Spy in Chancery

red Bordeaux.
    'Tuberville's sons,' de Craon continued expansively, 'will go home. That poor father and his letters which tell them all the details about St. Christopher medals and life in some rugged little manor house in Shropshire would touch the heart of any man. Naturally, the Earl of Richmond's daughter will be the first to go. Our King will insist on that.'
    Corbett nodded understandingly though he could hardly believe his good fortune. He schooled his features, continuing to look as if he was miserable and deeply unhappy for, if de Craon sensed he had been trapped, then Corbett would not be allowed to leave France alive. Corbett put his cup down, yawned and turned to Ranulf.
    'We should be gone,' he said quietly. Ranulf, his mouth full of rich food, nodded and promptly began to fill his pockets with the sweet pastry which the chef had laid on the table before him. Hervey was almost asleep he had drunk so much and Corbett had to shake him roughly awake. De Craon leaned across the table.
    'You are going now, Monsieur?'
    'Of course,' Crobett replied. 'In fact, О would like to leave for London tomorrow.'
    De Craon's eyes narrowed. 'Why? Why the haste?'
    Corbett shrugged. 'Why not. We have your master's terms. They are not to be written down but to be conveyed verbally to Edward of England. There is no reason for us to stay. Besides, there are matters in London which require my attention."
    De Craon nodded slowly. His eyes searched Corbett's face as if trying to find any reason why the clerk had decided to leave so quickly.
    'You are sure, Monsieur?'
    'Of course,' Crobett replied, still acting the role of the depressed diplomat. 'These terms are not advantageous to Edward. The sooner we return to England and inform his Grace, the better. I would be obliged, Monsieur, if you would arrange for the safe conducts to be given to us with a suitable military escort to take us to Calais.'
    De Craon shrugged. He knew he could not keep this English clerk if he wished to return. But de Craon was suspicious. Had Corbett discovered something? He wanted this English clerk to make a mistake, just one and so de Craon could revenge himself for previous insults inflicted by this insufferable Englishman. Nor had de Craon forgotten that Corbett was responsible for the recent death of one of his best agents. The Frenchman tried to clear the intoxicating fumes from his head as he concentrated on what he had said to Corbett since the Englishman had arrived in Paris. There was nothing. Nothing had been given away. De Craon rose.
    'Your safe conducts will be ready tomorrow morning. О wish you a safe journey,' and, having said this, he spun on his heel and walked up to the high table to whisper softly in the ear of his royal master. Corbett did not bother to see if Philip objected but, half dragging Hervey and pushing Ranulf, left the hall for their chambers.

EIGHTEEN
    De Craon was true to his word, the warrants were ready, as was a small military escort hand-picked by de Craon himself.
    Throughout their journey across the early autumn Norman countryside Corbett was careful to keep his thoughts to himself and continue to act as if he was the bearer of bad news. Ranulf and Hervey were delighted to be returning to England but Ranulf knew enough about his master's moods to remain silent and not try to vex him with idle chatter. The captain of the escort, a burly Breton, watched the English envoy carefully, being secretly instructed to do so by de Craon himself. De Craon believed that Corbett knew something but could not fathom what it was. However, throughout the journey, the clerk's sad demeanour and apparent agitation made the escort relax and at Boulogne the captain sent a courier back to de Craon with a verbal message that the English envoy continued to behave as if he dreaded the coming meeting with his royal master in England. They were put aboard a merchant cog bound for Dover and from there Corbett was able to secure horses to travel to London.
    If his journey back had been quiet and uneventful, the subsequent interview with Edward of England was a stark contrast. Hervey and Ranulf were not allowed into the royal chamber but Corbett attended the meeting, grateful at least that the King had decided to have Edmund of Lancaster also present. Edward heard Corbett out, before bursting into one of his famous royal rages. Tables and stools were overturned, manuscripts thrown and rushes kicked as Edward stormed around the room calling