‘Cummins should be at the Bridewell around now. If he identifies Kelly as the man he saw at Chapel Court when Nellie Byrne was murdered that’ll be more than enough to have him charged.’

‘Cummins is a fairly good witness,’ Swallow said. ‘He keeps on saying that he knew the man and thought he was a policeman. He said he’d know him again if he saw him.’

‘That’s true,’ Mallon agreed. ‘But even if Cummins doesn’t identify Kelly, the fact that he had the dead woman’s post office book in his pocket is damning.’

‘Sure,’ Swallow nodded. ‘What do we know from the details in the book? Was Nellie deeply involved in the Fenian business?’

‘Oh indeed she was,’ Mallon said. ‘The book was in the name of Helena Moyles, and that name meant nothing to the post office people in their routine spot checks. Upwards of £2,000 has been moved in and out of the account over the past two years. That kind of money can buy a lot of revolvers from soldiers or sailors looking to make a few quid. Or from quarry workers who can put a few sticks of dynamite away every month.’

‘Maybe you should stop talking about work, John,’ Elizabeth Mallon said.

There was a hint of sharpness in her voice.

‘The hour is late. You should take your own advice perhaps and leave this Major Kelly to the men in the Bridewell. I’d like to hear from Joe about how Maria is doing and when she will be coming home from hospital.’

Swallow saw a fleeting look of resentment or annoyance in John Mallon’s face. But the chief of detectives was outranked in this domestic setting.

‘Very well, Elizabeth. We’ll speak no more of police business until we’ve finished our supper.’

Swallow felt a tinge of resentment too. He wanted to hear more of what had transpired in Kelly’s arrest and questioning. But he had to take his lead from Mallon.

‘Thank you, Mrs Mallon,’ Swallow told her. ‘Maria is weak and tired, but out of any danger, thank God. I saw her first thing this morning and she’s deeply upset, naturally. But she’s strong and she’s determined to be back to her usual routine as soon as possible. Dr Morrow says that it’s for the best, both in her physical well-being and for her emotional state.’

‘It’s far from an easy thing for a woman,’ Elizabeth Mallon said gently. ‘And I know it’s not easy for the husband, the father, either. But thank God she’s not in any danger, and who knows, there may be other blessings, other children, in your life ahead.’

Swallow nodded.

‘You’re right, Mrs Mallon. We try to count our blessings.’

‘And forgive our enemies,’ she said.