Read Online The Killer of Pilgrims by Susanna Gregory - Free Book Online

vivid descriptions about the antics of Yolande
     de Blaston, which drew all eyes to the roof?’
    ‘Concerning a handful of chestnuts and a damp cloth,’ provided William helpfully, indicating that the students had not been
     the only ones absorbed in the builders’ commentary.
    ‘Do you think Yffi staged a diversion?’ asked Bartholomew.
    Michael sighed. ‘I have no idea. But something untoward is unfolding, and I am not ready to discount anyone as a suspect until
     I understand what.’
    The masons had not resumed their labours, but were standing in a cluster, discussing what had happened in low, excited voices.
     Yffi was doing most of the talking, and his apprentices leaned close to hear what he had to say on the matter. Blaston, who
     had no apprentices of his own, was standing nearby, regarding them with undisguised disdain.
    ‘They think it is a joke,’ he whispered, when Bartholomew and Michael approached. ‘A man is dead, and all they can do is huddle
     together and chatter like a flock of crows.’
    Bartholomew studied the masons closely but could detect no signs of unease or guilt in any of them. Of course, that meant
     nothing – the culprit would have to be bold and fearless, to drag a corpse around inside a well-populated College in the first
     place.
    ‘I do not suppose
you
noticed anything suspicious, did you?’ Michael asked Blaston hopefully.
    Blaston shook his head apologetically. ‘I am sorry, Brother. I was in the stable, making new frames for the window shutters.’
    ‘All day?’
    Blaston thought for a moment. ‘No. Not long after dawn, I went out to buy more nails.’
    ‘Did anyone see you?’
    Blaston was alarmed by the question. ‘Well, no, because the smith was away, so I took what I needed and left the money under
     his anvil, just like I always do. He trusts me. Why do you ask? Am
I
a suspect for this horrible crime?’
    ‘Of course not,’ said Bartholomew soothingly. ‘We are just trying to gain a clear picture of who was where. Did you see anyone
     wandering about the College, other than scholars and staff?’
    ‘Yes – there were several visitors,’ replied Blaston, reassured. ‘Walter will give you a list.’
    ‘Unfortunately, he has a habit of loitering in the latrines,’ said Michael. ‘I doubt he can help.’
    ‘Well, then.’ Blaston scratched his head. ‘There was a delivery of more sand for the mortar. Those pilgrims poked their heads
     round the door – Prior Etone was showing them the town, and they were being nosy. Then Agatha the laundress’s cousin arrived,
     wanting kitchen scraps.’
    ‘He must be desperate,’ muttered Michael. ‘Our leftovers are left because they are inedible.’
    ‘Folk
are
desperate, Brother,’ said Blaston quietly. ‘It is a terrible winter.’
    Michael nodded slowly. ‘Yes, it is. I hate to mention this, Blaston, but did you hear what Yffi and his lads were saying about
     your wife?’
    Blaston nodded, and an expression of immense pridesuffused his face. ‘Yolande is an incredible woman, and it pleases me to know folk admire her talents. I heard everything,
     and she will be very flattered when I repeat it to her.’
    Michael’s jaw dropped, but Bartholomew was not surprised. He had heard Blaston say as much on previous occasions, and knew
     exactly what the carpenter thought of his wife’s abilities in other men’s bedchambers. Before the monk could make some remark
     that might detract from Blaston’s pleasure, Bartholomew gestured for Yffi and his apprentices to approach.
    ‘We need to know what you saw today,’ he told them.
    ‘Nothing,’ replied Yffi with a shrug. ‘We have been on the roof all day, and it is difficult to see down into the yard from
     up there. We all went to peer over the edge when Agatha started chasing that dog, but it was the only time
I
looked down all day.’
    ‘What about the rest of you?’ asked Michael. Yffi’s assistants were all undersized youths in baggy leggings and grimy