Assassin in the Greenwood

to reinforce his authority over the outlaw gangs in Sherwood.'
    'There are two other matters,' Ranulf added. 'First, he has a confidant here in the castle. Secondly, we suspect a link between the outlaw and The Blue Boar tavern. We could arrest the landlord there and put him to the question.'
    Corbett shook his head. 'I doubt if he'd tell us much and we are wasting time on the minnows.' He stared down at the page and studied the dates. 'Let us think of Robin leaving the army in Scotland. Where would he go to first?'
    'His home at Locksley.'
    'And then where?'
    'Brother William said Lady Mary entered the convent at Kirklees Priory.'
    Corbett threw down the pen on the table. 'In which case he would have gone there. Whatever happens, Ranulf,' he continued, I'll give Maitote one more day, then I'll travel to Kirklees and Locksley to see what I can discover.'
    They talked for a while, Corbett being drawn to the window as soldiers of the castle jeered at the two outlaws hobbling out of the gate. The sun began to set like a fiery ball in the west. Ranulf pleaded some excuse and slipped away, his mind full of the comely Amisia, as Corbett summoned up courage to write a letter to the King. He made it short and terse, openly stating that he had discovered nothing.
    He'd hardly finished sealing it when a surly servant banged on the door, shouting that the evening meal was ready. Corbett washed and walked down to the main hall. He suddenly stopped half-way down; something he had just done had sparked a memory in his mind. He smiled, solemnly promising himself that he would pursue that line of thought at the proper time.
    The evening meal proved to be quite a cheerful affair. Branwood viewed the capture of the outlaws as at least a minor victory against Robin Hood. Maigret was still absorbed in discovering the poison used to kill Vechey and described a long list of possible noxious substances. Corbett listened to them carefully but kept his own counsel. He knew that the traitor and Vechey's assassin was probably seated with them at table. He glanced at Roteboeuf and Friar Thomas who had returned from his parish church, and wondered when the traitor would make a mistake.
    Darkness fell, more torches were lit. Ranulf returned much the worse for drink, drawing dark glances from the rest, so Corbett excused himself. He took a sconce torch and, with Physician Maigret still sonorously lecturing him about poisons, helped an unsteady Ranulf to the top of the keep. The cool night breeze whipped their hair. Corbett, who disliked heights, sat on a bench and stared up at the pinprick of stars, Ranulf half-dozing beside him.
    I know why you are here.' Maigret abruptly changed the topic of conversation. 'Everyone in the castle is expecting the three fire arrows.'
    'Why?' Corbett mused. 'Why does it happen?'
    'God knows!' he answered. 'But I hear you took my advice, Sir Hugh.'
    'Aye, and found the woman dead.'
    'Too much death,' Ranulf mumbled. 'Master, when will you see Rahere?'
    'When I return,' Corbett snapped.
    He rose, walked to the battlements and stared down. In the pools of torchlight on the parapet beneath, he glimpsed Branwood, Naylor and other soldiers of the garrison, whilst horsemen milled around the postern gate.
    'Every time it happens,' Maigret muttered, coming up behind him, 'Sir Peter sends riders into the city but they discover nothing.'
    The bell of some distant church tolled for midnight. The peals had hardly died away when they heard a shout and looked up. A fire arrow streaked against the velvet blackness, followed by a second, then a third. For a while the arrows burnt fiercely against the darkness. Branwood shouted orders, the postern gate was thrown open and the riders clattered out but Corbett could see it was futile: the mysterious archer could have fired the arrows from the roof of any house, from garden or darkened alleyway.
    Why three? he wondered as he helped Ranulf back to their chamber. Why three arrows on the thirteenth of every month?
    Corbett made Ranulf as comfortable as possible and lay down on his own bed. He tried to recite three Aves but his mind was in turmoil. He now suspected the way in which Vechey had been poisoned but he must move cautiously. He was still distracted by such thoughts when, half-way through the third Ave, he fell asleep.

    The two outlaws released by Corbett had hidden in the fields once they were clear of the city. They ached and found every step painful but were determined to put