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“The rest of the world is much farther ahead,” Beltham said.

“The French, for instance, have the stethoscope while the Germans have managed to isolate morphine from opium. Italy even allows women to acquire medical degrees and to practice. If you read the publications coming out of these countries, England appears to be a hundred years behind. We’re still speaking of bad humors, for crying out loud, even though William Buchan made the link between lack of hand washing and disease last century.

I’ve studied his work which is thorough and sound.

It ought to be taught to all physicians, but it’s not. ”

“Our primary goal is to help people,” Ashburry said. “Patients deserve the best care possible.”

Adrian mulled that over a moment while shifting his gaze to each of the men in turn. “Which would include making them comfortable during surgery, I assume.”

“Of course,” they answered in unison.

“Creating a potent drug capable of making the patient sleep through the operation without waking would certainly do so,” Adrian murmured.

“Exactly.” Grieves leaned forward, twisting slightly so he could look at Adrian more directly. “We were hoping to develop such a formula based on Doctor Wentworth’s findings.”

“He shared these with you?” Adrian shifted, his fingers brushing against the blade tucked into his jacket sleeve. Despite his initial belief to the contrary, it was beginning to look like these men had indeed played a part in the murders. In which case Kendrick deserved an apology.

“Melroy mentioned it to the entire group after learning of Wentworth’s research,” Thrudledge said.

“He tried to convince Wentworth to show us his notes and accept our help in trying to obtain a dependable recipe, but Wentworth refused. Said it was too dangerous. It’s our belief he didn’t trust us not to commence human trials. ”

Adrian pondered that. It seemed like Wentworth was right to guard his work. But there was something else in what Thrudledge had said just now that stood out. “You spoke of the ‘entire group’, Thrudledge. That would suggest there are more than the five of you. Is that correct?”

“There were,” Beltham said when no one else spoke. “We were eight in total until a little over a year ago when three of our members left.”

“Let me guess,” Adrian said. “Islington, Preordian, and someone else.”

“Doctor Lester,” Iverton supplied. “He works at a clinic on Keene Street.”

“Is he by any chance related to a nurse who’s employed at St. George’s?” Adrian asked.

“His wife, Mrs. Lester? She relocated from St. Bartholomew’s a couple of years ago. Often works the front desk when Mrs. Burns is off duty.”

“Yes.” Adrian recalled how difficult the woman had been when he’d come to speak with Wentworth.

He was also aware that she was one of Murdoch’s informants, so he shook his head, shoving that piece of distraction aside.

It was vital he focus on what was important.

“I don’t know if you’re aware, but five people, that we know of, have died.

Most likely killed by the drug Wentworth was trying to perfect. ”

“That’s why we wanted to speak with you,” Ashburry said.

“When Wentworth was taken to Bow Street, we knew a search of the hospital would be imminent. Then Melroy, too, was detained and signs of an altercation found in the place where we hold our meetings. We therefore decided it might be best to come forward. Before our names are dragged through the mud as well.”

“By speaking with you instead of Kendrick,” Beltham said, “we’re hoping to avoid getting mentioned as part of the investigation.”

“And having our group shut down,” Iverton said.

Adrian scoffed. “Provided your lack of involvement in the murders is proven beyond any shadow of a doubt, I’ll see to it that your names aren’t linked to the case in any way. The continuation of your group’s existence, however, is untenable.”

“But we—”

“To put it bluntly, there is no way in hell I will allow it to remain active after what has occurred. Innocent people have died and while I realize none of you may have been directly involved, you still shared ideas that sparked a lethal objective.” In some way or other they’d played a part.

“Once this is over the tunnels and secret chamber will be sealed off. There will be no more sneaking about with cloaks and masks. You’re grown men for Christ sake.

If you want to meet to exchange ideas, you can bloody well do so like normal people.

Make use of your offices at the hospital or of the meeting rooms available to you at the Royal College of Surgeons.

Barring that, meet in your homes or at a tavern. ”

“I did suggest that,” Thrudledge said.

Adrian rolled his eyes. “And I bet the rest of you wish you’d listened.”

He stood, convinced there was nothing more to be learned from these men.

As an afterthought he told them, “Don’t try leaving the City.

If you do, my men will hunt you down and drag you straight back to me.

Should that happen, I’ll assume you were involved in the murders, in which case I’ll make sure you’re properly punished. ”