‘He refused to tell me.’

‘And why did he go to a meeting addressed by a man he hated?’

‘It may be that he wanted to turn that hatred into something more positive,’ said Peter, ‘such as an assassination.’

‘Would he have the courage to arrange such a thing?’

‘He’d need someone else’s support. That’s why I questioned him about politicians with a grudge against Sir Roger. He denied even knowing who they were.’

‘Did you include the Home Secretary’s name?’

‘Yes, I did.’

‘I thought he was your friend. Has your opinion of him changed?’

Peter sighed. ‘I’m not sure.’

‘But he’d never stoop to anything like this, surely?’

‘Until today, I’d have said the same thing, Gully. When I met him, however, he was evasive. He’s always been so honest with me before. The trust between us has gone. I’m almost sure that he had Sir Roger watched in his constituency.’

‘Why? Was he such a danger to the government?’

‘Sir Roger had a powerful voice. It could drive people to take action.’

‘Is there a chance that Denley and the Home Secretary worked together?’

‘I wish I knew,’ said Peter. ‘But I also questioned Denley about Sir Marcus Brough and Ferriday. After what happened today, I might have added the name of Edmund Mellanby.’

‘Surely you don’t suspect Sir Roger’s own son?’

‘According to his younger brother, he’s long coveted a seat in Parliament. That might be why Paul met him outside the House of Commons. It’s conceivable that he’d gone there to gloat.’

‘He might equally well have wished to meet members of his father’s party. From what you’ve told me, the Whigs have lost their crusader. Perhaps the elder son wanted to offer himself as a replacement.’

‘Edmund Mellanby never offers, Gully – he simply takes.’

‘People of that class often have the same attitude.’

‘What sticks in my mind about him is that he and the family lawyer have gone out of their way to hamper my investigation. Why? Are they afraid that I might find out family secrets that could embarrass them? Is that the reason they’ve dismissed me as an irrelevance?’

Ackford cackled. ‘Then they certainly don’t know Peter Skillen,’ he said. ‘The more they try to brush you aside, the more determined you become.’

‘It’s true. Anyway, thanks for letting me air my thoughts. It’s enabled me to get them into perspective.’

‘Will you be seeing Mr Denley again?’

‘It’s possible.’

‘Then pass on a message to him. The next time he decides to fight a duel, advise him to take some lessons from me beforehand. I can at least teach him the rudiments of swordplay.’