‘During your walk, Dr Edwards did you encounter anyone?’
‘I don’t believe so.’
‘It is very important, sir. Whilst you were down at the river-side did you hear or see anything unusual at all? Was there anyone else down there?’ persisted Ravenscroft.
‘No, Inspector, I saw no one — although — yes, I remember now. I was about to make my way up the steps from the river when someone collided with me.’
‘Did you happen to see who it was?’ asked Ravenscroft.
‘No. He just muttered some words of apology, and then continued on his way along the side of the river. If I remember correctly. I think he went in the Diglis direction,’ replied Edwards, scratching his head.
‘Doctor Edwards, do you think the man could have been Evelyn?’
‘I don’t know, Inspector. It was very dark and he had his face covered, but I suppose it could have been Evelyn, although I would not like to swear that it definitely was him.’
‘Tell me, Doctor, when you reached the top of the steps and made your way back to your house-’
‘You seem particularly well informed with regard to my movements, Inspector Ravenscroft,’ said Edwards, becoming slightly annoyed.
‘The three Miss Tovey sisters saw you come up the steps, and return to your house.’
‘Ah, that would explain things. There is not much that those three sisters miss regarding the affairs of the cathedral and its inhabitants. But I think you were going to ask me whether I saw anyone else during my travels — and the answer is no.’
‘You did not see a monk leaving the cathedral?’ asked Ravenscroft.
‘I have already said that I saw no one else that night,’ replied Edwards firmly.
‘Thank you, Dr Edwards. You have been most informative.’
‘Glad to have been of service, but if you will now excuse me gentlemen, I have a Latin class to take.’
‘Of course, sir,’ said Ravenscroft, then adding, ‘we may have need to speak with you again,’ as the master strode down the nave.
‘I think we may have annoyed him, sir,’ said Crabb closing his notebook.
‘That’s as may be, but we are investigating a possible murder, and the disappearance of a valuable book. Now, it is my intention to call upon Sir Arthur Griffiths. He is the Member of Parliament for Worcester and resides in one of the houses in the Close. Can you go to the Worcester Library and find out all you can about him? There are no doubt a number of reference books you can consult. Whilst you are there, you might as well see if you can find any entries for the Master of King’s, Dr Geraint Edwards. I will see if I can locate any of the monks who frequent the cathedral. One of them might be able to recall the events of the night Evelyn disappeared.’
‘Right, sir. You might even be able to find out which one of them was prowling around the cathedral that night.’
‘We can but hope, Crabb. I’ll see you in the Old Talbot at lunchtime.’
‘I look forward to some more of their excellent cheese, sir,’ said Crabb.
Ravenscroft made his way around the near empty cathedral, pausing now and again to study one of the worn effigies, or to read one of the numerous plaques, that had been placed by succeeding generations, on the walls of the building. Now that the choirboys had left, he found the silence of the holy place almost overpowering and, looking upwards at the mighty roof, he felt the sudden insignificance of his own transient existence.
‘My son.’
The voice made him turn.
‘I did not mean to startle you.’ The speaker was a tall, thin, elderly monk.
‘I was admiring the Chantry,’ said Ravenscroft.
‘Ah, Prince Arthur’s Chantry. You know the story?’
‘No. I’m afraid not.’
‘Prince Arthur was Arthur Tudor, eldest son of King Henry VII and brother to Henry VIII. Unfortunately he died before his father, and therefore never ascended the throne. Had he survived, there would probably have been no Henry VIII and no English Reformation. The whole course of English History might have been totally different — no Mary Tudor or Queen Elizabeth, perhaps not even the Stuart succession. Strange how these things turn out.’
‘Indeed so,’ replied Ravenscroft, observing that the monk spoke in a quiet, almost musical tone of voice.
‘But I sense that your interest lies not completely in admiring the cathedral architecture.’
‘You are correct in your assumption. I have been called in by the cathedral authorities to investigate the disappearance of the Whisperie.’
‘Then you must be Inspector Ravenscroft. My name is Jonus, Brother Jonus.’
‘I am pleased to meet you,’ said Ravenscroft shaking the other’s hand. ‘Are there many monks still associated with the cathedral?
‘There are only a handful of us left now, but we still seek to worship here, and to uphold a number of the ancient services. Would you care to take a walk with me round the cloisters, Inspector?’
‘That would be most welcome,’ replied Ravenscroft.
‘I understand that you have found the body of the librarian,’ said the monk leading the way.
‘Yes, we recovered Nicholas Evelyn from the River Severn.’
‘The poor unfortunate man, I will include him in my prayers tonight.’
‘You knew him well, Brother Jonus?’
‘As well as one can know another. He was a very private man.’
‘So we are given to understand.’
‘He was also a very sad man.’
‘Why do you say that?’
‘He seemed to be haunted by something from his past.’
‘Do you know what that was? Did he ever confide in you? I know that you are not permitted to disclose anything that might have been said to you in the way of a confession, but-’
‘No, Inspector, he never sought to speak to me. I knew, of course, that he was greatly troubled, and I prayed that he might one day seek to relieve himself of his burden — but he did not, and now it is too late. I hope that God will forgive him, and that his soul may now rest in peace. Ah, here we are at the cloisters.’
There was something in the monk’s quiet way of speaking, and the religious man’s calm dignity, that Ravenscroft found reassuring. ‘Did you see him at all in the cathedral that night?’
‘I did not see him, Inspector Ravenscroft, but I was aware of his presence.’
‘Could you explain further?’
‘It is my custom to offer up prayers in one of the side chapels each night, before the other monks enter the cathedral at twelve to conduct the midnight mass. I was in the chapel as usual. I could sense that he was passing by on his way up to the library.’
‘You did not think it strange that he should have been out at such a late hour?’ asked Ravenscroft, as they began their walk.
‘We are a cathedral, Inspector, and as such we must accommodate all those who wish to come and worship here, no matter what time of day or night they choose to seek salvation.’
‘Then the doors are not kept locked at night?’
‘The main doors at the entrance to the cathedral are generally locked after nine in the evening, but it is always possible for someone to enter through one of the many other side entrances to the building.’
‘Tell me, Brother, did you also see — or rather sense — when Evelyn left?’
‘Yes, it was some minutes before twelve o’clock.’
‘And what did you do then?’
‘I continued with my devotions until I joined the other brothers for the midnight mass.’
‘This is important, Brother: do you know whether all the brothers were there that night for the service?’ asked Ravenscroft eagerly.
‘I believe so.’
‘But you are not sure?’
‘There are only six of us left now. I would have known if one of my other five brothers was missing. Why do you ask?’
‘A person, wearing a monk’s habit, was seen leaving the cathedral shortly after Nicholas Evelyn left. We believe that this person could have followed Evelyn down to the river.’