The Secret of the Rose Read Online Free PDF Page B

together. He wore no rings, and his long, thin fingers were mottled all over with black stains. “What service can I do to repay you?” he asked.
    His smile was friendly enough, but I did not care to be drawn into conversation with a madman. “I thank you, sir, nothing.” I remembered in time to dip my head rather than bend my knee in a curtsey. “Unless—” Well, we must ask the way of someone. “Can you tell us how to find Newgate Prison?”
    Master Marlowe’s eyebrows went up. “Newgate? Nowthere’s an odd thing. Most folk in this city try as hard as they can to stay clear of such a place. And you would seek it?”
    “Our father’s there,” Robin said.
    “For debt,” I added quickly, and glared at Robin. We had no need to explain ourselves to this man. Why must he offer information that had not been asked for?
    “Truly?” Although Master Marlowe’s voice was easy, hardly interested, his eyes were narrow and alert. “And you’ve come from the country to visit him? You’ve never been in London before; ’tis easy enough to see that. Have you money?” His gaze lingered a little on my poor, patched clothing and Robin’s shabby new doublet. “There’s a fee to visit a prisoner.”
    My dismay must have shown plain on my face. “But—our own father,” I protested stupidly. Surely the warden of the prison would not keep two children from seeing their father.
    Master Marlowe snorted. “You’re a fine pair of innocents to be wandering around the city. Have you even a place to sleep tonight? Or did you think that food and beds were free for the asking in London?”
    “We had money,” I said stiffly. How dare he call us fools, when he would have been in prison this moment but for us? “But it was stolen.”
    “No doubt. Every pickpocket on the bridge must havehad his eye on two such country coneys. Well, then. I suppose it would weigh on my conscience to abandon you. If the law does not take you in for vagabonds, there will be nothing left of you by tomorrow. Perhaps…” He looked at me thoughtfully and nodded. “Yes, indeed. And thou.” He turned abruptly to Robin. “Canst turn a cartwheel?”
    He had been talking so reasonably, I had almost forgotten that he had lost his wits. But this was too much. Was this city entirely composed of thieves, brutes, and madmen? “Sir, I thank you.” Although, in truth, what had he done that I should thank him? He had not even given us the directions I’d asked for. “Good day to you.”
    “No, no, have patience a moment.” He reached out a hand to catch at my sleeve. “There’s reason in my madness, I promise you both. And you’ve nowhere to go, so why not humor me awhile? Go on, lad, show me.”
    Ridiculous. This was no time to be turning tumbling tricks in the streets of London. “Come, Robin,” I started to say, but my little brother was not likely to lose a chance to show off his skills. Ever since he’d first seen a company of players, he had been mad for such foolishness. Now he turned a neat cartwheel, his heels flashing over his head, apparently to Master Marlowe’s satisfaction.
    “Well enough,” he said, and seemed to make up his mind. “I know of a place that’s looking for a new apprentice,perhaps two. It would mean beds and food if they’ll take you in. Will you come and try your luck? Do not, pray, just gape at me. I’ve no time for it.”
    I swallowed down my astonishment. “Sir, this is—too much kindness. But what kind of work—?”
    “Come, then, hurry. Move your legs!” And he was walking briskly away. Robin and I had to scurry not to be left behind. “I’m late as it is, and Henslowe will have my head if I interrupt. You’ll see, soon enough.”
    There was something helpless in the way we both scrambled after Master Marlowe, as if he had caught us on a line, hooked us like fish in a river. Newgate Prison, with our father inside, seemed to be drifting downstream, farther and farther away.
    And yet, if it were true,