Chapter 1July, London 1801
Martin had planned to remain in the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese tavern for only one drink, to loosen his shoulders, chat idly with his companions and unwind after a long day hunched over his desk in a stuffy office in Whitehall.
Given the steamy summer weather, it was stifling in the cramped tavern, and the noise of the customers, although jolly, was increasing in volume. Martin finished the contents of his tankard, made his excuses to his friends, weaved his way around the overcrowded tables, and then almost as he reached the door, he stopped in his tracks.
Even in profile, the stranger standing near the bar was strikingly out of place in these commonplace surroundings. From what Martin could perceive, he was of middling height, slightly made, and with a fair eth
