The Body in the Thames: Chaloner's Sixth Exploit in Restoration London (Exploits of Thomas Chaloner) by Gregory Susanna

Author:Gregory, Susanna [Gregory, Susanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780748128204
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Published: 2011-01-20T00:00:00+00:00

The warden who answered the gate was an obese, grim-faced man with rotten teeth that might have been responsible for his surly temper. He spat on the floor as Wiseman marched past him, and made an obscene gesture at his back. Chaloner followed more slowly, feeling his heart begin to pound and sweat break out all over his body. How much longer would his experiences in the French prison torment him? Or was he destined to be haunted by them for the rest of his life?

‘We got better things to do than fuss over inmates,’ the warden muttered, securing the door with one of the biggest keys Chaloner had ever seen. ‘Keeper Sligo had us scrubbing all day yesterday. You could eat your dinner in here now.’

‘I am glad to hear it,’ retorted Wiseman, ‘given that the prisoners are obliged to do just that.’

The entrance hall stank, although it was clear that an effort had been made to tidy up – rotten straw, rags and discarded food had been swept into a corner, where they festered gently. Parts of the pile undulated, and Chaloner looked away when he realised it was full of rats.

Sligo was waiting for them. He was a thin, cadaverous man, whose fiery red nose stood out like a beacon against his white face. The stench of wine on his breath made Chaloner recoil.

‘I have been looking forward to your visit, Surgeon Wiseman,’ the Keeper gushed. ‘Perhaps you will join me for a glass of claret before you—’

‘No,’ interrupted Wiseman. ‘There is too much to do. So, let us begin. My assistant, John Crane, will inspect Calais, while I concentrate on the parts you call Tangier and the Press Yard.’

‘Calais?’ echoed Sligo, horrified. ‘He cannot go down there! No one can. It is off-limits to everyone except Mr Williamson. And I dare not disobey his orders, because … well, I cannot.’

‘In other words, he has a hold over you,’ said Wiseman with exaggerated weariness.

‘It is not a hold,’ objected Sligo. ‘It is an arrangement. I set aside a part of the prison for his exclusive use, and he does not meddle in the way I run the rest of it.’

‘He overlooks your corruption,’ surmised Wiseman. ‘Of which he doubtless has a good deal of evidence. No, do not deny it. I am not a fool. What I am, however, is a close friend of the King. You may find yourself incarcerated in Calais yourself, if you do not cooperate with me.’

‘I object most strenuously,’ bleated Sligo. ‘I have given you permission to pry everywhere else, so why can you not be content with that? Calais is closed.’

‘Not to me. The King said I was to have unlimited access.’ Wiseman turned to Chaloner. ‘Calais is in that direction, and the sooner you start, the sooner we can finish.’

‘I had better go with him,’ said Sligo sullenly, seeing he was defeated. ‘To unlock the doors and let him in. And out again, I suppose.’

Wiseman strode away, indicating with a snap of imperious fingers that the fat warden was to follow.

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