The Secret of the Rose Read Online Free PDF

by the collision, I would have been shocked breathless at such blasphemy. A rapier in its scabbard rapped me over the shin as the stranger clambered to his feet.
    “There are a great many corners in this fair city. Did you have to hide behind that one?” he demanded angrily. “No time now, get up, get up!” He hooked a hand in Robin’s collar and hauled him roughly to his feet. I scrambled upright as quickly as I could, to avoid such treatment myself, and prepared to tell this man just what I thought of someone who tore blindly around the city and blamed innocent strangers for standing in his way.
    But I could only stare, baffled, as the lunatic transformedhimself in an instant. Losing all trace of haste or urgency, he leaned indolently against a nearby wall. I jumped back as he drew a dagger from a sheath at his belt, but he only used it to trim his fingernails, humming an idle tune. If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought he’d been standing there all day.
    So he must have looked to the man who came running around the same corner a moment later. Robin dodged to avoid being flattened a second time. “Master Marlowe,” the pursuer wheezed. He was red faced and panting for breath. “I—I accuse you—”
    “Constable Nicholls!” the madman said affably, with a bright smile, as though the meeting were a delightful and unexpected pleasure. “Some miscreant, some caitiff, some thief or brawler has disturbed the peace? It comforts my soul to know that you are protecting us with such diligence. Let me commend you for it.”
    The constable had gotten his breath back, but he still stuttered with rage. “’Tis you , sir, have broken the peace. ’Tis you who have been brawling in the streets—who have disregarded the dignity of my office—who have, sir, thrown turnips, sir….” He seemed about to burst into tears.
    Master Marlowe sheathed his dagger and drew himself up in affronted amazement. “ I , sir? Turnips, sir? And when, pray, was I guilty of all this?”
    Constable Nicholls was redder than ever. “Just now, sir, you know it well. Mine own eyes saw you, not one minute since!”
    “Impossible,” Master Marlowe said airily, with a wave of his hand. “Your eyes have imposed upon you. Since the bells last struck the hour I have been here, waiting for a friend who promised to meet me. But do not take my word for it. Ask these two boys; they will tell you.”
    The constable turned to us, all but breathing fire. I felt as if a bite of apple had lodged itself in my throat, and I opened and closed my lips in helpless silence. Why should I put the sin of a lie in my mouth for this man, who had done nothing but knock me down and curse at me? But if he were indeed guilty of a crime, there would be a trial, and Robin and I would be wanted as witnesses—all of which would mean more attention from the law than we were well able to stand.
    “Indeed, sir, he has been here since the bells rang,” I said as sincerely as I could. Robin nodded eagerly to confirm it.
    Constable Nicholls scowled at us, glared at Master Marlowe, and turned on his heel to stalk furiously away. Master Marlowe watched him out of sight and then clapped his hands and leaned back against the wall to laugh.
    “Oh, excellent,” he said with a sigh when the fit had ceased. “Did you mark his face? Well done. I am indebted to you both.”
    Now that I had leisure to observe him more closely, I could see that he was a young man, not tall, with brown hair rumpled from his run through the streets, and a neatly trimmed beard just tracing the line of his jaw. He must be rich, I thought, for his doublet was black velvet, slashed all over to show a lining of flame-orange taffeta, with tiny gilt buttons down the front and sleeves. And there was also the rapier that had caught me so sharply over the shin. A gentleman, no doubt. But why should a gentleman be running like a pickpocket from a London constable?
    He chuckled again and rubbed his hands