Mossop’s eyes flickered to his right. Half a dozen G-men men who had been in the back offices or in the dormitory filed into the public office with their hands held over their heads. The other half of Kelly’s detachment came behind them, their guns pointed at the G-men’s backs. One carried a shotgun similar to the weapon in Mossop’s hands.

‘Get them up against the wall there,’ Kelly instructed. ‘Keep them covered. Then take their weapons.’

Everyone in the room heard the double-click as Mossop engaged the hammers on the Remington.

‘Don’t move, lads. Stay where you are,’ Mossop called to his colleagues, his eyes never wavering from Kelly’s face. ‘We’re calling this fella’s bluff. Let them take your guns and we’re done for. And take your hands down. G-men don’t give way to anyone.’

Slowly, one after another, the G-men lowered their arms. Then they followed each other to cross the room, joining Mossop at the desk.

‘You obstinate bastard.’ Kelly spat the words. ‘Do you realise you’re being given a direct instruction from the office of Her Majesty’s Permanent Under-Secretary?’

‘And do you realise that you’re getting a direct instruction from the Remington Firearms Company of Connecticut to piss off now and get out of this room along with your English pals?’

Kelly’s frame shook with anger.

‘Stupid bastard . . . you stupid Paddy.’

Mossop grinned.

‘My first name is Patrick, true enough. Patrick Edgar Mossop, Detective Sergeant, since you asked my rank. But I’m no Paddy in the sense that you use the word. I’m a Belfast Protestant, a King Billy man, through and through. True to the Crown. A bit like yourself, Charlie, only more so.’

Kelly glared. For a moment Mossop thought he would try to grab the barrel of the Remington, but instead he took a step back. He gestured to his men to lower their guns. One after another the Webleys went back into their shoulder-holsters. Kelly nodded towards the door. The men nearest to it started towards the street outside.

‘You’ll live to regret this I promise you, Detective Sergeant Mossop,’ Kelly hissed. ‘I won’t be responsible for a bloodbath here, and I won’t let you provoke one either. But I will be back. And when I come, you’ll learn to respect rank, and you’ll understand your duty to those in authority.’

Mossop grinned.

‘You don’t hold any rank in this department, Charlie, me chum. And I know my duty, never you fear. So if you do come back, maybe you’ll remember to bring your manners with you. Then we can a nice chat without my having to bring out this fellow to make you behave yourself.’

He tapped the Remington’s wooden stock, and gently eased the twin hammers to safety. Then his whole body started to tremble.

When they had gone, he turned to the G-man standing nearest.