The new shoes had improved its gait, making it easier to maintain a good pace. Even so, Luke had to stop at nightfall, stabling the horse at a small inn forty miles from his start point. He paid thrupence for a bed for himself and tuppence for his horse’s feed and stalling. Sleep came quickly, his sea training helping, unaware that his quarry were changing horses barely six miles to the west on the road to St Alban’s.
The journey was a nightmare for the two boys, though, after a change of vehicles, it became marginally more comfortable. Mercifully, for most of the journey they were asleep, dosed with laudanum every time they were fed or given something to drink.
Ned awoke on a pallet bed in a tiny room. Light filtered dimly through a small and very dirty window. A snore from a narrow bed
