The Judas Blade Read Online Free PDF

before it’s begun!’
    ‘Before what’s begun?’ The words were out before Betsy could stop them. Inwardly she cursed: asking such questions would arouse his suspicions. But to her relief, the other was already talking.
    ‘I’ve a friend who’ll bring news from abroad,’ he said. ‘Tomorrow – or that’s my prayer.’ Abruptly he stopped walking. ‘Come to me near the end of the day, before lock-up. I should have something then. You must get word out – can you do it?’
    For answer Betsy put on her brazen look, flicking her gown aside briefly. ‘What I said, when I first came here, it wasn’t all bluff,’ she murmured. ‘I know one of the turnkeys. I can get more than just news out: I can get myself out, if I wish—’
    But quickly she broke off. For if she had expected some sort of approval, she found she was badly mistaken. Instead Venn drew back, frowning. ‘You would truly play the whore?’ He peered at her. ‘I could never ask such! These creatures in here would use you cruelly, then cast you aside. Is there no other way?’
    She blinked: despite everything, the man was a prude! All at once she recalled Caradoc’s term
Cromwellians
. Perhaps some of them hankered for more than the fall of the monarchy, she thought: they wanted a return to a Puritan past, too.
    ‘I pray you, don’t judge me so readily,’ she answered. ‘I merely speak of promising more than I would deliver.’ She bit her lip, and sounded resentful. ‘Do you not yet trust me?’
    For a moment Venn regarded her, before lowering his eyes. ‘I do – what choice have I?’ He sighed. ‘But tread warily – your gaoler may play you false.’ Then, at another thought, he jerked a thumb over his shoulder.
    ‘And beware that oaf, the Wrestler! You know no more of him than you do of anyone else here. Why did he take such pains to play the kindly rescuer – have you thought on that?’
    ‘Well, I confess I had not,’ Betsy replied, maintaining a casual air. ‘I’ll be more careful … I was flustered that day.’ She put on a hurt look. ‘That was your doing, wasn’t it?’
    At that Venn’s face fell, and to Betsy’s surprise he slammed his fist against his thigh. ‘Again, I ask your pardon,’ he said bitterly. ‘This pit of wickedness has tainted even me.’ He met her eye. ‘Find me tomorrow, then whether I have the news I wanted or not, get yourself out by whatever means you can. Otherwise at best you’ll sicken, Beatrice. At worst …’ He gave a shrug. ‘There’s no knowing when I’ll be set free,’ he added. ‘The charge was false. And I still swear there’s a trepanner here, set to watch me. So trust no one!’
    Then turning away from her, he walked off.
    Head spinning, she began shuffling about the yard once again. An hour seemed to have passed, though it was only a matter of minutes. But in those minutes, all had changed. She kept her eyes down, for despite everything she was excited. She’d learned more than she ever expected – and if much of it made little sense that was not her fault. Caradoc or others must puzzle out the information – her task, she realized with rising elation, was almost done! One more night and day, and then she would act as Venn had told her: whether he had more information or not, she would find Peter Crabb and give him the word. And soon after that she would be free. It was almost too much. Which was why, when she returned to her cell, she was at pains to look glum, and to work harder than usual at playing a hard-bitten trull.
     
    But on the following afternoon came news that threw everything into disarray.
    It was carried on whispers that travelled to every part of the King’s Bench: from cell to cell and outside to the yard, where people received it in various ways – some with alarm, some with indifference, others in shocked silence.
    Venn had been found with his throat cut.

Chapter Four
    T HE DISCOVERY SHOOK Betsy to the core.
    All morning she had wandered the yard,