Chapter Nineteen

London, The Admiralty

At the same time Mother was questioning the ferry captain, there was a meeting in the Admiralty’s venerable boardroom. In this room, the Royal Navy had directed its fight against Napoleon, had seen England’s wooden walls replaced with steel and steam. Today, there was plenty of gold braid sitting around the conference table, as well as lesser beings, like Commander Bernard, and several civilians in dark frockcoats and wing-collars, among them Ramsgate and Mycroft Holmes.

Mycroft was staring at the front page of the London Times. Its headline: “Berlin denies the Dreadnought charges. Debate in Commons.”

Ramsgate was concluding, “… the missing plans have not yet reached Germany. Our sources are certain on that point.”

“We know where the plans aren’t, Commissioner,” said Mycroft testily as he softly put down the newspaper.

“I assure you, Mr. Holmes, every available man …”

“Available man?” interrupted Mycroft. “Every man! Forget your petty problems of the police court. There can be no further incidents involving the Dreadnought, gentlemen, or all Europe will have war!”

His words hung heavily in the air. Mycroft Holmes was not a man given to hyperbole.