Hugh Corbett 13 - Corpse Candle Read Online Free PDF

aumbry were also available. Corbett placed his war belt on a peg driven into the wall. He removed his spurs from the pocket of his cloak and placed them on the window sill, undid his cloak and loosened his shirt. Corbett sat on the edge of the bed and took off his boots. He closed his eyes as the tension and cramp of his long ride eased. In one corner stood a small wooden lavarium, jug, bowl and coloured cloths. Corbett went across and washed his hands and face, half-listening to the sounds from the gallery. Brother Perditus knocked on the door and came in.
    ‘Prior Cuthbert says you are most welcome to join us in church. He would like you to be his guest in the refectory. Otherwise you may eat in here or downstairs.’
    ‘You are still mourning, aren’t you?’ Corbett asked. ‘Come in, man.’ He gestured to a stool.
    Corbett couldn’t make up his mind about this abbey. Everything was clean, serene, orderly and harmonious. The brothers went about their duties. Prior Cuthbert had protested but he seemed upright and capable enough. Brother Perditus was the ideal host and guide. Yet Corbett felt the hairs on the nape of his neck curl in danger. Once, while soldiering in Wales, he had stumbled into a sun-filled glade. Butterflies danced in the breeze, the air was sweet with the fragrance of wild flowers. Wood pigeons cooed, birds sang. Corbett had sensed that, beyond the glade, hideous dangers lurked. One of his companions had scoffed and abruptly changed his mind as cruel barbed arrows whipped above their heads. So it is now, Corbett thought. The lake may be serene on the surface but he wondered how deep it was and what treacheries lurked beneath.
    Perditus sat, head bowed, hands dutifully up the sleeves of his gown, patiently waiting to answer anything Corbett asked.
    ‘You are a lay brother?’
    ‘Yes, sir. I have been for four years.’
    ‘And you were the Abbot’s personal servant?’
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    ‘And you liked him?’
    ‘I loved him.’
    Perditus’s head came up. Corbett was surprised at the fierce expression in his eyes.
    ‘He was truly a father to me, kind and learned. You are here to trap his murderer, aren’t you?’
    Corbett took a stool and sat opposite.
    ‘He was murdered,’ Perditus continued. ‘I have heard the whispers amongst the brothers. It was not the work of some outlaw or wolf’s-head, wild men from the fens. They had no quarrel with Father Abbot.’
    ‘So, who do you think murdered him?’
    Perditus’s face broke into a sneer.
    ‘One of our Christ-like community.’
    ‘And why?’
    ‘Because he was a hard taskmaster. He made them obey the rule of St Benedict. He wanted the abbey to remain an abbey, not some glorified guesthouse for the powerful lords of the soil!’
    ‘Tell me.’ Corbett undid his leather wrist guard and threw it on the chest at the bottom of the bed. ‘How did you serve Father Abbot?’
    ‘I would bring him meals to the refectory, clean his chamber, collect books from the libraries, run errands.’
    ‘And the night he died?’
    ‘I was sleeping in a small chamber nearby.’
    ‘And you heard nothing untoward?’
    ‘No, sir, I did not. The bell rang for matins. Father Abbot did not come down so I thought he was sleeping late or working, he had so much to do. Later in the morning, when he didn’t appear and wouldn’t answer my calls, I became alarmed. I summoned Prior Cuthbert.’
    Corbett held a hand up. ‘Enough for now. I wish you to join the Concilium when it meets in the Abbot’s quarters.’
    ‘But they will object. I am only a lay brother!’
    ‘And I am only a King’s clerk.’ Corbett smiled. ‘Brother Perditus, I would be grateful if you would bring my companions and myself a jug of ale, some bread and dried meat. We would like to break our fast.’
    The lay brother agreed. He almost leapt from the stool, eager to be out of the way of this hard-eyed clerk. Corbett went to the window and watched Perditus scurry across the courtyard.