closed the door. Sleep was a luxury that Fotherby could not seem to enjoy. Every time he drifted into slumber he was awoken by the terrible image of Lady Barrington clutching her stillborn child. The night seemed unending and he was already up and dressed as there was a knock on the door to his room. He did not give the early hour any thought, nor who it could be that arrived at his door at such a time, but still he was surprised to find David standing before him.

“Good morning, Lieutenant,” he began in little more than a whisper. “I need your help.”

Fotherby frowned as the young man walked away and only looked back once as he stepped quietly across the landing, checking that Fotherby was following. To the surgeon’s surprise, David led him down the stairs and out into...

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