‘That we may assume with confidence, Eisik. In any event that only tells us the physical characteristics of the author of our note, and he may not be our killer. We must take care not to assume too much, not unless some other piece of evidence tells us otherwise.’
‘What else do we know, master? Do you think that he is motivated by greed?’
‘Yes, greed. Our killer wants everything, or maybe only one thing, but it must be of great importance.’
‘Yes, my sons, the desire to have what one may not have is a strong one.’
‘So those whom our murderer kills may be denying him something, or impeding him in his aim at something and this brings to mind something else . . . What if the killer is after the same thing that has brought us here? Have you thought of that?’Andre said.
‘But what has brought us here if not the king’s command, master?’
‘Yes, I know, but I speak of whatever it is that has compelled his command, something valuable, powerful . . .’
Eisik shivered, groaning deeply, ‘So, what you are saying, Andre, is that the old brothers were not mere innocents. You are saying, and it will be heard in the four quarters of heaven, that they were in possession of something . . . something terrible!’
I must have paled for my master became annoyed and he muttered some profanity in his native tongue which I shall not recount.
‘Perhaps they are in possession of something, or they know how to come by it, and will not tell? Or perhaps they are ready to tell others about it, thereby denying the killer’s sole ownership if he already knows it,’ Andre finished, and popped another nut into his mouth with a gesture of defiance.
I was silent.
‘Now, to the deaths . . . What is the rule? The poison, the note. Let me see the note.’
I searched in the repository inside my habit and produced the note. My master snatched it from my hands and proceeded to read it: ‘Except the lord build the house: their labour is but lost that build it.’
‘What is he trying to tell us, and why?’ My master thought deeply for a moment. ‘Brother Ezekiel was the old translator, and what do translators translate if not the knowledge of others?
Could we then call him a seeker of knowledge? It could be that the killer is forewarning us . . .’
‘You mean telling us the identity of his next victim?’ I asked, suddenly enlightened.
‘Exactly! Whoever built the house will be next.’
‘You mean whoever built the monastery?’ I corrected him.
‘An architect, the builder of the house may be a metaphor for something else, such as some thing to be accomplished, or some knowledge of the building, the configuration of something.’
‘Perhaps it is the measurements of Solomon’s Temple, that which was, before it was destroyed by pagans and idolaters,’ Eisik offered.
‘This knowledge could be the conclusion that Asa mentioned?’ I remarked.
‘Perhaps,’ my master said.
‘We know that the author of our note is the killer master, otherwise, how could he know the identity of the next victim?’
‘Perhaps he is privy to this information, but does not have the courage to tell us face to face?’
‘Why doesn’t he write down the name of the killer, master, instead of using riddles?’
‘I do not know,’ Andre said, pensively, ‘perhaps he is prudent.’
Eisik raised one brow. ‘Perhaps he likes toying with fumbling Templars.’
My master glared at Eisik and laid his head back on his hands, now in a bad mood.
‘But what about the cook, master?’ I continued soothingly. ‘He must know something.’
‘I shall have to speak with him, but that is now difficult. At least we know many things, and I am beginning to think that my assumptions are correct. There are two monasteries, Christian. One that lives and breathes above the earth, and one that conducts its business below.’
‘Is that not what the abbot said? That what is above is like that which is below?’
‘Yes. Everything points to the catacombs, and I believe there must be something of great importance hidden there, perhaps important enough to occasion murder, and I aim to find out what it is. Now, away with you, and let me think! Tonight, after all are in bed, we visit the panel. We shall meet after compline in your cell, Christian.’
16
Capitulum
‘Let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.’
Joel ii 16
I was in a magnificent garden. Around me nature seemed as fresh as the very first day of creation. Everywhere I saw His fingerprint upon the most sublime hues, and the most resplendent colours. Cool, limpid pools of emerald and jade in their innocence cascaded down to a stream whose origin seemed to be in some distant place, dissolving into an indistinct horizon. Here light played upon everything, dancing on the gauzy wings of a breeze, resting upon flowers of every kind that lay outspread like a blanket at my feet. They seemed like disciples whose grace and simplicity were singularly beautiful, their little faces upturned in the piety of their vestments.