Of the three he only recognised the leader, and the recognition sobered him. This was that Talbot,commonly known from his swarthiness as the Crow,who was Ormonde's most trusted lieutenant. He had once worked with him; he knew his fierce temper, his intractable honesty. His bemused wits turned desperately to concocting a conciliatory tale.
But he seemed to be unrecognised. The three stared at him in wild-eyed amazement.