It did not take long. Within a minute, Thomas had caught Fayne. He launched himself at the man’s back, bringing him down with a crack of bone. Fayne was on his face, screaming. Thomas, up on his feet again and puffing from the race, saw that the man’s leg was twisted at an awkward angle. Fayne rolled over, held his knee, saw Thomas and cursed. He had come unarmed. If he had carried either sword or pistol, he would not have been admitted to the gambling house. And with a broken leg, he would not be running anywhere. Thomas stood over him and wondered what he was going to do when the other two reached them.
By the time they came clattering up, Thomas had recovered his breath and was standing in front of Fayne.
‘What the devil are you two up to?’ he shouted. ‘We agreed not to act until he came out.’
They were both puffing and blowing. Tomkins recovered first. ‘We want justice, sir. He’s a coward and a traitor, and he should die.’
‘And so he will. We agreed. But on the end of a rope, not at our hands. Why did you do it?’
This time, Smithson answered. ‘Master Hill, you are a brave man and a good one, but you are not a soldier. To a soldier, cowardice is worse than murder, and should be punished by instant death. We feared that you would be less certain in your opinion.’
Thomas’s voice was icy. ‘Captain, this man also raped and murdered an innocent lady, who was my dear friend. He will hang for it. Your stupidity could have exploded like an over-primed cannon and blown up in our faces.’
There was a croak from behind Thomas. ‘I did not rape her.’
Thomas turned to face Fayne. ‘That we shall ascertain.’ Then he spoke to Tomkins. ‘Go and find Father de Pointz. Smithson will stay with me while I ask this man a few questions.’
When Tomkins had gone, he spoke to Smithson again. ‘When I have finished, you will take him to your colonel. You will not dispense your own justice. Is that clear? Listen carefully and remember what he says.’ Smithson, though unaccustomed to being given orders by a bookseller, nevertheless nodded dumbly, and stood beside Thomas in front of a groaning Fayne. If his face was anything to go by, the man was in a great deal of pain. Thomas would have to be quick or Fayne might pass out.
‘Now, Fayne, you will answer my questions. If you do not, or if I think you are lying, Smithson will kick your knee. Hard. Do you understand?’ Fayne managed a weak nod. ‘Good. Did you take money from Tobias Rush?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why?’
‘To walk by the river with Jane.’
‘Did you rape her?’
‘No.’
‘Kick him, Smithson.’ Smithson kicked the knee and Fayne screamed. ‘I will ask again. Did you rape her?’
‘No.’
‘Who did?’
‘Two others.’
‘How do you know?’
‘I saw them.’
‘Who were they?’
‘I don’t know. Rush’s men.’ Fayne was fading fast and Thomas had no time to waste.
‘Why did you arrive late at Newbury?’
‘Delayed.’
‘Another kick, if you please.’
But before Smithson could deliver the kick, Fayne shrieked. ‘No. Waited outside the town.’
‘Until it was over?’ Fayne nodded. ‘Until it was over, Fayne?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why have you been in hiding?’
‘Rush.’
‘Rush?’
‘Both men found with throats cut.’
‘And you feared having yours cut too?’
‘Yes.’
‘Where is Rush?’
‘I don’t know. Long gone.’
That was it. Fayne passed out in pain and his head slumped to the ground. ‘Did you hear all that?’ Thomas asked Smithson.
‘I did.’
‘So you are witness to Fayne’s confession to being a traitor and a coward, and to assisting in the rape of Jane Romilly.’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Good. Your colonel will be interested in your report. If he does not get it, and Fayne, I will deliver it myself.’
‘Yes, sir.’
There was the sound of running boots and Tomkins appeared with Simon. Thomas spoke first to Tomkins. ‘Fayne has confessed to three crimes, any one of which would hang him. You and Smithson take him to your colonel and give him a full report. You’ll have to help him. His leg is broken.’ Between them, they hoisted Fayne to his feet and half carried, half dragged him off. ‘One more thing,’ called Thomas after them, ‘my thanks for your help.’
‘Do you think Fayne will last the night, Thomas?’ asked Simon.
‘I doubt it. He’ll die of his wounds before they can hand him over.’
‘Is he wounded?’
‘Not yet.’
‘Did he know where Rush is?’
‘No. Long gone, he said. I daresay he’s right.’
‘Alas, I fear so. Now let us get back to Merton where I can get out of this foul coat, you can tell me everything and we can see if there is any news from the king.’
Sitting in Simon’s room, with Simon back in his habit and Thomas sipping a glass of his wine, Thomas told him everything that had happened and what Fayne had admitted. ‘I’m sorry they charged in,’ he concluded. ‘I had no idea what they were planning.’
‘I assumed not,’ replied Simon with a grin. ‘It took me quite by surprise. One moment Fayne walks in, the next those two come thundering in behind him. It was just as well he was too quick for them, or it might have been chaos. He was out of the door before they could reach him. I followed as quickly as I could, but several alarmed gamblers had to be gently moved out of the way first. He was only just in time.’
‘Who was?’
‘Fayne. I had only two guineas left. Another minute or two and he’d have been too late.’
‘Bad dice, Simon?’
‘Very. If I say so myself, I am a most accomplished player of hazard, but even I could not stem the losses tonight.’
‘Have the Franciscan coffers been seriously depleted?’
‘In money, somewhat. In the pursuit of justice, not at all. Money well spent.’
‘Most pragmatic, Simon.’
‘If only Rush had not escaped. Catching the dog is one thing, its owner quite another.’
‘At least he can do the king no more harm. Is there any message from the queen?’
‘None. Perhaps tomorrow.’
CHAPTER 15
There was no news the next day, or the day after that. Thomas waited for a message, but none came. The king was saying nothing, and the queen’s temper was sorely tried. Simon reported that she had taken to shouting at her ladies-in-waiting and ignoring her servants. Even Master Hudson, of whom she was very fond, had come in for abuse, and had stomped around complaining that he did not care to be called a tiresome little toad.
At Christ Church, the king’s mood had descended like the blackest of clouds. Voices were hushed, the college was quiet, there was little of the old activity. Men and women spoke and moved as if wary of incurring the royal anger and being despatched at once to the scaffold. Only the noisy cattle in their pen were oblivious. Thomas sat in his room, reading a little but mostly thinking about his sister and his nieces. He wondered if the king would remember his promise to provide an escort home, and, if so, how long he would have to wait. For all the service he had given, Thomas Hill, cryptographer and bookseller, would not be high on the royal list of priorities. New codes would have to be devised and distributed for all messages to and from the king’s commanders, an assessment of the damage done by Rush would have to be made, and new plans put in place. Thomas might be forgotten altogether.