Sir Walter explained that the British Government had received intelligence that some French ships – possibly as many as ten – had slipped through the British blockade. No one knew where they had gone or what they intended to do when they got there. Nor did the Government know where to find Admiral Armingcroft who was supposed to prevent this sort of thing happening. The Admiral and his fleet of ten frigates and two ships of the line had quite disappeared – presumably he had gone in pursuit of the French. There was a promising young captain, presently stationed at Madeira, and if the Admiralty had only been able to discover what was happening and where it was happening, they would have gladly put Captain Lightwood in charge of four or five more ships and sent him there. Lord Mulgrave had asked Admiral Greenwax what he thought they ought to do and Admiral Greenwax had asked the Ministers and the Ministers said that the Admiralty ought to consult Mr Strange and Mr Norrell immediately.

“I would not have you think that the Admiralty is entirely helpless without Mr Strange,” smiled Sir Walter. “They have done what they can. They sent one of the clerks, a Mr Petrofax, to Greenwich to seek out a childhood friend of Admiral Armingcroft’s to ask him, with his superior knowledge of the Admiral’s character, what he thought the Admiral would do under such circumstances. But when Mr Petrofax got to Greenwich the Admiral’s childhood friend was drunk in bed, and Mr Petrofax was not sure that he understood the question.”

“I dare say Norrell and I will be able to suggest something,” said Strange, thoughtfully, “but I think I should like to see the problem on a map.”

“I have all the necessary maps and papers at my house. One of our servants will bring them to Hanover-square later today and then perhaps you will be so kind as to talk to Norrell …”

“Oh! But we can do that now!” said Strange. “Arabella does not mind waiting a few moments! You do not mind, do you?” he said to his wife. “I am meeting Mr Norrell at two o’clock and I believe that if I can explain the problem to him straightaway then we may be able to return an answer to the Admiralty before dinner.”

Arabella, like a sweet, compliant woman and good wife, put all thoughts of her new curtains aside for the moment and assured both gentlemen that in such a cause it was no trouble to her to wait. It was settled that Mr and Mrs Strange would accompany Sir Walter to his house in Harley-street.

Strange took out his watch and looked at it. “Twenty minutes to Harley-street. Three-quarters of an hour to examine the problem. Then another fifteen minutes to Soho-square. Yes, there is plenty of time.”