An Ensuing Evil and Others by Peter Tremayne

Shakespeare chose this day to put forward his new work.”
    “You are presenting a new play by Master Shakespeare?” queried Hardy Drew, speaking for the first time. He had ascertained that the papers under the body were a script of sorts, and presumably the part was meant for Bertrando.
    “Indeed, a most joyous comedy called All’s Well That Ends Well,” affirmed Burbage, albeit a mite unhappily.
    “Let us hope that it pleases the loyal subjects of the Queen s Majesty better than your previous production,” muttered Master Drew.
    Master Topcliff shot his deputy a glance of annoyance before turning back to Burbage. “This is a comedy that has turned to tragedy for your player, Master Director. All has not ended well here.”
    Burbage groaned theatrically. “You do not have to tell me, sir. We must cancel our performance.” His eyes widened suddenly in realization. “Z’life! Master Shakespeare is already on his way from Stratford to attend. How can I tell him the play is canceled?”
    “Isn’t it the custom to have an understudy for the part?” asked Hardy Drew.
    “Usually,” agreed Burbage, “but in this case, Bertrando was so jealous of his role that he refused to allow his understudy to attend rehearsals for him to perfect the part. Now the understudy has no time to learn his part before our first performance is due.”
    “What is known about this killing?” interrupted Master Topcliff, bored with the problems of the play-master.
    Burbage frowned. “I do not follow.”
    “Is it known who did this deed or who might have done it?”
    “Why, no. I came on the body a half an hour since. Most of us were on stage reading our parts. When Bertrando did not come to join us, I came here in search of him and found him as you see.”
    “So you suspect no one?”
    “No one would wish to harm Bertrando, for he is one of… was one of our most popular players with our audiences.”
    Hardy Drew raised an eyebrow. “Surely that would not endear him to his fellow actors? What of this understudy that he has excluded from rehearsals? Where is he?”
    Burbage looked shocked. “You suspect one of our players of such a deed?” he asked incredulously.
    “Whom should we suspect, then?” demanded Master Topcliff.
    “Why, some cutthroat from the street who must have entered the playhouse in pursuit of a theft. Bertrando surprised the man and was stabbed for his pains. It seems very clear to me, sir.”
    Hardy Drew smiled thinly. “But not to Master Topcliff nor myself,” he replied quietly.
    Master Topcliff looked at his young deputy in surprise and then swiftly gathered his wits. “My deputy is correct,” he added, addressing Burbage.
    “Why so, sir?”
    Master Topcliff gave a shrug. “You tell him, Master Drew.”
    “Easy enough. Your Bertrando, master-player, did not enter this room to surprise a thief. Bertrando was already in this room.Someone then entered while he was presumably dressing to join you on stage. The purpose of that person was to kill him.”
    Burbage looked at him incredulously. “Do you have the second sight? By what sorcery would you know this?”
    “No sorcery at all, sir, but by using my common sense and the evidence of my eyes.”
    Master Topcliff was regarding his deputy anxiously. He did not like the word sorcery being leveled at his office. Such a charge could lead to unpleasant consequences. “Explain yourself further to the good Master Burbage,” he suggested uneasily.
    “I will and gladly. There was a single stab mark in Bertrando s back. I would say that the culprit entered the dressing room while Bertrando was donning his clothes with his back to the door. He had only his shirt on. The murderer raised the knife and stabbed Bertrando between the shoulder blades. It was a serious wound, but Bertrando was able to turn—with shock and surprise he recognized his assailant. The assailant in a surge of emotion, raised the knife and struck not once, not twice, but in a frenzy of