title: Thirteenth Night: A Medieval Mystery
author:  Alan Gordon 
description: "I prefer to leap to conclusions without evidence. It saves time," says Feste, a professional fool. Around this note of obfuscation, Gordon's first novel weaves an amusing sequel to Shakespeare's Twelfth Night that, through clever misdirection and deceit, keeps readers guessing. In the first year of the 13th century, the Fool's Guild?a training center and headquarters for jesters and clowns who secretly influence the direction of political events?receives word of the death of Duke Orsino of Illyria. Feste, who nurtured Orsino's affections for Viola years before, suspects foul play, so he goes to investigate, disguised as a merchant. The guild also sends along Bobo, in fool's garb, to act as a decoy. Feste fears that Malvolio, former steward to a wealthy family who became the butt of his songs and pranks, may have murdered the duke in the first step of a long-promised revenge. But after 14 years' absence, Feste is no longer certain of Malvolio's appearance, and every man in town becomes a suspect. The plot becomes further entangled with the murder of Fabian, the new steward to the family that Malvolio once served. Gordon's invention of the guild's code and its many tricks is delightful; his dialogue is pitch perfect. What the first half of the narrative lacks in excitement, the second provides in abundance, as political intrigues?and the characters involved in them?sparkle, delighting readers all the way to the conclusion. <br />Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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  THE EPISODE OF THE DRAWN GAME  
    
  
  
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  # THE EPISODE OF THE DRAWN GAME
  
  
  ### Grant Allen
  
  
  
  
  
  This page copyright © 2001 Blackmask Online.
  
  
  
  
  
  http://www.blackmask.com  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  THE twelfth of August saw us, as usual, at Seldon Castle,
  
  
  Ross-shire. It is part of Charles's restless, roving
  
  
  temperament that, on the morning of the eleventh, wet or
  
  
  fine, he must set out from London, whether the House is
  
  
  sitting or not, in defiance of the most urgent three-line
  
  
  whips; and at dawn on the twelfth he must be at work on his
  
  
  moors, shooting down the young birds with might and main, at
  
  
  the earliest possible legal moment.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  He goes on like Saul, slaying his thousands, or, like
  
  
  David, his tens of thousands, with all the guns in the house
  
  
  to help him, till the keepers warn him he has killed as many
  
  
  grouse as they consider desirable; and then, having