“Yes,” Julian said. “He might have another scar to go with that one from the bear cub. Someone get me a strong drink and the stronger the better!” he shouted toward the assembly. The act of shouting made him wince, but he sent out another one anyway. “Damn your eyes! Can’t you see I’m needy?”

“Who is that?” Hudson pointed a finger at Firebaugh, who had walked out further into the square to take his bearings. “And why are his breeches about to fall down?”

“The chemist, by the name of Lazarus Firebaugh,” said Matthew. “As for the breeches … a long story.”

“An entertaining one, I’m sure.” Hudson took the measure of Matthew’s demeanor and condition and his gaze sharpened. “How was it?”

“Rough,” was the reply. “How is Berry?”

“Further diminished.”

Matthew didn’t like the sound of that. He had to see Berry at once. “Doctor? Will you come with—”

“The professor wants to see you,” said one of two men—Stalker by name—who had pushed their way forward through the twenty or so people who had gathered, most of them admiring the coach and the horses, some of them wearing blank and stupefied expressions to indicate that their own drugged conditions had not abated. “You, Julian and him from the coach. Now,” Stalker added. He and the other wore pistols and knives on belts their coats had been drawn aside to reveal.

“I’m going to see Berry first,” said Matthew. “Doctor, please—”

“The professor said now and he means now.” Stalker glanced quickly at Hudson. “Not you. You’re to stay—”

Without a word, Hudson hit him an uppercut to the jaw.

Stalker’s whole body flew up into the air and the black cap spun off his head like a frightened crow. When he came down with a solid thump his body shivered but he was out like a dewicked lamp. The other man—whom Hudson knew by name as Guinnessey—drew his pistol and levelled it at Hudson.

“For God’s sake, Hugh!” Hudson said with a scowl. “You’re not going to shoot me! I owe you too much money at dice!”

Guinnessey’s pistol dropped down. “Well, what am I supposed to do? Stand here like a droolin’ fool with the professor watchin’ all this from his balcony?”

“Let him watch.” Hudson rubbed his scuffed knuckles. “Stalker’s been asking for that, and you know it.”

“A grand show, worth a half-pence at least!” Julian tipped to his mouth a clay jug someone had brought him from the village’s tavern, the Question Mark. He coughed several times at the strength of the ale, which did his ribs no favor.

“I’m going to see Berry,” said Matthew. “All of you can do as you please.”