Murder in the Queen's Armes

'The what?'

'The Stonebarrow Fell inquiry,” Frawley said.

Gideon shook his head. “I don't know what you're talking about.'

'No?” Nate looked at him quizzically. “Okay, have a read.” He reached to the shelf behind him, got a newspaper, and tossed it onto the table in front of Gideon, who dropped back into his chair. It was the previous day's West Dorset Times, and the headline ran across the two leftmost columns.

CRISES MOUNT AT STONEBARROW FELL

Professor Nathan G. Marcus, the outspoken and controversial director of the archaeological excavation at Stonebarrow Fell (Charmouth) is set for his most critical test thus far.

The Times has learned that the Wessex Antiquarian Society (WAS) and the New York-based Horizon Foundation for Anthropological Research, which cosponsor the expedition, will shortly conduct a joint inquiry, to be held in Charmouth, into charges against Professor Marcus of maladministration and unprofessional behavior. The charges stem from a confidential letter of complaint sent by the WAS to the Horizon Foundation.

The secret letter, of which the Times has managed to obtain a copy, protests Professor Marcus's “animadversions upon the Society in particular and English archaeology in general.” It also alleges that “his unsubstantiated and incredible claims regarding a Mycenaean settlement of southern England discredit all concerned and tarnish the reputation of archaeology itself.” Further, the unprecedented letter expresses “gave reservations about Professor Marcus's competence and objectivity.'

Professor Marcus, in a statement to the Times, said that his claims are consistent with the facts, and that “the Wessex Antiquarian Society has been out to get me from Day One...They won't admit the obvious truth even when the d—n thing stares them in the face, just because an American came up with it. Look, I'm glad they've got a lot of practice eating their own words, because I'm going to dump a big plateful right in front of them.'

These charges and countercharges fly amidst growing rumours of an astonishing and sensational new discovery at Stonebarrow Fell; one that will lend credence to Professor Marcus's unorthodox theories. When queried about these rumors, the American scholar would only smile.

The expected arrival on the scene of Professor Gideon P. Oliver, an internationally known authority on skeletal analysis and reconstruction, is believed by informed sources to suggest that the alleged new discovery consists of one or more human skeletons. Professor Oliver, it is believed, will play a significant role in the inquiry into his countryman's behaviour.

Gideon stared at the last paragraph a second time, then dropped the paper and looked up.

'How in the hell did I get involved? How could the... the...” He glanced at the masthead. “. . . the West Dorset Times even know I was coming? Nobody knew we were going to Charmouth.'

This was virtually true. Gideon had talked about it with his old friend and teacher Abe Goldstein, but Abe was living in quiet retirement in Sequim, Washington, six thousand miles away. No one else could possibly know. They had not even made reservations at a Charmouth hotel, trusting instead to plentiful vacancies in the off-season.

'I'll be damned,” he said. “Nate, I give you my word I don't have anything to do with any inquiry. I didn't even know there was one.'

Again there was a burdensome silence. Against the one small window an unseasonable bluebottle fly buzzed and thumped sluggishly. Nate, who had been studying Gideon closely all the time he'd been reading, appeared to come to an abrupt decision.

'Okay, okay, I believe you. I'm sorry, pal, maybe I'm getting paranoid.” He toyed with the old dagger blade, picking at the rough, green patina with thin, hairy fingers. “That damn WAS. They'll do anything to make me look bad. I'll bet anything they're behind it.'

Paranoid, Frawley had said, and now Nate had said it too. Gideon began to wonder if there wasn't something to it. He glanced at Frawley and was met with the sort of knowing look that is generally said to be “fraught with meaning.'

'Nate,” Gideon said, “you know the WAS is a serious group of archaeologists. I don't think—'

'Don't give me that bullshit. Dammit, Gideon, I've got them so shook up with what I'm finding here they'd do anything to get me canned—so they can have all the credit for good old England. Bastards!” His hand closed around the blade, and for a second Gideon thought he was going to ram the fragile implement into the table, but he only gripped it a moment and tossed it down. “Hell, what am I getting so excited about? It's the same old story.” He grinned suddenly, his teeth very white against his dark face, and tapped the newspaper. “I gave ‘em as good as I got, though, huh?'

'Yes, it's great to see you out there winning friends for America.'

Nate laughed, throwing back his head and barking at the ceiling. It was too loud and it went on too long, and in his throat the arteries stood out like fat worms. Again Gideon found Frawley's doleful eyes fixed meaningfully on him.

Nate leaned over and slapped Gideon's arm. “Let me tell you, pal, I'm really glad you're not with them. I'd hate to think you were on their side.'

Gideon returned his smile but was obscurely troubled. Were there sides? Whose side was he on? Nate's theory was cockeyed and deserved refutation, no question about that, but the man had once been close to him, and Gideon couldn't help being concerned. Abe Goldstein had been right, as usual; Nate Marcus was in need of being kept out of trouble.

'Nate,” Gideon said softly, wishing that the mournfully attentive Frawley would go away, “this whole Mycenaean business.... Are you sure you're not getting yourself out on a limb? An inquiry by Horizon—that's serious stuff; it could affect your whole career.'

'Everything I said is true,” Nate said fervently. “Listen, I can prove the Mycenaeans brought the Bronze Age to England.” He stared at Gideon, then turned suddenly to Frawley. “Right?'

Frawley was caught raising his mug to his lips. He spluttered and set it down, then drew from one breast