The Elephants of Norwich by Edward Marston Page A

of interest,’ Ralph went on, ‘who actually administered that beating?’
    ‘I don’t know. I left the matter to Hermer.’
    ‘Could he have wielded the whip himself?’
    ‘Possibly.’
    ‘Then it seems he did have an enemy, after all. Who’d have a better reason to drag him at the tail of a horse than a man whose back had been lashed to shreds? I’m not saying that Alstan is the culprit here,’ Ralph emphasised, ‘because I’m certain that he’s not. The old man can barely walk, leave alone commit murder. But others might want revenge on his behalf. Others might want to cut off the hand that used that whip on Alstan. Do you see what I’m telling you, my lord?’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Forget the lord Mauger. Look nearer home for the killer.’
    Gervase Bret lay on the bed and cradled his wife lovingly in his arms. Moonlight slanted in through the gaps in the shutters to create a striped pattern on the bare floor. He kissed Alys softly on the forehead.
    ‘I’m sorry, my love,’ he whispered.
    ‘It’s not your fault, Gervase.’
    ‘I should never have brought you with us.’
    ‘You weren’t to know that a terrible murder would be committed. Besides,’ she said, squeezing his hand, ‘I’d rather be with you whatever may befall us.’
    ‘The ride was too exhausting for you. I should have realised that.’
    ‘I’d be well enough after a night’s sleep.’
    ‘You’ll be able to rest all day tomorrow, Alys.’
    ‘I wouldn’t dream of it. Golde and I want to see something of Norwich.’
    ‘Take some of Ralph’s men as an escort.’
    ‘Don’t fuss over me,’ she teased. ‘I can manage, especially with Golde at my side. You just worry about the work that brought you here in the first place. The sooner that’s done, the sooner we can head back home to Winchester again.’
    ‘There may be some delay, I’m afraid,’ he sighed.
    ‘Why is that?’
    ‘This murder has complicated matters, my love. It has a direct bearing on the major dispute that we came to settle. Ralph has decided that we can’t even begin our deliberations until the crime has been solved.’
    ‘Surely, that can be left to the lord sheriff.’
    ‘We feel obliged to help him.’
    ‘No, Gervase,’ she objected with sudden alarm, ‘it’s far too dangerous.’
    ‘We’ll move with caution, I promise you.’
    ‘But you’re dealing with a brutal killer. I overheard some of the remarks made at the banquet. The victim was not merely killed. He was butchered to death.’
    ‘Don’t believe all the gossip,’ he warned, keen to allay her fears. ‘At times like this, people always exaggerate. The murderer was callous, it’s true, but he’ll soon be caught and punished.’
    ‘Why must you and Ralph join in the hunt?’
    ‘Because we need to, my love. No more questions.’
    He kissed her softly on the lips to terminate the conversation. A long pause ensued. Hearing the change in her breathing, he thought that his wife had drifted off to sleep and he began to doze off himself. Alys brought him awake again.
    ‘Gervase?’ she murmured.
    ‘Yes?’
    ‘Who was that dreadful man?’
    ‘Which one?’
    ‘The one who stormed into the hall in the middle of the banquet.’
    ‘That’s Richard de Fontenel. He has extensive holdings in the county. Ralph and I will have to see rather a lot of him, unfortunately. He’ll have to show better manners in the shire hall or we’ll have him removed.’
    ‘He was so rude and frightening.’
    ‘That’s typical of the man, I’m told.’
    ‘Could she really be thinking of taking such a brute as her husband?’
    ‘Who?’
    ‘The lady Adelaide,’ she explained. ‘You must have seen her. She was that beautiful creature who