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openness made me risk it. To my relief he beamed at me, like a tutor encouraging a pupil.
    â€˜Is it so surprising? Tom will have told you I threatened McPherson?’
    â€˜Yes. But surely nobody suggests you rode out at the head of a robber band.’
    He laughed.
    â€˜Ah, but you see, Miss Lane, I didn’t need to. My influence among the natives is so strong that I only have to crook my finger and they’ll go out and kill whoever I please. It’s all part of this annoyance with me for actually liking the company of the Indians and learning their customs. As far as some people in the Company are concerned, it’s like being in league with the devil.’
    â€˜As bad as that?’
    â€˜Very nearly. There’s fear at the bottom of it, of course. If the Indians realized their power, they could sweep our military bands and our magistrates and our bridge parties off the face of the country more easily than a dog shaking off fleas. In their hearts, the Europeans know that and if they think about it, it scares them.’ Then he seemed to check himself for being too serious and smiled again. ‘Miss Lane, forgive me for being heated. I must keep my rhetoric for this.’ He gestured with his pen holder towards a considerable pile of paper on his desk.
    â€˜My pamphlet.’
    It looked like a fair-sized book.
    â€˜On McPherson?’
    â€˜On the opium trade. It’s already wrecked the Indian farmers, stupefied tens of thousands of poor addicts and if it goes on like this, it will have us at war with China. All it needs is the order from the government and hundreds of men will die to protect the fortunes of McPherson and his like. I’m hurrying to finish my pamphlet, so that I can publish while the committee’s still sitting. If I do nothing else in my life, I want to wake the country up to what’s being done in our name.’
    â€˜What about your position with the Company?’
    â€˜This is a higher duty than to the Company. As soon as this inquiry’s over and my pamphlet out, I intend to resign my post and go back to India as a private person. I’ll have done what I can and shall spend the rest of the days that are left to me studying.’
    Tom was walking down the path now, with a determined air.
    â€˜So you had nothing whatsoever to do with the death of McPherson’s assistant?’ I said.
    â€˜Do you know, you’re the first person in all this who’s actually asked me that outright. The answer’s no. I did not.’
    The Indian lad showed Tom into the room.
    â€˜I hope you’ll excuse us, sir,’ he said to Griffiths. ‘The next stage for town leaves in ten minutes and there’s a long wait if we miss it.’
    â€˜Then you must go, with my thanks for allowing me to meet your sister. Miss Lane and I have had a most interesting conversation. You must bring her to see me again very soon.’
    There were other passengers in the stage back, so Tom had no chance to ask the question that was obviously burning in his mind: had Mr Griffiths managed to convince me? I avoided his eye and mostly looked out of the window, wondering how much to tell him. Lying to Tom was clearly impossible, but Mr Griffiths had decided not to burden Tom with more speculation about Burton’s death and that seemed a wise course. When we got down at St Paul’s, we walked for a while, looking for a cab.
    â€˜So what did you make of him?’ Tom said.
    â€˜An honest and interesting man.’
    He beamed.
    â€˜I’m glad you thought so. What did you talk about?’
    â€˜Life in India.’ And death rather more, but no need to say that.
    â€˜So has he convinced you?’
    â€˜I’m not sure he was trying to convince me.’
    â€˜That’s Griffiths’s way. He doesn’t push you to a conclusion, just gives you some gentle guidance.’
    â€˜And we talked about his pamphlet.’
    Tom’s face