Read Online [Roger the Chapman 02] - The Plymouth Cloak by Kate Sedley - Free Book Online

same to you. I don't wish to be seen more than necessary below stairs.'
    John Penryn inclined his head. 'Moll can look after your meals. She's a good girl and doesn't complain at extra work.' He paused with his hand on the latch.' Is there anyone you want me to watch out for?'
    'Anyone who's a stranger. Particularly someone who's well-dressed, thin of face, dark-haired. Oh, and keep a weather eye cocked for Silas Bywater, though I doubt he'll be back in Plymouth before I leave tomorrow, unless he gets a lift from a passing carter. He's been to Buckfast for the St Michael's fair and our paths unfortunately crossed.' The landlord curled his lip. 'So that's where he was. I thought I hadn't seen him around for the past week. He's a born trouble-maker. He'll overstep the mark one of these days. I'll watch out for him, don't worry.'
    He disappeared and I heard him whistling as he went downstairs. I glanced about me and decided that the room was probably the best the inn afforded. There were two beds, I was happy to note, as I had no wish to share a mattress with my travelling companion, a large carved chest for clothes in one comer, and the rushes on the floor looked fairly clean with no sign of fleas hopping among them. The supper, too, when it came, was plentiful and wholesome, although mainly fish, it being a Friday. Philip grumbled, having had fish broth the previous evening; but, like me, he was too tired from the long day's ride to be very interested in what he was eating. And when the obliging girl called Moll had removed our dirty dishes and brought us our 'all-night' of bread and ale, we both, of one accord, pulled off our boots, removed our outer clothing and fell into bed, sinking thankfully into the comfort of the feather-filled mattresses.
    Nothing happened that night to disturb our rest, and the morning sunlight was rimming the shutters before I was even conscious of closing my eyes. As I sat on the edge of the bed, yawning and stretching, I reflected contentedly that today would see me rid of my charge and free to return to Exeter to pick up my pack and resume my normal life, secure in the knowledge that I had successfully carried out the Duke's commission. Philip Underdown would be equally glad to see the back of me as he embarked for Brittany on board the Falcon .
    John Penryn had promised to let us know the minute the Falcon was sighted as she made sail into the Cattewater beyond the Sutton Pool barrier. It was a fine day with the sea like a millpond, and there seemed to be no reason why the Master should not bring her in on time. But the morning passed, its brightness fading slowly into a more overcast afternoon, and still there was no sign of the ship. As four o'clock and supper-time approached once more, and as Philip Underdown and I grew yet more frustrated and edgy, we threw caution to the wind and went down to the harbour to ascertain for ourselves that the Falcon had indeed failed to arrive..
    'Where the hell is she7' Philip demanded through clenched teeth. 'The Duke assured me that the Master had his orders and would be here on Saturday with the tide.'
    I had no words of consolation to offer, and was busy reconciling myself to another evening and night in Philip Underdown's unwelcome company. I was quite as distressed by the turn of events as he was, and moved away abruptly before I showed my feelings too plainly. As I did so, I thought I saw a figure withdraw furtively into one of the alleys which ran between the houses lining the quay. But although I moved swiftly, when I peered into the noisome little street, its gutter thick with the rotting detritus of everyday life, I could see no one. At that time of day, with everyone at supper, all was as quiet as the grave.

CHAPTER 6

    Neither of us slept well that night. To begin with, we were not tired. A day spent lazing in our room, with nothing to do but eat and doze, had left us wide awake and full of energy.
    Both of us were men used to hard work and