Death at Knytte Read Online Free PDF Page A

him so he could approach the other men. ‘No need for that,’ he murmured. ‘He knows what his life’s worth if he betrays us, don’t you, Cobb?’
    The man addressed as Cobb nodded, as far as the grip on his neck would allow. ‘I keeps me mouth shut an’ I takes me pay. You got me word.’ His voice faded to a throaty whine. ‘I needs to breathe. Please to let me go, y’r lordship.’
    His captor laughed, but he released his hold. ‘I’m not a lord just yet.’ He glanced back at his companion. ‘Give us time, eh? A few more months and who knows, we could both be dining at the palace.’ From inside his coat he pulled something wrapped in thin leather and tied with string. ‘So, this once we’re dealing with the organ grinder instead of one of his monkeys. I was wondering if we’d ever meet you again. You know what to do with this stuff, and you’ll bring our share back here. I’ve a good idea of value, if you try taking more than your cut I’ll know, so keep your thieving hands off.’
    The strange tramp who had waited so patiently at the crossroads shook his head indignantly. ‘Fetch’n’carry Cobb, tha’s me. You dealt wi’ me before, an’ if that ain’t enough then you ask them as knows. I’m good at me trade, an’ I ain’t never pinched nothin’.’ He held out a hand to take the package.
    ‘Come on,’ the man with the horses urged, as the other hesitated,‘the longer we’re away, the more chance there is of something going wrong. As it is, your games tonight might have cost us dearly. You and your whoring— It’ll be light before we get back to….’
    His words were cut off with a hiss as his fellow conspirator swung round to strike him a stinging blow across the face. ‘No names, you fool! All right, Cobb, I suppose you’re as honest as any of your kind, though that’s not saying much.’ Still with some show of reluctance he surrendered the package to Cobb, and it vanished swiftly inside the ragged shirt.
    ‘Faugh,’ the gentleman said, taking a step backwards. ‘I’m surprised you can live with your own foul stink! Take good care of our property, or you’ll live to regret it.’
    The man at his side laughed, rubbing at his face. ‘But not for long!’ he breathed. ‘Double-cross my friend, Cobb, and your miserable existence will come to a messy end.’ He turned suddenly to look behind him, his hands fumbling on the bunched reins, separating his mount’s from the other. ‘Did you hear something? You never should have risked starting so late, you and your damned appetite for petticoats. Hurry up and give him the directions, and let’s go.’
    ‘There’s nothing there. You’d jump at your own shadow.’ His companion dismissed his concerns with a shrug, closing in on Cobb, his fingers reaching for the man’s throat again. ‘We need to arrange our next meeting. I hope you know the moors as well as you know London, Cobb. There’s a foul little gin house called the Crooked Man, twenty miles east of here. It’s about a mile north of the London road, not far from a village called Kerwannick.’
    ‘Wha’s wrong wi’ the gibbet?’ Cobb grumbled, twisting to look up at the blackened wood above his head. ‘Ain’t this quiet enough for yer?’ He made a strange strangled noise as the gentleman’s fingers tightened.
    ‘I never use the same place twice, Cobb. The Crooked Man,’ he repeated, a little louder than before. ‘It’s owned by a villain called Slaney, speak to him and nobody else; tell him you’re looking for Mr Pike, and he’ll send you to me. Speak to Slaney, ask for Mr Pike. Got that, Cobb? Exactly four weeks from tonight, and make sure you’re there.’
    ‘Crooked Man, name of Slaney. Ask for Pike. Four weeks.’ Cobb repeated hoarsely, one clawed hand scratching feebly at the fingers squeezing his windpipe. ‘Lemme breathe, y’r honour, for Gawd’s sake.’
    ‘A moment more, I want to be sure I have your attention. Nobody double crosses me.’