Murder by the Book by Susanna Gregory Read Free Book Online

will be in two sections. The room in which we are standing holds the
libri distribuendi
– duplicates, cheaper volumes and exemplars. These may be lent to scholars, to take home.’
    ‘And the
libri concatenati
?’ asked Bartholomew.
    Walkelate led the way to the adjoining chamber. It was larger than the first, and finer, with specially designed carrels and lecterns for reading. ‘As you know, the
libri concatenati
are expensive or popular books. They will be chained to the walls or to lecterns, and will not be removed from the building.’
    ‘Our library will be magnificent,’ said Bartholomew warmly, his reservations about the building’s suitability quite vanished. He pointed to a huge rough chest in the middle of the room, which stood in a sea of wood shavings. ‘Although I assume that will not be staying?’
    ‘That is a
cista exemplarium
– a box for storing spare exemplars – and will eventually live in the basement. However, for now, it provides a convenient work table.’
    To prove his point, he sat next to it. On the
cista
was a hefty bust of Aristotle, meticulously carved in oak, which he picked up and began to buff lovingly.
    ‘This will be mounted atop the first bookcase our scholars will see upon entering,’ he explained. ‘To welcome them to this sacred hall of learning.’
    ‘I am surprised you accepted Dunning’s invitation to design this place,’ remarked Michael. ‘Your College is violently opposed to the scheme, and King’s Hall has always been rather keen on unity.’
    ‘I know,’ said Walkelate with a sigh. ‘They remind me of my dissension at every meal.’
    ‘Then why did you do it?’ asked Bartholomew curiously.His own colleagues were still peeved with him for the way he had voted, and he could not imagine what it would be like for Walkelate, who had not only supported the venture, but was its architect, too.
    ‘Because I firmly believe that they will appreciate its benefits in time,’ replied Walkelate. ‘And that they will come to love it. Besides, this project represented a challenge, and I like my skills to be tested.’
    ‘You have worked very hard,’ acknowledged Michael. ‘However, a grand opening during Corpus Christi will be a red rag to a bull. A discreet, quiet ceremony the week after would be far more suitable. I do not suppose you might consider …’
    ‘I cannot delay the work to suit you, Brother,’ said Walkelate reproachfully. ‘Dunning has offered the craftsmen a substantial bonus if they finish on time, and it would be cruel to deprive them of such a prize after all their labours.’
    He smiled as two men walked into the room, laden down with wood and buckets of nails. The first man, who was enormous, carried the bulk of the supplies. He looked like a wrestler, and his thick yellow hair was tied in a tail at the back of his head. The second was smaller, with sad eyes and a wart on the side of his nose. Both looked exhausted, and when they deposited their materials on the
cista
, they heaved weary sighs.
    ‘This is Kente,’ said Walkelate, indicating the smaller of the pair. ‘He is responsible for all the carving, while Frevill here built the shelves.’
    ‘Another week,’ said Kente, bending slowly to pick up a hammer. ‘Then we shall be finished, and I will sleep for a month. I cannot recall ever working so hard!’
    ‘Nor I,’ growled Frevill. ‘But the bonus will be worth the pre-dawn starts and the late finishes. My father says itwill eliminate all the debt our family has incurred this winter.’
    Bartholomew sincerely hoped that Dunning would be able to pay what he had promised, because it was clear that the artisans had given everything they had to meet his deadline.
    He was about to compliment Kente and Frevill on their achievement when there was another clatter of footsteps on the stairs. A man stood in the doorway, hands on hips, as he regarded Michael with considerable anger.
    ‘What are you doing up here?’ he demanded in a