Chapter Eighteen
The rivals – secrets revealed – concerning murder and the moon – Mr Purling’s confession – Sarah Grimsdale – the best time for reading papers – Lord Grimsdale’s plan
Parliament was in session, and the ancient crenellated lobby of the Palace of Westminster was full of the soft buzz of a hundred separate conversations. Sir Roger Landry smiled and shook hands and patted backs as if he was at his club, rather than the wheelhouse of a great empire. His eyes darted about the lobby. By the door, a young MP from Gloucestershire was haranguing poor old Bulwer-Lytton. By the stairs, the Prime Minister held court, looking like a statue of a Roman senator brought to life and stuffed into a frock coat.
Across the lobby, Lord Grimsdale walked on his stick like a furious three-legged
