As soon as the door was opened, I thrust it hard, and Cutpurse and two of my men barged their way in.
I had stopped at Jack’s new house to collect Raphe and others, and now had hurried back to Jack’s old house to fetch the last intelligencer. He had been able to tell me that Jack was once more in attendance. He had arrived with two others, and shortly thereafter his neighbour had entered with a party of other men.
Now I was to see how many had invaded his home and threatened to harm my servant. The steward of Mistress Appleby glowered at me when I marched in, but I had little time for his better feelings. Instead I went to Bagnall and stood over him. He was bound hand and foot like his accomplices.
‘I fear you are in serious trouble, master,’ I said. ‘This city takes house-breaking very seriously.’
‘I didn’t break in! Jack Blackjack owns this place, and he invited us.’
The steward from over the way sneered at him then. ‘When we came in, he –’ he pointed to the oldest man, who lay beside the fire, clutching at his cods – ‘he was torturing Blackjack. I doubt he invited them here so that they might assault him.’
‘I was only acting on the command of my fellows here,’ the old man whined. His voice was high and taut with conviction – or pain.
‘Where is Jack now?’ I demanded.
That was when we all heard the unearthly scream. The steward burst out, ‘My lady!’ and ran to the kitchen, and I told my men to wait for me as I hurried after him.