Ignoring the crowd's calls for information about the disturbance, Walsingham guided Will to the edge of the green where a dazed, badly bruised, and bloody Mayhew squatted.

"England's greatest spy," Mayhew said, forming each word carefully, as he nodded to them.

"Master Mayhew. You have taken a few knocks."

"But I live. And for that I am thankful." Hesitating, he glanced at the White Tower looming against the night sky. "Which is more than can be said for that fool Osborne."

"You were guarding the weapon," Will surmised correctly.

"A weapon," Mayhew exclaimed bitterly. "We thought it was only a man. A prisoner held in his cell for twenty years."

Walsingham cast a cautionary glare and they both fell silent. "There will be time for discussion in a more private forum. For now, all you need know is that a hostile group has freed a prisoner and escaped into the streets of London. The City gates remain firmly closed…" He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Although we do not yet know if they have some other way to flee the City. The prisoner has information vital to the security of the nation. He must be found and returned to his cell."

"And if he is not found?" Will enquired.

"He must be found."

The intensity in Walsingham's voice shocked Will. Why was one man so important-they had lost prisoners before, though none from the Towerand how could he also be considered a weapon?

"Your particular skills may well be needed if the prisoner is located," Walsingham said to Will before turning to Mayhew. "You must accompany me back to the Palace of Whitehall. I would know the detail of what occurred."

Mayhew looked unsettled at the prospect of Walsingham's questioning, but before they could leave, the principal secretary was summoned urgently by Leicester, who had been in intense conversation with a gesticulating commander.