Matthew’s ears had perked up. “Shells, you say? Not cannonballs?”

“No, sir. Shells was the term used, and he identified the vessel under his command as the mortar ship Volcano,” Windom replied. “I thought it curious that you should arrive asking about the theft of a mortar ship, when—”

“Of course,” Julian interrupted, his voice tense. “Father gave this admiral the all-clear?”

“He checked the bills of passage and the ledger. I assisted him in gathering the papers. The last merchant of the day from Bristol was scheduled to be docking in Swansea near six o’clock, and two from Swansea to Bristol well after midnight.”

“Ah.” Julian nodded. He looked at Matthew, raised his eyebrows and then returned his attention to Windom. “The admiral. What was his name?”

“I didn’t catch that, sir, and of course I wasn’t introduced to him.”

“What did he look like?” Julian asked.

“A large man, sir. Bearlike, I would say. He had a heavy black beard down his chest and a long mane of black hair that hung about his shoulders. About his beard … he had applied streaks of crimson and orange dye to it, so that it took on the appearance of flames. I could tell Master Devane didn’t care for the man’s grooming habits, as he feels the navy is becoming far too lax with such. But this gentleman spoke well and seemed to have excellent manners, which Master Devane holds in high regard. Also his uniform was well-decorated.”

“I’m sure this admiral took pains to make certain his decorations were well-observed, too,” said Julian. He frowned. “I don’t know any admiral who fits that description … then again, I have long since foregone keeping up with the navy’s officers.”

“A question,” Matthew said. “Windom, if you made the connection between what we were asking and the presence of the Volcano, why didn’t your master?”

“We—I—didn’t ask the right question,” Julian answered before the servant could speak. “I asked about the theft of such a ship, not the presence of one that sailed right past Bristol with my father’s approval and aid.” He looked back toward the house on haunted hill, which had now gone completely dark once more. A gust of wind blew among the three, strong enough to stagger Windom and ruffle the fearnaught around his frail form. “My father is aware that my … shall we say … current occupation does not meet his standards,” Julian went on, “I’m sure he doesn’t want to explore that realm any further, and therefore he heard only the question and no more.”

“And I, sir,” said Windom to young Julian through lips that had begun to shiver, “am equally poor of knowledge about why you wish to know these things, and I believe it is to my benefit to remain uneducated. But … I did think you should hear about the admiral and his Volcano.”

“Rightly so, and my thanks to you. Well … you’d best get to a warm place. Unfortunately you must return to Garrett Devane’s house.”