Brother Cadfael 08: The Devil's Novice by Ellis Peters Read Free Book Online Page B

for his price, for he valued him.'
    'And the search is laid upon you?' said Cadfael.
    'Not in such short terms, no. Eluard is a fair-minded man, he takes a part of the load upon him, and doesn't grudge. But this shire is my business, under the sheriff, and I pick up my share of the burden. Here is a scholar and a cleric vanished where my writ runs. That I do not like,' said Hugh, in the ominously soft voice that had a silver lustre about it like bared steel.
    Cadfael came to the question that was uppermost in his mind. 'And why, then, having the witness of Aspley and all his house at his disposal, did Canon Eluard feel it needful to turn back these few miles to Shrewsbury?' But already he knew the answer.
    'Because, my friend, you have here the younger son of that house, new in his novitiate. He is thorough, this Canon Eluard. He wants word from even the stray from that tribe. Who knows which of all that manor may not have noticed the one thing needful?'
    It was a piercing thought; it stuck in Cadfael's mind, quivering like a dart. Who knows, indeed? 'He has not questioned the boy yet?'
    'No, he would not disrupt the evening offices for such a matter-nor his good supper, either,' added Hugh with a brief grin. 'But tomorrow he'll have him into the guests' parlour and go over the affair with him, before he goes on southward to join the king at Westminster, and prompt him to go and make sure of Chester and Roumare, while he can.'
    'And you will be present at that meeting,' said Cadfael with certainty.
    'I shall be present. I need to know whatever any man can tell me to the point, if a man has vanished by foul means within my jurisdiction. This is now as much my business as it is Eluard's.'
    'You'll tell me,' said Cadfael confidently, 'what the lad has to say, and how he bears himself?'
    'I'll tell you,' said Hugh, and rose to take his leave.
    As it turned out, Meriet bore himself with stoical calm during that interview in the parlour, in the presence of Abbot Radulfus, Canon Eluard and Hugh Beringar, the powers here of both church and state. He answered questions simply and directly, without apparent hesitation.
    Yes, he had been present when Master Clemence came to break his journey at Aspley. No, he had not been expected, he came unheralded, but the house of his kinsmen was open to him whenever he would. No, he had not been there more than once before as a guest, some years ago, he was now a man of affairs, and kept about his lord's person. Yes, Meriet himself had stabled the guest's horse, and groomed, watered and fed him, while the women had made Master Clemence welcome within. He was the son of a cousin of Meriet's mother, who was some two years dead now - the Norman side of the family. And his entertainment? The best they could lay before him in food and drink, music after the supper, and one more guest at the table, the daughter of the neighbouring manor who was affianced to Meriet's elder brother Nigel. Meriet spoke of the occasion with wide-open eyes and clear, still countenance.
    'Did Master Clemence say what his errand was?' asked Hugh suddenly. 'Tell where he was bound and for what purpose?'
    'He said he was on the bishop of Winchester's business. I don't recall that he said more than that while I was there. But there was music after I left the hall, and they were still seated. I went to see that all was done properly in the stable. He may have said more to my father.'
    'And in the morning?' asked Canon Eluard.
    'We had all things ready to serve him when he rose, for he said he must be in the saddle early. My father and Fremund, our steward, with two grooms, rode with him the first mile of his way, and I, and the servants, and Isouda ... "
    'Isouda?' said Hugh, pricking his ears at a new name. Meriet had passed by the mention of his brother's betrothed without naming her.
    'She is not my sister, she is heiress to the manor of Foriet, that borders ours on the southern side. My father is her guardian and manages her