The Silent Woman by Edward Marston

Author:Edward Marston [Marston, Edward]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: _rt_yes, _MARKED, tpl, Mystery & Detective, Historical, Great Britain - History - Elizabeth; 1558-1603, Mystery, Theater, Theatrical Companies, Fiction
ISBN: 9780749012076
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2012-07-28T04:00:00+00:00

Israel Gunby had spent so long living on his wits that he could adapt to each change of circumstance with the speed of light. Instead of wasting time on remorse over the death of an accomplice, he sought to turn it to good account.

‘Ned was not long for this life,’ he said blithely. ‘That stranger saved me the trouble of sending his fat carcass on his way.’

‘He was killed next to me,’ complained Ellen, still shaken by the experience. ‘It was all I could do not to scream out in horror.’

‘That would have been the ruin of us, my love.’

‘I held back for that reason.’

‘The law would have come down on us,’ warned Gunby. ‘All would be lost in the cry of a woman. And for what? Ned Robinson! Our plump pickpocket.’ A short laugh. ‘They may catch us one day, Ellen, and hang the pair of us side by side, but I will not go to the gallows because of a fool like Ned Robinson. He deserved what he got.’

‘It was terrifying, Israel!’

‘You did well, my love.’

‘I was frightened.’

Israel Gunby pulled her to him and stroked his wife’s hair. They were lying in a bed at the Fox and Elm, a small inn some miles to the south-west of Marlborough. Events at the Guildhall on the previous night necessitated a rapid departure from the town. While Ned Robinson and Ellen had been working in harness at the play, Gunby had been sitting a mere hundred yards away in the taproom of the Rising Sun. By talking to the innkeeper, and guiding the conversation with a steady hand, he had learnt how many guests were staying at the establishment, how heavy their capcases had been and in which direction they would be travelling next morning. While one crime was being committed, Israel Gunby liked to set up several more. Careful planning was the basis of his career. When plans went awry – as they did in the Guildhall – he would move swiftly to make his escape and cover his tracks.

There was ample compensation in this instance.

‘How much did Ned take before he was caught?’

‘Seven pounds and more.’

‘Those fat fingers were dexterous.’

‘They were,’ said Ellen. ‘He took the first few purses as we pushed through the crowd going in. One man carried five angels. Ned slipped them to me for safekeeping.’

‘What did he take during the play?’

‘The purses of the two men in front of him and the one who sat on my other side. Ned leant across me as if fast asleep, and the money was his in a flash.’ Ellen clicked her tongue. ‘If he had settled for that, he would still now be alive to share the spoils. But he took one purse too many.’

‘And the killer?’

‘A well-favoured gentleman with a black beard.’

‘But not from these parts, I dare wager,’ said Gunby with a chuckle. ‘These Wiltshire people are too trusting. They would not suspect a foist if you climbed inside their purse and threw their money out coin by coin.

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