Chapter 54

Percy Wesley’s carriage took us past Scotland Yard and down a side street. In front of the Yard, Young Jerry guarded the gate, waiting for another big case to demand his attention. As the carriage bearing the Wesley coat of arms passed, Young Jerry saluted. “Good man, that constable,” Wesley said.

Two streets southwest of the Yard we turned into a narrow alley; then we turned through an open gate into a stable area surrounded by a high wall. A gig carrying Tope and his partner followed. Tope was driving. The other thug jumped from the carriage and closed the heavy gates.

We got out of our carriage. Wesley still had his pistols trained on us. “This is for the benefit of my ignorant associates,” he explained. “We can talk in my office.” He pointed toward the building at the rear of the stable yard with his guns.

Inside the office, the most prominent feature was a large map of the world. Much of the area on several continents was shaded in red. The east coast of North America was in black. Wesley said, “Do you see this? The area in red is the British Empire, the greatest empire the world has ever seen. It is our destiny to be rulers and bring Christianity and civilization to the entire world.”

“What’s the black part, then?” Blathers asked.

“That is what I am trying to guard against. Those are the colonies we have lost because we were not firm in our resolve, not firm in two wars. There are people among us who would weaken our position in the world. They are unwilling to stand up for our destiny. They are unwilling to engage in confrontation with the enemies of the Crown and the established church.

“Catholic emancipation is a good example. In order to avoid a little difficulty in Ireland, Sir Robert and the Duke allowed that act to pass. The cowards, they call themselves Tories. Bah!”

Blathers and I were taken aback by Percy Wesley’s heated speech. I said, “Of course, there are certain rights that all Englishmen should enjoy at any cost. Maybe Sir Robert and the Duke are just trying to be democratic.”

“Democratic! Democracy is a lot of balderdash. People don’t want rights. They just want to know they won’t have their heads chopped off. That’s what I will give them when I get rid of the weak-kneed Tories and the bleeding-heart Liberals. I’ll keep order throughout the Empire, and the Queen and the Archbishop of Canterbury will be my biggest supporters.”

Neither Blathers nor I said a word.

Wesley said, “Well, now you know where I stand. Do you want to work for me and my great cause, or not?”

Blathers answered, “Why, sure we does. We wants ta be friends o’ the Queen and o’ the Archbishop too. Doesn’t we, Duff?”

“We certainly do. Put us down for any job.”

“The first job is to take down Sir Robert and gain control of the Metropolitan Police. The necklace will be evidence that he can’t control his own wife. Nobody wants a cuckold in charge of the safety of the nation.”