‘I’ll be careful,’ Collis said. ‘And, if you like, I’ll even do for you what I’ve already done for three or four San Francisco financiers. I’ll make you a bet that I can have my railroad surveyed and ready for laying track in five years.’

Laurence Melford pursed his lips in disgust. But John Frémont said, ‘All right. You’re arrogant enough. I’ll bet you anything you like.’

‘It isn’t much to ask,’ said Collis. ‘It’s nothing more than a celebration dinner, to be held here in this house, and hosted by you and your wife, on the night that my plans for a Pacific railroad are signed into law.’

John Frémont let out a sudden burst of laughter. ‘My God,’ he said, ‘you have a natural talent for stirring people up. My God, you do. And you can’t even help yourself from doing it, can you?’

‘I only try to speak my mind,’ said Collis.

John Frémont held out his hand. ‘Well,’ he said, ‘I’m not yet sure that I like you, and it’s plain that Laurence here believes you have the darkest motives for everything you do. But I’ll take your bet, and if you succeed, I’ll lay on your dinner. There’s just something I want in return, if you should fail. You’ll be a witness to this, won’t you, Mr Hunt?’

‘Sure,’ said Andy.

‘If you fail to survey your railroad, Mr Edmonds,’ said John Frémont, ‘I want you to leave California and never return.’

Collis looked up. He could scarcely believe what John Frémont had said. ‘That’s kind of drastic, wouldn’t you say?’ said Andy Hunt.

Frémont gave a quick shake of his head. ‘Just remember that California is my state, gentlemen, and has been since 1849. It was I who raised the flag at Sonoma, and it was I who made this city what it is today. All you have to do is ask who named the Golden Gate. It was I. Ask who brought civilisation and order. It was I.’

Collis was tempted to ask who had overstated his authority and refused to relinquish the governorship of San Francisco to General Kearny, thereby earning himself a short stretch in jail. But he decided he’d probably poked the bee’s nest enough for one evening, and he gave John Frémont a nod of acceptance instead.

‘If that’s what you want, that’s what you shall have. Life in this state won’t be worth very much without a railroad in any case. Now, I’m sure this party isn’t all railroading and political arguments, is it? Where can we go to eat, and perhaps to dance?’

‘The buffet’s in the back room,’ said Frémont. ‘You must try the smoked oysters. They’re out of Mr Melford’s own beds in the Bay, and they’re quite delicious.’

‘Excellent,’ said Collis. ‘And has Mr Melford brought his daughter, as well as his oysters?’

‘Sarah is here, yes,’ said Laurence Melford. ‘But you’d be doing me a considerable favour if you stayed away from her.’