Der Alchimist von Oxford

It is Christmas in Oxford when Stefano de Askeles brings his troupe of jongleurs to town. Things have not been going well for him - poor Gyles de Multon was killed on stage in Winchester, and Stefano's pawing of Margaret the tumbler has her husband wild with jealousy. But with a new venue to play, they are hopeful that matters will improve. Master William Falconer, meanwhile, has been scouring the back alleys of Oxford in search of an alchemist who can help his exiled mentor, Roger Bacon, with his research. Thus it is that he witnesses the final rehearsal of de Askeles's play - and the death of an unfortunate stand-in. It seems that someone wants de Askeles dead and Falconer is the only one who can save him.