With a quick glance at Sir Andrew, Lord Tony withdrew a battered letter from his coat pocket and wordlessly held it out to his leader. Percy calmly took the paper from his companion and silently read its contents.
Ffoulkes, already keen to the emotions of his good friend, noted the ever so slight tightening of Blakeney's mouth, a hardening of his steely blue eyes, and an almost imperceptible setting of his jaw. Sir Percy was not the sort of man to fly about in wild passions even amidst his greatest trials, and would not do so now.
"When did you receive this?" Percy asked, emotionless.
"Just this morning, about an hour ago. Sir Andrew and I were about town and were stopped by a simple courier; we did not get his name or business. How he knew to find us, God only knows." Tony paused, trying to read his leader's reaction.
The chief's face seemed carved of stone, with no sign of the carefree mirth that had been there but minutes ago. His eyes seemed to bore into the letter as if he were striving to memorize every word, every letter of that fateful note. When he looked up, a strange light burned in his eyes. Ffoulkes blinked, surprised by the sudden intensity in Percy's gaze. It seemed almost malicious.
"Gentlemen, do you know who wrote this?" Percy's voice quavered slightly from sheer restraint of some violent emotion.
Ffoulkes frowned. "Surely not, Percy. It wasn't signed and we had no way of knowing where the courier came-"
Blakeney gave a rueful laugh as he held out the worn paper. "Ah, but surely we know his hand by now?"
And now the worst for Lord Hastings seemed realized, even as Ffoulkes hissed, "Chauvelin."
Percy's icy gaze flicked from Sir Andrew to Lord Tony. "You are aware of my strict orders that he stay in London this week. Did he inform you of his plans to leave?"
Tony shook his head. "Of course not. We would have stopped him if-"
"There would be no stopping him if his mission was more important than the League's."
Ffoulkes' frown deepened. "Percy, you couldn't possibly believe that Hastings betrayed us."
"What else is there to believe about the matter, Andrew? Disobedience is betrayal to the League."
The three gentlemen fell silent, lost in their own dark thoughts. What had become of Hastings? Surely he could not possess the audacity to disregard orders, orders from the man they all loved and revered. What business had he in France? And why his secrecy amongst those who kept the greatest secret of all? And so the questions droned on in their thoughts, without an answer to relieve their growing anxiety. Outside, the sleepy rain continued to pelt the windows and walkways, unaware of the sudden danger that seemed to permeate the empty house.
Blakeney's voice broke the heavy silence. "How many of the League know of this?"
"None, Percy," came Ffoulkes' reply.
"Pray, keep this to yourselves. We cannot afford anyone's rash attempts at rescuing our unfortunate friend."
Lord Tony sighed, exasperated. "What are we to do then, Percy? For God's sake, give us something to do!"
"Lud, man, there will be plenty to do!" Sir Percy began to fiddle with his gold eye lense, tapping it pensively against his chin. "Our friend Chauvelin unfortunately knows too much, but will not show himself in England at present. Not just yet. His spies most likely patrol our streets and grand parties, eager to catch a glimpse of one of us, to see and hear everything." He let the eye lense hang back down around his neck, fixing his companions with an eager, earnest gaze. "For heaven's sake, do nothing imprudent. We will be watched even more closely, now that Chauvelin has successfully delivered his news. Say nothing of this matter to anyone, as you know quite well."
Tony shifted restlessly before dropping into a cushioned chair opposite his leader. Ffoulkes took another seat and faced his leader eagerly. "But Percy, you plan on rescuing the fellow, of course?"
His friend's manner suddenly softened, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Of course, my dear fellow. Couldn't think of a more exciting venture at present." His smile widened. "And to see our dear friend Chauvelin will be such an occasion, I shan't pass it up for the world."
Ffoulkes and Lord Tony glanced at each other in bewilderment. Ffoulkes asked tentatively, "You are not angered by this?"
"Hastings will answer to me, as I am sure he has his reasons. All may not be what it seems." Sir Percy laughed suddenly. "Odd's life, but my fury is all for our dear Chauvelin, who will know of it soon enough." A spark of mischief danced in Percy's eyes. "We shall show our beloved French ambassador our gratitude for his schemes, when the chance arises."