53 Waterstone took a good draught of his wine. “Now Tarkyn, there is something we have all been wondering about…” he said, glancing at Danton. Tarkyn eyes twinkled as they moved from one to the other. “Go on. This has sprung from yet another gossip session, no doubt.” It was that mellow time of night when reminiscences are exchanged and people’s defences are a little more malleable. “Pretty much.” Waterstone waved his mug around. “So what we were wondering was: After you went to such extremes as a young lad to protect Danton, why would you have any doubts about his loyalty?” The woodman immediately received a hard jab in the ribs and looked around to see a red-faced Danton beside him, grimacing for him to be quiet. Waterstone gave a little chuckle. “Too late now,” he whispered. Tarky

