Hill of Bones by The Medieval Murderers Read Free Book Online Page A

imagine you already know that.’
    ‘There are no wolves in England,’ said Gwenllian. ‘What really happened?’
    Dacus glowered and became childishly sullen. ‘There are – ask anyone. Hugh was stupid to have lingered there after dark. Especially given what had happened to Adam.’
    ‘My wife is right,’ said Cole stiffly. ‘There are no wolves here, and if Adam and Hugh did die in the way you suggest, then some other beast did it. A dog, perhaps. Although it would take a monster to train one to act in such a way . . .’
    Dacus laughed mockingly. ‘The manner of Hugh’s demise is news to you! I thought the King’s officer would have been better informed.’
    ‘Then enlighten us,’ suggested Gwenllian, reaching out to prevent Cole from grabbing the priest. ‘You can start by telling us about Solsbury Hill.’
    Dacus pointed over the wall to a mound about three miles distant. His voice grew curiously singsong. ‘It is a malevolent place, and only those with pure souls can survive a night there. Adam and Hugh took the test, but failed.’
    ‘Hugh was not pure?’ asked Gwenllian, gripping Cole’s arm more tightly. Dacus was providing information, and she was willing to accept intelligence from anyone willing to talk, no matter how objectionable they were.
    ‘No,’ replied Dacus airily, ‘because otherwise he would have lived. Will you take the test, King’s man? There is a full moon on Thursday – three days’ time. Go to Solsbury then, and if you are honourable, God will protect you. But if you are sinful, you will die. Of course, you will have to do it alone.’
    ‘How do you know a wolf killed Adam and Hugh?’ asked Gwenllian quickly, before Cole was goaded into accepting the challenge.
    ‘It savaged them, but it was God who decided they should die,’ declared Dacus. ‘Of course, there was no need for avenging wolves in Bishop Reginald’s day. He was a saint, who kept good order in Bath. He should have been an archbishop, you know.’
    ‘He was offered the post,’ explained Cole, seeing Gwenllian’s eyebrows rise at the claim, ‘but he died on his way to Canterbury. He considered himself unworthy, and God apparently agreed, because he was struck down as he—’
    ‘How dare you say God killed Reginald!’ shrieked Dacus, lurching forward suddenly. ‘You stupid Norman! He was murdered . I was his chaplain, and I was there – I know .’
    One of his fists shot out, but Cole had no trouble evading it. Dacus tried again, so Cole caught his arm and twisted it behind his back. Dacus struggled frantically, then began to weep and curse in equal measure.
    ‘He is demented,’ said Gwenllian quietly. ‘He does not know what he—’
    ‘I do know,’ shrieked Dacus. ‘I am glad Adam is dead. He was evil ! He deserved to die.’
    When the priest’s rage was spent, Cole released him. Dacus crawled into a corner and began to whisper to himself. Cole watched for a moment, then turned on his heel and strode outside. Gwenllian followed.
    ‘Do not let him upset you,’ she said gently. ‘His wits are awry, and—’
    ‘He would not have been appointed master of a hospital if he was truly mad,’ interrupted Cole tightly. ‘And it is obvious what happened: he hated Adam and Hugh, so he murdered them.’
    Gwenllian gazed at him. ‘Symon! There is no evidence for—’
    ‘He killed Adam because he wanted his job, and he killed Hugh to prevent him from telling anyone. And he challenged me to go to Solsbury Hill on Thursday, because he intends to kill me, too. It is why he told me to go alone.’
    Gwenllian regarded him askance. ‘Our task here will be difficult enough without you jumping to wild conclusions—’
    ‘Dacus murdered Adam,’ repeated Cole, in a tone of voice that she had never heard him use before. ‘I can see it in his eyes.’
    ‘Perhaps,’ she said soothingly. ‘But you will need evidence to bring charges against him.’
    ‘Then I shall find it.’ Cole sprang into his