‘Between now and then, you will receive details of the exchange. Since earlier missives were delivered to the Home Office, then the latest should arrive there as well. I’ll need to know what your orders are.’
‘Don’t come with me this time, Mr Skillen.’
‘I’ll not be seen, I warrant you.’
‘Then how can you arrest the kidnappers?’
‘They’ll be followed to the place where they’re holding Mrs Horner. Their arrest will take place immediately and she will be released. Your troubles will be over, sir. They won’t be able to communicate with Mrs Beyton while they’re in custody and Mrs Horner will finally be safe.’
‘Make sure that you get my money back from them.’
Peter was firm. ‘I will do things in order of importance, sir. Replenishing your bank account is something that will have to wait.’
Annoyed at the rebuff, Beyton nevertheless accepted it.
‘There’s something else I’d like you to ensure, Mr Skillen.’
‘What is it?’
‘Persuade Mrs Horner that she mustn’t return to the Home Office.’
‘She may well not wish to do so. The ordeal she’s undergone, as a result of her work there, may deter her from ever going near the place. If, however, she did decide to go back, I would do nothing to dissuade her from that course of action.’
‘But you must see how awkward it would be for me.’
‘That’s immaterial, sir.’
‘I’ll pay you to keep her away.’
Peter was appalled. ‘Then I’ll respond in the same way as Mrs Horner. I’ll return the money along with a dusty answer. When I accepted this commission,’ he said, ‘it was not in order to safeguard your sensibilities. A woman’s life is at stake. I will not remind you why. Rescuing her is all that matters in the first instance.’
‘There’s something you don’t know,’ said Beyton, drawing himself up. ‘I am on the verge of promotion. I’ve been told in confidence that I have been singled out as a future undersecretary. That’s a position of some significance, Mr Skillen. I’ll not have it compromised by the presence of an unwanted cleaner.’
‘The lady was not always unwanted.’
‘Get rid of her somehow, that’s all I ask.’
‘Then you are asking the wrong person,’ said Peter, resolutely. ‘Mrs Horner is able to make decisions without any advice from me. If she does choose to return to her old job at the Home Office, she will have my full support.’
It was not until the afternoon that Dermot Fallon joined them on the vessel. He came aboard with his dog and a large leather bag. While the three men went off to the cabin, the dog ran below deck in the hopes of repeating its success by killing rats at speed. Fallon put the bag on the table and opened it, taking out enough food and drink to keep them supplied for days. The last two items he produced were wrapped in pieces of cloth.
‘What have you got there?’ asked O’Gara.
‘There’s one for you, Tom, and one for Moses.’ He took off the cloth. ‘There you are – a pair of duelling pistols.’
‘I don’t want to shoot Moses.’
‘I know that but you’ll want to defend yourself in a tight corner.’
‘That’s true.’
O’Gara picked up one of the weapons and examined it. Dagg was less interested in the pistols. His major concern was with the injuries he’d picked up in the fight. He had cuts and bruises all over his body and both his hands were swollen. His knuckles were raw. Every time he moved, he felt a shooting pain.
‘This is a fine pistol,’ said O’Gara, approvingly. ‘It’s well balanced.’
‘I bought plenty of ammunition.’
‘What kept you away so long?’ asked Dagg.
‘I had a lot to do,’ replied Fallon. ‘It’s not often that I have so much money to spend so I enjoyed it. Mary and I shared a pie together then I gave her enough money to last a week or more. Things have gone quiet in the court since Kearney killed himself. Before too long, I may be able to move back in there.’
‘We’ll stay here. It suits us.’
‘We belong on the water,’ said O’Gara. ‘I’m looking forward to a voyage across the Atlantic – when we’ve done all that’s needful here, that is.’
‘When that time comes, you’ll need this,’ said Fallon, slapping a pile of banknotes down on the table. ‘That will buy you both a passage and leave you with money to spend.’
‘Thanks, Dermot.’
‘Moses earned it.’
‘How much did you pay for these duelling pistols?’