Chapter 2 Summary

It is a Friday night and Sharpe knows that is the night that tenants in Hocking's slums will bring their rent payments to him at a backroom of a tavern. Hocking has two bodyguards with him. Sharpe buys beer for the men.

Sharpe claims that his business is in seeking drummer boys. He tells Hocking how much the army will pay, but Hocking is skeptical. He believes Sharpe, who he thinks is named Dunnett, wants something else. Sharpe says he is also interested in purchasing young girls and he wants one tonight. Hocking says he can arrange that later. In the meantime Sharpe can wait in a room or watch the dog competitions in another room. Sharpe decides to watch the dogs.

When Sharpe takes a seat, a man next to him is suspicious and brandishes a knife. Sharpe refers to him by...