An Order for Death Read Online Free PDF Page B

learned to keep their quarrels for the debating halls.’
    ‘You sound like Walcote,’ said Bartholomew, smiling at him. ‘He always seems horrified when the students fight, even though,
     as Junior Proctor, he is used to it because he spends most of his life trying to stop them.’
    Michael frowned worriedly. ‘Will Walcote is a good fellow, but he is too gentle to be a proctor. I was uncertain of the wisdom
     of the choice when he was appointed a year ago, but I thought he would learn in time.’
    ‘And he has not?’
    Michael shook his head. ‘He tries, but he just does not have the right attitude. He is too willing to see the good in people.
     He should follow my lead, and assume everyone is corrupt, violent or innately wicked until proven otherwise.’
    Bartholomew laughed. ‘No wonder your cells are always full.’
    ‘Do not tell Father William any of this,’ said Michael seriously, referring to their colleague at Michaelhouse, who was determined
     to be a proctor himself. ‘He will petition the Chancellor to have Walcote removed so that he can apply for the post himself.
     Although I may complain about Walcote’s ineffectuality, William’s ruthlessness would be far worse.’
    ‘Do you think Walcote will resign when he realises he is not suited to the task?’ asked Bartholomew.
    Michael sighed. ‘I doubt it, Matt. He has not taken any notice of my heavy hints so far.’ He gave his friend a nudge with
     his elbow and nodded across the High Street to where two Benedictines walked side by side. ‘But if he did, one of those two
     would be my choice as his successor.’
    Bartholomew regarded him askance. ‘Because they are Benedictines, like you?’
    Michael tutted impatiently. ‘Of course not. It is because they are exactly the kind of men we need to represent law and order
     in the University. Have you met them? Allow me to introduce you.’
    Before Bartholomew could point out that it was hardly an appropriate occasion for socialising, with the body of Faricius barely
     inside the church and a murder to investigate, Michael had hailed his Benedictine colleagues. Bartholomew studied them as
     they walked towards him.
    The taller of the two had light hair, a handsome face and large grey eyes. There was a small scar on his upper lip, and when
     he spoke he had a habit of frowning very slightly. The second had dark hair that fitted his head like a cap and blue eyes
     that crinkled at the corners. They seemed pleasant and affable enough, although Bartholomew immediately detected in them the
     smug, confident attitude of men who believed their vocation set them above other people.
    ‘This is Brother Janius,’ said Michael, indicating the dark-haired monk, before turning to the fairer one. ‘And Brother Timothy
     here comes from Peterborough.’
    ‘We have met before,’ said Timothy, returning Bartholomew’s bow of greeting. ‘A few days ago, you came to Ely Hall, where
     the Cambridge Benedictines live, and tended Brother Adam.’
    ‘He has a weakness of the lungs,’ said Bartholomew, remembering Adam’s anxious colleagues clustering around the bedside as
     he tended the patient, making it difficult for him to work. He vaguely recalled that Timothy and Janius had been among them,
     and that Janius had insisted on a lot of very loud praying, so that Bartholomew could barelyhear Adam’s answers to his questions. ‘How is he?’
    ‘He has been better since you recommended that lungwort and mullein infused in wine,’ replied Timothy, smiling.
    Janius gave his colleague an admonishing glance. ‘He has been better since we began saying regular masses for him, Timothy.
     It is God who effected the change in Adam’s health, not human cures.’
    ‘Of course, Brother,’ said Timothy piously. ‘But it is my contention that God is working through Doctor Bartholomew to help
     Adam.’
    Janius inclined his head in acknowledgement. ‘God shows His hand in many ways, even by using an agent like a