Chapter 32

The door closed on the backs of London’s finest, and Barbary winked at Clara. “That were close. It’s a good show only Caddy’s name were on the paper, or we all could be in Newgate now.”

“Isn’t that the truth,” Clara said.

Blathers looked at Barbary, Clara, and Barkis, himself. ”What’s a-goin’ on here, then? Is there a kind o’ conspiracy a-goin’ on?”

Barbary said, “Sit down, now, and we’ll tell ya all ’bout it. Dere’s a conspiracy, all right, but we isn’t da conspirators. Clara, tell da gents ’bout it.”

Clara settled, and settled some more, finally fitting herself into the chair again. “You see, when Sir Robert Peel and the Duke of Wellington changed their minds and decided to support Catholic Emancipation, they made some powerful enemies. There are some that see this as an opportunity to gain power for themselves. They are conspiring to discredit Sir Robert and replace him with folks as would repeal the Emancipation Act. All that we’re doin’ is tryin’ ta keep that conspiracy from succeeding.”

I asked, “Who are the conspirators?”

Barbary said, “We isn’t at all sure ’bout dat, but ’cause o’ da arrest, it looks like one must be da Duke’s cousin, Sir Percy. He signed da warrant.”

Blathers said, “But a person like that don’t dirty his hands wi’ murder or fightin’ in the streets. He must have some fellers doin’ his dirty work.”

“Right ya are,” Barbary agreed. “If’n we can find out who da men on da street are, we can trace dem back ta old cousin Percy, and gets him tossed out on ’is backside.”

I said, “The problem is fear. If people are afraid, they will do anything they’re told.”

“I fear dere’s ta be ’nother arrest.” Barbary said. “I ’opes it arn’t Father John.”