The Gallows Murders

Quicksilver. Sakker is warned. He visits him in disguise and cuts his throat. He then returns to the Tower. But by now you have decided that Sakker's usefulness is finished. The game is becoming too dangerous and, with the crossbow you keep in your room, you put a bolt through his neck.' Benjamin pushed back his chair. 'John Mallow, the King's torturers will elicit the full truth. I am finished with you. Master Vetch, call the guard! Have him taken away! These matters are finished!'
    ‘You are wrong!' Mallow cried. ‘Yes, my name is Dighton, but Sakker was no friend of mine. I found no seals.' He swallowed hard. 'All I wanted was to hide from the past.'
    'Enough!' Benjamin retorted. The King wanted the villain found and I have done it! Take him away!'

Chapter 14
    For a while there was confusion and chaos. Vetch grabbed Mallow and hustled him to the door. The chief hangman protested his innocence even as he was bundled down the corridor. Benjamin went to the doorway.
    'In the closest dungeon, Master Vetch!' he called out. 'You are to stay on guard personally and not leave him. Do you understand? He is to be fed and well looked after, and not hurt until the King's pleasure is known.'
    The rest of the hangmen, Ragusa trailing behind, also left: the revelations about their master had clearly shaken them.
    'Sir Edward, may I borrow some writing implements?' my master asked.
    Kemble nodded. Benjamin went across to the desk and wrote two notes which he quickly sealed. 'Master Spurge!'
    The surveyor, now eager to please, trotted across. ‘You are to take this to the King at Windsor. Commandeer any barge or boat you wish!'
    Spurge quickly agreed and, puffed up with his newly conferred importance, hurried from the room. Benjamin turned to the constable.
    "Now, Sir Edward, please take this letter to the under-sheriff, Master Pelleter, in Catte Street. Tell him Sakker is dead and the murderer unmasked. I will meet him and his daughter Miranda for supper within the hour.'
    ‘Kemble took it without demur and, clasping Benjamin's hand, shook it firmly. 'Master Daunbey, the King will be pleased. You will mention my name?’ 'Of course!' Once Kemble had gone, Benjamin crossed the room and slammed the door behind him. 'Master, is it finished?' I asked.
    Benjamin went across and filled two goblets of wine. 'No, Roger, it's only just beginning. Come with me!'
    We went out into the deserted gallery. From below we could hear shouts and cries as the news began to spread. Benjamin took me further down the long gallery: we stopped half-way. 'Look at the wall!' my master ordered.
    I did so: it was covered by wooden wainscoting or panelling, each square neatly carved in the linen fashion. 'I see a wall covered by wooden panelling,' I exclaimed.
    'Now step back, Roger. The light is poor, but study the centre panels.'
    I did so, recalling that secret room I had found at Windsor. I kept walking back. 'Do you see anything amiss?' Benjamin asked.
    At first I didn't, but then I noticed how some of the panelling was more darkly stained. As I squinted through the gloom, Benjamin moved a torch up against the woodwork.
    'Undershaft!' I exclaimed. 'The drawing his wife gave us.' I pointed. 'Look, Master, some of the panels are painted darker than the rest and form the letter "‘T’, What's behind there?' I asked.
    ‘I don't know,' Benjamin replied. 'But I have been outside, and there's a good stretch of masonry between that panelling and the end of the building.' 'A secret chamber?' I asked.
    'Perhaps,' Benjamin replied. 'But, before you ask, why we don't break in? There's someone we have to meet.' We went and sat on a window-seat.
    Benjamin pointed to the panelling. That's what Undershaft saw,' he explained. 'Somewhere in there is a secret lever which releases a hidden door. On the night of the King's birthday party, I suspect Undershaft saw that door being opened. The perpetrator behind all this villainy realised his mistake, but in the gloom he couldn't decide which hangman it was.'
    I stared back along the gallery. Benjamin was right. Daylight had faded, only a few torches were lit. It would be difficult to distinguish anyone's features if they were standing at the top of the stairs. At night, it would be nigh impossible, particularly if Undershaft had been dressed in his mask and hood. 'Now Undershaft,' Benjamin continued ‘was probably intrigued.' He lowered his voice to a whisper. 'A carpenter by trade, he drew that picture and wondered