‘I know what you’re thinking,’ she said. ‘The answer is that I like it here. It means that I can work alongside my husband and my brother-in-law, sharing in the excitement of each new case we take on.’

‘You’re a brave woman,’ said David.

‘I’m sure that you and Peter have a lot to discuss,’ said Paul, moving to the door, ‘so we’ll leave you alone for a while.’

‘Please stay. I’d appreciate it. You were actually there when my father was shot dead. I’d like to hear exactly what happened.’

‘Then I’ll be happy to oblige you.’

‘I, meanwhile,’ said Charlotte, ‘will leave you alone. Please excuse me.’

She let herself silently out of the room. Peter looked at their visitor.

‘What brought you all the way from Nottingham?’ he asked. ‘We’d like to think that our fame is spreading, but we don’t flatter ourselves that anyone outside London knows who we are.’

‘I know,’ said David, ‘and so does Seth Hooper. It was talking to him that made me decide to come here. He sends his regards, by the way.’

‘That’s good to hear. Please give him mine in return.’

‘I will.’

‘I’d have thought the first person you’d wish to see would be your brother.’

‘Edmund can wait.’

‘I had a rather prickly conversation with him at his hotel,’ said Peter. ‘He took exception to one of the questions I put to him.’

‘What was it?’

‘I asked him when he’d start mourning your father. He certainly hasn’t done so yet. It’s almost as if he has no capacity for grief. Incidentally, he treats Mr Oxley with unconscionable rudeness. The latter was abruptly excluded from our conversation. He was deeply offended. Sir Roger clearly treated him differently.’

‘My father befriended people. Edmund uses them then casts them aside.’

‘That was my impression,’ said Peter, ‘but you mentioned news from Seth Hooper. What is it?’

‘As you know, my father was due to present a petition to the Prince Regent. The Hampden Club has selected someone else to do it.’

‘Who is it?’

‘You are looking at him, Mr Skillen,’ said David, modestly. ‘I’m not a member of the club, of course, but it’s the least I can do in memory of my father. If Hooper and the others organise a march to London, they’ll be arrested before they get anywhere near it. I, however, have the power of the church to guard me,’ he went on, indicating his bands. ‘There’s another advantage I can boast. Hampden Clubs have been spied on regularly. Somehow I don’t think the Home Secretary’s agents have been keeping me under surveillance.’