In the privacy of the vestry, David Mellanby let his emotions show. Flopping into the chair beside the desk, he buried his face in his hands in an attitude of sorrow. Loath to interrupt him, Peter stood there in silence and waited. David was in pain. Grief at the death of his father had been compounded by the cruel way in which his brother and sister had refused to attend the service. Because she was unwell, his mother could be excused, but his brother, sister and their respective spouses were in robust health. They knew how much their presence would have meant to the youngest member of the family, yet they shunned him. Their behaviour was a warning that he’d have to suffer similar disappointments in the future.

When he eventually came out of his reverie, David rose to his feet.

‘I do apologise for drifting off like that, Mr Skillen.’

‘You’re under intense pressure at the moment,’ said Peter, waving the apology away. ‘You coped with it extremely well.’

‘To be candid, I don’t feel that I did. However, let’s not talk about me. It’s too unsettling. I want to hear how you got on yesterday after we parted. You told me you’d attend a meeting.’

‘It was more of a wake than anything else, I’m afraid. However, that didn’t prevent some vigorous debate. They’re more determined than ever to carry on the campaign.’

Peter went on to tell him that he’d been mesmerised. When he learnt about the Blanketeers, he realised how ignorant he’d been about the problems with which Manchester had been struggling. Nottingham was in the same position. It was when Peter talked about his discovery at the Black Horse that David spoke once more.

‘Someone was spying on them?’ he asked.

‘I believe so. When I entered the room, I could hear muffled voices directly below. If I stood next to the grate, however, the sound was crystal clear. Anyone standing there could hear the debate coming straight up the chimney.’

‘Did you warn them what you’d found?’

‘Yes, of course,’ said Peter. ‘The landlord was aware of the way that sound was carried upstairs to that particular room, so he always kept it locked during a meeting. Someone had broken in and smoked a pipe while he was listening beside the grate. I only wish I’d got there soon enough to catch him.’

‘This is all very alarming, Mr Skillen.’

‘It might not have been the first time.’

‘That’s very worrying.’

‘I’ve been wondering how his assassin knew that your father would arrive in London when he did. The answer is simple. He was acting on information that curled up that chimney like so much smoke.’

Paul arrived at the house and was shown at once into the drawing room. Captain Golightly got to his feet and shook his visitor’s hand.