Jack Meaker was shocked. ‘Are you saying my wife was out here?’

‘I’m afraid so, sir.’ Lowering his voice to a sombre tone, Bob explained, ‘I’m sorry, but it seems this ragbag has done your wife harm.’ Tightening his hold on Fanny, he tried to reassure the startled farmer. ‘But don’t you worry, sir, I’ve got hold of the culprit, and I don’t intend to let go until the authorities arrive.’ At that moment, the smaller man Fanny had seen earlier came running out of the barn. ‘You’d better come quick, sir!’

As the farmer went at a run towards the barn, Billy was dragged kicking and shouting across the ground to where Fanny and Bob stood. ‘What’s happened?’ he asked, addressing Bob, obviously assuming he was as innocent as he himself was.

‘Gypsies,’ Bob answered, looking down at Fanny with a glint of satisfaction. ‘This one went for the missus. Wouldn’t be at all surprised if she hasn’t done for her.’

‘Liars! You’re all liars. Let me mam go, she ain’t done nuthin’!’ Billy got a swift blow to the head for his trouble.

Looking up at Fanny, he seemed to understand when she widened her eyes, giving the smallest shake of her head in a warning. She couldn’t speak. She didn’t have to. He understood, and remained silent and, like her, very much afraid.

‘You say she’s done for the missus, eh?’ Eyeing Fanny with interest, he spat on the ground. ‘In that case she’ll be for the rope an’ no mistake.’

Grabbing Billy, he swung him in the air. ‘As for this one, he’ll be lucky if he don’t find himself dangling alongside her.’

No excuses and no lies, or you’ll not get a farthing from me! I told you I needed to be kept informed of her every move, and you’ve kept me waiting nearly three weeks. Is she back? Has she changed her mind and isn’t coming back at all? Or have you been stupid enough to lose track of her?’ Bill Norman’s wife was no easy person to deal with at the best of times, but when she paid out good money to be kept informed and nothing came of it, she wanted blood. ‘Well, what have you to say for yourself?’

‘I stayed away because I thought it for the best. You’ll understand when I tell you. You might even consider giving me an extra shilling or two.’

‘And I might consider slicing the head from your worthless shoulders too. You’ve got two minutes.’

‘Well now, what if I told you Fanny Higgins were about to be hanged from the gallows?’ With that dangerous glint in her eyes, he thought it wise to step back a pace. ‘What would you say to that, eh? Would you say it might be worth an extra shilling for all my trouble?’

She gawped at him. ‘It might well be worth a few shilling more.’ She eyed him with suspicion. ‘Why would she be hanged? What did she do?’