Lord Harold flushed slightly under Mr. Bessant’s measured stare. So long as matters had been left with him and Mr. Russell, they had been content to play spies, following Alice around, taking a note of her jewels and sending the information off to Bessant at Wadham Hall.

It had taken Bessant’s arrival in London on a week’s leave to spur them into action.

“It does not matter,” said Mr. Bessant. “The matter is being dealt with now. You will, of course, be obliged to help us.”

“I?” said Mr. Funk, looking startled. “How can I help?” His brain worked feverishly. What did they plan to do with Alice? He himself thirsted for revenge, but not the kind of revenge he felt they had in mind. On the other hand, should he take Alice to court, he would have to endure the ridicule of all his friends.

“We have a plan,” said Mr. Bessant. “You are to say nothing of this matter to Alice. You are to take her on a drive on Friday—in two days’ time—to an address we shall give you.

“You are to say that you are taking her to see a relative of yours. Make sure that Miss Fadden does not accompany you.”

“That will be extremely difficult,” bleated Mr. Funk. “I was never able to get rid of that woman.”

“You will get rid of Miss Fadden,” repeated Mr. Bessant coldly. “A shrewd businessman like yourself should be able to arrange the matter.”

“But I am not cut out for such abductions,” pleaded Mr. Funk, looking down at his portly form.

“You have only to deliver her to an address we will give you and, once she is safely inside, you may take yourself off.”

Mr. Funk hesitated. Webb looked all an aristocrat should be, but his friend, Mr. Russell, was unprepossessing, and Mr. Bessant frankly smelled of the servants’ hall.

“A gentleman like yourself,” said Webb suddenly, “will know that we are in the habit of meting out justice, just as our ancestors did, without resource to the courts.”

Mr. Bessant nodded, thinking of a long line of rapists, womanizers and sadists who had made some of the aristocratic families what they were at present. But Mr. Funk thought of chivalry and knights and family crests and all those things he held most dear and gave a reluctant nod in unison with Mr. Bessant.

“Very well,” said Harold Webb. “Friday it is. Now if you will furnish me with pen and parchment I will give you the direction and the time…”

The Duke had unfortunately delayed his visit to London until the following night or he might have discovered the plot against Alice. As it was, he arrived to find that Alice and Miss Fadden were attending the opera and made his way there.