It wasn't too long before Blackstone had returned, cooled off and warrant for interrogation in hand.

"Here we are, then" he said, walking up to Covington. "Sorry about all that fuss earlier, eh?". Blackstone unrolled the parchment in his hand. "If you'd like to read it, this is a warrant for use of veratiserum in interrogation. And here" he produced another scroll "Are your rights. We aren't going to ask you to do anything dangerous, it's pretty routine. If you're innocent, no harm done."


"Now, it's protocol that we ask you to come along with us back to the ministry. That way we have supervision, everything is official and safer for you. You can be sure that you won't be mistreated and we'll both be satisfied that way. What do you say, then?"