“I would hardly be the one to mention names under the circumstances—since my own fortunes seem to be involved in the matter, but as for Captain Byfield, I’m afraid that further secrecy will hardly help him.”
“What do you mean?”
“Merely that he was arrested late yesterday afternoon as he was leaving the War Office.”
She had not counted on the effect she created. She knew that her last thrust had put him more carefully on guard, but he could not hide the sudden intake of breath and the quick searching glance his dark eyes shot at her.
“What is your source of information?”
“Jack Sandys. He came here directly from Downing Street.”
She saw Rizzio’s lips meet under his mustache in a thin line.
“So. It has come sooner—than I expected.”
He got up and paced the floor, his fingers twitching behind his back. She said nothing, waiting for him to rejoin her. When he did, it was with a serious expression.
“I suppose you know what this means to—to Hammersley,” he said in a low voice.