The Relic Murders

brooches, ewers and bowls. Pasteler was surprised to see Benjamin but gave us a smile and a warm handshake.
    'You have not come to buy, have you, Master Daunbey?' His smile faded. 'I am sorry,' he muttered. 'I forgot, Johanna became ill.'
    This was a reference to Benjamin's betrothed who had lost her wits and been cloistered in a convent.
    'The years hurry on,' Benjamin replied. 'No more wedding bands but, John, you have a collection of precious stones?' 'In my strongbox yes, rubies, emeralds…' 'Do you have any amethysts?'
    Pasteler went away and came back with a small metal-bound coffer fastened with three locks. He opened these carefully. I caught my breath: there must have been five or six amethysts lying on a satin cushion. Some of them were the size of small eggs, though none was as grand as the one I had seen on the so-called Orb of Charlemagne.
    'I am not buying,' Benjamin explained. 'But, is it possible, Master Pasteler, to have an amethyst inside which, against a strong flame, a cross can be seen?'
    'Of course.' Pasteler picked up the largest amethyst. 'Notice how they are cut, Benjamin: how many sides to this amethyst are there?' "There must be at least seven or eight,' Benjamin replied.
    'Precisely,' Pasteler declared. 'This one is at least three hundred years old and has been cut in that way. Stay there!'
    Pasteler went away. He brought back a small wax candle light. He struck a tinder, lit this and held the amethyst up against the flame. I peered over Benjamin's shoulder and caught my breath. The gem was many-sided, the lines crossed and within I could see a cross glowing. Benjamin studied it intently. 'And would this happen with any amethyst?'
    'If it was pure and many-sided with lines and sides crossing,' the goldsmith replied, 'yes, it's possible. It's a well-known trick in this type of stone.'
    Benjamin thanked him and we went and stood out in Cheapside.
    'I think I have it, Roger,' he declared. 'The Orb of Charlemagne is surmounted by an amethyst. However, Henley's entry talks not only of a cross, as we've just seen, but the Cross of our Saviour. I suspect very few actually know what this cross is like. The amethyst on the Orb of Charlemagne may be unique: by some cut of the stone and trick of the light, one can not only see a cross but the figure of Christ nailed to it.' 'And Henley would know that, but not the likes of Egremont?'
    Benjamin grinned. 'You know the world of relic selling: Henley, perhaps, stumbled on the secret and that is why he wrote the word, Saviour, in Greek. People like our Lord Theodosius would look for a cross, Henley would look for the figure of Christ.' Benjamin sighed. 'It must be the answer – that alone accounts for Henley's use of Ixthus.'
    'I agree,' I replied. 'So, when Egremont inspected the Orb at Berkeley's, he and anyone else would see the cross and think it was genuine. Henley knew otherwise. When he saw nothing but a simple cross in the amethyst shown to him, he knew it was false.'
    'I think so,' Benjamin declared. 'And he'd tell as much to whoever stole the Orb. Henley would then laugh at the way the thief had been duped. He had his throat cut for his pains, as well as to silence him for ever.'
    We went to a nearby tavern for something to eat and drink. We then collected our horses from the stables and rode slowly back to Malevel.
    We expected to find it deserted but Kempe and his men were waiting: the soldiers lounged outside, Kempe sprawled in the keeper's small office.
    ‘I tried to go up to your chambers,' he explained, 'but that bloody hound stopped me! You've got to come with me. We've found Berkeley.' 'Where?' Benjamin asked. 'Amongst the ruins just north of the Tower. He's had his throat cut and he was tortured before he died.'
    Above us, Castor had obviously heard me and began to howl mournfully. 'How long has he been dead?' Benjamin asked. 'A few hours perhaps,' Kempe replied.
    Benjamin walked outside and stared at Malevel Manor as if, through very thought, he could discern what had happened there. Kempe and I followed him out.
    'We are to go now,' Sir Thomas repeated. He glanced at me. 'I suppose the bloody dog has to be fed?' 'Don't speak ill of your betters,' I retorted. Kempe just smirked.
    'The King offered me two gold coins to find out how you placated the beast,' he commented. 'Well, both you and he will have to wait, won't they?'
    'Sir Thomas.' Benjamin came back. 'Sir Thomas,' he repeated. 'Before Roger and I go riding over the heathland