To Kill or Cure Read Online Free PDF

University Statutes – the laws you are trying to enforce –
     and will not want them flouted.’
    ‘That would see His Majesty descending on the town in a fury, fining anything that moves. We are unpopular enough as it is,
     and I do not want to exacerbate the situation by telling tales. Damn Candelby! Most people had never heard of him before he
     whipped his fellow landlords into a frenzy, but now his name is on everyone’s lips.’
    ‘Not mine, Brother. I know very little about him.’
    ‘He is a taverner by trade. He runs the Angel Inn on Bene’t Street and, much as I detest the man, he does sell excellent pies.
     Have you tried one?’
    ‘If I had, then I would not tell you – the Senior Proctor! You would fine me.’
    The University had decided years before that taverns were not for scholars. Not only did such establishments provide strong
     drink, which encouraged riotous behaviour, but they were frequented by townsmen. Inebriated studentsand drunken laymen were to be kept apart at all costs, and Michael’s beadles patrolled the alehouses every night in search
     of anyone breaking the rules.
    Michael smiled. ‘I shall assume the answer is yes, then.’
    ‘Just once – a month ago. Carton took me, because he said I was the only man in Cambridge who had not eaten one.’
    Michael nodded. ‘He was probably right. Candelby hired a Welsh cook at the beginning of Lent, and it is common knowledge that
     his wares are a vast improvement on anything else on offer in the town.’
    ‘What are you going to do about him?’ Bartholomew was concerned by the way his friend’s face had become pale with worry. ‘Candelby,
     I mean, not the cook.’
    ‘What
can
I do? I do not want to be heavy handed and spoil University–town relations for ever. Yet I represent scholars, and cannot
     let burgesses ride roughshod over them. However, my first duty is to avert the riot I sense brewing, so I shall continue to
     be calm and reasonable – and hope Sheriff Tulyet comes home while we are all still in one piece. Lord, I miss him!’
    ‘We do not want a riot,’ agreed Bartholomew fervently. He was the University’s Corpse Examiner, which meant he was obliged
     to inspect the body of any dead scholar – and he disliked seeing people killed by violence. He was about to add more when
     the door was flung open and Falmeresham burst in, the commoner Carton at his heels. Falmeresham and Carton had struck up a
     friendship that had surprised everyone, because their personalities meant they had little in common. Falmeresham was fun-loving
     and reckless; Carton was a sober, quiet friar who was something of an enigma.
    ‘There has been an accident,’ declared Falmeresham. ‘Master Lynton was riding down the road when he collidedwith a cart driven by Candelby. The messenger said there is blood everywhere.’
    ‘Lord!’ groaned Michael, putting his head in his hands. ‘A spat between the landlords’ spokesman and a high-ranking scholar.
     Now there will be trouble!’
    ‘Do you mean Lynton the physician?’ asked Bartholomew alarmed. ‘My colleague from Peterhouse?’
    Falmeresham nodded. ‘I am glad I did not study with
him
. He is dogmatic and narrow-minded, and refuses to embrace new ideas.’
    ‘That is unkind,’ said Bartholomew reprovingly. Falmeresham was only a term away from graduating, but Bartholomew had still
     not cured him of his habit of speaking his mind. ‘He does prefer traditional medicine, but he is a good man.’
    Falmeresham snorted in a way that suggested he disagreed, but there was no time to argue.
    Michael heaved himself upright. ‘I suppose I should see what can be done to avert trouble.’
    ‘You are right to be worried,’ said Carton. ‘The messenger also said the onlookers have taken sides, and your beadles are
     hard-pressed to keep them apart. You are both needed on Milne Street.’
    Easter Sunday was a time of feasting and celebration, and even the town’s poorest inhabitants marked