The Captain turned to face him when Hawkeye entered.

“These events, they are moving quickly now. I have made enquiries; the Earl is holding a grand ball very soon, in the Grand Concert Hall – you have heard of this place?”

He carried on amidst Hawkeye’s affirmatory nod.

“We will use the distraction of that ball to cause trouble at one of his factories – there is one almost neighbouring – and have him come to us. In fact, the cargo is even marked for that factory, so the plan is all the more elegant.

There is just one thing, though."

Hawkeye blinked.

“This is clearly… a personal affair. I understand that. But if you must, could you -”

“Could I what, sir? Kill the Earl? Kill my own father?”

They both fell silent at this, examining the question like the paperweight on the chart table.

“Yes, Captain. I could.”

“Then that is all, young man. Get some rest.”