Brother Cadfael 07: The Sanctuary Sparrow Read Online Free PDF

of witnesses, and a powerful argument for doubting the half of their evidence.
    Behind the authorities of shire and town came young Daniel Aurifaber, slightly the worse for wear after his hectic and unorthodox wedding night, and in his working clothes this time, but still belligerent. Surely, however, not so disturbed as a young man should be at his father's untimely slaying? Even slightly sheepish, and all the surlier because of it.
    Cadfael withdrew to the rear of the brothers, between the citizen army and the church, and prepared to block the doorway if any of the witnesses should again lose his head and dare the abbot's thunder. It did not seem likely, with the sergeant there in control, and well aware of the necessity of dealing civilly and amicably with a mitred abbot. But in any dozen men there may well be one incorrigible idiot capable of any folly. Cadfael cast a glance over his shoulder, and glimpsed a pallid, scared face, but a body still, silent and intent, whether trusting in his ecclesiastical shelter, or simply resigned, there was no knowing.
    'Keep within, out of sight, lad,' said Cadfael over his shoulder, 'unless you're called for. Leave all to the lord abbot.'
    Radulfus greeted the sergeant composedly, and after him the provost.
    'I expected your visit, after the night's alarm. I am acquainted with the charges then made against a man who has appealed to sanctuary within our church, and been received according to our duty. But the charges have no force until made in due form, through the sheriff's authority. You are very welcome, sergeant, I look to you to inform me truly how this matter stands.'
    He had no intention, Cadfael thought, watching, of inviting them withindoors into chapterhouse or hall. The morning was fine and sunny, and the matter might be agreed more briskly here, standing. And the sergeant had already recognized that he had no power to take the fugitive out of the hands of the church, and was intent only on agreeing terms, and hunting his proofs elsewhere.
    'There is a charge lodged with me,' he said practically, 'that the jongleur Liliwin, who was employed last night to play at a wedding in the house of Master Walter Aurifaber, struck down the said Walter in his workshop, where he was then laying away certain valuable wedding gifts in his strong-box, and robbed the strong-box of a treasure in coins and goldsmith's work to a great value. This is sworn to by the goldsmith's son, here present, and by ten of the guests who were at the feast.'
    Daniel braced his feet, stiffened his neck, and nodded emphatic confirmation. Several of the neighbours at his back murmured and nodded with him.
    'And you have satisfied yourself,' said Radulfus briskly, 'that the charges are justified? At least, whoever did them, that these deeds were done?'
    'I have viewed the workshop and the strong-box. The box is emptied of all but heavy items of silverware that would be ill to carry undetected. I have taken sworn witness that it held a great sum in silver pence and small, fine works of jewellery. All are gone. And as to the act of violence against Master Aurifaber, I have seen the marks of his blood close to the coffer, where he was found, and I have seen how he lies still out of his senses.'
    'But not dead?' said Radulfus sharply. 'It was murder was cried here at midnight.'
    'Dead?' The sergeant, an honest man, gaped at the suggestion. 'Not he! He's knocked clean out of his wits, but it was not so desperate a blow as all that. If he hadn't had a fair wash of drink in him he might have been fit to speak up for himself by now, but he's still addled. It was a fair dunt someone gave him, but with a good hard head ... No, he's well alive, and will live his proper span if I'm a judge.'
    The witnesses, solid and sullen at his back, shifted their feet and looked elsewhere, but covertly came back to eyeing the abbot and the church door, and if they were discomfited at having their largest claims refuted, nonetheless held