第26章 (第3/3页)
ou know anything about Richard III?'
'Nothing except that he croaked his nephews, and offered his kingdom for a horse. And that he had two stooges known as the Cat and the Rat.'
'What!'
'You know: "The Cat, the Rat, and Lovel Our Dog, Rule all England under a Hog."
'Yes, of course. I'd forgotten that. What does it mean, do you know?'
'No, I've no idea. I don't know that period very well. How did you get interested in Richard III?'
'Marta ' suggested that I should do some academic Investigating, since I can't do any practical investigating for some time to come. And because I find faces interesting she brought me portraits of all the principals. Principals in the various mysteries she suggested, I mean. Richard got in 'more or less by accident, but he proved the biggest mystery of the lot.'
'He did? In what way?'
'He is the author of the most revolting crime in history, and he has the face of a great judge; a great administrator. Moreover he was by all accounts an abnormally civilized and well-living creature. He actually was a good administrator, by the way. He governed the North of England and did it excellently. He was a good staff officer and a good soldier. And nothing is known against his private life. His brother, perhaps you know, was - bar Charles II ?