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“The general stoppage is spreading. Glasgow, Paisley and several of the surrounding manufacturing districts are affected, and we have reports of men gathering arms in small numbers. There is also talk of radicals moving towards Carron, though at present I have nothing sufficiently reliable to tell me whether that is a plan, or merely a rumour.”

Judith came to stand beside Baines. “Do you believe there will be violence?”

“I believe there are frightened magistrates, angry men, soldiers under orders, and far too much uncertain information passing between them. That is sufficient to make violence possible. If accurate intelligence concerning troop movements or planned arrests continues to reach radical organizers, someone may decide to move before the authorities can act against them.”

Baines looked down at the reports scattered across the table. Glasgow, Paisley, Stirling, Falkirk and Carron appeared again and again, names which had been merely places upon a map a fortnight ago and now seemed to mark the possible course of something no one yet knew how to stop.

“And our false reports?”

“Still useful, but increasingly dangerous. Genuine military movements in response to the strike may make any report concerning reinforcements less distinctive than it was when you planted it. If one of your versions appears precisely as you gave it, we may still learn something, but we cannot assume the recipient will treat it merely as gossip.”

Baines rested both hands upon the edge of the table. “Then we need another way to follow the information before someone acts upon it.”

“Precisely.” Renforth’s gaze rested upon him for a moment, and Baines recognized the faintest suggestion of satisfaction in it.

“I thought you might say that, which is why I have brought reinforcements.”

A movement sounded from the adjoining room. Baines turned as the door opened and a tall, dark-haired man stepped through, carrying a mug. For perhaps two seconds he simply stared.

Stuart smiled. “You look disappointed.”

Baines crossed the room and grasped his forearm. “I thought marriage had rendered you incapable of useful employment.”

“Marriage has rendered me clean, regularly fed and considerably less inclined to tolerate you. Otherwise, I remain much the same.”

“Patience has ruined you.”

“She sends her affection, although she also instructed me to prevent you being shot if it can be accomplished without unreasonable inconvenience.”

“That sounds more like her.”

The pleasure of seeing him was greater than Baines cared to admit. There were friendships formed through dinners, clubs and shared interests, and then there were the men beside whom one had been cold, hungry, frightened and occasionally convinced that dawn would not find any of them alive. Stuart was both. Weeks might pass without seeing him, but the intervening time disappeared the moment he entered a room.

Only when Stuart looked beyond him did Baines remember Judith.

“Miss Finch,” he said, “allow me to present Major Ashley Stuart, whose judgement was once tolerable before he married a woman cleverer than himself. Stuart, Miss Judith Finch.”

Stuart bowed. “I have heard a great deal about Blackthorn, Miss Finch, although I begin to suspect Baines omitted its chief recommendation.”

Judith returned the bow. “If you mean the roof, Major, it leaks in the east wing.”

Stuart laughed. “I see.”

Baines did not care for the way he said it but before he could object, Judith’s expression changed. “Have we met?”

Stuart looked surprised. “I do not believe so.”

“No, perhaps not.” She studied him for another moment. “You are staying at the Black Lion.”

The amusement vanished from Stuart’s face.

Baines slowly turned towards him.

Judith continued. “You told Harland that you were looking for three hunters for a property in Yorkshire. You also asked whether the Newcastle carrier stops regularly at the inn and which Blackthorn servants come into the village.”

Stuart looked towards Renforth. “How does she know that?”

“Mrs. Bell mentioned it yesterday,” Judith replied. “She thought it curious that a gentleman wishing to buy horses seemed more interested in carriers.”