To Kill or Cure Read Online Free PDF Page A

reproachfully.
    ‘I know, but he would not want us to be sentimental about this – and nor would he approve of us neglecting our students’ education
     by being tardy about appointing a replacement. Who will it be, do you think? Principal Honynge of Zachary Hostel is always
     sniffing around in search of a College post, so I suppose he will be calling tomorrow, to remind us of his academic prowess.
     Now
there
is someone who would harm Kenyngham. I have never liked him, and he strikes me as the kind of man who might resort to poison
     to further his own ends.’
    ‘And how did he commit this crime?’ asked Bartholomew, supposing distress was leading the monk to make wild and unfounded
     accusations. ‘We all ate the same food.’
    ‘Kenyngham’s age made him frail, rendering him more susceptible to toxins than the rest of us.’
    ‘You should watch where you express that sort of theory,’ warned Bartholomew. ‘Our students are upset, and a rumour that Kenyngham
     was deliberately harmed is likely to ignite a fire that does not need to be lit. Besides, Honynge is not a killer.’
    ‘What about Tyrington of Piron Hostel as a culprit, then?’ persisted Michael. ‘He has been its Principal for three years now,
     and he told me only last week that he would rather be a collegian.’
    ‘No one killed Kenyngham,’ said Bartholomew firmly. ‘And he would be appalled to hear you say so – of all the men in the University,
     he was the last who would want trouble on his behalf.’
    ‘That is true, but I cannot stop thinking about this “antidote”…’
    ‘Perhaps he used the wrong word. Some of what he said to me today made no sense, either – talk of crocodiles and shooting
     stars. You are reading too much into an idle remark, and we should discuss something else before you convince yourself that
     a crime
has
been committed and go off to investigate. Tell me about your rent war. I could not hear what you were saying once the choir
     was under way with its repertoire.’
    Michael grimaced. ‘It is growing ever more serious, and I am struggling to maintain the peace. The landlords’ spokesman –
     Candelby – has recently purchased several new houses. He objects to the fact that the law insists they should be used as hostels
     for scholars.’
    ‘He
owns
these buildings?’ asked Bartholomew. Michael nodded. ‘Then I can see his point. Why should he rent them to us for a pittance,
     when he could lease them to wealthy merchants for a good deal more?’
    Michael regarded him icily. ‘Not you, too! That is what
he
says, and he is encouraging the other landlords to think the same. The reason is that it is the
law
, Matt. Once a house has been rented to scholars, it must remain rented to scholars until the University no longer needs it.’
    ‘It may be the law, but it is hardly fair.’
    ‘What does fairness have to do with anything? The law has never made any pretence of being fair, and nor will it, I imagine.
     However, the real problem is that I find myself unable to enforce this particular statute. I could fine Candelby, but what
     would I do if he refuses to pay? Sendbeadles to his house and take the money by force? Put him in prison? If I did either, the University would be in flames within
     an hour, and every scholar would be ready to fight. There would be a bloodbath, and I do not want that.’
    ‘Does Candelby?’
    ‘Yes – he is a greedy, selfish villain, who would willingly squander lives for personal gain. But
I
want the matter settled amicably. I have offered to negotiate a slightly higher rate – I cannot
triple
it, as he demands, because even I do not own that sort of authority – but he refuses to treat with me.’
    ‘Then ask the Sheriff to intervene. He will force Candelby to talk to you, because he will not want a riot, either.’
    ‘I wish I could, but he is away, summoned to Huntingdon on shire business.’
    ‘Then can you send to the King for help? He set his seal to the