Chapter 17

A worrisome article in the Cirencester Times

“They seem to have had an event in honor of the Sepoys of the Mutiny,” Sir Curzon-Wyllie said to Lord Morley and Winston Churchill. He was briefing them weekly now. There usually wasn’t much to say—most of the Indians were concentrated in London, and they didn’t seem to do very much.

“Was it well attended?” Lord Morley asked. “Who was there?”

“Some of the more radical Indians. Young British anarchists. A couple of men from Sinn Féin. They talked about the Rani of Jhansi and Nana Saheb. I don’t think it matters much. But what was concerning is that someone made a reference to Lala Lajpat Rai’s arrest in Lahore—to much support and cheering.”

“Concerning,” Churchill said blandly.

“It seems like this would be Mr. Shyamji’s plan—to use historical events to draw people in and make them protest against current events.”

“I’m glad you have your men on the job, Sir Curzon-Wyllie,” said Lord Morley.

“I have no men, Lord Morley,” Sir Curzon-Wyllie said through gritted teeth. “I had to pay a news report…