Led by Sir Henry Bredgar, a magistrate and a lawyer, the horsemen rode purposefully along Kingsgate High Street, with two closed carriages following behind. Standing at the harbour with Captain Hargreaves, Smith watched the riders pound past.
“That looks like trouble for somebody, Captain,” Hargreaves said.
“You’re right, Hargreaves. Let’s see what’s happening,” Smith agreed.
They marched up from the harbour to see the horsemen enter William Foreman’s stable yard.
“What’s the to-do?” Smith asked.
Sir Henry Bredgar stared at him down an aquiline nose. “We are arresting a man for debt, Mr Smith. Keep your distance, and don’t try to interfere.”
Smith did not move. “Who are you arresting?”
“William Foreman,” Sir Henry said. “He borrowed money from me and failed to pay it back in the agr
