Lawrence looked sceptical. “From what we saw, I’d say they’re pretty advanced with their plans. Even if we were granted more time, we could be too late. And I repeat my question; what could we do, anyway?”

“Damned if I know. It would depend on the situation.”

“You realize they could just take us out and shoot us,” Lawrence said morosely. “It’d save ’em the cost of a rope. And I’ve a feeling Quade would enjoy seeing us strung up.”

Hawkwood smiled. “I told you: we’re not dead, yet.”

His cellmate did not look like a man convinced. But then, slowly, his lips formed a broad, beaming smile. “Y’know, Captain, you’re right. We’re not bloody dead, are we? By God, we’re not!” His eyes landed on Hawkwood’s right boot. “It’s also just occurred to me that I didn’t see them confiscate that blade you keep hidden.”

Hawkwood turned his head. “Funny you should say that.”

Lawrence brightened. “Ha! I’ll be damned. So, we’ve one weapon to hand, at least.”

“We do.”

“At least if it gets rough we can take some of the buggers with us.”

“Absolutely.”

Lawrence chuckled. “Good man. Onwards and upwards, then. Or as the Bard might have put it: Once more unto the breach, dear friend!”

“Always,” Hawkwood said.

Not long after noon, they heard the heavy tramp of boots in the corridor.

Lawrence looked up. “Something tells me that’s for us.” He sat and swung his feet to the floor. “Then again, best to be prepared. It might be a rescue.”

If it’s Jago standing there, Hawkwood thought, then there really is a God.

The footsteps stopped. A key scraped in the lock and the door swung open. There was no Jago; only a brace of unsmiling, armed troopers who appeared on the threshold. Two more waited behind. The escort was back.

“On your feet.”

They stood and at a signal from the guard they held out their arms. The manacles were refastened.

“Where are we going?” Hawkwood asked.

“You’re being transferred.”

“To Albany?”

“You’ll find out. Fall in. Try anything, we shoot you dead.”

Word of their crimes had obviously spread. As a result of their arrival at the courthouse, no doubt, which had attracted noticeably more interest than their march from the ferry landing, most significantly among the small knot of military personnel gathered inside the court’s main entrance.

Though there had been a moment when Quade must have wished their appearance had been rather less conspicuous.