Athelstan looked out across the river; the tide had not yet turned, the day was sunny and warm. Everyone who owned a wherry, barge or bum-boat seemed to be out on the Thames. Victuallers were now gathering around the great warships berthed at Queenshithe, trying to sell the crews their produce. A wherryful of prostitutes were busy displaying their charms to entice officers of the watch. Royal barges, flying blue, red and gold pennants, made their way up and down to the Tower or Westminster. Three gong barges, full of ordure stinking to high heaven, were now midstream, the masked dung-collectors tipping the waste they had collected into the fast flowing river.

'You've seen all this before,' Sir John barked.

He took a quick sip from his wineskin and offered it to Moleskin. The boatman, resting on his oars, took a generous swig; he was about to take a second when the coroner snatched it back.

'Three victims,' Athelstan said. 'Killed, either last night, or the night before, I'm not too sure which. The girl and the dark-faced stranger were a whore and her customer. I think they surprised the assassin who killed that young man you seemed to recognise.'

'And the law says,' the coroner declared pompously, 'that they must lie on the steps of your church for a day and a night so they can be recognised. I hope it wasn't the work of any of your beloved parishioners. Someone will hang for such bloody deeds.'

'And where are you taking me, Sir John?'

Sir John hypocritically put a finger to his lips.

They berthed at Dowgate near the Steelyard, went up a busy alleyway along Walbrook and into Cheap-side. The streets were busy, thronged with crowds.