The Elephants of Norwich Read online

  ‘I had a long talk with Olivier Romain,’ he said. ‘He admitted that he’d made little progress in solving the theft of those gold elephants. But he had stumbled on one promising fact.’

  ‘What was that?’ said Ralph.

  ‘A year ago, the lord Richard employed a man who worked hand in hand with Hermer as his assistant. They got on well at first. Then they fell out. Hermer had the man dismissed and he went off swearing that he’d get his own back.’

  ‘On the steward or on the lord Richard?’

  ‘On both.’

  ‘Who is the fellow?’

  ‘His name is Starculf.’

  ‘Then why hasn’t he been questioned?’

  ‘Because there’s no sign of him,’ said Coureton, frowning. ‘Starculf left the area months ago and hasn’t been seen since. The sheriff’s deputy looked everywhere and the search will continue. Starculf not only had a reason to steal, he had a motive to kill.’

  ‘Also,’ said Gervase, thinking it through, ‘he’d be familiar with the estate. He’d know his way around extremely well. If he was Hermer’s assistant, he might even have had keys to the house.’

  ‘Apparently, the lord Richard spoke very harshly of him. He flew into a temper at the very mention of Starculf’s name.’

  ‘It doesn’t take much to enrage him.’

  ‘Ira furor brevis est.’

  ‘What does that mean?’ said Ralph.

  ‘“Anger is a short madness.” I was quoting Horace.’

  ‘Then he must have had someone like Richard de Fontenel in mind.’

  ‘Starculf must be tracked down,’ said Gervase. ‘He’s an obvious suspect.’

  ‘I agree,’ said Coureton, ‘but I think we’ll uncover some others before too long. Starculf was only one of several people with a grudge against the lord Richard.’

  ‘Alstan, for instance.’

  ‘I wasn’t forgetting that poor old man.’

  ‘It’s a pity we didn’t get him to tell us more about the way the estate was run.’

  Coureton shook his head. ‘He knew little that would be of value to us. No, I fancy there are far more eloquent witnesses to his master’s ruthlessness. And you’re the person to find them for us, Gervase.’

  ‘Me?’

  ‘You’re our sharp-eyed lawyer.’

  ‘Where am I supposed to look?’

  ‘Where else,’ said Coureton, ‘but in that sheaf of documents you brought with you? The lord Richard is contesting the ownership of a large acreage of land with Mauger Livarot, but it must have belonged to someone else before either of them tried to take it into their possession. Who was that original owner and how was his property seized from him?’ He offered a helpful grin. ‘Does my suggestion make sense?’

  ‘Considerable sense,’ said Gervase, gratefully. ‘I went through the returns for this whole county and saw just how often the name of Richard de Fontenel was associated with dubious claims. He acquired land by all manner of subterfuge.’

  ‘Make a list of those he dispossessed.’

  ‘I will, my lord.’

  ‘Especially in the Taverham hundred.’

  ‘Leave it to me.’

  ‘We may turn up suspects that would not occur to the sheriff and his deputy.’

  ‘I’ll go through my satchel with care.’

  Ralph was lost in thought. Emerging from his silence, he brought the flat of his hand down hard on the table and startled them. They looked quizzically at him.

  ‘What if we’re wrong?’ he demanded.

  ‘About what?’ said Gervase.

  ‘Everything. What if the two crimes are unconnected? We’re all assuming that one person is responsible for both but that may not be the case at all. In any event, we’re more likely to solve the first crime if we treat it in isolation.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because then we can examine it properly,’ argued Ralph. ‘If we treat it as a prelude to murder, we only confuse the issue. Reduce it to the simple facts. Richard de Fontenel buys an expensive gift for the lady he wishes to marry. That gift is stolen from his home. What’s his immediate conclusion?’

  ‘That the lord Mauger took the elephants,’ said Coureton.

  ‘Exactly. A deadly rival trying to ruin his marriage plans. That’s one reason for the theft but isn’t there a much more obvious one?’ He looked from one to the other. ‘Sheer gain,’ he said, grinning at them. ‘Those elephants were made of solid gold. They’d be dangerous to keep because they’re so distinctive. Besides, they were very valuable. So what would the thief do?’

  ‘Have them melted down.’

  ‘Yes, my lord.’

  ‘That way, the evidence disappears from sight,’ said Gervase.

  ‘And he sells the gold for a handsome profit.’ Ralph got up suddenly from the table. ‘Let the sheriff go chasing after Mauger Livarot,’ he said with a chuckle. ‘I’m going to acquaint myself with the goldsmiths of Norwich. One of them may have had some unusual items presented to him recently.’

  ‘Sound reasoning,’ complimented Eustace Coureton. ‘You and Gervase are engaged in the selfsame search, my lord.’

  ‘Are we?’

  ‘Yes. While you’re hunting through some shops in the city, Gervase will be scouring his documents. I’ll be interested to see which of you finds gold first.’

  Roger Bigot lifted the lid of the rough-hewn wooden coffin and peered in. Wrapped in a shroud, Hermer’s corpse had been reunited with his hands but they were not attached to his wrists. They had been placed either side of the body.

  ‘Are you certain they belonged to your steward?’ asked the sheriff.

  ‘There’s no doubt about that,’ said de Fontenel, testily. ‘The left hand bears his ring and there’s a scar on his right palm that I recognise. Those are Hermer’s hands, my lord sheriff. Who else’s could they be?’

  Bigot took one last look at them before he closed the lid of the coffin. ‘When is the burial?’ he said.

  ‘This afternoon. There’s no point in delaying it.’

  ‘At least he’ll be whole when he’s lowered into his grave.’

  ‘That won’t be the case with his murderer,’ promised the other with a glint in his eye. ‘I’ll cut off more than his hands. I’ll gouge out his eyes for a start.’

  ‘You’ll do nothing of the kind,’ warned the sheriff. ‘When we arrest the villain, I’ll decide what punishment to inflict.’

  ‘Not if I get to him first!’

  They were in the tiny church on Richard de Fontenel’s estate, less than half a mile from his manor house. Since the building lacked a separate chamber, the coffin had been placed on trestles in the nave. The smell of incense filled the air. Summoned by a message from de Fontenel, the sheriff had ridden out to view the missing hands and to hear how they had reappeared. It was a puzzling development. Bigot waited until they left the church before he resumed his questioning.

  ‘Who found the hands, my lord?’

  ‘Clamahoc, one of my servants.’

  ‘Where were they?’

  ‘Left outside my front door in a box.’

  ‘Did this Clamahoc see who put them there?’

  ‘No,’ said the other, grimly, ‘and nor did anyone else. But I know who it was.’

  ‘I hope that you’re not going to say that it was the lord Mauger.’

  ‘It’s just the kind of taunt he would favour.’

  ‘How can you be sure that it was a taunt?’

  ‘What else could it be, my lord sheriff?’

  ‘An act of penitence.’ His companion snorted. ‘It could, Richard. Suppose that the killer repented of his savagery and returned the hands to lighten the burden on his conscience.’

  Richard de Fontenel scowled. ‘I don’t believe in penitent murderers. If the man was so conscience-stricken, why not confess his crime? No,’ he insisted, ‘this was a gibe at me. Those hands were sent back to give me a deliberate shock.’

  ‘Well, they weren’t placed at your door by th
e lord Mauger. That I can affirm. Not long before your servant found that box, I was talking to Mauger at his house. He would never have been able to cover the distance here in time.’

  ‘Then he must have sent that verminous steward of his.’

  ‘Drogo was present throughout my visit.’

  The other man was adamant. ‘Mauger had those hands delivered here somehow.’

  ‘I don’t agree,’ said Bigot, ‘and neither do Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret. They came with me on my visit. Both are shrewd men, used to rooting out deceit and dishonesty. They came to the same conclusion that I did. Mauger is not the culprit.’

  ‘Then he fooled all three of you.’

  ‘My deputy is of the same mind. Olivier still believes that the most likely person is the man who was Hermer’s assistant. What was his name?’

  ‘Starculf.’

  ‘He left here under a cloud, it seems.’

  ‘We found him unreliable.’

  ‘Why was that, my lord?’

  ‘That’s a private matter. Starculf had to go.’

  ‘But he left embittered, vowing vengeance.’

  ‘True,’ admitted the other. ‘He did have cause to strike at Hermer, but why leave it so long? Why attack at this particular moment? Starculf has not been seen or heard of for months, my lord sheriff. I doubt that he’s even still in the county. It would be too much of a coincidence if he returned to take his revenge at the precise moment when I had those gold elephants in my possession.’ He gave a dismissive shrug. ‘How could he arrange to steal something he didn’t know I owned?’

  ‘We’d still like to speak with him.’

  ‘Only one other person was aware that I’d acquired those elephants.’

  ‘Mauger Livarot.’

  ‘Exactly!’

  ‘But how did he know, my lord?’

  ‘The way that he gets to know everything,’ sneered de Fontenel. ‘By means of bribery. My wedding gift vanished on the very day I showed it to the lady Adelaide. That was no accident.’

  ‘According to you, Hermer made off with it.’

  ‘He must have done.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because he had the elephants on a platter when he left the room. The lady Adelaide and I talked alone at some length. Above an hour, probably. During that time,’ de Fontenel asserted, ‘Hermer must have sneaked off to deliver the takings to the man who put him up to the crime – Mauger Livarot.’

  ‘You really believe that your steward betrayed you?’

  ‘What I believe is that Mauger used him then cast him aside.’

  ‘Yet Hermer’s body lies in your church. It’ll be buried on your land.’

  ‘I couldn’t deny him that.’

  ‘Even though you suspect him of being party to a conspiracy?’ said Bigot. ‘I would have thought you’d want to burn the body or tear it to shreds.’

  ‘That rage has passed,’ confessed the other, solemnly. ‘Hermer gave me good service for many years. I owe him something for that. Besides, there’s an element of doubt. Not about Mauger’s involvement,’ he said, wagging a finger. ‘Only about Hermer. Part of me wants to believe that a loyal steward would never sink so low.’

  ‘Olivier Romain reached the same conclusion.’

  ‘All that your deputy can talk about is Starculf.’

  ‘With good reason, my lord. He was disaffected when he left your estate.’

  ‘The only way that he would have been drawn into this was as Mauger’s agent.’

  ‘Stop harping on the lord Mauger. He’s innocent.’

  ‘Not from where I stand!’

  Bigot sighed wearily as they walked towards their horses. Four of the sheriff’s men were already in the saddle. They waited while the two men exchanged their last words. Bigot recalled something that had been said earlier.

  ‘You claim that nobody knew that you had those gold elephants.’

  ‘Nobody except Mauger.’

  ‘What about the man who sold them to you?’

  ‘I bought them abroad. In a private transaction.’

  ‘Where did the transaction take place?’

  ‘That’s no concern of yours, my lord sheriff,’ said de Fontenel, sharply. ‘Just do your office and get them back for me.’

  ‘When are you bidden?’ asked Ralph Delchard, interested to hear the news.

  ‘Tomorrow,’ said Golde.

  ‘Did the invitation extend to me?’

  ‘No, Ralph. Nor to Gervase.’

  ‘A pity. I’d rather like to see where the lady Adelaide lives.’

  ‘Be honest,’ she teased. ‘All you’d like to see is the lady Adelaide herself.’

  ‘Not for the reason you think, my love. I enjoy her company, I won’t deny it, but that’s not why I’d seek it out. Two men are vying for her hand in marriage. One of them has been robbed of the wedding gift intended for her and his steward has been murdered. That’s why I’d like to speak with the lady Adelaide again,’ he said, kissing her on the forehead. ‘To find out more about her relationship with the lord Richard than she was prepared to divulge at the banquet.’

  ‘Does she still have a relationship with him? I’d have thought that his behaviour last night ended all hopes he had of marrying her. He was raging.’

  ‘Ira furor brevis est.’

  Golde was taken aback. ‘What did you say?’

  ‘“Anger is a short madness”,’ he replied airily. ‘It’s from the Roman poet, Horace. You didn’t know that your husband was a Latin scholar, did you?’

  ‘I think you’ve been talking to the lord Eustace.’

  ‘How did you guess?’ He gave a ripe chuckle. ‘As for the lady Adelaide, you’ll be able to judge for yourself if she’s cast the lord Richard aside as a suitor. He’s no worse than her other swain, the lord Mauger.’

  ‘A beautiful woman can’t always choose the men who’re attracted to her.’

  ‘Tell that to the lady Adelaide,’ he said, cheerily. ‘But I must away, my love.’

  They were in their chamber at the castle. Golde had just shown him what she had bought that morning and told him of the invitation. Ralph had no time to linger. After giving her another kiss, he moved towards the door. ‘You went to market this morning,’ he said, ‘and now it’s my turn.’

  ‘What are you after?’

  ‘Gold!’

  He let himself out and went down the stairs. Minutes later, he was riding alone through the main gate, with directions from the captain of the guard. There were three goldsmiths in Norwich and he intended to visit them all. The first could be discounted at once. He had been sick with fever for over a week and his shop was closed. The second had been offered nothing to buy or melt down and was a man of such patent honesty that Ralph wasted no more time questioning him. It was when he called on the last of the three that he sensed he might make more progress.

  Judicael the Goldsmith was a portly man with heavy jowls, rounded shoulders and flabby hands. He was older and more prosperous than either of his two rivals. His shop was larger, his apparel richer and his manner more confident. When he saw Ralph entering his premises, he rubbed his palms and gave an unctuous smile.

  ‘Good morning, my lord,’ he said.

  ‘Are you Judicael?’

  ‘Yes, my lord. What can I do for you?’

  ‘I’d like your help.’

  ‘Certainly. I keep a very large stock. Rings, brooches, necklaces, bangles.’ His voice took on a confiding note. ‘I take it that we’re talking about a gift for a lady?’

  ‘We are,’ confirmed Ralph.

  ‘Good. What would you like to see?’

  ‘Two gold elephants.’

  Judicael’s face went blank. ‘Elephants, my lord?’

  ‘Do you know what elephants are?’

  ‘Well, yes, of course. Not that I’ve ever seen one in the flesh. But I have an idea of what they look like. You want me to make two elephants? Is that my commission?’

  ‘No,’ said Ralph, irritated by h
is manner. ‘Your commission is simply to give me the answers I need. I’m not here to buy anything.’

  ‘Oh, I’m disappointed to hear that.’

  ‘My errand is more important than your disappointment.’

  ‘Is it, my lord? Why is that?’

  ‘I’ll ask the questions. Now, has anyone brought any gold elephants to you?’

  ‘No, my lord.’

  ‘I’m told they’re so big,’ explained Ralph, using his fingers to give some idea of dimensions. ‘Made of solid gold, with a crucifix on each head. Has anything like that been brought to your shop?’

  ‘Nothing at all, my lord.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Absolutely sure.’

  ‘So you weren’t asked to melt them down?’

  ‘No, my lord.’

  ‘But you do buy the occasional gold item?’

  ‘Only if I have proof of ownership,’ said Judicael firmly. ‘Otherwise, I turn it away. I’m a respectable goldsmith, my lord. I don’t trade in stolen goods.’

  Ralph was not persuaded by the claim. Judicael was too sleek and plausible. There was an evasive look in the man’s eye. Ralph tried to press him.

  ‘Where is your stock kept?’

  ‘Under lock and key, my lord.’

  ‘Here on the premises?’

  ‘In my strong room.’ The unctuous smile returned. ‘You wish to buy something?’

  ‘No, my friend. I just want to know if you’d let me see what you have.’

  Judicael was cautious. ‘I’m sorry, my lord. That would be out of the question.’

  ‘What if I were to come back here with the sheriff?’ Ralph introduced

  himself properly and stated the nature of his business. The goldsmith became even more circumspect. Although anxious not to impede a murder investigation, he was at first unwilling to take Ralph on trust. The commissioner grew impatient.

  ‘Will you open your strong room or do I have to break the door down myself?’

  ‘That won’t be necessary, my lord,’ said the other in alarm.

  ‘Then why dither, man? Are you hiding something?’

  ‘No, no. Of course not.’

  ‘Those two elephants are here. Is that it?’

  ‘I swear I’ve never seen any gold elephants.’

  ‘Then you have nothing to worry about, have you?’