At his request, Jack partly withdrew his katana to reveal its sharpened steel blade, the cloud-like swirls of its hamon shimmering in the candlelight. Leaning in, Sir Isaac inspected the weapon and nodded appreciatively.

‘That is truly exceptional craftsmanship,’ he declared, before turning to Akiko’s kimono with the measuring eye of a tailor. ‘And that’s a magnificent silk dress too. Are these typical of your country’s workmanship, madam?’

Akiko bowed her head. ‘My people like to perfect our artistry.’

The old man grinned and fixed his rheumy eyes on Jack, an avaricious glint to his gaze. ‘So, Japan is the promised land of silk and steel! Are there riches of silver and gold to be had too?’

‘It’s certainly a place of untold treasures,’ Jack replied. ‘But –’

Sir Henry patted Jack hard on the back, almost knocking the wind from him. ‘Excellent news! Didn’t I tell you, Sir Isaac? The Land of the Rising Sun is a goldfield just waiting to be mined.’

‘And what of the trading routes?’ Sir Isaac continued keenly. ‘I heard rumour of a young pilot navigating the fabled North-East Passage. Would that be you, by any chance?’

Jack nodded humbly. ‘Yes, although –’

‘Extraordinary!’ exclaimed Sir Isaac, clapping his hands in delight. ‘No pilot has ever successfully navigated that route. Our company will have a monopoly on it. We can corner the market!’ He looked at Sir Henry. ‘You have my backing for another expedition, sir. Why, with the voyage cut by a year, the company’s profits would be doubled, perhaps trebled!’

‘I will make the arrangements forthwith, Sir Isaac,’ said a beaming Sir Henry as he put his arm round Jack. ‘Will you excuse us for a moment, gentlemen and ladies?’

Sir Henry drew Jack aside, leaving Sir Isaac to question Akiko and Yori further about Japan; Sir Thomas was still engaged in conversation with Rose.

‘Pray, tell: where’s the Alexandria docked? What of the other ships in our trading fleet?’ asked Sir Henry, his voice low. ‘I haven’t been able to track them down at the quay.’

Jack gazed awkwardly at his feet. ‘I’m afraid a typhoon sent the fleet to the bottom of the ocean, Sir Henry. Only the Alexandria survived, thanks to the piloting skills of my late father. We made landfall in Toba, several hundred leagues north of Nagasaki. But, as I told you, we were then attacked by pirates and the whole crew were slaughtered. The journey is treacherous!’

Sir Henry’s face grew as gloomy as the storm itself. ‘Not a single ship returned? Our whole investment – sunk? But you’ve been gone some seven years!’