An Order for Death Read Online Free PDF Page A

work.’
    ‘I suppose,’ said Michael carefully, knowing it would take very little for trouble to ignite again. ‘How did you manage to
     prevent your apprentices from rushing into the street and joining in the affray?’
    ‘I forbade them to,’ said Edith, surprised by the question. ‘They did not like standing by while scholars threw stones that
     smashed our windows, but they did as they were told.’
    ‘Would that all merchants had as much control over their people,’ muttered Michael, impressed that Edith had been able to
     impose her will so effortlessly on a group of spirited young men. He had forgotten that dark-haired Edith, who always seemed
     so slight next to her younger brother, was a very determined woman. He turned to Bartholomew. ‘Where is this poor unfortunate
     now?’
    Bartholomew led him and Walcote to the office, while the beadles remained in the yard to be shown broken windows and scratched
     paintwork by the indignant apprentices. Edith had covered the body of the friar with a crisp white sheet, although a circular
     red stain had already appeared, a stark foretaste of what lay underneath. Gently, Bartholomew pulled the sheet away from the
     friar’s face, so that Michael could see it. Both men turned in surprise when they heard Walcote’s sharp intake of breath.
    ‘That is Faricius of Abington,’ said the Junior Proctor, gazing down at the body in horror.
    ‘You know him?’ asked Michael. ‘Have you arrested him for frequenting taverns or brawling or some such thing?’
    ‘Not Faricius,’ said Walcote, clearly shocked. ‘He was a peaceful and scholarly man. I met him at a lecture we both attended
     on nominalism. After that, we met from time to time to discuss various philosophical concepts. I liked and admired him.’
    ‘Do you have any idea why someone might wish him harm?’ asked Michael, watching Bartholomew cover the face of the dead scholar
     again.
    Walcote’s voice was unsteady when he replied. ‘None at all. He was a good man, respected by the people who knew him. This
     is a vile town, if friars like Faricius are slain in broad daylight.’
    ‘I agree, Will,’ said Michael sympathetically, but rather condescendingly. ‘But it happens occasionally, and it is our duty
     – yours and mine – to bring the culprits to justice. Matt, what were you doing in the middle of a fight between friars that
     ended in bloody murder?’
    ‘I was visiting a patient, and heard the sounds of a brawl in the making on my way home. Then I saw a group of Dominicans
     standing around a bloodstained Carmelite lying in a doorway.’
    Michael eyed his friend warily. ‘How many Dominicans?’
    ‘Half a dozen or so. The Carmelite was bleeding from a wound in his stomach, and I assumed he had been stabbed by them.’
    ‘Lord, Matt!’ said Michael, shaking his head in disapproval. ‘Intervening was a foolish thing to do. One man against six is
     not good odds. What were you thinking of?’
    ‘There was no time to consider the odds,’ replied Bartholomew tartly. ‘I only saw an injured man and thought I might be able
     to help him. I waved my childbirth forceps at the Dominicans and they dispersed readily enough.’
    ‘I should think so,’ said Michael, smiling wanly. ‘Thoseforceps are a formidable weapon if you know how to use them. I would think twice about taking them on, too.’
    ‘I considered taking Faricius to Michaelhouse,’ Bartholomew went on. ‘But I was not sure if he would survive the journey.
     I brought him here instead.’
    ‘So, did one of these six Black Friars definitely stab Faricius?’ asked Michael. ‘Did you see any of them holding knives or
     with bloodstained hands?’
    Bartholomew shook his head. ‘I am sorry, Brother. I was more concerned with taking Faricius somewhere I could tend him properly,
     and I did not notice much about the Dominicans. I would say that they did not look as though they were going to give him last
     rites, however.’
    ‘Would