Five for Silver: A John, the Lord Chamberlain Mystery by Mary Reed, Eric Mayer Page B

hands. “There! You’ve discovered what we need to know, Anatolius. The murder has to do with the will. Where there’s a will, there’s a lawyer. This particular lawyer will settle it. Just in time, too. I’m famished and we still have our homeward odyssey ahead of us.”
    Anatolius had the impression that Crinagoras might begin to tug at his tunic and whimper if they didn’t soon leave. Besides, he was right. Nereus’ lawyer would certainly be able to shed light on the shipper’s affairs. He thanked Cador for his help. “One last thing. Did you notice anyone following Gregory when he left?”
    Cador shook his head. “I don’t recall seeing him leave, sir.”
    As they walked back to their horses, Crinagoras suddenly spoke. “I wish I’d continued to escort Gregory after he left Nereus’ house. If I had, he might still be alive.”
    “Or you might also be dead.”
    Crinagoras came to an abrupt halt. His eyes widened with alarm. “Why, I hadn’t even considered that. You don’t think we could have been followed here, do you?”
    “What I think is Gregory was killed during a robbery. If not, John will surely find the culprit. Now we’ve discovered the name of Nereus’ lawyer, once John has the information, he’ll know best what to do next.”

Chapter Ten
    The mud-spattered apparition arrived at John’s door well after dark. Peter, who had answered its frantic knocking, stepped backwards with a cry of horror.
    “Anatolius!” John called from the top of the stairway. “You look as if you’ve been—”
    “Buried and dug up,” Anatolius said ruefully. He stepped into the atrium, dripping on the tiles.
    Peter returned upstairs, looking reproachfully back over his shoulder.
    Anatolius’ gaze followed the elderly servant. “I know I’m not exactly a sight for innocent eyes, but surely Peter knows me well enough not to take fright at my appearance?”
    “He’s not himself right now. Come up to my study.”
    Anatolius looked down at his waterlogged garments and shook his head. “I think I’d better not. I’m making enough of a mess as it is. Besides, I need to get home and change.”
    John came down to the atrium. Heavy rain rattled impatiently into the impluvium.
    “Crinagoras and I rode out to the countryside today. We were only half way back when the skies opened,” Anatolius explained. “Crinagoras had composed ten new epitaphs for himself by the time we’d reached the city.”
    “I can imagine, but frankly I’d rather not. Be careful, Anatolius, you’re dripping water on one of Hypatia’s pets.”
    Anatolius stepped away from the clay scorpion stationed near the door.
    “They make Hypatia happy,” John said in reply to the unspoken question. “I consider myself fortunate my servants haven’t deserted me for the safety of the countryside.”
    “Speaking of those who flee the city, Crinagoras and I were searching for just such a household. We made a discovery you might find interesting.”
    “That explains this late-night visit. I was afraid someone had died. Senator Balbinus, perhaps? Usually only bad news comes calling well after dark.”
    “No, there’s no such bad news.” Anatolius ran a hand through his sodden curls. “Have you learnt anything further about Gregory?”
    “Nothing that would help me find the person I seek.” John had not mentioned Peter’s misconceptions about his friend to Anatolius. The younger man had a loose tongue and might let the knowledge slip. John was more guarded or possibly less straightforward, a thought that made him uneasy.
    “Then I’m having more success than you are! I’ve found out the name of Nereus’ legal advisor.”
    ***
    Prudentius’ house sat behind the Hippodrome, just beyond the row of dilapidated wooden tenements piled at the base of the arena, like shipwrecks against a line of rocks.
    John knocked and waited.
    He seemed to be spending an inordinate amount of time standing on doorsteps of late.
    The house front presented