‘Hywel is Welsh,’ said Elias. ‘That’s enough for me.’
‘What of the girl?’
‘She turned to us for help,’ replied Nicholas. ‘We’ll not disappoint her.’
‘Then you must realise that obstacles will face you at every turn. You are up against cunning men who occupy positions that are well nigh impregnable. Do not think to storm Bridewell.’
‘I could not even get through the door,’ confessed Elias.
‘Then work another way,’ suggested Cleaton. ‘Let me make enquiries. Joseph Beechcroft and Ralph Olgrave will both have apartments at the workhouse, but they will also have homes elsewhere. That’s the place to stalk them.’
‘Can you find out where they live?’ said Nicholas.
‘I think so.’
‘We would be very grateful.’
‘It might be safer if you accost them alone, Nicholas.’
Elias was piqued. ‘Why? I can ask as straight a question as Nick.’
‘But you’d do so in a voice that would remind them of Hywel Rees,’ argued Cleaton. ‘That would put them on their guard at once. If you wish to squeeze the truth out of them, they need to be treated with care. Accuse them of nothing. Simply make enquiries about the whereabouts of Hywel Rees.’
‘I will,’ said Nicholas. ‘I know how to tread softly.’
‘So do I,’ insisted Elias with a hint of belligerence. ‘I am softness itself.’
‘There’ll be work enough for you, Owen. Have no fear.’
‘I want to meet this Ralph Olgrave.’
‘So you shall, in the fullness of time. Let me talk to him first.’
‘Marry,’ said Cleaton, ‘that’s the eftest way. I’ll furnish you with addresses. If such heinous crimes did take place inside Bridewell, then they must be exposed or others will be at the mercy of those two men.’
Elias put a hand on his dagger. ‘I’d like to have the pair of them at my mercy!’ he said. ‘By the time that I’m done with him, Ralph Olgrave will never be able to force himself on a woman again.’
‘Take the law into your own hands like that,’ warned Nicholas, ‘and you’ll end up in prison. Leave these men to me, Owen. I’ll move more stealthily. And as we’ve learnt this afternoon from Master Cleaton,’ he continued, smiling at their host, ‘people are more at ease in their own houses. They can be taken unawares.’
Doctor Zander stood over him as he drank the medicine. Edmund Hoode shuddered.
‘It tastes foul,’ he said, pulling a face. ‘Can you not sweeten it in some way?’
‘That would reduce its potency, Master Hoode. If you would recover, you must endure the bitter taste. Eat a slice of apple when I’ve gone and that will please your palate a little more.’ He studied the patient, who was now back in bed again. ‘You seem much better today.’
‘This morning, I was able to get up and walk around. I even dressed myself for the first time. Lawrence noticed the difference in me at once.’
‘Lawrence?’
‘Lawrence Firethorn, the actor.’
‘Ah, yes,’ said the doctor. ‘Master Grammaticus has mentioned the name to me. He reveres the fellow. But, then,’ he added, ‘he idolises you as well, Master Hoode.’
‘How can anyone idolise a man in my condition?’
‘You’ll get well in time if you do not tax your strength.’
‘I cannot stay in bed all day, Doctor Zander.’
‘Oh, I agree. A little exercise is important. What worries me, however,’ said Zander, scratching an itch somewhere on his thigh, ‘is that you are too popular. You have too many friends who feel the need to call.’
‘They wish to know how I am.’
‘Then let your landlady tell them. Visitors tire you because you make such an effort while they are here. Ask them to come less often and your health will improve.’
‘But I like to see them,’ protested Hoode. ‘If I’m left alone, I have to fight off boredom. My friends bring me such cheer, doctor.’
‘And rightly so. All that I advise is moderation.’
‘I’d not be able to stop Lawrence coming here, if I tried. The same goes for Owen Elias and Nick Bracewell. They visit me every day.’
Zander made a dismissive gesture. ‘I’ll say no more. If you would let them prolong your illness, be it on your own head. Do not blame me for a tardy recovery.’ He picked up his satchel. ‘I’ll away, Master Hoode.’
‘When will you call again?’
‘In two or three days’ time. I look to find you much improved.’
‘You will, you will,’ said Hoode. He raised a hand. ‘Before you go, doctor, there is a matter I must discuss. It has bothered me from the start.’
‘Oh? And what is that?’
‘You never ask me for payment.’
‘Master Grammaticus takes care of all the bills.’
‘But it’s wrong for him to do so. I put too much strain on his purse.’
‘He hates to see you in such a state,’ explained Zander, ‘and will pay anything to find a cure. Do not worry about his purse, Master Hoode. He is never short of money and he tells me he has sold a new play.’
‘Yes,’ said Hoode with a grin. ‘The Siege of Troy. I hear wondrous reports of it. Michael has come of age as an author.’ The grin faded. ‘But I would not have him bear the cost of my doctoring. Send the next bill to me.’
‘It has already been paid by Master Grammaticus.’
‘He takes too much upon himself.’
‘No, Master Hoode,’ said Zander, moving to the door. ‘He loves you for what you did to inspire him. No price can be set on that. Try as you may, you will not pay a penny for any treatment that I give you. I am contracted to work for Master Grammaticus alone in this matter.’ He opened the door. ‘Get some sleep, sir. Farewell.’
When he called in at the Queen’s Head late that afternoon, Nicholas was just in time to intercept Lawrence Firethorn. The actor was about to mount his horse in the yard. When he saw the book holder, he removed his foot from the stirrup.
‘Nick, dear heart!’ he boomed. ‘You come upon your cue.’
‘I hoped to catch you here.’
‘And I was equally hopeful of being caught. I’ve good news for you. Edmund is starting to rally at last. He’ll soon be chasing the landlady’s daughter around his room.’
‘I rejoice at these tidings,’ said Nicholas. ‘I’ve been too busy to call on him so far but mean to go there now. He’s well, you say?’
‘Well enough to walk around the room. Best of all,’ said Firethorn, happily, ‘that clouded mind of his begins to clear at last. He even talked of working on A Way to Content All Women.’
‘His new comedy? Then he is truly recovered.’
‘Not enough to complete it himself, alas. He needs help from a co-author.’
‘Whom did he suggest?’
‘That’s the rub. It was Michael Grammaticus.’
Nicholas was amazed. ‘But comedy requires lightness of touch,’ he said, ‘and Michael does not have that. At least, I’ve seen no evidence of it. There are scenes in his tragedies that have a comical edge to them, but they have nothing of Edmund’s deftness. What made him name Michael as his co-author?’
‘I had the feeling that the idea came from our new playwright himself.’
‘He’s certainly eager to please.’
‘But will he please an audience?’ asked Firethorn. ‘If three mirthful acts by Edmund Hoode are followed by two solemn dirges by Michael Grammaticus, we’ll content nobody, let alone the women in the title. The notion appals me.’
‘Yet the offer would not have been made without due thought. Michael must believe that he can catch Edmund’s voice, or he’d not put himself forward. There’s an easy solution here,’ said Nicholas. ‘Let him read what there is of the play and write two or three new scenes for us. We’ll soon know if he has a comic gift.’
‘Set it in motion, Nick. Though I still think his ambition outruns his talent.’
‘He deserves the chance to prove us both wrong.’ He glanced at the inn. ‘Did you manage to speak to Master Lavery? I know that it was in your mind to do so.’