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on.” He was anxious to hear it all.
    â€œSmith was reluctant to speak openly at first, but once I showed him that note and explained to him your reason for wanting to make contact, he agreed to try to gain you admittance to the next meeting of the dissenters.”
    â€œWhen is it?”
    â€œHe didn’t say, and I don’t believe he really knew himself,” he answered truthfully. “Evidently, these men are very serious about their cause, for everything is carried out with the utmost secrecy.”
    â€œI see. Do you have any idea how soon we’ll be hearing from him?”
    â€œI told him where you were staying, and Smith said he’d get in contact with you directly when he had an answer, one way or the other.”
    â€œHow will I recognize him?”
    â€œHe’s about fifty, I guess, tall and thin. His hair was gray, he didn’t bother with a wig, and the most prominent feature about him was his arm….”
    â€œWhat about it?”
    â€œHe’s lost use of his left arm,” Lyle explained.
    Noah nodded and reached for the warm bottle of wine. “You’ve done well, Lyle, and I only wish I had something more suitable to celebrate your success.” He offered the bottle to Russell, and the captain took a deep swig, emptying the contents.
    â€œThanks.” He handed the empty bottle back.
    â€œMatt and I dined here at the inn. Judging from the general tone of the conversation we managed to overhear, there is definitely unrest stirring in Boston.”
    â€œIf that’s the case,” Lyle said thoughtfully, “I think your timing in this matter may prove impeccable, just as you’d originally hoped.”
    â€œWe shall see,” he said quietly. “As you know, my meeting with Demorest is set for late tomorrow afternoon, so I’ll be getting in touch with you regarding the Lorelei ’s shipment as soon as I’ve completed dealings with him.”
    â€œGood.” The captain would be glad to get at least that much settled. “I think I’ll be heading back to the ship now. If you need anything before tomorrow, just send word.”
    â€œI will.” Noah saw the captain out.
    He felt most pleased with himself as he locked the door behind Lyle. Things were progressing nicely. After his meeting with Demorest the following day, during which he planned to close the sale of the Lorelei ’s goods, he hoped to have a tidy sum that would keep both Matthew and him in the style to which they were accustomed well into the new year. That would take care of all the more pressing matters. Then he could devote himself entirely to his concerns with the radicals, so that by the time the slower-paced Pride arrived, he would have everything under control.
    Noah was about to prepare for bed when another knock sounded at his door. Giving a rueful shake of his head, he answered it quickly, for he was certain it was Polly returning to pick up where they’d left off. He was amazed to find Matthew standing there, fully dressed.
    â€œNoah? What’s going on?” Matt’s expression was worried as he moved into his brother’s room.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Noah tried to play the innocent, not wanting to involve Matt in the seamier side of his wheelings and dealings.
    â€œI mean”—Matt flashed him a strained look—“what was Russell doing here in the middle of the night? It’s well after midnight.”
    â€œJust a business matter, that’s all,” he replied nonchalantly.
    â€œBusiness at after one in the morning? Surely it was something out of the ordinary or he would have waited until morning. Besides…I heard…” As he started to confess to overhearing a bit of their conversation, Noah turned on him.
    â€œJust exactly what did you hear, little brother?” His tone was deadly serious. “And why were you eavesdropping?”
    His reaction honestly startled Matt, and