The Devil's Domain

He sat on the edge of the bed and patted the corpse. ’Poisoned, yes?’
    ’How do you know?’ Athelstan asked, going to sit on the small bench under the window.
    Aspinall shrugged. ’Brother, there are as many poisons on the market as there are pigeons round St Paul’s. Belladonna, henbane and at least three types of arsenic.’
    ’But this one?’ Sir John asked.
    ’I can’t recognise it but, as I have said, there are so many.’
    ’How was it administered?’ Athelstan asked.
    ’Oh, by mouth. There’s no cut on the corpse.’
    ’Could it have been an accident?’
    ’Possibly.’ Aspinall gestured at the window. ’There’s a herb garden down there, with berries and plants which might kill a man.’
    ’How long does it take such a poison to work?’ Sir Maurice asked.
    ’It depends. I knew of an old woman in Guttersnipe Alley who was poisoned by her son over a period of days but this was one which acted quickly. It would disturb the humours, clog the blood and, by the look on the corpse’s face, he probably choked.’
    ’Well, well, well.’ Sir John tapped his boot on the floor. ’And where would they get poisons from?’
    ’There’s none here,’ Sir Walter insisted. ’None whatsoever.’
    And you, Master Aspinall?’
    The physician spread his long fingers and played with the gem-encrusted ring on one of them.
    ’My lord coroner, I have heard of you and Brother Athelstan.’ He laughed drily. ’Sharp of eye and keen of wit. I assure you that I brought no poison into here, left no potion, gave no medicines. The prisoners are soldiers, seamen, hard and sturdy. The food could have been improved and their humours were disturbed by being confined but nothing else.’
    ’And you know nothing of the prisoners or this man’s death?’ Aspinall got to his feet. ’I know nothing, Sir John.’
    ’Why are you here today?’
    ’I came to ensure all was well. I inspected the corpse this morning but thought I should return, just in case.’
    ’In case of what?’ Athelstan asked, getting to his feet.
    Aspinall turned at the door and leaned against it, hands behind his back. He stared up at the ceiling.
    ’Brother, you are the coroner’s secretarius. I am a physician, not a master of logic. We have a man poisoned. Now it could have been an accident. He may have found something in this house and eaten it but, God knows, that’s not the truth.’
    ’So?’
    ’In my experience, Brother, when such deaths occur they are not isolated events.’
    ’You mean others will be poisoned?’
    ’I know they will be. Oh, I thought about it this morning. Why should anyone kill Serriem? Hawkmere Manor is close and securely guarded; the murderer must know that he stands a good chance of being caught. So Serriem’s death was meticulously planned. It was no crime of passion and it may be one of many.’
    Athelstan scrutinised the physician. Aspinall spoke sense. Was there conflict between the prisoners? He glanced sideways at Sir Walter. Or a paying-off of old scores?
    ’I’ve also checked the stores and the wine cellar.’
    ’You had no right,’ Sir Walter protested.
    ’I have every right, Sir Walter. I am physician to the prisoners. My Lord of Gaunt has paid me good silver. However, do not trouble yourself. The meat and cheese could be fresher, the wine sweeter but the food stores are not tainted.’
    ’Are there vermin here?’ Athelstan asked, remembering Ranulf the rat-catcher.
    ’Of course.’
    ’You put down no poison?’
    ’We have three great cats.’ Sir Walter smiled sourly. ’We do not feed them and they are half-wild, they take care of the vermin.’
    ’When did Serriem retire to bed?’
    ’With the rest at nine o’clock. They supped at seven, walked in the garden. Serriem played checkers with one of the prisoners. Pierre Vamier.’
    ’And the relationships?’ Sir John asked. ’Between the prisoners?’
    ’They are cordial enough.’ Aspinall spoke up. ’Sir Walter will confirm this. They keep to themselves. They are homesick for their families in France , eager for their ransoms to be raised. Yet.’
    Sir John undid the stopper of the wine and took two great gulps. He offered it to his companions but they shook their heads.
    ’Well, go on.’
    ’In the last week to ten days,’ Sir Walter said, ’something has changed, they do seem wary of each other.’
    ’How were they captured?’ Athelstan asked.
    ’I did that.’ Sir Maurice spoke up. ’There are five of them, or there