Henry quailed, Jonathan was shocked and Christopher smiled.
'What of Molly herself, Your Majesty?' asked Henry tentatively.
'She is in prison and the house has been closed down.'
'Not for ever, I hope?'
'Control your passions, sir. They blight your character.'
'There remains the question of Monsieur Bastiat,' said Christopher. 'What of him, Your Majesty? James Lovett and Jean-Paul Charentin were merely his agents. I believe that it was Monsieur Bastiat who devised the plot to ensnare Sir Ambrose.'
'You may well be right,' returned the other. 'We have agents of our own in Paris and their reports have mentioned the name of Arnaud Bastiat more than once. He was a Jesuit priest at one time but has clearly turned to a more bloody occupation. You did well to escape his clutches when you visited Paris. What I wish to know,' he said, picking up one of his dogs to caress it, 'is how you followed such a tortuous trail. I would have had no idea where to start.'
'In the cellars, Your Majesty.' 'Cellars?'
'Of the house I designed. Sir Ambrose was murdered there. He would never have gone into them with someone he feared might attack him. His companion, this James Lovett, must have posed as a business partner and asked to be shown where contraband goods would be stored.' He grimaced. 'I thought that I was creating a fine house for Sir Ambrose and his family. Yet what I was really designing was a hiding place for his mistress and a potential haven for smuggled goods.'
'There will be other commissions,' Henry reassured him.
The King turned to Jonathan, whose impassive countenance had remained unchanged throughout.
'You are strangely silent, Mr Bale,' he observed.
'Am I, sir?'
'Your Majesty!' whispered Henry in correction.
'From what I hear,' said Charles, collecting a second dog from the floor, 'you must take your share of the credit.'
'Indeed, he must, Your Majesty,' interposed Christopher. 'My efforts would have come to nought without Mr Bale. His boldness in getting aboard the
'As did my list of clients,' said Henry.
'Your work has been exemplary,' said Charles, ignoring Henry and looking at the others. 'What impressed me most was the bravery and discretion with which it was carried out. Bravery is not uncommon. Discretion is in shorter supply, as we have seen from the unguarded follies committed in Lincoln's Inn Fields.'
Henry nodded. 'Your Majesty is right to close the place down.'
'Be silent, man!'
'If you wish, Your Majesty.'
'I do, Henry.'
The King replaced the two dogs on the floor then stood up again.
'Bravery and discretion are a rare combination,' he said, 'and I value the man who shows both. To have two such men at my command is heartening. I will look to employ them again.'
'As what?' gasped Jonathan.
'My loyal servants.'
'But I am an architect, Your Majesty,' said Christopher.
'And I am a constable,' added Jonathan.
'Continue in your chosen professions,' encouraged the King. 'You will not be summoned often. From time to time, however, certain situations may arise which call for exactly the qualities which you have displayed. I will send one of my minions to you.' His eye alighted on Henry. 'The very person stands before me. Henry Redmayne will be my go-between. Neither brave nor discreet himself, he can at least carry a message efficiently.'
Henry looked hurt. Beside him Christopher blinked and Jonathan shuddered.
'Well?' said the King. 'I have just offered you a post as royal agents. With appropriate remuneration, of course. Are you not pleased to be given the opportunity to serve your king again?'
'Why, yes, Your Majesty!' said Christopher. He nudged Jonathan in the ribs. 'We are delighted, Mr Bale, are we not?'
'Yes,' said Jonathan through gritted teeth. 'Your Majesty.'
A smile of regal satisfaction spread over the King's face.
'Then it is settled,' he said, striding towards the door with his spaniels in close attendance. He paused to look back at the three men. 'All that you have to do is to wait for my call.'
