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“And were you here, my lady?” asked Jennings.

“I came in as the two men fought,” Cassie answered.

“So you did not see the lad attempting to harm the horse?”

“I’ve known Dick Crockett for years. He would never harm an animal. He is Hermes’s farrier,” Cassie said.

Jennings turned to Dick, still sprawled against the wall, looking dazed. “What do you have to say for yourself, lad?”

Cassie took Dick’s hand and gave him the sign to speak. He gave her an agonized look. Like her, he hated to admit what others regarded as a limitation. She nodded.

Dick pushed himself upright, turned to Jay, and began to make hand gestures.

“What’s this?” Jennings asked.

“The lad can’t hear,” said Raven. “He communicates with hand gestures. Jay Kydd, the trainer, knows the lad’s hand language. He can interpret.”

“Never heard of a deaf farrier.” Jennings paused a moment, and looked at each of the persons in the room. “So, you,” he indicated Kydd, “are the trainer.” Jay nodded. “The boy is the farrier. And, you,” he looked at Cassie, “are the owner.”

Cassie nodded.

Jennings had another look at Hugh, a look at the nail, and a look around the stall. Then he turned to Jay. “What’s the boy saying then?”

“He says that he found Lord Farnley attempting to hammer that nail into Hermes’s rear off-side hoof, sir. He tried to take the nail from Farnley. They fought, and Farnley slammed him into the wall.”

“Nonsense,” said Hugh. “You can’t believe the word of a freakish lout over the word of a gentleman.”

There was a stir at the stall door. “Let me through,” came a cool voice. Viscount Tyne pushed aside the stable hands to enter the stall. “Having some trouble, Farnley?” he asked.

“For God’s sake, Tyne, this fellow Jennings is trying to stitch me up here. Can’t get anyone to take the word of a gentleman.”

Tyne turned to Jennings. “I can vouch for Lord Farnley.”

Jennings nodded. “That may be, my lord, but as you were not present when the incident occurred, your word is not needed. Not the way we do things here.” Jennings turned back to Cassie.

“Is the horse harmed?” Jennings asked.

Cassie stood and went to Hermes’s head, stroking his neck and murmuring reassurance. Jay checked the horse’s hooves. “He looks sound,” he said.

“And he’s to race today?” Jennings asked.

“Yes,” Cassie said. “But we must take him up to the paddock now.”

Jay helped Dick to his feet. The youth went straight to Hermes and laid his head against Hermes’s crest. The horse turned and nuzzled him.

“You may take him, my lady,” said Jennings. “As for you two,” Jennings gestured to Hugh and Dick, “you two will be locked up until further investigation.”

“Not Dick!” Cassie cried.

“Locked up!” Hugh exclaimed. “You can’t do that.” He spun to Raven. “This is your doing. You will not please my sister by having me detained. If you think she’ll marry you after this, you’re mad.”

“Mr. Jennings,” said Raven, “I think it will shorten your investigation considerably if you ask Lord Farnley to remove his coat.”

Hugh’s face reddened. “If you think I’m removing my coat on your say so, Cole, you are mad.”

“On my say so, then,” said Cassie, “as the owner of the horse.”

Jennings turned to the three stable hands standing by. “Lads, his lordship is reluctant. Please assist him. My lord, these fellows can be as nice as your best London valet, or not.”