'It takes him two hours to do what most scribes could do in one,' I snapped. 'You don't know what it's like employing people. It's not easy.'
'No easy life for Skelly, either.'
I did not reply.
'There's something I've been thinking about,' he said. 'If a man steals a sack of apples, and they're worth more than a shilling, he's hanged at Tyburn.'
'That is the law.'
'Yet often enough people don't pay their debts, do they? That arsehole Bealknap for one from what you say. Your fellow Skelly was copying out a writ for debt, which said the debtor was "scheming fraudulently and craftily to defraud him".'
'Those are the standard words on the writ.'
'Yet even if the debtor is found guilty, shown to be a liar who has taken a man's money, he will have to pay the money back, but nothing else will happen to him, will it?'
I laughed. 'God's death, Barak, is that all you have to worry about?'
'Turning things over keeps my mind from my worries.'
'The difference is that in a matter of debt the parties are arguing over a contract, whereas a thief simply takes what is not his. And in a civil court you don't require the strong evidence you need to hang a criminal.'
Barak shook his head cynically. 'We saw what criminal trials are like that day at Newgate. I think the point is more that thieves are poor men while those who make contracts are rich.'
'A poor man may make a contract and be cheated as much as a rich one.'
'And if a poor man is cheated by a rich one, what's he to do? He can't afford to go to court.'
'He can go to Poor Man's Pleas,' I said. 'I agree the poor are disadvantaged in the law. But the law can still bring justice. That is its purpose.'
Barak looked at me askance. 'You're a simpler man than I thought if you believe that. But then you'd see things from the viewpoint of a man of means, one who can tilt his cap at a fine lady of title.'
I sighed. Why was this converse, like every other I had with him, turning into an argument? We had reached my garden, and I stepped through the doorway without another word. Inside I found a note from Joseph, bemoaning the fact I had no news for him. He reminded me, as though I needed telling, that Elizabeth would be back in front of Forbizer in just a week. I crumpled the note angrily. I considered asking Barak if he thought it safe to go back down the well tomorrow night, but thought it better to leave that request till later. Pox on the fellow and his moods.
I told Joan to bring us an early supper. Afterwards I walked back up the road to Lincoln's Inn, but although all the places of business were long shut the padlock was still on Bealknap's door. I returned home and told Barak we might as well ride down to the tavern; there was no point in waiting any longer for Bealknap.
THE GIANT'S BONE I had set swinging still turned to and fro in the dim light, creaking ominously in its chains. A man sitting alone at a table eyed it with drunken, puzzled intentness. Barak reappeared and set two mugs of beer before us.
'The landlord says Master Miller and his friends don't usually come in before eight.' He took a long draught of beer, wiping his hand on his sleeve. 'I've been a bit of an arsehole this afternoon, haven't I?' he added unexpectedly.
'You could say that.'
He shook his head. 'It was the earl,' he said, lowering his voice. 'God's wounds, I've never seen him in such a parlous state. We mustn't repeat a word he said about the king. Saying he could have no more children – Jesu.' He looked nervously around, though no one was near.
'Why in God's name did he tell us?'
'To scare us. Make us privy to his own dangerous words.'
I shook my head sadly. 'I remember the earl when I first knew him ten years ago. He was only Wolsey's secretary then, but you could sense the power in him. The confidence, the force. Today he seemed – desperate.'
'I think he is desperate.'
I leaned close, lowering my voice to a whisper. 'But Cromwell can't fall. Half the king's council are tied to him and London's a reformist city-'
He shook his head sadly. 'Londoners are fickle as seed. I should know, I've lived here all my life. No one will help the earl if the Howards turn the king against him. Christ alive, who would dare defy the king?' He blew out his cheeks, then shook his head. 'Did you hear Norfolk referring to my Jewish name? He must have a list of the earl's people.' He laughed hollowly. 'Maybe he'll put me in the Domus to be converted. They still put the odd shipwrecked Jew in there, I know.'
'But your family converted hundreds of years ago. You're as much a member of the Church of England as I am.'
