‘Forgive this untimely interruption, Your Highness,’ said Paul, ‘but you are in grave danger. The assassin is still at liberty and may strike again. Hale will conduct you to a place of safety until the villain is caught. I, meanwhile, will leave the theatre by another exit with Miss Granville. There’s no time for delay.’

Offering his arm to Hannah, he took her quickly out of the room with Jenny Pye trotting in their wake. From the way that she clung to him, Paul could tell that Hannah was both grateful and relieved. He’d arrived just in time.

‘What’s this about an assassin?’ she asked, worriedly.

‘He tried to shoot the Prince Regent.’

‘How do you know?’

‘I was standing only feet away.’

‘Were you in danger?’ she gasped.

‘No, I was not.’

‘Are you sure of that, Paul?’

‘I’m not important enough to be killed.’

‘You’re the most important man in the world to me.’

‘When we’re alone together,’ he said with a grin, ‘I’ll give you every opportunity to tell me why.’

CHAPTER THREE

Work began early at the shooting gallery. Since they lived on the premises, Gully Ackford and Jem Huckvale were available to patrons who wished to have a lesson before they went to work or who simply preferred an appointment not long after dawn. Instruction in shooting, archery, boxing and fencing were all on offer. Now in his forties, Ackford, a retired soldier, was still an expert in all four disciplines and he was a gifted teacher. It was years since he’d taken the diminutive Huckvale under his wing, giving him only menial tasks at first. By dint of hard work, Huckvale had learnt quickly and was now able to take on pupils of his own. Still in his twenties, he was so quick and nimble in a boxing ring that opponents were often unable to land a blow on him.

After teaching someone the rudiments of pugilism that morning, Huckvale adjourned to the room that was both office and storeroom. Ackford was there, enjoying his breakfast.

‘Come and join me, lad. You must be famished.’

‘Thank you, Gully,’ said the other, taking a seat at the table. ‘After an hour with Mr Nevin, I need a rest.’

Ackford laughed. ‘If you’re tired, he must be near exhaustion.’

‘He could hardly move at the end. Next time he comes here, Mr Nevin is going to pay me to stand still in the ring.’

‘That would be cheating. Avoiding a punch is as important as landing one.’

‘I keep telling him that.’ He looked up as he heard the outer door being unlocked. ‘That will be Peter, I expect.’

‘Don’t ever get into a boxing ring with him. Even I would think twice about doing that. And the same goes for Paul.’

The door opened and Peter Skillen walked into the room.

‘My ears are burning,’ he said. ‘Is someone talking about me?’