this City perhaps within the Tower who has betrayed us."
"Well? Speak on!" said Hugh. He did not change his stance, but still loomed threateningly over them. His shadow, thrown in front of him by the flames of the fire, flickered about their feet and legs.
"My lord," began Guy again. He cleared his throat nervously, then took a deep breath and stood very upright. "We came across the Channel, on the same boat as the woman Judith. We had help from the local fishermen, who bear no love for the Jews, or for the merchants and seafarers who ferry their goods to and fro. We were also helped by some of the crew on Master Bonami’s ship, who agreed to "imprison" us in the hold of the ship, for payment. When we reached this side of the Channel, we were allowed to escape from the hold, and took the woman from her cabin as she slept. We put her over the side, into a small boat, and rowed ashore. Then we were escorted from there to London, staying overnight in a well-wisher’s barn. Still, Judith was with us. As we crossed London Bridge from Southwark, our party was divided by a carter, whose horses suddenly took fright. In the m l e, the woman escaped. Jervis pursued her, but was unable to find her, so I decided we should come to you and tell you what had happened. We have no idea where she is..."
His voice tailed off. Hugh Dispenser was looking at him with a smile on his face. The smile grew broader, until a chuckle started. Finally, Hugh threw back his head and roared with laughter. The others gaped at him and then at each other. What was so amusing about this story of failure? Why was he taking it so good-humouredly?
"My Lord Hugh," ventured William Monchesny at last. "Will you please tell us what is so amusing?"
BOSON BOOKS
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Belaset’s Daughter
Hugh wiped his eyes with his hand, still chuckling.
"You lost her on this side of the Thames, and you don’t know where she is?" he said.
"You’ve lost your wits as well, both of you!"
He looked at the two puzzled faces.
"This is the City of London," he said, pityingly. "Judith is Jewish. Now where would a Jewess go for safety, here in the City of London, but to the Jewry?"
"But where in the Jewry?" said Guy.
"It doesn’t matter where," said Monchesny, smiling with relief. "It’s a small and well-defined area. We can search it easily, with only ourselves to know whom we seek, and our most trusted men. A small party you, Guy, myself and six others will be sufficient."
"I wish my man, Trubodi, to be part of any such group, and also Jervis FitzHugh. His pride is sorely dented, since he lost sight of her. He feels he is responsible," said Guy.
"Agreed!" said Hugh Dispenser, promptly. He turned to Monchesny.
"I leave it to you to carry out the search. Pick men you can trust, but tell them as little as possible. As far as they know, we’re looking for yet another troublesome Jew, who threatens Earl Simon’s plans. Come back to me when you have the woman."
He gestured his dismissal. Monchesny bowed, and Guy followed his example. They left the room together. Outside, Monchesny led the way down the steps and along a covered walk. He flung open another door. Heads turned as they walked into the room. A group of men were seated at the table in the middle of the room, throwing dice. The fire in the room did little to remove the chill of the bare stone walls. A row of chests along one side had helmets and breastplates piled on top of them. Short, heavy broadswords hung along the wall. Crossbows were stacked in another corner, leaning against the wall, with the lethal bolts which were fired from them ranged beside them.
Seeing who it was, some of the men started to rise, but Monchesny waved them back down again. He strode over to the table and sat on the end of the bench. The men on the other side moved closer together, so that Guy could join them on that bench. Monchesny placed his forearms on the table and leant on them, as he looked at the men.
"Who would relish a hunting trip?" he asked.
"Where?" said a voice.
"In the Jewry," said Monchesny.
There was a roar of approval and voices clamouring to be included. Monchesny held up his hand for silence.
"We need only four of you," he