‘But there’s no proof that the victim was linked to the earlier murder.’

‘Yes, there is, Gully,’ said Charlotte. ‘I feel it in my bones.’

‘Well, I don’t, I’m afraid. What about you, Paul?’

‘To be honest,’ said the other, ‘I’m in two minds. When I first heard his name, I felt elated. We finally had an important clue. Yes, it was a political crime but there was also a theatrical element to it. Orsino Price seemed to fit neatly into the picture, somehow. On reflection, however, I’ve scolded myself for getting too excited about what is – as Gully points out – rather flimsy evidence.’

‘But it isn’t,’ urged Charlotte.

‘It’s beginning to look that way.’

‘You found out something of real value. Believe in it.’

‘If I do that, I’ll allow myself to think that we’ve made real progress.’

‘You’re only deceiving yourselves,’ said Ackford.

‘We deserve a slice of luck.’

‘That’s not what this is, Paul.’

‘Why not?’

‘You’re trying to connect two murders that may have nothing whatsoever to do with each other. Covent Garden is a bear pit. Everyone knows that. People get assaulted there all the time. Unfortunately, some of them die. Orsino Price happens to be the latest in a long line. That’s his only significance.’

‘I wonder …’ said Paul, mulling it over.

‘Don’t listen to Gully,’ advised Charlotte. ‘Be optimistic.’

‘That’s what I’m trying to be, but my brain keeps issuing a warning.’

‘Ignore your brain and act from the heart.’

‘I did that once before,’ said Paul, chuckling.

‘Yes, and look what happened. You finished up with the most beautiful actress in London. I’ve never heard you complain about that.’

‘You never will,’ said Ackford, grinning. ‘Paul had outrageous good fortune.’

‘It’s happened again,’ she insisted. ‘Finding out about Orsino Price is a gift from God. We just need the courage to believe in it.’

‘Speak for yourself, Charlotte. In my view, it’s sheer folly.’

‘Then we must agree to differ with you, Gully,’ said Paul, making his decision. ‘I agree with my lovely sister-in-law. I’ve stumbled on pure gold.’

Peter Skillen was becoming impatient, fuming because Oxley and Edmund Mellanby had already set off for London. He accepted that there would be a post-mortem and an inquest before the body was released and that the two men had the perfect right to make their way to the capital. Peter’s fear was that their presence there would only hinder the investigation that he and Paul were conducting. Oxley was bound to report to the Bow Street Runners that the Skillen brothers believed that only they could solve the heinous crime. As a result, Yeomans and Hale would be issuing threats against them once more and hampering them in every way.