ase

Leda Hacker, in guise as Larry Hooper, took a final look around the studio of the daguerreotypist Vohle. Fancied that she had investigated all the possible hidey-holes where he might conceal evidence that 'twas he behind this matter of acquiring evidence for extortion. Had even, proceeding very delicate, gone about probing the insides of his daguerreotype machinery – for the industrious apprentice of that prime ken-cracker Laffen was up to all the tricks! But found naught but a very great deal of saucy pictures and stereoscopic slides.

Examining these as closely as she might with her dark lantern, while ensuring that no ray of light would draw unwanted attention, she was like to think that all those depicted were volunteers that had been very carefully posed. For her own experience of having been took – an entire chaste portrait, as an excuse for visiting the studio during daylight hours – had shown her that while mayhap 'twas not quite the like of sitting to an artist to be painted, the subject was required to keep still for what seemed an entire tedious while.

No, while she fancied the Vice Society might have some concerns over his trade – though as these things went, Leda fancied that he had what one might consider a very artistic touch. One did not pass as much time as she did with Lady Bexbury and her circles without acquiring some notion of how such matters might be judged! –

But unless he had some other lair, this was a false trail, and she might even, perchance, commend Vohle’s services to dear Bert that he seemed entire suitable to record Bert himself as the Duchess of Clerkenwell Green and other members of his sisterhood decked in their finery.

Well, time to hook it.

The first thing to do, after stowing certain tools of the trade in a satchel, was to very carefully wipe the blackening from her face, just as Laffen had taught her, and check in her little hand mirror, that was of all sorts of use.

Then, pulling her cap into a jaunty angle, here was Larry Hooper went further into Seven Dials to go take a glass or so in Black Tom’s, greet old acquaintance, see what Tom’s missus was cooking –

So Larry stepped in to the bustle of that tavern, and the two parrots squawked and Poll said somewhat exceeding coarse, while Zanty added somewhat that being in Greek, one could not tell whether 'twas coarse or not. There were several young swells that supposed they was seeing life here looked very jealous at that mark of familiarity – Larry gave 'em a brief glance.

Hah: young Rich Osberton and that set that had used to hang about him and Mr Peter Reveley afore he married Osberton’s sister. No great harm in 'em.

Tom had a glass of gin – the good genever! – already poured for Larry, and remarked that we was quietish the night, dared say Mr Barron would look in later.

Came bustling out Tom’s missus, with a plate of – la, was that pierogi? – yes, here she was telling the tale of how Mrs Barron, Ludmilla Kaminski that was, had been teaching her the art, and she fancied these had turned out well but would appreciate Mr Hooper’s verdict –

Larry took one, and popped it into his mouth, chewed with a savouring expression and declared that she had quite got the touch of it – perchance not quite yet to that of Mrs Barron, but excellent good – and would take the plate –

Looked around and there were very few empty spots –

Hah, will go make civil to Thad –

For there was Thad Mallen, one of Nat Barron’s chief henchmen, sitting alone, looking morose. In a dangerously louring way, for Thad was reckoned not one to meddle with.

So Larry went over there with platter and mug in hand, greeted Thad, that started, and nodded perchance afore had give the matter any thought, so Larry sat down.

Thad went punch him rather half-hearted upon the shoulder in greeting – Thad and Jem and others of Nat’s boys that had been wont to know Leda as Bet Bloggs in the days when she had walked the streets of Seven Dials were a deal happier to treat her as Larry rather than Leda. Sure they had come to consider Bet a prime confederate at that time when Art Colley and Rodge Hossen had been endeavouring a coup against Nat Barron, but even did they not know of Nat’s later design to wed Bet, having noted what a useful creature she was, there was a lingering uneasiness after she had fled Seven Dials at the prospect.

But here was Larry, that came put certain business in the way of Grigori the pawnbroker and fence – for there was Matt Johnson’s agency commissioned to recover certain items of sparkle, no questions asked, for reward – and various other matters where 'twas entire useful to have diplomatic relations with Nat –

Larry was entirely the accepted habitué of Nat’s manor!

How now, Thad, how goes it? Sure, let me refill your glass – waving to Tom, that came very brisk –

Thad groaned, and enquired how that prime example of womanhood, Mrs Halloran, did? Was that wretch her husband still in life?

Larry suppressed a grin. For some while now Thad had been, one might only say, quite desperate in love, with Tess Halloran, of the Matt Johnson agency. Had encountered her when commissioned to present in the character of a concerned male relative when her husband in the penitentiary had been give out desperate sick and calling for her, that had been suspected some ruse. But whatever he had aimed at, the sight of Thad was like to put a halt to his plans!

Had not merely subsequently escorted Tess about to various places of entertainment, but had, through Larry, offered that there was ways, even within penitentiary walls, of disposing of her husband. That had, aside from his wicked embezzling ways, been a horrid cruel beast to his wife, that the law of the land considered a deal lesser matter.

O, entirely in health – she was in Yorkshire at present about certain cases – the wretch still lingered alas –

Thad renewed the offer that did one have the right acquaintance, 'twas no matter at all to arrange – he made a throat-cutting gesture –

This was, Larry understood, a very chivalrous offer – would be drawing upon as 'twere stored up credit – might require some matter in due course of reciprocation –

However, one had to wonder whether Tess was at all inclined to tie herself up – in hallowed or unhallowed union – with a man again. Her husband had been such a brute that must give a woman pause.

But – leaning back, looking at Thad, that never looked aught but grim – while was very noted for his ways of dealing out lessons on Nat Barron’s behalf, and occasional dispatching fellows, did not recall that he was one that was particular given to being violent to women except, it might be, in that line of duty.

Could look into that –

Should go make civil to Lil and Joan, am I in these parts, said Larry, rising. For her old friends from the street-walking days would very like know somewhat of that!

So he walked through the streets and alleyways, nodding to this one and that and occasional stopping for rather more in the way of greeting, until he reached the ‘ccommodation house that Lil and Joan now managed, instead of walking the streets. And had rose to be considered among Nat Barron’s counsellors in matters about women – Nat had come to apprehend that whores learnt a deal of men when they were about their trade, that might be most material to his interests!

Found Joan a-sitting at the entrance – it was a great comfort to see how well Joan looked these days, now that she did not have to be on the streets in all weather – went spend some weeks at the seaside in Dolly Mutton’s Home in the summer – been looked over by a proper physician – 'twas not consumption as they had feared but not dared speak of, but a persistent bronchitis, that this new way of life greatly ameliorated.

No Lil?

Joan grinned. Law, 'tis the time that peeler of hers gets off duty – and even is he now advanced to sergeant –

Larry whistled.

– still has the greatest notion to Lil, 'tis quite the regular thing these days.

Larry grinned back and said, must come very useful! And asked more generally after business, as was only civil, before proceeding to the question of whether there was aught known to his detriment of Thad’s behaviour towards women.

Joan pursed her lips and looked thoughtful before saying that sure Thad’s looks did him no favours –

Indeed the picture of a villainous fellow in a melodrama!

– and all know his trade, though there must be more to him than that, does Nat hold him in such high esteem –

Indeed so! Thad had been a very useful confederate against Art and Rodge, more than one might have guessed.

– but there has never been any trouble with any of the girls – and was there anything at all about these parts I cannot fathom it being kept secret –

Larry nodded. So I might give him a good character to this lady he takes a notion to!

Joan guffawed and remarked that he was also said exceptional neat at his job.

So 'tis give out!

Mayhap Thad was give to being somewhat dour but from Tess’s telling of it, her husband had shown all charm and bonhomie, very persuasive in the matter of selling spurious railway shares, and had been an entire brute behind closed doors.

It was not so late that she might not take an omnibus to Clorinda’s pretty house, where she found her dear love still up – sure Sophy would chide – and in somewhat of a fret, with a letter in her hand.

Here it appears I must to Shropshire about some business over the mine, and thus disturb the solitary retreat of that agreeable lady Miss Kirkstall –

Leda went to kiss her and assure her that her presence would make that retreat entire perfection. And that she dared say that Miss Kirkstall was already being invited to tea-parties – to dine quietly as befitted her mourning condition – &C – by what constituted the society in those parts.

Oh, indeed you put it aright! La, I am a foolish Clorinda. A new face is ever welcome there.