Free A Vein of Deceit by Susanna Gregory Page A

hall?’ asked Bartholomew. ‘Then why did no one see the thief? It is seldom empty. Students, Fellows
     or servants are always there.’
    ‘Because the cups went missing when we were all at that debate in Peterhouse,’ replied Langelee wretchedly. ‘And the servants
     were picking apples in the orchard. I suspect the culprit saw us leave then slipped in when Walter was looking the other way.’
    ‘Why do you think Gosse is responsible?’ asked Michael. His voice was flat and low, and Bartholomew looked at himsharply, suspecting he was more angry with Langelee for his carelessness than the burglar for his audacity.
    ‘Because both Suttone and Clippesby told me – independently – that Gosse was loitering around the College the morning the
     cups went missing. And later, Thelnetham reported seeing him running down the High Street with something tucked under his
     cloak.’
    ‘Yes, I did,’ agreed Thelnetham, horrified. ‘But I did not know it was the Stanton Cups!’
    ‘And I did not know Gosse was contemplating theft,’ added Suttone, equally appalled.
    ‘I did,’ said Clippesby. He was under the table, trying to soothe the cat. ‘The ducks guessed what was being planned, but
     Walter declined to put their warning to good use by being more vigilant.’
    The Dominican’s odd habit of sitting quietly in the shadows while he communed with nature meant he was often witness to incidents
     no one else saw. Unfortunately, his eccentric way of reporting them meant he was rarely taken seriously. Bartholomew was not
     surprised Walter had declined to act on intelligence provided by birds.
    ‘Why did you wait so long before telling us?’ demanded Michael of Langelee. ‘I am Senior Proctor. I have a right to know about
     crimes committed in my own College.’
    ‘Because I hoped to get them back on the quiet,’ explained Langelee. ‘I went to Muschett, but he said that since no one actually
saw
Gosse make off with them, we cannot accuse him of theft. We—’
    ‘But that is outrageous!’ exploded Michael, temper breaking at last. ‘Those cups are worth a fortune. If Gosse took them,
     it is our prerogative to reclaim them.’
    ‘Not according to Muschett,’ said Langelee. ‘Believe me, there is nothing I would like more than to punch Gosse until he gives
     them back. But Muschett said that would beseen as an attack by the University against a layman. He feels the Stanton Cups are not worth the riot that is sure to follow.’
    ‘He is probably right,’ acknowledged Suttone, cutting across the spluttering reply Michael started to make. ‘Gosse may be
     a criminal, but there are many who would side with him against the University. And without Sheriff Tulyet to keep them in
     order, there might well be bloodshed.’
    ‘But we are talking about the Stanton Cups!’ protested Thelnetham, shocked. ‘Does Muschett seriously expect us to ignore the
     fact that this lout has stolen our most valuable treasure?’
    ‘
Now
do you see why I was reluctant to confide in you?’ asked Langelee, accusing in his turn. ‘You have reacted just as I predicted
     you would.’
    ‘Oh, do not worry,’ said Michael bitterly. ‘I do not want a riot. However, I shall keep a close eye on Gosse, and pounce with
     all the weight of the law if I catch so much as a glimmer of silver gilt.’
    ‘I wonder if he took my pennyroyal, too,’ mused Bartholomew. But then he shook his head. ‘No, he cannot have done, because
     my storeroom would have been locked when we were at the debate.’
    ‘Unless one of your careless lads left it open,’ said Michael savagely. ‘And as far as I am concerned, we have no idea
what
Gosse did when he roamed here unattended.’
    As soon as it was light the following day, Michael left the College to investigate the Stanton Cups’ disappearance, but it
     did not take him long to learn that Langelee was right: Gosse’s curious activities around the time of the theft were circumstantial,
     and there was