The Gallows Murders

letter from His Excellency the Cardinal, not to mention other documents. I remember it well. I accepted the letter and provided him with quarters.' He shrugged. To all intents and purposes, Allardyce was; Allardyce, a quiet, industrious, most competent clerk.'
    'He did good work.' Spurge spoke up. 'Cataloguing the goods in the stores, making sure that all was in order, never once was he found wanting.' 'Is this true, Sir Edward?' Benjamin asked.
    Kemble nodded. 'I had few dealings with him myself. I can add nothing to what has been said. The man calling himself Allardyce was soberly dressed, loyal and obedient.' 'And didn't he talk to any of you?' Benjamin asked. 'Surely there were festivities? He ate and drank?' ‘He was very reserved,' Mallow declared. What about the King's birthday party?' I asked.
    'Don't forget, Master Shallot-' Mallow preened himself at being able to correct me – 'those festivities are intended for the Guild of Hangmen.' 'Bugger that!' I snorted. 'Did he come or didn't he?'
    'Yes he did,' Snakeroot sneered, but he drank rather deeply early on in the evening, then disappeared.'
    I could see Benjamin was bemused, so I whispered that we should withdraw. My master agreed, picking up the letter Kemble had thrown at him; he muttered that no one in the Tower should leave without his permission. We left and returned to our own quarters.
    Once we were back in the chamber, Benjamin slammed the door behind him. He sat at the table, head in hands, refusing to answer my flow of questions. At last he sighed and sat back in his chair.
    'Do you think, dear Roger, that this could be one of beloved Uncle's tricks?' ‘You mean…?'
    ‘I mean dear Uncle is not above frightening the King.' Benjamin shook his head. ‘No, no, that's unworthy of me.' He drew a deep breath. ‘We have constructed a hypothesis, Roger, that Philip Allardyce was really Robert Sakker who feigned his own death to remove him from any suspicion whilst he carried on his wickedness in the city. Now,' Benjamin paused and rubbed his chin, ‘What happens if that hypothesis is incorrect? What if Allardyce was who he claimed to be? Died of the plague and his soul's gone to his Maker?' He gazed bleakly at me. 'Can't you see, Roger? I thought that Allardyce's appointment was the work of someone in the Tower but, if it was due to beloved Uncle-'
    'It would be known to others,' I snapped. 'Your uncle's Chancery would inform the Tower about who was going to fill the vacancy.'
    I recalled that old hunting lodge in the forest on the country road, the clothes burnt in the hearth. 'Master, I believe Sakker was also told this, and that he trapped Allardyce at Maidstone. He killed him and fled, but not before he exchanged documents. He took your uncle's letter, and anything else Allardyce carried, disguised himself, and turned up at the Tower. And who would be suspicious? Dover's a good journey from London and, if inquiries are made, Sakker could always flee into the city.' I pulled a stool across and sat beside him. 'Master, your uncle's involved in no villainy here. This is too dangerous. The King would have his head. No, Sakker killed Allardyce, took his identity and came to the Tower. As I have said, who'd suspect? Moreover, Sakker's accomplice is also in the Tower and ready to protect him. Once we have unmasked him, we'll catch Sakker.'
    'I don't think so,' Benjamin snapped. 'What happens, Roger, if you were Sakker's mysterious accomplice? You now realise that we suspect the truth: Sakker has been unmasked as a wanted felon, not only for the depredations he committed on the Canterbury road, but for the death of the real Allardyce, the murder of the hangmen, as well as treason and blackmail directed against the King.' Benjamin ticked the points off on his fingers.
    'Sakker's an impudent rogue,' I interrupted, 'able to slip in and out of places like the mist. He's also a master of disguise. I am sure the veiled woman who turned up to see Master Quicksilver was no less a person than Master Sakker himself. I think he's got the impertinence to brazen this matter through.'
    'In which case, Roger, I ask you again: what would you do if you were Sakker's accomplice?'
    I paused, staring at the light streaming through the arrow-slit windows.
    'He's different,' I said. ‘He's safe as long as the mask drawn over his villainy is not torn away. He knows we are scuttling about like mice in the dark. You do realise that, Master? Never once have we found any