“Avoiding the issue,” said Julian, his eyes hard again, “leads to a fall.”

Matthew had no reply for this, nor did he wish to dwell too long on the matter. He sat down in one of the other chairs, took his tricorn, the woolen cap and his gloves off, leaned his head back and thought he too could close his eyes and sleep until morning, if not longer.

Sometime later there came a knock at the door. At once Julian was up and striding past Matthew’s chair. “Yes?” he asked whoever was on the other side.

“Hot water, your Excellency.”

It was a servant bearing the gift of a large ceramic bowl with a hinged metal lid on the top. Steam was rising through little holes in the lid and the bowl was so hot the youth was wearing soft leather gloves. He opened the lid, which revealed a spout, and poured water into the washbasin, after which he placed the bowl atop the washstand. “Anything more for you gentlemen?” he asked. “Another lantern or two? The Mayfair Tavern is closin’ in half-an-hour, do you require any food or ale?”

“We’re fine for tonight,” said Julian, who gave the servant two shillings. “Oh,” he said before the boy opened the door, “we’re with the Prussian gentlemen in number twenty-one. Has their luggage been brought up yet?”

“Yes sir, it has. Well … except they say they’re missin’ two bags, and it looks like maybe they weren’t taken off the hack, or … I don’t know, sir, it happens sometimes.”

“Indeed. And those gentlemen have been tended to just as you’re tending to us?” Julian softened his tone when both he and Matthew realized the servant might wonder at this interest. “We’re being paid to make sure they’re comfortable,” he explained. “They’re a finicky lot.”

“I see. Yes sir, I brought up their hot water before I brought yours.”

“And they asked for nothing more? I mean … with the English they know to speak?”

“The bald-headed gentleman’s hot about the missin’ bags, but he asked only for peace and quiet,” said the youth. “Nothin’ more.”

“Very good. It’s comforting to know they’re settled in for the night. Thank you, then, and goodnight to you.”

The youth said goodnight and left with the shillings in his pocket.