eyes. ‘I would not dream of it.’
‘I insist,’ said Bulteel, pressing the pouch into the Spymaster’s ready palm. ‘It is only fair — I would not have known where to tell Heyden to look, were it not for you.’
Williamson patted the purse with pleasure. ‘Giving up Newburne’s hoard was money lost to a good cause — I did not want the Lord Chancellor to set Heyden after me. I could kill him easily enough, but there is Thurloe to consider.’
‘Thurloe is nothing,’ said Bulteel contemptuously. ‘His powers have waned.’
‘They are not gone yet, though, and he is not a man I want as an enemy. But thank you for your help, Bulteel. Can I assume we shall work together in future?’
‘I think you may,’ said Bulteel comfortably. ‘Just as long as you continue to make it worth my while for declining all the bribes that come my way.’
‘Come with me to Smithfield,’ said Williamson. ‘The remaining Hectors are gathering, and I could do with your help.’
‘Will you tell them you were the real Butcher all along, and that Joanna was working for you? That Maylord discovered it, which is why he died in such terror? Fear is always a good way to keep the troops in order.’