that letter to Crothers.'
'Then only one person could have done so.'
'Maurice Farwell.'
'Get us a copy of his handwriting, Henry.'
'I'm not on those terms with him,' said his brother.
'Then find someone who is,' said Christopher. 'And do so as a matter of urgency. We're trying to solve one murder and prevent another one.'
'Another one?'
'You don't suppose that they will let Sir Julius escape now, do you? They have him exactly where they want him.'
'The law must take its course,' said Bale.
'I don't think that it will be allowed to, Jonathan. These men are devious. Why wait for a trial when they can have him removed any day they wish? No,' decided Christopher, 'my guess is that they had Sir Julius imprisoned in the Tower so that he would be at their mercy. Act swiftly, Henry,' he instructed. 'We simply must find out the truth about Maurice Farwell.'
'I thought that I might catch you, Maurice,' said Orlando Golland. 'You always dine here when parliament is in session.'
'I'm a creature of habit,' said Farwell.
'You are like me. Work comes before everything.'
'But I do like to eat well while I'm doing it.'
Maurice Farwell had just left the tavern in Westminster when Golland intercepted him. The lawyer was itching to learn more about the rumour that his sister had passed on to him.
'I can guess why you came, Orlando,' said Farwell, tolerantly.
'Dorothy gave me the most remarkable tidings.'
'She had them from my wife, I believe.'
'Is it true? Sir Julius has been arrested?'
'Arrested and clapped into the Tower. He challenged Cuthbert to a duel and committed a crime in doing so by seeking the life of a Privy Councillor.'
'I had a feeling that might be the offence.'
'It all arose out of a scene in one of Cuthbert's plays,' said Farwell, blandly. 'You may have seen mention of the performance in the newspaper. Sir Julius was attacked with unabated savagery, I hear, and several Members were there to witness the wicked satire. When they reported what they had seen to the rest of us, we could not help laughing at Sir Julius Seize-Her - his name in the play, apparently - as he entered the chamber. The whole place was consumed with mirth.'
'That must have made him smoulder.'
'He turned bright red and stormed out of the House.'
'I can picture it well, Maurice,' said Golland, 'and I have no pity for him. He's brought all his troubles upon himself.'
'This may be the last time he does that.'
'What does the law dictate?'
'A death penalty has been imposed in the past.'
'His Majesty could show leniency.'
'Yes,' said Farwell, 'he could, and I hope, for my part, that he does. We need one or two politicians like Sir Julius Cheever. His chances, however, are not good.'
'He has too many enemies on the Privy Council.'
'When all is said and done, Orlando, we hold the major offices of state. We advise His Majesty and we make all the decisions affecting the people of this country. To threaten one of us is a rash thing to do,' he said. 'To challenge a Privy Councillor to a duel and thereby seek his life is even more impulsive. In pleading for clemency, I suspect that I may well be a lone voice.'
'If he came up in front of me, I'd pronounce him guilty.'
'Is that a judicial or a personal opinion?'
'I never let my personal opinions influence me,' said Golland, pompously. 'I assess each case on its merits then make an objective judgement. In this instance - though I would have to study the relevant statute beforehand, naturally - the outcome is unavoidable. Sir Julius was bent on taking the life of Cuthbert, Earl of Stoneleigh.'
'He was provoked, Orlando.'
'He should not have yielded to provocation.'
'Sir Julius is hot-blooded,' said Farwell. 'You must make some allowance for that.' 'None at all,' said Golland, dogmatically. 'A man should learn to control himself at all times. It's what I do. I never lose my temper.'
'You must have solid ice in your veins. Unless one of your horses is running in a race, of course. Then you can actually show passion. Disciplined passion, Orlando.'
'As you wish.'
Farwell touched Golland on the arm by way of a farewell. 'It's good to talk to you, Orlando, but I must get back. We have a committee meeting in half-an-hour. By the way,' he said, casually, 'how is Dorothy? This news must have shaken her.'
'It did. In time, she'll come to perceive that it was good news for her. At the moment, however, she still has emotional ties to Sir Julius. For that reason, Dorothy is suffering.'
'Your sister was always soft-hearted.'
'It's a weakness I've pointed out on many occasions.'
'An attractive weakness,' said Farwell with affection. 'I've not seen Dorothy for ages, not since our visit to Newmarket, in fact. You and she must call on us some time.'
'Thank you, Maurice. We'll take up that invitation. When this whole business is settled.'
'Yes, it might be sensible to wait.'
'The fate of Sir Julius Cheever weighs down on her. Until he is dispatched, Dorothy will pine for him. She is not good company at the moment. It would be wrong of me to inflict her upon you.'
'Pass on my warmest regards.'
'I will, Maurice.'
'And assure her that at least one member of the Privy Council will be speaking up for her friend. Sir Julius can count on my vote.'
It was Jacob who saw him first. Old as he was, his eyes remained sharp and his instincts keen. Since his income was more regular now, Christopher also employed a youth to do all the menial chores but it was Jacob who still ran the house and watched over his master with paternal care. He raised the alarm at once.
'There's someone outside, Mr Redmayne,' he said.
'There are hundreds of people outside, Jacob. Fetter Lane is always busy People come and go all day.'
'But they do not stand still in the same place.'
'What do you mean?' asked Christopher.
'I noticed him when I showed your brother in, and again when I showed him out. He was still there when Mr Bale left.' 'So?'
'He's keeping the house under surveillance.'
'Surely not.'
'See for yourself, Mr Redmayne,' advised the servant.
Christopher went over to the front window and, standing well back so that he would not be observed from the street, he peered out. Two coaches were passing in opposite directions to obscure his view. When they had vanished, he saw a figure lurking in a doorway that was diagonally opposite. The man was pretending to show no particular interest in Christopher's house but, every so often, he tossed it a look. Jacob stood at his master's shoulder.
'Well, sir?'
'As always, Jacob, you are right.'
