Apothecary Melchior and the Mystery of St Olaf's Church Read Online Free PDF Page A

the guildhall, and this only as often as shocking news passed through the town of Tallinn at all. Master Casendorpe could not be regarded as being curious by nature: the profession of goldsmith was too important and dignified for much time to be left to discuss town affairs or pass the time gossiping. As Alderman of St Canute’s Guild Casendorpe already far too much to do – whether it be tending to the guild altars, convening meetings of the trade, collecting dues, speaking for the masters and numerous other matters. Throughout the forty years of his life – thirty of which he had spent in Tallinn – Master Casendorpe had, above all else, wanted to work with gold and silver. Gold will always persevere, and no war, famine nor plague could change that fact. Gold nourishes. Gold is the essence of wealth and power everywhere in the world. Rich men will always desire golden ornaments. If wealthy men do not have gold of which to boast and to hang around their necks then no one considers them rich or important. And for that reason alone a goldsmith was always an esteemed master. Thus, when Burckhart Casendorpe was chosen to be Alderman of St Canute’s Guild, he was forced, to his dismay, to start handling matters that were not so close to his heart. Yet, on the other hand, it made him an important – a
very
important – townsperson, just as it made his only daughter Hedwig one of Tallinn’s most sought-after maidens.
    On this occasion, however, the eighteen-year-old Hedwig was standing beneath the window of his workshop in Kuninga Street and deliveringsome shocking news. ‘And that knight was chopped into pieces right there on Toompea. All of his arms and legs severed from his body. Cut into pieces.’
    Hedwig had been to the market with her mother, which meant she had heard the day’s news.
    â€˜Hush, girl, hush,’ Casendorpe murmured and cast an irritated glance behind him to where his journeymen were trying to look busy and as if they were not listening to the shocking news that the young girl had brought. It was not usual for young maidens to speak of such things.
    â€˜Father, it is completely unbelievable, absolutely astounding,’ Hedwig exclaimed.
    â€˜Yes,’ the Goldsmith concurred, ‘I believe it is indeed.’ He adjusted his spectacles and wrinkled his brow. A goldsmith’s work had to be visible to the townspeople so that the artisan might not compromise the quality of the precious metals, and the Town Council therefore required the goldsmith’s workshop to have a large window that faced the street and from which the interior could be seen. Casendorpe serviced his regular clients through an open window that yawned above a table. Affixed to the wall next to the table was a shelf that held items certifying that the Goldsmith was an important, esteemed and wealthy man devoted to all kinds of arcane arts. One this shelf Casendorpe had placed items such as shark teeth, coconut cream, coral, peacock feathers, a lump of amber, parrot feathers, a dried crab and other articles that exuded meaning and power, brought to the town from far-off lands and purchased from wandering merchants in exchange for bulging purses full of coins. One did not need to fear growing cold while bartering at the open window during winter. The Goldsmith’s workshop contained a large hearth and a forge that an apprentice tended when work was under way.
    Hedwig stood below the window and shouted so loudly that even the journeymen turned their heads. ‘But, Father, it is that very same knight to whom you sold a chain collar yesterday. Imagine – oh heavenly grace – you saw that man just a short time before he was chopped into pieces …’
    Casendorpe raised his head slowly. ‘Was that spoken of at the market as well?’ he asked in a muted tone and peered around nervously.
    â€˜No, not that, but you yourself said that his name was Clingenstain –