‘Reports of the clash did eventually reach me, of course, and I was pleased to see that the magistrates behaved correctly in breaking up that march. One can’t have marauding bands of disaffected workers on the loose.’

‘We are talking about a peaceful demonstration, my lord,’ said Peter with a sudden passion in his voice. ‘The men from Manchester took great care to operate within the law and so did those whom I met in Nottingham. They are not unruly insurrectionists. They have legitimate concerns that they wish to have laid before Parliament.’

‘You’re beginning to sound like one of them,’ warned Sidmouth.

‘I take no sides in the matter. I just want the truth to be heard.’

‘And what do you conceive of as the truth?’

‘Having the advantage of knowing you in person,’ said Peter, ‘I refused to accept that you had sent spies to places like Manchester and Nottingham so that you were aware of what people were planning.’

‘Thank you.’

‘I couldn’t believe that the local magistracy was responding to direct orders from the Home Office.’

‘They know their job. I let them get on with it. As you can see from the way that my desk is covered,’ said Sidmouth, pointing to the piles of documents, ‘I have more than enough work to keep me busy. Where would I find the time to take a close interest in northern towns beset by dissidents?’

‘Sir Roger Mellanby was no dissident, my lord.’

‘Indeed, he wasn’t. He was a civilised man with a gift for debate that made him stand out from the general herd of parliamentarians.’

‘Some in that herd might have wanted him silenced.’

There was an awkward pause before Sidmouth rose to his feet.

‘Thank you for coming, Mr Skillen,’ he said. ‘It’s always a delight to see you because it revives pleasant memories of times when we worked so well together. That is something we can’t do on the matter you’ve brought before me today. Let me be clear. Agitators are at work throughout the country, trying to stir up trouble for us. As Home Secretary, I get reports on a regular basis from what are deemed to be places of incipient rebellion. I sent no spies to infiltrate those communities,’ he emphasised, ‘and resent being accused of doing so.’

‘Thank you, my lord,’ said Peter, getting to his feet. ‘You’ve told me all that I’d hoped to hear. I bid you good day.’ After heading for the door, he suddenly paused. ‘May I ask who was in here with you before me?’

‘That was Mr Oswald Ferriday, the President of the Board of Trade.’

‘I see.’

‘Goodbye, Mr Skillen – and thank you for coming.’

Peter was hurt. There was no hint of sincerity in the farewell.