‘But you’ve not invited me here, Sir Eyre, to discuss our friend. Nor indeed matters of steam, I fancy.’

Somervile smiled. ‘My engineer says you had a most useful exchange yesterday, and that you expressed surprise that we’ve a railway here; or, I should say, shall soon have – and with a fair wind for the Indiaman bringing the engines, a steam train to run upon it.’

Fairbrother admitted his surprise. He’d not supposed there’d be the need, or indeed the expertise until he’d learned of the Madras Engineers. ‘I look forward to seeing the line of survey as soon as may be.’

For it was twice the length of that in Ireland, all of thirteen miles, though for a less picturesque purpose – to bring ironstone from the quarries in the Red Hills for the roads in the city.

Somervile shook his head, quizzically. ‘But I am yet undecided whether to call it “rail-way” or “rail-road”. What say they at home? I read both in the papers.’

Fairbrother had no especial opinion on the matter. ‘I believe that “rail-road” is preferred in America.’

‘Mm. I shall reflect on it further.’

Fairbrother was now quite baffled. Could this really be the reason he was being so royally entertained? He understood that the governor of the presidency in which the first of these great works was to be undertaken must decide when the name was in dispute, but it hardly seemed a matter for prolonged study.

But then Somervile turned grave. ‘You are, however, correct in assuming that matters of steam locomotion were not my purpose in asking you this morning. I have a commission I would offer you, which would be of greatest service to His Majesty and to the people of the presidency – and, it must be said, to me also.’

Fairbrother put down his spoon and fork.

‘It is this business of “thuggee”. Bentinck is of the opinion that it is become a very present danger, and that under the new … “arrangements” – I mean the Act changing the Company’s preeminent function in India – its suppression is of the first importance. Now, I have very capable politicals here at Fort St George, but they are not so practised as you in what I have in mind. It seems to me that I ought not to be in ignorance of so great a threat to the peace as the governor-general suggests. Not that I question his judgement in this – I know Bentinck to be a man of highest principle; he’s been unstinting in the suppression of suttee these past five years.’

‘Suttee?’

‘Ah, I’d supposed … widow-burning.’

Fairbrother nodded. ‘Now I recollect.’

‘But Bentinck’s in a hurry, for he leaves Fort William next year, and it may yet be that his judgement in this is … precipitate. When this political from Fort William comes, I would have you listen to him – as you’ve agreed – but then to go yourself into the Northern Circars and explore on my behalf. The Duke had his exploring officers in Spain did he not? I would have you do as they did: bring me intelligence by whatever means you judge best. You’d have a free hand … and well provided for by the Secret Fund. Would you think on it, and give me your answer as soon as may be? Before the political arrives, so that we may speak further.’