“Yes sir, as you say, and thank you kindly.” The driver got back up on his seat, flicked the reins and started off, and Victor was already producing his invitation on parchment to show the guard.

“Christ,” Matthew heard Julian mutter beside him. As the carriage went, so went the means of escape. They were caught here until midnight, for better or for worse.

Julian showed the invitation, which even though the same had admitted Victor still was subject to the guard’s scrutiny. With a nod the guard released them. As Matthew and Julian walked a few paces behind Victor toward the manse’s imposing front staircase they heard the solid metal clang of the gate behind being closed … and Matthew thought that now they were well and truly imprisoned, and this place might make the dangers of Newgate appear to be wraiths of fantasy.

Up the staircase, with its thick concrete bannisters on either side, and to the front door, where Victor was already using the knocker. Brass in the shape of a ship’s cannon, Matthew noted. Almost at once the door opened and the man of the night before stood there, wearing a dark blue uniform with white epaulettes at the shoulders. His face was as grim as a closed tomb. He looked at the invitation Victor offered, then the one offered by Julian, they were admitted to the house and the door was shut behind them. Matthew’s heart was pounding and his pulse raced and he was sorely glad he’d brought the vial of powder because he was going to need it.

Matthew had just time enough for fleeting impressions in the entrance foyer—rich dark wood flooring, sky-blue painted walls, the aroma of a bittersweet incense in the air—before he saw before them the white-suited Owl standing beside a sturdy oak table which supported a large wicker basket. Just beyond the Owl were two more men in dark suits, both of them looking as if they could bite the heads off poisonous snakes for supper.

“Weapons in the basket, please,” the Owl said to Victor, who obliged by giving up not only the pistol he’d shown in the hackney, but a second smaller pistol and a curved dagger that Matthew thought might be of eastern European origin and some clue to his nationality. But Victor was not yet cleared to go through, for one of the two dark-suited men stepped forward, said, “Remove your coat and hat, hang them there and raise your arms.” Hooks on the wall were indicated, which already held two tricorns, a bright red peaked hat of unknown origin, and three coats including one floor-length item made of a tawny animal skin. The second man grasped hold of Victor’s satchel, took a key that was offered, unsnapped the satchel and peered inside.