... “Osage Orange. Maclura pomifera . A member of the mulberry tree, with wood just as resilient and stubborn to the grain. Indigenous to North America.”   “And it is normally this…yellow?” Youghal wondered.   “Goodness, no. This is fairly fresh wood.” Culpepper chuckled, a dry rattling echo. “The more seasoned this wood gets, the darker it gets. The French call it ‘bloodwood’...

...company will say when the barristers get their teeth in that?” “Better them than the likes of us.” Gregson said fervently. “We’re still tracking a few clues down that way. Also, Youghal was interested enough in your missive to go hit the trod in pursuit of answers.” “I doubt even Youghal could re-discover two barrels of missing flour.”   “Nor did he. But...