Don Gutteridge

Governing Passion

ONE

The three Cavaliers, as they dubbed themselves, werehaving a somewhat quiet evening at Madame LaFrance’s bordello. Oneof the better things about Madame’s establishment was that you hada wide choice of gentlemanly pleasures to while away a snowyevening in early March of 1841. There was always, of course,several young women happy to follow you up the carpeted stairs toone of the cramped but well-swept cubicles where a fellow’s lustsand fancies could be stoked or assuaged. There was a roaring firein the fieldstone fireplace, around which three or four easy chairscould be comfortably arranged, with snifters of brandy appearing asif by magic on one’s outstretched fingertips. A tray of Cubancigars was ever displayed on a tiny trundle-table discreetly pushedabout by the luscious Nell, if she weren’t otherwise occupied. Atthe far end of the spacious room sat a pianoforte of some quality,upon which, at appropriate moments during the course of an evening,Sally Butts would perch, revealing the better parts of her legs anda tempting curvature of breast. Sally sang like the proverbialnightingale, or as Sir Lancelot himself said more often thannecessary, like a woods warbler. She was accompanied by Old Henry,who some said had once been Madame LaFrance’s lover. Sally’slilting voice was perfectly suited to the carpeted and heavilydraped space of the “gentleman’s room,” with its Persian rugs, itsvelvet curtains pulled shyly across the big bay window, its mohairfurniture imported from England, and its tender-lit candelabra.

This particular evening, Sally Butts had sungonly once, a beautiful but frail French ballad. Then, apologizingfor the cold in her head and chest, she slipped away. The Cavaliersapplauded enthusiastically, then settled back in their chairs aboutthe fire, sipping on their third brandy. No-one said it aloud, but,in the absence of Sally Butts’s song-making, there was tacitagreement that these knights of the house of easy virtue wouldforgo the pleasures of the flesh in favour of an hour’sconversation over drinks and cigars, distracted only by Nell orSarie or Blanche sliding across one’s lap every fifteen minutes orso and bussing one on the cheek. And the conversation this nightwas on the usual topic: politics.

“I suppose you’ve heard the rumour thatLaFontaine has taken up temporary residence in Kingston,” saidBartholomew Pugh with a disapproving jiggle of his jowls.

“My dear Gawain,” replied Gardiner Clough,referring to the name Pugh had taken when the three had firstplotted sojourns to Madame LaFrance’s place here in the heart ofDevil’s Acre, “I have had that news confirmed in a letter Ireceived just this morning.”

“What do you think that means’” asked SimonWhitemarsh, waving off young Nell, who was determined, it seemed,to break up their colloquy.

“Some Galahad you are!” she teased and swungher rump saucily away.

“Shall you tell him, Lancelot, or shall I?”Pugh said. “Either way it’s bad news.”

“Bad news?” said Whitemarsh. “If it’s aboutfrogs, it’s always bad news.”

Clough set down his brandy. “WheneverLaFontaine is in the same town as Robert Baldwin, there’s bound tobe trouble.”

“The French leader and the so-called head ofthe Reform party are trying once again to forge some kind ofalliance,” Pugh said. He was a short, fat, red-faced fellow withpale blue eyes that watered constantly. He was bald except for twotufts of unbrushable hair that stood up on his scalp likeexclamation points. “Neither group on its own will elect enoughmembers in the April election to make any kind of splash in the newParliament.”

“But together they could spell trouble forroyalists like ourselves,” Clough pointed out with the candour hehad displayed years ago when he had been a practising barrister.The only thing he practised of late was how to get the most out ofhis wife’s money.

“They couldn’t possibly constitute a majorityin the House, could they?” Whitemarsh said. He was a grey-hairedhaberdasher in his mid-fifties, with pasty-white skin and droopingeyes that looked perpetually on the verge of sleep. Those whodidn’t care for him attributed the latter quality to hisfrequenting the opium room just behind the curtains in back of thepiano.

“Only if LaFontaine can keep his own troopsin line and Baldwin can unite the fractious group of Reformers andClear Grits,” Pugh said. “And what chance is there of that, eh,Lancelot?”

Clough nodded his agreement. “There areextreme nationalists in the Quebec camp who will not sit withanyone who speaks English, regardless of the policies theyespouse.” Clough was a tall man with cadaverous features and theposture of a crane. His black hair and dark eyes had onceterrorized courtrooms. But that was long ago. Now he looked merelybrittle.

“But you think LaFontaine is in Kingston totry the impossible?” Whitemarsh said.

“There can be no other reason,” Pugh said,smiling at young Sarie as she brushed by him with a gust ofperfume. “Baldwin is there with his entire retinue, preparing forthe upcoming election and plotting strategy thereafter. He’s gotFrancis Hincks with him and that upstart barrister, Marc Edwards.They’re not in drafty Kingston in the middle of winter for theirhealth.”

“I hear they’re progressing well withreconstructing the hospital into a suitable legislature,”Whitemarsh said, happy to be contributing something to theconversation.

“I still think the capital of the unitedCanada should have been here in Toronto,” Clough said. “We alreadyhave a splendid building.”

“It was all politics,” Pugh said with abanker’s disdain for the messy world outside the clarity of highfinance. “They had to appease the Frenchies by moving it out ofToronto and closer to the Quebec border. So Kingston, ready or not,was it.”

“I hear they’re reconstructing the betterhalf of the town to make it agreeable for gentlemen,” Clough saidwith some envy.

“Not disagreeable to the banking profession,eh?” Pugh smiled.

These topics were ruminated upon for anothertwenty minutes, with no resolution but much satisfaction. Thefemale inmates of the hostel had gracefully given up, happy toaccommodate other well-turned-out gentlemen who drifted in fromtime to time. Fresh logs were placed on the fire by one of the ladswho did the heavy lifting in the brothel; cigar and pipe smokethickened the air; and the brandy gradually but surely induced anot-unpleasant drowsiness.

“Well, my fine-fettled knights,” saidBartholomew Pugh, “let’s brave the snow and the dark and return toour homes. I, like Lancelot here, have a faithful wife waiting forme.”

“And I have a faithful wolfhound,” Whitemarshsaid.

“You’re not going to take some comfort fromthe room next door?” Clough said, surprised.

“Not tonight, no. I’ve got a special sale ontomorrow at the shop, and I want to be clear-headed.”

“You’re not going home this early?” saidMadame LaFrance, who had been sitting tactfully in her chair nextto the piano, rising only to answer the door from time to time. Thegirls arranged their own encounters and kept track of the fare.They were veterans all, and knew their business. “Nell inparticular will be disappointed,” she continued. At this latterremark she gave out a sardonic laugh and took Whitemarsh by theelbow. “And you’re giving up my sweet Sarie for an Irishwolfhound?”

“We could be persuaded to stay tonight onlyif Sally Butts were to sing us another love song,” Pugh said. “Whoknows? She might get us in the mood.”

“We’re leaving a little something for heranyway,” Clough said, reaching for his coat from the halltree bythe door.

“The poor darling’s sick,” Madame LaFrancesaid, unable to keep the skepticism out of her voice. She was agenerously fleshed, blowsy woman of indeterminate age, with a soft,round face and fluffed-out curls. But the impression of softnesswas belied by her small, beady eyes that darted about in theirlarge sockets like loose coins. “Claims to have the croup,” shesaid.

“We’ll be back tomorrow night,” Pugh said,squeezing into his greatcoat. “And we’re likely to subscribe toyour full service, Madame.”

“No sense in going too long without it,”Madame replied, “when it’s readily available here every night ofthe week.”

Just as the three Cavaliers were slippingtheir gloves on, Sally Butts came out of a back room, fully dressedfor the outdoors, and walked past them and out the front door,leaving a little shudder of pleasure in her wake. The gentlemenwere especially taken with her blond curls, whose tips could stillbe seen at the edges of her kerchief.

“I’ve sent her home for the evening,” Madamesaid. “But she’ll be here tomorrow night for sure. And in finevoice, I promise you.”

“So shall we, Madame.”

Moments later, as the three gentlemen steppedout into the snow, Madame LaFrance turned to Nell and Sarie andsaid with a rasping laugh, “If those fellows are cavaliers, then myarse is the ace of spades!”

“Their money is good, though,” Nellsuggested.

“And Lancelot they don’t,” Sarie chippedin.

Madame LaFrance slammed the door shut againstthe snow.

***

On the stoop, the Cavaliers said their goodnightsand parted company. Pugh went west towards Church Street, Clougheast towards Jarvis, and Whitemarsh south towards King. But nonehad a straightforward walk, for Devil’s Acre was a rabbit warren ofcrooked streets and mismatched alleys. It sat like a seething boiljust north of St. James Cathedral, a shanty town that had sprung uphaphazardly in the respectable heart of the city. It was rumouredto be populated by thieves and desperate men, but since everysecond structure was either a makeshift tavern selling bootlegbooze or a house of pleasure where gambling and prostitution werede rigueur, there were not that many shanties housing eithercriminals or deadbeats. In fact, most of the traffic — principallyat night — was from the precincts of town to thepleasure nodes of Devil’s Acre, and then out again when dawn orexhaustion arrived. So lucrative were the dives, opium dens andbrothels that there seemed no need for theft or violence. Gentlemenwere pleased to part with their money peacefully.

And so Gawain, Lancelot and Galahad feltperfectly safe in leaving one another to walk unescorted throughthe maze of alleys to the respectable streets that would see themhome. Likewise, Sally Butts, who walked home alone every midnightwhen her stint at Madame LaFrance’s was completed. The brothelitself was in the dead-centre of Devil’s Acre and was the onlybrick building in the complex, a substantial two-storey structurethat had originally been the manor house of an estate onceoccupying the “acre,” but abandoned years before. Madame LaFrancehad seen her chance and actually had title to the place. Herexperience as a madam in England had held her in good stead as sherefurbished it and turned it into a palace of pleasure.

Certainly it was grander, warmer and cosierthan Sally’s own house, her parents’ log cabin on Newgate Street.She felt safe in the brothel and here on the streets of Devil’sAcre. In the warm haven of Madam LaFrance’s, she was known andadmired; so unlike the poverty and rancour of her own home. Herfather was a drunk who took her board money happily while railingagainst the ungodliness of her occupation. It was no good Sallytrying to explain that she was not a whore, that all she did wassmile at the gentlemen and sing her heart out. For she truly lovedsinging. Even her fiancé had had trouble with her occupation, butit was she who had broken off the engagement.

She walked west towards Church Street,familiar with every bend and ell of the warren. It was snowing,giving the dark a false brightness, but she knew the shape of everygable and roof-pitch in the area, and moved steadily along, hummingto herself despite her sore throat. She didn’t know exactly whenshe first heard footfalls somewhere in the snowy darkness behindher, but soon they were quite distinct — and frightening. Sheclutched her kerchief about her blond curls and shouted back, “Isanybody there?”

No answer. And no footsteps.

Sally turned and began striding steadilywest. She was only two turns from Church Street and safety. Shestopped abruptly. The footsteps were now loud and very near. With athrill of fear running all through her, she began to turn to facethe menacing sounds of the footfalls.

Something powerful grabbed her by theshoulder. She tried to twist away, but an arm quickly wrappeditself around her chest. She raised her head to scream, and feltsomething slash across her exposed throat. For some reason thescream that had begun boiling up in her chest did not reach hertongue. She heard a wheezing gasp, the arm released her, and sheslumped slowly into a nearby drift. The footsteps, heavy andmasculine, thumped on in the direction she had been going.

Sally lay where she had dropped. Slowly butsurely the life-blood flowed out of her and stained the steadilyfalling snow.

***

Horatio Cobb was having a lovely dream — he and Dorawere naked in a sea of feathers that tickled and tantalized — whenthe knock came at the door. He felt Dora roll off the bed and heardher padding away towards the front room. The sudden cold draft leftby her absence brought him fully awake and silently cursing hiswife’s addiction to midwifery. He squeezed his eyes tight and triedto re-enter the dream.

“It’s for you this time,” Dora shouted intohis ear. “It’s a lad sent here by your chief to fetch you to thepolice quarters.” She sounded a bit too gleeful for Cobb’sliking.

“But I’ve done my shift fer today,” hepleaded.

“So you have, Mister Cobb, but I ain’t yerboss. Cyril Bagshaw is, if I recall rightly.”

“No need to get scar-castic, MissusCobb. Tell the lad I’ll be a moment gettin’ inta my uniform.”

“Must be a riot in the town or somethin’ likeit to have you dragged outta yer bed,” Dora said moresympathetically.

“Or it could be Bagshaw’s in need of adetective,” Cobb said, getting up and reaching for histrousers.

Cyril Bagshaw had been the new chief ofpolice since January, having arrived then from London, England,where he had been hired away from the Metropolitan Constabulary. Hehad, he informed all who would listen and those who had to, servedthat ground-breaking force since its inception in 1829. He had beena patrolman and then a desk sergeant, serving also as an exemplaryconstable who inducted trainees into the service. So he had been agood catch for the Toronto city council when Wilfrid Sturges hadretired as chief. Cobb had become great friends with Sturges, andmissed him terribly. But before leaving the post, Sturges hadrecommended to the council that the Toronto force be doubled, fromfive to ten, with round-the-clock patrols. In addition he suggestedthat a new position, that of plainclothes detective (modelled onthe experiment just begun in London, England) be instituted, andthat Cobb be given the job. Bagshaw had accepted the reorganizedforce happily, though the status of the detective was left up tohim to implement as he saw fit. Until then, Cobb was ordered backon the street — in his uniform. If a serious crime requiredinvestigation, Cobb was to switch roles, but so far no crime hadapparently fit this category, in the chief’s view. But perhaps thatwould change this evening (Cobb noted it was only a little pasteleven-thirty), as short of a full-scale uprising, Cobb could notthink of any other reason as to why he would be called out at thishour.

Cobb finished dressing, went to the frontstoop, where he tipped the messenger boy, then started off westwardfor the police quarters. The snow that had come down for much ofthe early evening had stopped. There was no traffic on King Streetand the slushy, rutted roadway was now a pristine, white ribbonbetween rows of houses and shops. Fifteen minutes later found himat the City Hall on Front Street, the rear portion of which nowhoused the expanded police force. A candle flickered in thereception room as he opened the door and walked in.

“Well, Cobb, it took you long enough to gethere,” Bagshaw snapped. The room was icy cold, the fire in thestove long since gone out. “The body will be frozen stiff bynow.”

“Body?”

“That’s what I said, sir. Body. A young womanwas found an hour ago with her throat slashed from ear to ear.”

Bagshaw stamped his feet in a vain effort towarm them.

“Where?” Cobb said.

“Where else? In that cesspool known asDevil’s Acre. A couple of blocks from here, if you canimagine.”

“A prostitute?”

“I don’t know that, do I? That’s for you tofind out.”

At last, thought Cobb. He needs a detective.Cobb smiled and took a long look at the new chief in the light of asingle candle. He was tall without an ounce of flesh to give hisbones comfort. And his uniform — the one he’d worn as constable onthe Metropolitan Force — looked as if it had been painted on himwith a palette knife. It was a trim blue outfit with brass buttonsand a thick, brown belt around what little waist there was. Thestiff collar seemed to be holding the man’s head erect and pointedto the front. The head itself was too generous for the body it satupon with evident pride. The features were angular, with a juttingchin and a beaked nose some hawk might have boasted of. Underoverarching eyebrows, as bristled as any hair brush, there stoodtwo, round pop-eyes that seemed ready to hop out at any moment tosay what couldn’t be spoken by the lips and tongue. The dark brownhair was slicked back like an otter’s and aided materially in theupright posture that appeared to be a permanent aspect of hisbearing. In fact, if he were to bend at the waist too suddenly, thewhole apparatus might collapse in upon itself.

“You want me to do the investigation?” Cobbsaid evenly.

“That’s what you’ve been assigned to do bythe aldermen,” Bagshaw said. “But if the victim turns out to be aDevil’s Acre whore, you can be sure one of her cronies slit herthroat for tuppence and will never be found.”

“Has the coroner been told?”

“He left here just before you came. Wilkie iswaiting at Madame LaFrance’s brick house to show him where the bodyis. He’ll come back there and wait for you as soon as he can.”

“Who found the body?”

“Some young fellow at a nearby gambling den.He sent for a policeman, and Wilkie was nearby, sleeping probablybehind St. James.”

“I’ll go right away, sir.”

“You do that.”

“Am I to put on my Sunday suit while Iinvestigate?”

Bagshaw frowned and scrutinized Cobb for anysign of sarcasm in the remark. “That business is a lot of nonsense.I said so at the Met when they introduced it this past year. Out ofyour uniform you’ll receive no respect at all. Keep it on. Andthat’s an order.”

“Fine with me,” Cobb said, who had not beenlooking forward to working in the confined clothes of a gentleman.However, he did realize that plainclothes would soon become thebadge of the detective, and mark him off as a special member of theforce. But his uniform fit nicely, and he had grown to feel at homein it.

“I expect a written report on my desk bymid-morning,” Bagshaw said, and with that he blew the candleout.

Cobb was dismissed.

***

Cobb walked north to St. James Cathedral at Churchand King. There were half a dozen entrances to Devil’s Acre, heknew, and then nothing but a labyrinth of shanties, hovels andalleyways scattered helter-skelter across several acres of groundjust above the cathedral cemetery. Cobb went to the rear of thechurch building and came to the graveyard. He crossed it andentered a dark, snow-lit alley. The upper half of Madame LaFrance’stwo-storey house was outlined in shadow somewhere a few hundredyards ahead of him. Keeping an eye on it, he navigated the mazeadroitly enough, seeing only the occasional lamplight from thegambling dens and other places of iniquity and hearing the shoutsand sighs of men caught in the vise of their pleasures. A fewminutes later he emerged next to the brothel. It was not snowing,but the sky was still cloudy and only the eerie half-light of thesnow gave any real illumination. The lights inside the brothel werediscreet, like everything else about the establishment.

There was no sign of Wilkie, so Cobb stoodbeside the front stoop and waited. Five minutes went by before hisfellow constable emerged from the shadows to the west and greetedhim.

“You’ve seen the body?” Cobb said.

“The doctor’s there now,” Wilkie said. “Ididn’t care to look too closely, but there was a lot of blood.”

“What about the man who found it?”

“He’s warmin’ his toes at the bootlegger’s hecome from earlier. We can fetch him whenever you want.”

“Take me to the body first, then fetch him,will you?”

Without further conversation Wilkie turnedand led the way westward towards Church Street. After severalzigzags they came into an narrow alley between a row of log shacks.Just ahead, kneeling over the body was Dr. Angus Withers.

“What have we got?” Cobb said, coming up tohim.

Withers looked up. “You doing theinvestigation?” he said, not unkindly.

“That’s right. I’m gonna play detective,accordin’ to the Chief.”

“Well, we’ve got a savage murder on ourhands, I’m afraid. This young woman’s had her throat slashed.” Hedrew back the handkerchief that had been covering her face, andCobb recoiled.

“Any idea when the attack took place?”

“Hard to say. It’s damn cold out here.Everything freezes up and slows down. But no longer than a coupleof hours ago, I’d guess.”

“Any guesses as to how it might havehappened?”

“I’d say someone came up behind her and slither throat before she could blink.”

“A very pretty girl,” Cobb observed, tryingto focus on her blond curls and keep his gaze away from the gapingwound.

“If she was respectable, and she’s dressedthat way, I wonder what she was doing wandering through Devil’sAcre at night?”

“Maybe I can learn somethin’ from the fellawho found her,” Cobb said.

“I’ll fetch him,” Wilkie said, and leftquickly.

“We’ve messed up the footprints ourselves,”Cobb sighed, looking back at the rumpled snow where he, Wilkie, thecoroner and the man who found her had all walked.

“Ah,” Withers said, “but the killer did notretreat. He kept on going.” He nodded towards the west end of thealley. Faint from the fresh snowfall but still visible was a singleset of footprints.

“You’re right, doc,” Cobb said and, keepingto one side of the alley, he began following the prints. They werethree-quarters drifted in, but their outline was clear enough. Andthey were huge, surely a size twelve or larger. The killer must bea big man, perhaps six feet tall. Either that or he was the ownerof abnormally large feet. At the first turn, where the fresh snowhad not penetrated, Cobb was able to discern one, clear, fullyoutlined print. It revealed a distinctive star-shaped pattern onthe sole. Cobb committed it to memory, and would reproduce it inhis notebook as soon as he could. It might prove to be an importantclue.

Another two alleys and abrupt turns broughthim and the prints to Church Street. Here the trail went cold, forthe prints suddenly met the ruckus of the earlier foot-trafficalong the busy street. It seemed likely, however, that the killerknew the layout of Devil’s Acre. He had escaped by the shortestroute, blending into the normal flow of people and vehicles alongChurch Street.

To the south, at the Corner of Church andKing, Cobb spotted the night watchman, the last of his breed in thecity now that the police patrolled day and night. He walked alongand hailed him.

“What in blazes are you doin’ out at thistime of night?” the fellow said. “You’re a day-patroller, ain’tya?”

“Hello, Edgar,” Cobb said. “I’m investigatin’a murder over there in Devil’s Acre.”

“How can I help?” old Edgar said, rubbing thesleep out of his eyes.

“Did you see anyone come out of Devil’s Acrejust down there, sometime in the past two hours?” Cobb said,pointing to the spot where he himself had emerged.

“I don’t see everythin’ on this street, but Iknow it’s been awful quiet tonight. Didn’t see a soul hereaboutsexcept an elderly laundry woman cartin’ her wares, who I advised togo straight home.”

“Do you know her?”

“Not really. Lots of ‘em go by here at allhours, luggin’ their stuff. I may have seen this one before and Imay not have.”

“She could be an important witness if she’dbeen anywhere near Devil’s Acre.”

“Well, I’ll rack my brains, such as theyare.”

“Thanks, Edgar.”

Cobb went back the way he had come. Heexamined again the spot where the bootprints vanished. The snow wasmessed up considerably just inside the alley. Had the killerlingered there? Strangely, Cobb had found no star-shaped print onthe Church Street sidewalk. It was as if the fellow had disappearedinto thin air. Cobb arrived back at the crime scene to find Wilkiestanding there with a nervous-looking, respectably dressed man athis side.

“This is Mr. Gavin Scott,” Wilkie said. “Hefound the body.”

“I’ll have the undertaker remove the body tomy surgery,” Withers said, pulling his scarf more tightly aroundhis neck. He nodded goodbye to Cobb and left.

“Now, Mr. Scott, tell me how you came to findthe body,” Cobb said.

“Well, sir, I was at the bootlegger’s at theother end of this alley and was on my way home when I almoststumbled — over her. Then I seen the blood.”

“This would be about an hour and a half ago?About ten-thirty?”

“That’s about right.”

“Did you check to see if she was dead?”

“Yes. I felt for her pulse. I didn’t turn herover, like she is now. I just reached down and felt her wrist.There was no sign of life.”

“Was the blood here still fresh?”

Scott thought about this. “I believe it was.It looked like it had just dropped into the snow. It wasn’tthickened or frozen or anything.”

“Then we can be sure she died shortly beforeyou found her. You saw no-one about?”

“No, I didn’t. I ran back to thebootlegger’s, and they sent a fella out to look for a policeman. Hecame right away.”

“I’ll need your address, sir, in case we needto talk to you again.”

“You don’t think I did it?”

“Not really. You’d hardly report it, thenhang about fer the police, would you?”

At this point Wilkie let out a gasp. He wasstanding beside the body, looking down at her face for the firsttime.

“What is it, Wilkie?”

“I know the girl,” he said.

“You do?”

“Yeah. It’s the little singer from MadameLaFrance’s place.”

Oh dear, thought Cobb. A woman of illrepute.

TWO

Cobb began walking back towards the brothel. At theend of the alley where Sally Butts had been brutally murdered, Cobbsaw something lying in the snow. He picked it up. It was a leatherglove, for the right hand. A gentleman’s glove, no doubt. Could itbe the killer’s? Dropped here when it was pulled off to allow abetter grip on the murder weapon? Cobb put it in his pocket.

He went up to the door of the brothel andrapped loudly. No-one answered his knock. He rapped again, moreloudly this time. Still no answer, though he thought he heardsomeone shuffling behind the door. Then he realized that thegentleman callers would likely have a coded knock to be let in.

“It’s the police, Madame LaFrance. Openup!”

After a brief pause, the door was easedopen.

“Whaddya want?” Esther La France barked.

“I got some bad news, I’m afraid.”

“A policeman in a brothel is always badnews,” she said, stepping back to let him into the warminterior.

“Yer singer, Sally Butts, was just found inan alley near here with her throat slit. She’s dead.”

Madame flinched. “Oh, my. I did warn herabout walking home alone,” she said, her face revealing both shockand anger. “I offered to let Johnny walk with her, but she said shefelt safer in Devil’s Acre than she did on King Street.”

“Well, somebody didn’t like her and wantedher dead.”

“She wasn’t carrying any money tonight,”Madame said, turning to spot Nell nearby in her kimono, her facewhite and her lip trembling. “She was sick and left early.”

“Oh, poor Sally,” Nell cried. “I’d better goand tell the other girls.”

“Break the news gently,” Madame said.

“I need to ask you some questions,” Cobbsaid.

“There’s nothing to tell. Sally was running afever. I let her go off about ten o’clock.”

“You didn’t see anythin’ funny goin’ on herebefore she left?”

Madame’s gaze narrowed. “Whaddya mean, funny?I run a respectable house here.”

“Did any of yer gentlemen do or say anythin’to her durin’ the evenin’?”

“They sat and listened to her sing — like abird — that’s what they did. And behaved themselves, as Iinsist.”

“Sally Butts was not one of yer regulargirls, I take it?”

“No, she wasn’t, though she had plenty ofoffers. She was a good girl who took her pay straight home to herparents.”

“Did anyone make an offer tonight?”

”They did not. We had the usual gentlemenhere tonight. They all knew her.”

“Did any of these gentlemen happen to leaveshortly before or after ten o’clock?”

The gaze narrowed further. “You don’t think agentleman killed her? Surely it was some cutthroat.”

“With what motive, ma’am? The girl wasn’tmolested. And she had no money, as you said.”

“Perhaps he didn’t know that.”

“But we have plenty of robberies in town andseldom does the victim get his throat slashed — from behind. Itlooks like murder was the motive here, by someone who knew who shewas.”

“Well, now, there were three of my gentlemenwho left just a minute or two after poor Sally.”

Cobb smiled and said, “Odd, don’t youthink?”

“Not odd at all. They had come to hear hersing, and when they knew she was finished for the night, theynaturally decided to go home.”

“Did they usually walk together?”

“I wouldn’t know that, would I? Though I oncesaw them split up after they left my stoop.”

“But you can tell me who they were?”

Madame heaved a big sigh. “You know perfectlywell I can’t do that. My gentlemen have wives.”

“If you know who they are, you’d better tellme.”

Madame LaFrance laughed, a coarse caw of alaugh. “You don’t understand, do you? I don’t even know or want toknow who these people are. Here we use pseudonyms or pet names. Thethree gentlemen who left at ten o’clock were called the Cavaliers — Gawain, Lancelot and Galahad.”

Cobb was taken aback. “Well, that ain’t muchhelp, is it, unless I can find me a Round Table somewheresnearby?”

“Well, that’s all I can tell you.”

At this point Nell came back into the roomwith Sarie and Blanche, all three of them crying.

“Quit your bawling,” Madame snapped. “You’llscare away our customers.”

“You don’t seem too broken up about losin’Sally Butts,” Cobb observed.

Madame took umbrage. “Of course I am. Wheream I gonna get another singer with a voice like hers?”

***

Cobb spent the first half of the next morningdictating his report to Gussie French, the police clerk. Abouthalfway through, Angus Withers poked his head into the constables’room that Cobb was using as an office, and announced that he hadcompleted his examination of the body and had sent someone toinform the parents of Sally Butts’s death.

“What’d you find, doc?”

“Well, the knife used had a serrated blade,”Withers said. “I’d hazard a guess that it was some kind of skinningknife. The slash was from left to right, so if the killer wasright-handed, I’d say he came up behind the victim, grabbed her tohold her steady, and then, quick and vicious, slit her throat.”

“I found a right-handed glove near thescene,” Cobb said, taking the written report from Withers, “so ifthe killer removed it to get a firmer grip on the knife, he wascertainly right-handed.”

“There were no bruises or blood or skin underher fingernails, so she didn’t put up any sort of struggle. Shedidn’t have time, poor thing.”

“Nothin’ else of interest?”

“That’s it. I’ve jotted down the details foryou in that report.”

Cobb thanked him, and he left.

When Cobb was finished making out his ownreport, he took it next door to the Chief’s office.

Without looking up from his desk, CyrilBagshaw said curtly, “Just leave it, Cobb. I’ll call you in whenI’ve read it.”

Cobb gave a small sigh and retreated. It wasno skin off his nose if he sat in the anteroom by the pot-belliedstove and wasted his time. He had been relieved of his daily patrolin order to play detective, so detective it would be. Ten minuteslater Bagshaw called him back in.

“Why do you mention these gentlemen at MadameLaFrance’s?” he said, motioning Cobb to a chair opposite him.

“They left the premises right after SallyButts did, sir. And they went their separate ways, I was told. So Ifigure we got three men, who seemed to have an interest in thegirl, wanderin’ about Devil’s Acre in the dark.”

“Wielding skinning knives?” Bagshaw said withheavy sarcasm.

“Easily hidden in a coat pocket.”

“So you think a gentleman is capable ofacting like a common cutthroat?”

“I found a right-hand glove at the entranceto the alley.”

“I can read, Constable.”

“It was an expensive glove, a gentleman’sglove. Would you like to see it?”

“I would not. For God’s sake, Cobb, Devil’sAcre is a den of thieves and scoundrels who’d slit your throat assoon as look at you, and you’re pursuing three nameless gentlemenout for a diverting evening’s entertainment!”

“And the boots, sir?” Cobb persisted. “I’vesketched the odd pattern for you there in my report. Thatstar-shape should make them easy to identify.”

“And you think they’re gentleman’s boots? Agiant gentleman at that?”

“Well, it is a fancy pattern, ain’t it?”

“You don’t even know if the footprintsare the killer’s, do you?”

“They led away from the body, sir, out toChurch Street. And they were snow-filled, meanin’ they’d been madesome time before any of us got there.”

“But you say the footprints leading upto the body were all messed up by others who came after the killer- like the gambler who found her, the coroner, Wilkie and you?”

“That’s right.”

“So how do you know the killer didn’t retreatinstead of going on ahead? If it was one of the denizens of Devil’sAcre, he probably sneaked off to his hidey-hole somewhere in thatgarbage heap — not out to Church Street.”

“It’s possible, sir. But how do we accountfor them big bootprints?”

“Someone who left the place before themurder? Or just after? Someone who didn’t feel like reporting it?You see, there’s no way we can connect them definitely to themurder.”

“I suppose so, sir.”

“I do. And I must say, I’m not overlyimpressed with your detecting skills on the basis of this firstreport. Why didn’t you and Wilkie knock on doors to see if therewere any witnesses to the crime?”

“Nobody up there ever sees or hearsanythin’,” Cobb said rather defensively. “We were lucky the gamblerdecided to report finding the body, or it could’ve been days beforeshe was found or missed.”

“Well, you ought to have tried. I think youwere taken too much with boots and gloves and gentlemen.”

“I could try now, sir.”

“Don’t bother. It’s not as if Sally Butts wasa wholly respectable girl doing a wholly respectable job.”

“She was just singin’ in the whorehouse, notwhorin’.”

Bagshaw grunted an acknowledgement and said,“What do you propose to do now? With the time I’m so generouslygiving you?”

“I’m going to visit Sally Butts’s parents.It’s likely she was killed by someone who knew her, so I’ve got tolearn more about her.”

“And you’re going to leave Sir Gawain and hisfriends out of it?”

Cobb had no intention of doing so, but hesaid, “For now, sir.”

***

Cobb found the split-log cabin that housed the Buttsfamily on Newgate Street near Simcoe. He knocked on the door andwaited. A minute or so later it opened to reveal a small,middle-aged woman whose red and swollen eyes indicated a seriousbout of weeping.

“You’ve come about Sally, then?” she said ina hollow voice.

“I have, madam. I’m Constable Cobb, thedetective assigned to find your daughter’s killer.”

“We told her not to work in that evil place,”Mrs. Butts said, stepping back and letting Cobb enter the modestinterior. It was simple, neat and clean. A bald-headed man sat at atable with his sleeves rolled up and his head in his hands.

“This is Constable Cobb,” Mrs. Butts said tohim. “He’s from the police.”

“You should be in Devil’s Acre,” Butts saidwith a feeble attempt at anger. “That’s where her killer is,amongst that riff raff.”

“That’s quite possible, sir, but I’ve come toask you a few questions about yer daughter.”

Butts looked up, the anguish stark in hisface. “She was our only child,” he said.

“I’m terribly sorry fer yer loss, and sorryto intrude like this — ”

“When will we be able to have the body?”Butts said.

“Right away, I should think. The coroner hasfinished his examination.”

“Did she suffer?” Mrs. Potts said, coming tostand behind her husband. Cobb stood with his helmet in his hands.It was at times like this that he thought plainclothes madesense.

“She did not, ma’am. Death was quick andpainless.” He only half believed this, thinking of the girl lyingthere waiting helplessly for her blood to run out.

“Thank God.”

“What do you need to ask?” Butts saidwearily.

“Did yer daughter know anyone who might wishher harm?” Cobb said.

“Not unless it was someone working at thatwhorehouse,” Butts said bitterly.

“Did she have a gentleman friend?”

Mrs. Butts answered. “She was a beautifulgirl, Constable. She was born with those beautiful, blond curls.She had lots of boy friends — always.”

“But she wanted to sing,” Butts said. “And soshe ended up in that place.”

“Was she seein’ anyone recently?”

Neither Butts spoke. Mrs. Butts placed herhands on her husband’s shoulder and squeezed. He spoke at last.“There was Mr. Kray. John Kray.”

Cobb’s antennae went up. “What about this Mr.Kray?”

“Well, he was quite taken with her,” Mrs.Butts said cautiously.

“He asked her to marry him.”

“She agreed, but later turned him down.”

“I see,” Cobb said. “And did he take thisnews calmly?”

Some real anger showed in Butts’s face. “Hedid not. He kept coming around here and pestering her and us. I hadto read him the riot act.”

“And that worked, did it?”

Another pause. Mrs. Butts said, “Sally toldme that he used to follow her to work, in Devil’s Acre. Sometimeshe’d be waiting for her when she finished work at one in themorning.”

“Said he was worried about her safety,” Buttsadded. “But it was a lot more than that.”

So, Cobb thought, Sally Butts was beingstalked by a jilted lover. Had they quarrelled a last time? Had hetaken out his anger in the most violent way possible?

Cobb obtained Kray’s address, apologizedagain for disturbing the Butts in their grief, and left with apromising lead.

***

According to Butts, John Kray lived with his motherin a small cottage near the corner of Church and Hospital Street.Cobb found it without difficulty. His knock was answered by anelderly, grey-haired woman with spectacles that made hersquint.

“I’m lookin’ fer yer son, John,” Cobbsaid.

“I’m lookin’ fer him, too,” Mrs. Kraysaid.

“He’s not here, then?”

“He ain’t been home fer two days.”

“Is that unusual?”

“It is. He’s a good boy, but he tends todrink and gamble a bit when he’s feelin’ down.”

“Do you know where he gambles?”

“At Ned Dowd’s dive in Devil’s Acre.”

“I’ll have a look fer him there, then.”

“Tell him to come home, will you?” Mrs. Krayasked in a pleading tone.

“I’ll do that,” Cobb said.

***

Devil’s Acre was as quiet as a tomb during daylighthours. It felt like a ghost town to Cobb as he walked through thenarrow alleys that served as streets. He had stopped in at theCrooked Anchor and bearded one of his snitches, Itchy Quick,concerning the whereabouts of Dowd’s gambling joint. It turned outto be about a block west of LaFrance’s brothel and a block and ahalf from the scene of the crime. Cobb rapped loudly on the dooruntil he finally roused someone inside.

The door inched open a crack. “We’re closedfer Christ’s sake. Go away.”

“I’m the police,” Cobb said, “and I need totalk to Ned Dowd.”

“You’re lookin’ at him,” the fellow saidgrumpily. “Whaddya want?”

“I need to know if John Kray is here orhereabouts.”

“Ah, Kray. He’s inside somewhere, sleepin’off a mighty drunk. Do you want me to kick him awake?”

“I do. I’ll wait outside here fer him.”

Cobb stood on the snow-covered stoop andwaited. Three or four minutes later a young man with a shock of redhair and puffed eyes came out, shivering in his overcoat.

“What’s this all about?” he saidnervously.

“I’ve come to talk to you about SallyButts.”

The young man’s expression softened. “MySally?” he said, puzzled. “Has anything happened to her?”

If he were faking his ignorance, he was doinga good job, Cobb thought. “I’m afraid I have to tell you that she’sdead,” he said.

“Dead? How?”

“She was murdered last night, not two blocksfrom where we’re standin’.”

“Oh, my God! That’s not possible.”

“I’m afraid it is. I seen the bodymyself.”

John Kray sat down on the stoop, put his headin his hands and wept. Cobb stood beside him, much embarrassed. Hehoped Kray wasn’t putting on a good show. Or perhaps he was weepingbecause of regret, not sorrow.

“Who did it?”

“We don’t know. Someone came up behind herand slashed her throat.”

“My God, that’s terrible. I begged her toleave that place.”

“I need to ask you, sir, where you were aboutten o’clock last evenin’.”

Kray looked up, startled. “You can’t think Ihad anythin’ to do with her death?”

“Well, sir, I know she had turned down yeradvances and that you were stalkin’ her right here in Devil’sAcre.”

“You’ve been talkin’ to her parents, haven’tyou?”

“Were you or were you not followin’ her abouttown?”

“I just wanted to talk to her. I wanted toget her out of Madame LaFrance’s whorehouse. She didn’t belongthere. Now she’s dead, because of it.”

“You ain’t answered my question yet.”

“I was in this dive, from eight o’clockonwards. I got thoroughly pissed. I just woke up a few minutesago.”

“I guess Ned Dowd can vouch fer that.”

“Of course he can.”

“I spoke to yer mother, son. She’s worriedsick about you. I’d advise you to go home. And stay there because Imight want to talk to you again.”

While John Kray staggered off, Cobb wentinside the foul-smelling dive and spoke to Ned Dowd, who — tono-one’s surprise — backed up Kray’s alibi. But in the smokyconfines of this gambling den a person could slip out easily andthen slip back in again without being noticed coming or going. Butof course Cobb couldn’t prove that that’s what had happened withKray.

Perhaps his evening would be moreproductive.

THREE

Cobb spent the early evening with Dora and the kids,then went out again about ten o’clock. He walked to Devil’s Acreand made his way through the fresh snow to Madame LaFrance’s place.He did not go right up to the door, but waited in the shadows untila well-dressed gentleman appeared out of a side-alley and ascendedthe front steps. Cobb slipped up behind him. The fellow then gave acoded knock and the door was instantly opened by Madame LaFranceherself.

“Come in, good sir. We’ve been expectingyou,” she boomed, then spied Cobb right behind and scowled.

Cobb pushed his way past the expectedgentleman into the anteroom of the parlour.

“What is the meaning of this, sir?” Madamecried as Cobb continued on past her.

“I’ve come to interview the three gentlemenwho left here just after Sally Butts last night. Please be kindenough to point them out to me.”

The expected gentleman had turned to leave,spooked no doubt by the sudden appearance of a policeman.

“Oh, don’t go, Merry Man,” Madame said. “It’sjust the Constable wanting some business with a couple of mycustomers. There’s nothing to fear. Is there?” she added toCobb.

“You can go on with yer business, such as itis,” Cobb said. “I just want to talk to those men who were herelast night.”

“What if I said they were not here?” Madamesaid coyly.

“I’d say you was lyin’,” Cobb said, for hehad already spotted three likely looking gentlemen together over bythe fire.

Madame smiled rakishly. “They’re over there.But please be tactful. I’ve got a business to run.”

Cobb made his way through the smoke and opiumhaze of the parlour towards the designated customers. He went up tothe overweight fellow and said, “Sir Gawain, I presume?”

Bartholomew Pugh gave a start, then tried asmile. “I go by that nomination in here. What do you want with me,Constable?”

“I want to talk to you three about SallyButts.”

“Oh. Poor Sally. We heard all about it whenwe arrived. We’ve been discussing her as a matter of fact.”

“That’s what I’d like to do,” Cobb said, “butfirst I want to talk to people who’ve got names besides the knightsof the Round Table.”

With obvious reluctance, Pugh, GardinerClough and Simon Whitemarsh introduced themselves, their voicesbarely above a whisper.

“I understand you admired Sally Butts,” Cobbbegan.

Pugh decided to be spokesperson for thegroup. “Yes, we did. She sang like a warbler. We came here mainlyto hear her sing.”

“You were not attracted to her in any otherway?”

Pugh feigned umbrage despite hissurroundings, heavy with the scent of opium and tawdry sex. “Ofcourse not. There are other girls here for that sort of stuff.”

“None of you decided to follow her after sheleft?”

“Why would we do that?” Clough said.

“I’m lookin’ fer witnesses,” Cobb saidcraftily. “Some sewer rat from Devil’s Acre slit Sally’s throat,and I need to know if any of you gentlemen, who left right afterthe girl, saw anyone suspicious lurkin’ in the area.”

“I did not,” Whitemarsh said, “but then I gosouth and I was told Sally was found some blocks west of here.”

“And if I see anyone suspicious inthis place,” Clough said, “I look immediately the other way.I go east, and I don’t recall seeing anyone at all. And it wassnowing, so you couldn’t see much anyway.”

“You go west, then?” Cobb said to Pugh.

“I do. As does Sally. But she was ten minutesahead of us. And we must’ve taken different routes because I didn’tcome across her body in that alley.”

“Sorry we can’t help you,” Clough said. Andit was obvious from his tone that the Cavaliers did not seethemselves as suspects.

“Did any one of you lose a glove last night?”Cobb said abruptly.

There was a collective shaking of heads, andCobb thought of pulling the glove from his pocket to see if itmight prompt a startled look. But he didn’t. Instead he said, “I’dlike your home addresses, in case I need to speak to youagain.”

“Is that absolutely necessary?” Pughsaid.

“I don’t see how we could help further,”Clough said.

“I live with my mother,” Whitemarsh said,“and she’s very easily upset.”

“It’s just a formality,” Cobb said, enjoyingthe feel of that big word rolling off his tongue. If this detectivebusiness kept up, he’d be sounding like a gentleman soon.

“Very well, then, if you insist,” Pughsaid.

Cobb took down their addresses, then wentover to the piano, where Madame LaFrance had been standing, keepinga close watch on him and her clients. “I’d like to speak to some ofyer girls — alone, please,” he said.

“They’re all busy but Nell,” Madame said.“And I think I ought to be present when you speak with her.”

Sure you do, Cobb thought, so you can makecertain she doesn’t say anything to disturb the smooth running ofthe business.

“Alone,” Cobb said.

“Very well. I’ll fetch her.”

Madame LaFrance went into an adjoining roomand came out with Nell, a big-haired, florid woman with too muchmake-up and tired, world-weary eyes.

“Nell, this policeman would like to ask yousome questions.” Madame LaFrance gave Nell a knowing look anddrifted over to the Cavaliers.

“Sally and I were close,” Nell said, chokingup.

“Good. Then you’ll know if there was anyonehere in the house who might’ve been pesterin’ her in some way.”

“Many of the gentlemen was attracted to her,”Nell said. “It was that pretty blond hair. And, of course, shewasn’t available, was she?”

“That made her more attractive, did it?”

“Yes, it did.”

“Was there anyone in particular who standsout? Who might’ve pursued her more than the others?”

“Well,” Nell said hesitantly, “I reallycouldn’t say.”

“You want me to catch the man who killed yerfriend, don’t you?”

“Oh, yes. I’d like to strangle himmyself.”

“Then tell me who the gentleman was, Nell,”Cobb said bluntly.

Nell paused, then said, “Mr. Gawain overthere.”

“Did he approach her directly?”

“He’d come up to her after she finished asong and try to get her to go upstairs with him. In a banterin’sort of way, but I know he was serious. I can always tell.”

“And she rebuffed him?”

“She was awful nice about it, but, yes, shedid.”

“And did he keep on approachin’ her?”

“Just about every night he was in here.”

“And how often does he come here?”

“Three, sometimes four evenin’s a week. Andalways with his pals, the Cavaliers.” She stifled a giggle.

“Thank you, Nell, you’ve been a bighelp.”

“You won’t tell him I told on him, willyou?”

“No-one will know what you’ve told me,” Cobbassured her.

As she turned to leave, Cobb thought of afinal question. “Did anyone come in here tonight askin’ about alost glove?”

Nell was taken aback for a moment. Then shesaid, “Yes, they did.”

“Who?”

“It was Mr. Gawain.”

Cobb thanked her and stared over at Pugh, whowas busy chatting comfortably with his fellow knights. Cobbrealized that he had to get Pugh alone and at a disadvantage togrill him about the glove and about his obsession with Sally Butts.His own home, with his wife hovering, would be the ideal place. Andhe had the address.

He nodded to Madame LaFrance and headed forthe anteroom. Beside the several halltrees crammed with hats andcoats sat two rows of boots — in assorted shapes and sizes. Cobbspotted one very large pair among them and turned one of them over.There was no design cut into the sole. Well, he thought, hecouldn’t be that lucky. But he had found out a fair amount in ashort time.

As he turned to go, Nell came up to him. “Iforgot to mention that Sally had a boy friend.”

Cobb stared at her and said, “He camehere?”

“Oh, you know about him, then? A Mr. JohnKray.”

“I do. But I didn’t know he came here.”

“Oh, he didn’t come inside, ever. But we’dsee him hangin’ about, and Sally told me he followed her sometimes.She wouldn’t speak to him though.”

“He wasn’t around here last night by anychance?”

“That’s just it. He was. When I was lettin’ agentleman in — oh, about nine-thirty — I saw him at the corner ofthe house, just lurkin’ in the snow.”

So, Cobb thought, another lie. Kray had notbeen gambling all night. And Pugh had indeed lost a glove. Cobbthanked Nell again, and left — much satisfied with his evening ofdetection.

***

Cobb was at Kray’s house at nine the next morning.Kray himself answered the door.

“I’ve got a bone to pick with you, Mr. Kray,”Cobb said as he entered the front room of the small cottage.

“I answered your questions yesterday,” Kraysaid. He looked dreadful, a combination of hangover and grief, orregret.

“But you didn’t answer them with the truth,sir.”

“What do you mean?”

“You were seen skulkin’ about MadameLaFrance’s about nine-thirty on the night of the murder.”

Kray heaved a huge sigh. “So I was. But thatwas all I did. I could hear her sing, even see her, standing nearthe window by the piano. Sometimes she would wander close enoughfor me to see her beautiful hair. Like a halo, it was. She was anangel.”

“Why did you lie to me?”

“I didn’t want you to suspect me. You knewI’d been turned down and that I continued to follow her. I didn’twant to be involved. I wanted to grieve quietly. I been up to seeher parents. They’ve been kind to me, despite everything.”

“You didn’t wait fer her to come out?”

Kray looked at his feet. “She surprised me bycoming out at ten o’clock. I was just getting ready to go back toDowd’s.”

“And you spoke with her?”

“I did.”

“And?”

“That’s the gospel truth, sir. We argued. Shetold me to stop following her. I told her it was dangerous inDevil’s Acre. If only she’d listened — ”

“So she left — on her own?”

Kray choked back a sob. “Yes, she did. I wentback to my gambling. And she was killed by some brute.”

Who might well have been you, Cobb thought.And these tears are after the fact and fraught with remorse. Cobbthen did a strange thing. He stared down at Kray’s feet. They werevery large despite the fellow’s medium build.

“You have very large feet, Mr. Kray.”

Kray looked startled by the comment. “I do.So what of it?”

“May I see the boots you were wearing twonights ago?”

“If you must. But I don’t see what you’d wantto do that for.”

“Just show them to me.”

Kray went over to a mat near the door andpicked up a large pair of walking boots. Cobb took one and examinedthe sole. There was a manufacturer’s logo cut into the sole, butthe design was not similar to the one he was looking for.Nevertheless, there could be other boots — perhaps jettisoned orburned.

“So you’re denyin’ you followed Sally Buttsand slashed her throat?”

Kray dropped the other boot. “Of course Ididn’t,” he said. “I loved her.”

Cobb backed out the door, thinking hard.

***

Cobb had planned to write up another report forChief Cyril Bagshaw — to prove that he was using his timeproductively — but never got the chance. Bagshaw was waiting forhim.

“In my office, Constable,” he said, alertingGussie French, fussing with his pens, to the fact that trouble wasin the wind.

Cobb followed the Chief inside.

Bagshaw stood behind his desk and glared atCobb, still standing. “I’ve just had Bartholomew Pugh in here, sir,and he was not a happy gentleman.”

“About the man, sir, I — ”

“I don’t want excuses, Cobb, because therearen’t any. You had the brazen gall to disturb three respectablegentlemen of the town in their evening of relaxation and pleasure.And you practically accused them of murdering Sally Butts!”

“But, sir, I treated them as potentialwitnesses. They were out there — ”

“You don’t get the point, do you, Cobb. Theseare gentlemen. They must be treated as gentlemen. If we wishto interview them, we make an appointment, we do not spring uponthem unannounced in a brothel! You embarrassed them, Cobb. For nogood reason.”

“I didn’t know their names to make anappointment,” Cobb pleaded. “I figured they’d be there and I’d atleast find out who they were.”

“Then why did you, having gotten their names,not make an appointment then and there? And apologize forinterrupting them so rudely?”

Cobb paused, lowered his voice and said,“Pugh was lyin’ to me, sir.”

“What are you talking about?”

“He denied losin’ a glove. I found one,remember, near the crime. And Nell, one of the girls, told me hehad earlier been askin’ after it. If it is his glove, and I’m sureit is, then he was within a block of the crime at about the time itwas bein’ committed.”

Bagshaw paused before saying, “I see. But youdon’t know whether his lost glove, if he did lose one, matches theone you found?”

“I’d like to find that out, sir, by goin’ tohim and askin’ him about it. I’d like him to show me the left-handglove he didn’t lose.”

“Well, then, we’ll do it my way, Cobb — theproper way. I’ll send a message to his home that we would like tointerview him, at his convenience.”

“We?”

“Yes, Cobb. I’m going to do theinterviewing, to show you how to interrogate a gentleman. You’llcome along and observe closely everything I do. I’m assuming you’recapable of learning.”

“Just as long as we get at the truth, sir,”Cobb said, not a little upset at the rough treatment his detectinghad received. He took the opportunity, though, to tell Bagshawabout his visit with John Kray.

“Now that’s a more likely candidate formurderer,” was Bagshaw’s only comment.

***

Bartholomew Pugh sent back word that he would bepleased to meet with the chief of police at four o’clock thefollowing day. Cobb, with no discernible detecting to do, was sentback on his day-patrol until a half-hour before the appointment. Hejoined Bagshaw at the police quarters just after three-thirty, andthey walked together down to Front Street and over towards Brock,where the Pugh residence, a substantial brick structure, stoodstaring out at the snow-covered bay.

They were greeted by a butler who knew agentleman when he spotted one, and was not fooled by Bagshaw’sgentlemanly clothes. With a series of curt nods he showed them intoa study where Pugh, portly and flushed, sat smoking a pipe andsipping at a snifter of brandy. He stood partway up and motionedthe policemen to take a chair. He did not offer them drinks.

“That will be all, Smithers,” he said to thebutler, who looked as if he did not wish to leave his master in theroom with the visitors. “Now, sir, what can I do for you,” he saidto Bagshaw.

“As you know, I’m Cyril Bagshaw, chiefconstable, and this man you’ve already met,” Bagshaw said.

Pugh glanced narrowly at Cobb. “We have,under regrettable circumstances.”

“I do apologize again, sir, for theunforgivable behaviour of Mr. Cobb. But he’s new at this game,that’s all I can say on his behalf. And I take it you have arrangedfor us to arrive at a — a private moment.”

Pugh smiled conspiratorially. “My good wifeis out shopping,” he said, man to man. “There’s no need for her toknow anything about Madame LaFrance’s, is there? She’s of adelicate nature.”

“Not at all, sir. We’re most happy to obligeyou.”

“And I’ll oblige you, if I can. What is ityou need to know that Mr. Cobb didn’t discover two nights ago?”

“Well, sir, one of the inmates of the houseof pleasure told Cobb that you inquired about a lost glove.”

Pugh sat back and adjusted his belly. “I see.So you are wondering why I denied losing a glove.”

“Something like that,” Bagshaw said.

“Well, there’s an obvious explanation, isn’tthere?”

“And what might that be?”

“The girl is lying, isn’t she?”

“That had occurred to me,” Bagshaw saidquickly.

“After all, sir, the woman is a whore. Andwould you accept the word of a whore over that of a respectablecitizen?”

“Of course not. So this glove we found nearthe crime scene is not yours?” Bagshaw said, holding out the glovehe had taken from Cobb.

“I’ve never seen it before in my life,” Pughsaid.

“Then you have cleared up the point nicely,sir. Thank you for your generous cooperation.”

The policemen got up, Cobb seething butsilent. Smithers directed them to the door. Outside, Bagshaw said,“Now that is how to conduct an interview with a gentleman, Cobb.And how we get at the truth. Now you know you’ll have to lookelsewhere for the owner of said glove.”

“What about Pugh’s obsession with SallyButts?” Cobb said.

“She was practically a whore,” Bagshaw saidsharply. “Why would a gentleman treat her as anything other?”

Cobb seethed all the way to the policequarters, but no more was said about Bagshaw’s lesson ininterrogation.

In the office, Bagshaw had some furtheradvice for his apprentice. “Now, Cobb, if I were you, I’d be busygetting more evidence against John Kray, a real suspect in thiscase. Get a warrant and search that house of his for a pair ofboots and a missing glove. And a skinning knife.”

At this point they were interrupted by thearrival of Ewan Wilkie, looking pale around the gills.

“What is it, Wilkie?” Cobb said. “What’shappened?”

“We’ve got another body. In an alley near thebrothel.”

“When was it found?” Bagsahw said.

“Just now, sir. It’s a girl. But she wasmurdered sometime last night. The body was stiff and cold.”

So much for Mr. Kray, Cobb thought.

FOUR

Marc Edwards finished his breakfast and headed forthe meeting-room, in actuality a private dining-room of theClarendon Hotel, where he was staying here in Kingston with hisassociates, Robert Baldwin and Francis Hincks. Louis LaFontaine wasscheduled to join them this morning, walking down from the inn onBrock Street, where the French delegation from Quebec was residing.Marc had been in Kingston for the last three days, having beensummoned here by Robert to assist him and Hincks with theircorrespondence and policy discussions. The principal topic was, ofcourse, the alliance being forged between the moderate Reformers ofUpper Canada (now Canada West) and the moderate French rougeparty of Lower Canada (now Canada East). The union of the twoprovinces was now a proclaimed reality. Governor Poulett Thomson,Lord Sydenham, had made it official in February of this year, 1841.Elections across both sections of the new Province of Canada werescheduled for April, the resulting Parliament to meet in the newlydesignated capital of Kingston.

Most of the discussions thus far had focussedon a riding by riding analysis of the prospects of variouscandidates who would be sympathetic to the alliance cause and whostood a chance of being elected. A number of nominations were stillup for grabs, and both Robert Baldwin and Louis LaFontaine werehappy to use their influence to ensure favourable selections. Thisin turn generated a lot of letter-writing, and so Marc had beencalled in to assist Hincks and, occasionally, the French team (asMarc’s French was exceptional). Marc was also available as atranslator or interpreter, although Louis himself spoke passableEnglish and understood even more.

Robert and Hincks were waiting for Marc,having risen earlier and taken breakfast in their rooms. Marc knewhe should be thinking about the upcoming discussion, but his mindwas upon his wife Beth and their two children, Maggie and MarcusJunior. He hated leaving them behind in Toronto, and he realizednow that he would be needed here for weeks, not days. Little Marcuswas almost one and was starting to crawl all over Briar Cottage.And his babble-talk was approaching speech of some kind. But dutycalled, and Marc had rarely been able to resist its demands.Perhaps it was his years as an army officer. More probably it wasdue to his profound belief that the future of the new Canada lay inthe achievement of a responsible form of government in which theexecutive was fully accountable to the elected LegislativeAssembly.

“Good morning, Marc,” Robert said, wavingMarc to a seat at the table in the middle of the room. “We just gothere ourselves. We’re expecting Louis shortly.”

“Louis is bringing us the latest news on thestatus of our alliance,” Hincks said with his usual enthusiasticgrin.

In contrast to Hincks, Robert Baldwin was anordinary looking man, one who did not command the attention of aroom until he spoke. And even then his voice was soft and rarelyraised in anger or enthusiasm. He was now in his mid-thirties andof medium height and build. His most arresting feature was hisbold, intelligent eyes under their dark, almost brooding brows.Hincks was a fair-haired Irishman with regular features and a readysmile to accompany his forceful manner of speech and his readywit.

“I think we can expect in excess offorty-five from among our group and Louis’ supporters,” Robertsaid. “And we’ve already got you on the Executive Council,” Hinckssaid to Robert.

Robert looked over at Marc. “And I’ve got togive you a proper explanation of why I agreed to enter a cabinetwith Tories like William Draper, and you’ve been tactful enough notto ask.”

Marc smiled, and waited.

“Well, I feel I can best promote the notionthat the cabinet as a whole is responsible to the majority opinionof the Assembly from within. It’s obvious that sooner than laterthe harmony of the cabinet — representative of every faction, itseems — will not last. The Governor will propose legislation thatwill be rejected by our alliance in the Assembly and bring mattersto a crisis point. When a stalemate ensues, I will suggest stronglythat Mr. Poulett Thomson, or Lord Sydenham as he’s now known,dissolve the Executive and form a new ministry reflective of theReform group that controls the Assembly.”

“He’ll be compelled to support responsiblegovernment in fact, if not in principle,” Hincks added. “And thatwill make it almost impossible to retreat to the old way of doingthings.”

“The Tories are counting on our alliance tocollapse, once the French get here and find themselves in athoroughly English milieu,” Robert said.

“But we’ve got Louis LaFontaine in our camp,eh?” Marc said.

And as if on cue, LaFontaine entered theroom. And commanded instant attention. He was unusually tall — almost Marc’s height — a sort of tallish Napoleon, for he wore hishair brushed forward like Bonaparte’s, and his left hand oftenfound its way into his jacket, much as the Emperor’s had wheneverhe was posing. Whether this was a nervous tic or a deliberategesture was a matter of debate amongst those who knew Louis. But itwas the stillness at the centre of him that commanded respect, aquiet fortitude, an unflinching quiescence that bespoke authorityand fierce conviction. At his side was a short, middle-aged, darkcomplexioned fellow with a large nose and bushy eyebrows.

Louis was greeted by those around the table,and he in turn introduced his companion. “This is Gilles Gagnon, mysecretary and my right-hand man,” he said in slightly accentedEnglish. “You’ve heard me speak of him before.”

“Welcome, Monsieur Gagnon,” Robert said,rising to shake his hand.

“Gilles, please,” Gagnon said, smiling.

“Well, please take a seat, gentlemen. We’vegot plenty of business to discuss,” Robert said, and proceeded tointroduce Marc and Hincks to the newcomer.

The meeting got underway with no furthersmall talk. Robert reviewed the situation in the ridings of CanadaWest, where the Reform party expected to garner twenty of theforty-two seats. The rest would be split among the Conservatives,or moderate Tories, the diehard Tories, including the Loyal OrangeLodge, the extreme Reformers or Clear Grits, and variousindependents. Robert then turned to Louis.

“The rouge should take twenty-five ormore seats,” Louis said, “with the rest split evenly among theEnglish and French Conservatives.”

“Is there any chance the French will alignwith our Conservatives or Tories?” Hincks asked.

“Not a chance,” Louis said. “They aredetermined to act as a rump group only, as defenders of all thingsFrench. They have no interest in the new economy or the Britishmonarchy.”

“So it’s certain that our moderate Reformersand your rouge Nationalists will form the single largestgroup in the new Assembly?” Robert said.

Louis hesitated. “That is true, but I’mafraid that is only if I can hold our own people together and bringthem with me to your side, Robert.”

“There’s trouble in the ranks?”

“I’m afraid so. John Neilson is leading arump group of Ultra-Nationalists who want no truck with the Englishor with the union. They are planning to come here after theelection in April not to protect French rights and culture but tosee that the new Parliament does not work.”

“And he’s recruiting among your people?”Hincks said.

“He’s already wooed two or three to his campwith the prospect of many more. He’s using my own words againstme.”

LaFontaine had consistently railed in publicagainst the unfair terms of the union, whereby Quebec got the samenumber of seats with a third greater population and was saddledwith Upper Canada’s debt. Moreover, French, while technicallyallowed to be spoken in the Assembly, would not be made part of thepermanent record. However, Louis, earlier on, had been won over tothe potential of Baldwin’s idea of responsible government asproviding the only plausible avenue for Quebec gaining its demands.He was in favour of the union but not the terms. Neilson hadexploited that nicety and was stumping Canada East calling for acircling of the wagons. And was being listened to.

“If your group splits, we are finished,”Hincks said.

Robert looked grim. “I’ve been able to keepmy supporters on side by promising them a majority in the Assembly.If word leaks out that that is in jeopardy, the results could becalamitous.”

“But you are still the foremost politician inQuebec,” Marc said to LaFontaine.

A small, appreciatory smile played at thecorners of Louis’ mouth. “I am not without resources, ortactics.”

“You have a plan to stop the bleeding?”Hincks said.

“Yes. That’s why I brought along Gilles thismorning.”

Gagnon smiled broadly.

“Gilles has come up with an idea we want torun past you.”

Gagnon looked around the table and said inFrench, “My English is not good enough to express what I have tosay today. Would Monsieur Edwards be kind enough to translate forme?”

Marc nodded, and as Gagnon spoke and pausedjudiciously, Marc translated his remarks for Hincks and Robert,even though they could understand quite a bit of French if it wasspoken slowly.

“Since Louis has lost favour with some of ourcomrades in Quebec, we decided we needed another spokesman, someonewith battlefield credentials and political weight. We identifiedHenri Thériault. He was wounded at the Battle of St. Eustache in‘thirty-seven, trying to prevent the English militia from blowingup the church. He escaped to Montreal, where he was successfullyhidden away from the troops in search of him. Before the rebellion,he was a member of the Assembly and a confederate of Nelson andPapineau. He now lives near Chateauguay on his family’s farm. Iwent to visit him last week. I laid before him our ambitious planto make the union and the new Parliament work in our favour. He hasgreat respect for Louis, but naturally hates the English. His ownfarm, near St. Eustache, was razed and his wife and childrenterrorized. But I put our case forcefully. I told him he did nothave to love the English, that Monsieur Baldwin was a man of greatcharacter and fortitude and would help us move towards a kind ofgovernment that would have to carry out the true wishes of thepeople, including those in Quebec. We talked of reparations andmoves to preserve the French language and education. He was quitetaken with the details of the alliance that I conveyed to him.”

“And he’s agreed to be our spokesman?” Hinckssaid in French.

Gagnon sighed. “Alas, no.”

“But we thought — ”

“All is not hopeless,” Gagnon said. “It’strue that Neilson had also been in touch with Thériault, trying,like us, to get him to come out of his isolation and fight forQuebec. Even the bleu had approached him. You see howvaluable he is thought to be as a spokesman for those who’vesuffered most from the failed rebellion. He is a charismaticspeaker when he puts his mind to it.”

“So he didn’t give you a flat ‘no’?” Robertsaid.

“He said he was intrigued by our plans. Butalso said he is seriously considering Neilson’s offer of contestinga safe seat in the April election. He’s going to make up his mindwhether to join him or us in the next week or so.”

“Well,” Hincks said, “that’s almost goodnews.”

“There’s more to come,” Louis said.

Gagnon smiled again. “We have, as you Englishsay, an ace up our sleeves. An ace that is right here inKingston.”

“What is that?” Robert said.

“It’s a who, not a what,” Louis said. “Gilleslearned by a lucky accident that there is in town a young man whohas come here from Toronto to help his fiancée arrange theirwedding in April. She’s a Kingston woman. His name is ChristopherPettigrew.”

“Oh,” Marc said. “I’ve already met him. He’sstaying here at this hotel, though he’s not here a lot. His fiancéetakes up most of his time. But I liked him very much. He’s also anardent supporter of the Reform party. We had a brief butinteresting talk about politics. I think he’d like to help us.”

“And we would like him to do just that,”Louis said. “You see, the person who hid out Henri Thériault whenhe was fleeing the English troops was none other than youngChristopher Pettigrew.”

There was amazement all around. Gilles Gagnontook up the tale. “I got this story from Thériault himself, whosaid there was only one Englishman he trusted — ChristopherPettigrew. Pettigrew was articling law in Montreal back in‘thirty-seven. One night, after the rebellion had started, he hearda knock on his front door and opened it to find a bleeding andsemi-conscious man on his doorstep. He helped the man inside andtended to his wounds as best he could, as Thériault ordered him notto fetch a doctor. Moments later, the redcoats arrived, butPettigrew was able to convince them that the escapee had been therebut had been turned away and fled farther into the city. Thériaultstayed safely at Pettigrew’s place for three weeks. Pettigrew wasbilingual and the men became friends. Pettigrew, as it turned out,was a Reform sympathizer and approved of the rebellion in bothprovinces.”

“And this Pettigrew is staying right here?”Hincks said, much excited.

“He is,” Marc said, “and wants to behelpful.”

“How do you see him helping?” Robert askedLouis.

“I’d like you people to make him familiarwith our plans, and then ask him if he would write a personalletter to Thériault, endorsing them. His opinion may carry moreweight than our own. We’ve got the man on the hook, now we need toreel him in. Certainly we don’t want him going over to theUltra-Nationalists. That would be disastrous.”

“Would you like me to approach Pettigrew?”Marc said.

“That would be great, Marc,” Robert said.“Would you approach him and ask him if he would be willing to meetwith us, say, tomorrow morning at this same hour?”

“I’ll get right on it,” Marc said.

Other routine business was then carried on,but the undercurrent of excitement roused by theThériault-Pettigrew link continued apace. A half-hour later themeeting broke up, and Marc went looking for ChristopherPettigrew.

***

Marc was told by the hotel manager that Mr.Pettigrew had gone to his fiancée’s home for the day and would notreturn until the supper hour. Marc thanked him and, having the restof the day to wait, decided to take up an offer that had been madeto him yesterday evening. Bert Campion, the architect who wassupervising the conversion of the hospital to a legislature, hadinvited him to go along and inspect the progress of the work.

At eleven o’clock the two men set out inCampion’s cutter. They drove to the western edge of the city, pastits cold, limestone façades, and entered the forested countryside.The hospital, which had nearly been completed before beingdesignated the site of the new Parliament, lay about a mile beyondthe town on several cleared acres. As they came up to it, Marc wasimpressed by its overall size, but not so impressed by the bleak,two-storey face it directed at the world.

“It’s what’s inside that counts,” Campionsaid amiably.

They entered a large foyer that had justrecently been finished.

“I did what I could with this,” Campion said.“Come on and I’ll show you the Assembly chamber. It’s almostcompleted.”

They swung to the left down a long corridor.From the right, Marc could hear hammers banging away and the whineof a saw.

“The men are in there working on theLegislative Council chamber,” Campion pointed out as they came to aset of double doors — in pristine oak.

“Through here.”

They entered the Assembly chamber. Marc drewin his breath. The room was like finding a jewel in a garbage heap.It was spacious, airy, and redolent with several types of hardwood- on its floors, its banisters, its elegant rows of green-leatheredchairs. Light flowed in from a set of high windows on thesouth-east wall.

“Those windows gave me the most trouble,”Campion said.

After the architect had finished pointing outa number of the chamber’s more august features — including anornate speaker’s chair — the two men went back along the halltowards the sound of the hammering. They stepped into a room muchsmaller than the Assembly chamber and decidedly unfinished. Theworkmen, five of them, were in the process of putting up the lathon the brick walls, preparatory to plastering them as soon as theweather became warm enough. They moved past several piles of lathsticks, towards one of the workmen.

“Don’t let me interrupt you,” Campion said tohim. Then to Marc he said, “This is my foreman, Earl Dunham. Earl,this is Mr. Edwards.”

“Pleased to meet you, sir,” Dunham said. Marcnodded.

“How are they proceeding, Earl?” Campionasked.

“Not as fast as they might, sir,” Dunhamsaid, glancing over sharply at two of the workmen near one of thewindows.

“What’s the problem?”

“It’s mostly the Frenchies, sir. They keeppretendin’ they don’t know what I’m talkin’ about, but theyunderstand every word. And I certainly don’t plan on speakin’ thatgarble they call French.”

“You’ve got French workers here from Quebec?”Marc said, surprised.

Campion sighed. “It was the Governor’s idea,”he explained. “All the workmen are from Lower Canada — I stillcan’t say Canada East — so Lord Sydenham thought that in theinterests of demonstrating unity, we should have a certain quota ofFrench-speaking men. The only proviso was that they speak someEnglish.”

“Which ain’t been met in the case of Jardinand LeMieux,” Denham said. “And I had to fire Jardin’s brotheryesterday for talkin’ back to me — in English and French!“

“Well, just do your best,” Campion said. “Youdid a great job on the other chamber.”

“I’m also havin’ trouble with Manson,” Dunhamsaid.

“But he’s not French — ”

“No, sir. But he’s never gotten over me bein’made foreman instead of him.”

Campion turned to Marc. “You see what I haveto put up with?” he said. He turned back to Dunham. “We can’tafford any more delays. The election starts in a few weeks and thisplace has to be ready by late April. So, please sort out yourworkmen, whatever it takes. And try not to fire any more. There areno replacements.”

“Yes, sir. And there is one more thing.”

“And what is that?”

“We had a bundle of lath stolen again lastnight. We could be short if this keeps up.”

“This has been going on for three nights,”Campion said to Marc. “The thief doesn’t take much, just enough forkindling for a day, I figure.”

“Sounds like it might be youngsters,” Marcsaid.

“That’s what I think.”

“How do they get in?”

“The front doors aren’t finished, and thereis no lock on the chamber door.”

“”I was thinkin’, sir,” Dunham said, cap inhand, “that I could come up here tonight and keep a watch. At leastfor the early part of the evenin’ when the thievin’ is mostlikely.”

“It’s awfully cold out here,” Campion said,“but I think it’s a good idea.”

“I’ll do it, then, sir. Now I must get backto work.”

“There seems to be trouble in the workplace,”Marc observed as they headed for the door.

“Dunham’s a first-rate lath man, but I’m notsure I should have made him foreman. He turned out to bepassionately anti-French.”

“Was he by any chance affected by therebellion?”

“Not really. He himself was in the militia.But that’s no doubt where he picked up his hatred of the French. Itwas contagious there.”

“It’s contagious in a lot of places,” Marcsaid. “But perhaps when this legislature gets up and running, wecan begin to do something about it.”

“Let’s hope so.”

***

Christopher Pettigrew came to Marc’s room at seveno’clock that evening, having gotten Marc’s message. He was a tall,slim young man in his mid-twenties with a shock of blond hair andpiercing blue eyes.

“Come on in,” Marc said. “We talked brieflyyesterday.”

“I remember. You wanted to see me?”

“Yes, I did. It’s about politics, in which, Iunderstand, you are not uninterested.”

“You are correct. And I do know that you area close friend of Robert Baldwin and Francis Hincks.”

“And you are a supporter of the Reformparty?”

“Very much so.”

Marc ushered Pettigrew over to an easy chair,and sat down opposite him. “I suppose you’ve heard the rumoursabout the alliance between the Reformers and therouge?’’

“Hasn’t everyone? I’ve seen Louis LaFontainewalking in the street.”

“The secret is certainly out, but ouropponents do not really believe we can pull it off — French andEnglish in one united front. Especially only four years after abloody rebellion.”

“I’d like to help in any way I could.”

Marc leaned forward. “You are known to be afriend of Henri Thériault.”

Pettigrew was taken aback. “How did you knowthat?”

“Gilles Gagnon, LaFontaine’s associate,interviewed him a few days ago in Chateauguay at his family’s farm.He heard the story of your rescuing Thériault from the manhimself.”

“Is Henri part of your alliance?”

Marc smiled. “That is what we hope toachieve. And we do need your help in that regard.”

Marc proceeded to tell Pettigrew aboutThériault’s initial reluctance to join the alliance and hisdetermination to come to a decision soon. What was needed wassomeone Thériault trusted amongst the English to reiterate thegoals of the alliance and the details of their platform to the manin such a way as to render it credible and persuasive. Anyadditional personal pleas could be appended.

“You want me to sit down and write Henri aletter?” Pettigrew said when Marc had finished.

“That’s right. And attend a strategy meetingtomorrow morning. I’ve sketched out the material we want you tostress, and I’ll sit beside you and help out in any way I can. Butthe words must be yours and in your handwriting. Will you doit?”

“I’m not a great letter writer, but I’lltry.”

“Good man.”

***

For the next hour Marc sat beside ChristopherPettigrew at the desk in his room and supervised the penning of aletter whose persuasiveness might determine the success or failureof the entire alliance movement. Pettigrew was diligent, as hesaid, but no letter writer. Marc was called upon to give advice atevery point. But slowly the details came together, and Marc wasable at last to suggest that he step aside and let Pettigrew writea personal note to his friend Henri.

Pettigrew went at this aggressively, butabout halfway through he paused and began nibbling at his pen.

“What is it? Are you stuck?” Marc said fromthe other side of the room.

“Oh, no, it’s going well, I think. It’s justthat in writing this personal stuff to Henri, I was reminded of mysister, Christine.”

“In what way?”

“Well, you see, I’ve been writing her everytwo or three days since I got here two weeks ago, and tonight was atime for me to write her again.”

“Your sister’s in Toronto?”

“Yes. And she’s my twin sister. We livetogether in a house in the north-east section of the city. We’velived on the estate all our lives. Both our parents are dead, soChristine and I have only each other. As twins we’ve always beenclose, and we’re even closer through necessity. We’ve never beenapart — not in twenty-five years — except for the time four yearsago when I was articling in Montreal.”

“And your sister is missing you?”

“Very much. She’ll be devastated if shedoesn’t get a letter. So I’ll just finish this one up and then goback to my room and write one to her.”

“Will you live in Toronto with your newbride?”

“Oh, yes. I couldn’t leave Christine alone — ever.”

“Has your sister met your fiancée?”

“No, she hasn’t. And she has not taken to thewedding idea too well. I worry constantly about her. I may have toreturn to Toronto for a while, even though I’m committed to stayinghere until the wedding in April. I have business interests aswell.”

“Well, Christopher, we would very much likeyou to remain here in Kingston if you possibly can.”

“Do you need more letters?”

“That is a distant possibility. Your firstplea may not be enough. But it may bring him closer to our side.Further pleas may help materially, especially if Thériault repliesto the first one.”

“Well, I do hope to stay, Marc.”

“First, let’s get this letter finished and inthe mail.”

The young man dipped his pen in the ink andbegan to write again.

***

Three days later, Robert was waiting for Marc in thedining-room.

“I’ve got some news that may spell trouble,”Robert said.

“What’s happened?” Marc said. “Has Thériaultreplied?”

“No. A body’s been found — out at theParliament building.”

FIVE

Sarie Hickson made her way carefully through thesnow-clogged alleys of Devil’s Acre. Her feet read the way as ablind person reads Braille. She was humming a merry tune to herselfbecause tonight was an evening when she would be free of thebrothel, of its smells and its animal cries and its dialogues ofdespair. Sure, she was still a prostitute and was going to continuethat service when she reached her destination, but there would bemuch more than a mere groping in the candle-lit dark, and such areward afterwards. And she would be called upon to use skills shehad learned as a child in pageants and tableaux. Thinking of this,she unconsciously put her hand up to the big blond wig she waswearing and felt the swish of her long gown against the driftsbeneath her. She was ready.

She came out onto Jarvis Street, swung southto King, then east again to George. Here she soon found the houseshe was looking for. It was a brick mansion of two storeys with aportico in front and a set of elegant steps leading up to the frontdoor. She did not use them, however. Instead she went around oneside of the house along a well-worn path until she reached thetradesman’s entrance. She knew from past episodes that her loverwould have liked her to have made a grand entrance into the foyer,but that discretion forestalled this regal gesture. She rappeddiscreetly on the door. Carswell, the butler, answered it, andwithout looking directly at her, waved her inside. She followed himdown a winding hallway until they came to the master’ssitting-room. She entered and the door closed softly behind her.Secrecy, she knew, was paramount, and only Carswell among theservants knew what she was up to. The mistress of the house, asusual, was visiting her sister in Streetsville.

“Come in, Madame La Marquise.”

The voice was orotund and excited. Sarielooked across the room, past the roaring fireplace and the silvercandelabrum on a polished mahogany table to where the gentlemanstood awaiting her arrival. And this was no ordinary gentleman, forhe had a crimson cloak trimmed with ermine drooped over hisshoulders and falling in folds around him to the carpet below. Uponhis head there glittered a jewel-encrusted crown — at least itappeared thus in the flickering light. The rest of him was attiredin an Elizabethan doublet and hose, with a conspicuouscod-piece.

“Please remove your cloak, Your Highness,”the royal gentleman commanded.

Sarie smiled. “Yes, my dear Louis.” Sheremoved her coat to reveal the full splendour of her evening dress,fluffed and ruched and cut low to reveal two-thirds of her bosom. Astring of fake pearls — courtesy of King Louis — graced her neck,and upon her head sat a glorious blond wig.

“Madame de Pompadour, how thoughtful of youto grace the royal presence,” intoned Gardiner Clough, smiling asMadame de Pompadour curtsied before him.

“My wish is your command, Your Highness.”

“And you know what the king wishes of youtonight, don’t you?”

The Marquise de Pompadour began pulling thegown away from her breasts. “To be ravished by royalty, YourHighness.”

The king jerked his cod-piece aside and moved- in not too kingly a fashion — towards her. .

Later they play-acted a scene they hadperformed several times in the past. In bed (the folds of a rug), after spirited love-making, they nibbled at fruit and Louis toldher of the many battles he had fought in and the many soldiers hehad dispatched to Heaven or Hell. Then he pulled out a sheet ofpaper and read one or more proclamations, glorifying his power,while his mistress stroked his penis and lavished epithets ofpraise upon him. Sarie was particularly proud of this part of theperformance, never missing a cue and feeling quite cosy and safefrom the various terrors of the world outside.

“Would you like me to read a proclamation?”she said this evening, deciding to improvise a bit in order toprolong the performance.

“As you wish, my love.” Clough handed her thepaper he was holding.

Recalling a speech he had given last week — Sarie had a great memory — she mouthed the ringing words of aproclamation ordering out the troops to quell a riot in the streetsof Paris.

Suddenly, Clough snatched the paper away fromher. “I hope you didn’t look at the name at the top of that paper!”he said sharply.

“Oh, no, sir, I didn’t,” Sarie said. But shehad. She couldn’t help it. The paper he had decided to use had hisletterhead on it: Gardiner Clough, Esquire. Part of the arrangementthat Clough had with Madame LaFrance was that Sarie would know himonly as Sir Lancelot. She had been given directions to his house,but told nothing else. Nor did she want to know. Five shillings forhalf a night’s work was not to be sneezed at. But she had seen hisname and was afraid it showed on her face.

But Clough said evenly enough, “All right,Sarie. I believe you. You’re a good girl.”

“What will we do next week?” she asked.

“Robin Hood and Maid Marion.”

Sarie left happily with the coins in her coatpocket. She made her way back to the Jarvis Street entrance toDevil’s Acre. She had one more alley to negotiate when she heardthe thump of footsteps, heavily, behind her. She turned just intime to see the blade of a knife aimed at her throat.

***

There was a small crowd around the body when Cobbarrived. He had to nudge his way towards it and Dr. Withers,kneeling beside it.

“Throat slashed, just like the first one,”Withers said.

The body was lying face down, but the girl’sface was turned to the right, as if jerked that way by the slash ofthe blade that killed her. The snow, freshly fallen the previousevening, was soaked with her blood.

“A God-awful way to die,” Withers said.

“Who found her?”

“A woman named Nell from Madame LaFrance’sbrothel, she said. She’s standing right behind you.”

“I recognize this face,” Cobb said, turningtowards Nell. “She worked with you at the brothel.”

“It’s Sarie Hickson. Oh, God, poor Sarie.”Nell let her tears flow again.

“What time did you find her?”

“About an hour ago. She was supposed to behome by midnight, but when she didn’t come in, we figured she’dstayed over at her customer’s place. When she didn’t come forbreakfast, we began to get worried. So Madame LaFrance asked us togo out searching for her. We soon found her. Our house is justbeyond this alley.” She let out a sob. “She almost made it.”

“And what’s this?” Cobb asked as he bent overand picked up the big blond wig that lay in the snow a foot or sofrom the body.

“That’s the wig she wore fer thecustomer.”

“It looks like some sort of stage-wig,” Cobbsaid to Withers. “And that dress of hers looks like the costumefrom some play.”

“But she had the wig on her head, I’d say,”Withers said. “It just toppled off when she fell here.”

“So we’ve got another blond woman with herthroat slashed,” Cobb said.

“And it looks like the same knife, I’d say,although I’ll need to examine the wound carefully to be sure — backat my surgery.”

“Somebody don’t like prostitutes,” Cobb said,gazing sadly down at the lifeless body. “Any guess as to the timeof death?”

“Well, rigor has subsided, even in thisweather, so I’d say early this morning or late last night.”

“I should be able to track her movementsanyway, and pin down the time.”

“You gonna look for bootprints?” Withersasked.

“If I can find any prints,” Cobb said,glancing at the crowd. “But it snowed fer an hour last evenin’. Allthe traffic has come from the brothel side of the alley. I’ll godown the other direction. If the killer went east, I could pick upa trail.”

Cobb set off. Twenty feet past the body andthe mass of footprints left by the onlookers, he found what he wassearching for: a single set of giant bootprints. They swerved leftat the end of the alley and went farther east up a second alley. Hetracked them to where it opened onto Jarvis Street. There he bentdown and looked closely at them. The star-shaped pattern wasunmistakable. The same person had killed both young women.

The trail now went cold. Just before it did,Cobb noticed that the killer appeared to have been shuffling aboutat the end of the alley, as if waiting for the coast to clear onJarvis Street before venturing out. Cobb stepped onto Jarvis andsearched amongst the many competing sets of prints for any sign ofthe star shape. He found none. It was as if the killer had suddenlybecome invisible and vanished, or had somehow taken wing. Cobb wasthankful he didn’t believe in ghosts.

Just as he was turning back into the alley,he noticed, on the Jarvis boardwalk, an object he had overlookedbefore, half-buried in the snow. It was a white scarf. Agentleman’s silk scarf. He picked it up. On one end it had amonogram: a “P.” He put it in his pcoket. Then he went back to thescene of the crime. The coroner had left, but Wilkie was nowpresent and keeping the curious at bay.

Cobb addressed them — a cross-section heguessed, of the denizens of Devil’s Acre: gamblers, bootleggers,pimps, whores and worse. “Did anyone here see anythin’ in thenight? Or hear anythin’ unusual?”

“We wouldn’t pay it no mind if we did,” oneof the men answered. “There’s lots of strange noises in Devil’sAcre at night.”

“But we don’t go ‘round killin’ each other!”a woman shouted. “What’re the police gonna do about it, eh?”

“Oh, they don’t give a damn about us uphere,” another added. “To them we’re just riff raff.”

“We are doin’ everythin’ we can to find thekiller,” Cobb said. “But I’ve got to get a witness, don’t I? And Ineed yer cooperation.”

“I’ll wait here fer the undertaker,” Wilkiesaid, happy to be just an ordinary constable.

“In the meantime, I’ll go on down to thebrothel,” Cobb said

Nell joined him and they walked slowly backtowards Madame LaFrance’s place.

As they neared it, Cobb said, “Were you andSarie friends?”

“We was. The best. I never ever thoughtanythin’ like this could happen, even here. You might get beat upand yer money stolen, but not yer throat cut — like that.”

“Do you know where Sarie had been?”

“I’m not allowed to discuss customers. You’llhave to ask Madame LaFrance.”

“I intend to,” Cobb said.

***

Madame LaFrance brushed a single tear from her eyeand offered Cobb a cup of coffee. They were seated in a small denthat Madame obviously reserved for herself. It was comfortablyfurnished and sported a modest fireplace, in which a pleasant firewas now burning. Cobb loosened his collar and accepted thecoffee.

“Two of my girls murdered in cold blood,”Madame sighed. “I’ve been here four years and never had one of mygirls assaulted, let alone murdered. What is going on, Mr.Cobb?”

“I intend to find out, ma’am,” Cobb said,sipping his coffee. “But I need yer help.”

“How can I help?”

“You can tell me where Sarie Hickson was lastnight and explain why she was walkin’ alone through Devil’sAcre.”

Madame LaFrance put her coffee down. “I don’tsee how that can help you catch a knife-wielding fiend.”

“I need to know the time of death. When Ifind that, I’m goin’ to have several constables turn this placeupside down lookin’ fer witnesses. Someone saw or heardsomethin’.”

“Well, if you must know, Sarie was outvisiting a client. I let my girls do private sessions ingentlemen’s homes, provided I know who they are and how they’llbehave.”

“So Sarie was at a gentleman’s house,carryin’ out her duties?” Cobb felt a blush ease up his neck.

“She was scheduled for ten to twelve o’clock.She left here at nine-forty or so. I assume she left the job atmidnight, as usual.”

“The gentleman in question could tell me so,couldn’t he?”

Madame looked wary. “I don’t see any need foryou to know who he was.”

“I’m afraid I do.”

“As you know, I don’t know his real name. Thearrangements were made in the name he uses here. We have hisaddress only.”

“What was his name here?”

“Sir Lancelot.”

Gardiner Clough, thought Cobb. “That willdo,” he said.

“You can’t think a gentleman had anything todo with this?”

“Tell me, were the other two Cavaliers herelast night?”

Something like panic flitted across Madame’sface. “They were.”

“What time did they leave?”

In a voice just above a whisper, she replied,“Just past midnight.”

Cobb reached for his coat and pulled thewhite scarf from his pocket. “Do you recognize this?”

Madame looked at the scarf. “Many gentlemenhave silk scarves like that,” she said.

“But do they have a ‘P’ on them?” Cobb said,flashing the monogram.

“I don’t know what you’re getting at!”

“I’m thinkin’ that ‘P’ could stand fer Pugh,the real name of Sir Gawain.”

Madame looked as if she wished to clamp bothhands over her ears. “My gentlemen are gentlemen!” she cried, muchexercised. “Not cutthroats!”

“I picked up this scarf not two blocks fromwhere we found the body.”

“Then you’ll have to ask the owner yourquestions, won’t you?”

“I’ll do that, ma’am. Thanks fer thecoffee.”

“When can we have the body?” Madame asked. “Ifigure on burying Sarie properly, seeing as she had no real mom ordad.”

“Later today, I imagine. As soon as DocWithers gets through examin’ it.”

Madame LaFrance nodded, then turned to stareat the fire. Cobb let himself out.

***

Cobb knocked on the front door of bankerPugh’s residence. Smithers answered it.

“The tradesman’s entrance is around back,” hesaid, nose in the air.

“I’m a detective with the police,” Cobb said,liking the sound of that phrase.

“You have to use the rear entrance.”

“What I haveta do is speak with Mr. Pugh — immediately. On police business. Is he in?”

“I’ll inquire,” Smithers said. Then as if hecouldn’t help himself he added, “Sir.”

Smithers left Cobb cooling his heels for agood five minutes. He returned and said stiffly, “The master’s inthe library, and he has graciously agreed to see you.”

Cobb followed Smithers and eventually arrivedin said library. Pugh was standing by one of the shelves, fingeringa leather-bound tome.

“Well, Constable, what is it this time?” hesaid, his eye still on the book.

“There’s been another murder, sir.”

Pugh put the book down. “What do you mean,another murder?”

“Another young woman, sir. Sarie Hickson.Found not too far from the first one. Had her throat slashed. Bledto death.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, but what has it gotto do with me?”

“You were in Devil’s Acre last night. AtMadame LaFrance’s.”

“I don’t know how you found that out, butit’s none of your business. And I trust you’ll keep thatinformation to yourself.”

Ah, yes, Cobb thought. The wife was not toknow. “But you were there and left about midnight.”

“I have no idea what time I left.”

“Madame LaFrance says it was midnight.”

“Then that’s the time I left, isn’t it? Ihope you aren’t playing games with me. I am not amused by yourinterrogations.”

“Did you go straight home?”

“On my usual route, yes.”

Cobb withdrew the silk scarf. “Is this yours,sir?”

Pugh looked startled. He came across the roomand took the scarf in his hands. “I have half a dozen white silkscarves, Constable. So has every gentleman in town.”

“But notice the monogram on this one.”

Pugh looked at the capital “P.” He did notflinch. “None of my scarves is monogrammed. This cannot bemine.”

“Then you will not refuse when I ask you toshow me the gloves you normally wear when you go out in thisweather.”

“What are you driving at? I’ve already toldyou I didn’t lose a glove three nights ago.”

“Then you won’t mind showin’ me the ones youdidn’t lose.”

“I have several pairs the same. But since youinsist, I’ll humour you. But I shall have to report your behaviourto your superior, Mr. Bagshaw.”

“I’ll wait,” Cobb said.

Pugh left the room and came back severalminutes later. He had a pair of leather gloves in his hand. Hethrust them at Cobb. Cobb took the glove he had found in the alleyout of his other pocket. He examined it closely, next to the onesgiven him by Pugh.

“You see,” Pugh said, “I have a matchedpair.”

“But this one I brought is exactly the samekind of glove,” Cobb said. “Somewhere you’ve got the missin’mate.”

Pugh leaned forward and put both hands on thelibrary table, seething with anger.

“You were in that alley where Sally Butts waskilled,” Cobb said, “and you were loose in Devil’s Acre about thetime that Sarie Hickson was comin’ back from her appointment — ”

“Oh, damn it, all right!” Pugh criedsuddenly. “I was near the alley where Sally was killed! Are yousatisfied?”

“I see,” Cobb said, as surprised as he washappy that he had elicited this admission. “But you didn’t kill thegirl?”

“Of course, I didn’t, you fool! I wasinfatuated with her. Besotted with her.” He drew a deep breath andsaid, “I was at the near end of the alley. I saw Sally towards thefar end. And there was between us a huge man in a black overcoatwearing enormous boots. I saw him go up behind her and grab heraround the chest. I cried out and ran towards her. The dark figurecontinued on up the alley and disappeared around the corner. I wentto Sally. Her throat had been slashed. She was dying. I panicked. Ithought I might be accused of killing her because everybody at thebrothel knew I was obsessed with her. I ran back the way I came andsneaked off home by another route.”

“So the killer was a tall man with largeboots?”

“And a fur hat.”

“And you’re sure this ain’t yer scarf?”

Pugh shook his head. Cobb was almost inclinedto believe him. Certainly his description of the killer fitted withthe bootprints and their size. It didn’t seem probable that Pughwas making all this up. And Pugh, as a discreet glance at thefellow’s feet confirmed, had fairly small feet. Still, he wasn’tfully in the clear as far as Cobb was concerned. The extra bigboots could have been worn by anybody. But he realized he was notgoing to get anything more out of the man this day. He had a lotthough. He was pretty certain he now knew what the killer lookedlike.

He left quietly, avoiding Smithers.

***

Carswell, Gardiner Clough’s butler, was notstandoffish at all. He seemed to be expecting Cobb, for he usheredhim straight in. Then, ignoring the main hall, he took him by aroundabout route to the kitchen, where Clough, angular andhaggard-looking, was sitting beside the stove.

“Why the secrecy?” Cobb said, coming over,removing his coat and helmet, and sitting on a wooden chairopposite Clough.

“The wife,” Clough said.

Cobb had found out a little about Clough fromBagshaw, who took it upon himself to know what needed to be knownabout his betters. Clough had once been an active barrister, buthad married rich and was living nicely off his wife’s income. And,Cobb assumed, she would not approve of his peccadilloes.

“I just need to ask you a few questions aboutSarie Hickson,” Cobb said.

“I thought you might. I heard about her deathan hour ago. It came as a terrible shock, as you can imagine.Especially coming so soon after poor Sally.”

“She was killed the same way and by the sameperson who killed Sally Butts.”

“Then you’ve got to catch him, don’t you,before he kills again.”

“You can help us with that, sir.”

Clough looked up, his sharp features shadowedwith anxiety. “How?”

“Sarie was here last night.”

Clough nodded.

“She was a regular visitor?”

“Yes. Every week or so. Whenever my wife wasaway.”

“We found her in a strange costume.”

A brief smile passed over Clough’s face. “Ah,yes. She was playing Madame de Pompadour for me. She came and wentin costume.”

“What time did she leave?”

“Just before midnight, as usual.”

“Right. That confirms the time of death atabout twelve-fifteen. Thank you for that.” Cobb paused and thensaid, “You and Sarie had — ah, cordial relations?”

Clough was startled by the abruptness of thequestion. “Of course. She was a sweet girl. I’ll — I’ll miss hervery much.”

“Did she know who you were?”

“Of course not. She knew me only asLancelot.”

“But she knew this house, where you live,didn’t she?”

“How else could she get here?”

“She could easily figure out who livedhere.”

“But she didn’t, did she?”

Cobb wasn’t convinced by the vehemence ofthis response. He sensed a touch of panic in it.

“What are you driving at anyway?” Cloughsaid.

“I was just thinkin’ that you might bewillin’ to pay a lot fer keepin’ yer secrets safe from yerwife.”

“You think Sarie was blackmailing me? That’spreposterous!”

“If she was, that is a good motive fermurder, isn’t it?”

“But she wasn’t! And I may be a fool, but I’mno killer.”

Cobb realized he had, in his zeal, gone toofar. “I’m sorry fer bringin’ it up, sir.”

“I should think you would be!”

“You been very helpful.”

“Carswell will show you out.”

Via the roundabout route, Cobb thought.

***

Now that he had established the likely time of death- twelve-fifteen — Cobb went back to the police quarters to seekpermission to use two or three constables to do a house-to-houseinquiry in the block around the alley where Sarie Hickson had beenmurdered.

“Good work, Cobb,” Bagshaw said when Cobbtold him he had discovered the time of the murder from Clough..“And I trust you treated the gentleman properly?”

“With kid gloves, sir.”

“I’ll let you organize the house-to-house.Now fill me in on what else you’ve found out about this secondmurder.”

“Well, sir, I’m convinced we’re lookin’ atone killer and two crimes.”

“What do you base this bizarre conclusionon?”

“Bartholomew Pugh was a witness to the firstcrime, and he’s given us a clear description of Sally Butts’skiller: a tall gentleman with a fur hat, dark overcoat and bigboots.”

“That should prove helpful for finding thekiller of the first girl.”

“Well, we may get lucky and find a witnessfor the second crime, too. At least we’ll be able to comparedescriptions if we do.”

“But what’s the evidence for one killer?”

“The boots are the clearest link. I foundboot-tracks again — large boots with a star-shaped pattern on thesole. And Pugh says he saw a man with big boots.”

“Leading away from the scene?”

“Leading to Jarvis Street this time. Wherethey vanish.”

“But I told you before you cannot knowwhether these prints were made at the time of the murder. Theycould be just some gentleman on his way home.”

“But both girls were blond, sir. Sally hadher own hair and Sarie was wearin’ a blond wig. I’m sure that Sallywas taken fer a whore and Sarie was a known whore in Devil’s Acre.Those boots belong to a gentleman. So we’ve got a gentleman killerwho’s got it in fer blond whores, or just whores. He’ll kill again,I’m sure of it.”

Bagshaw leaned forward, taut as a spring. Histiny eyes shook in their sockets. “Now see here, Mr. Detective,you’re jumping to several conclusions at once. What do you want todo, spread panic through the city by saying we’ve got a maniac witha knife on the loose? No woman will feel safe on the streets!”

“But the crimes are in Devil’s Acre,sir.”

“And Devil’s Acre is full of respectablepeople every night of the week! No, Cobb, you’ve got two murders onyour hands. I want you to pursue John Kray for Sally Butts’smurder. He’s just the type of person to go off the deep end whenjilted. Get a warrant and search that house for a knife and aglove.”

“I’ve also got a gentleman’s scarf I foundnear the second scene with a ‘P’ on it,” Cobb said stubbornly.

Bagshaw’s gaze narrowed. “I know what you’rethinking, Cobb. I don’t want you near Pugh again. You’ve botheredhim enough, and you disobeyed me by seeing him without making anappointment.”

“I was thinkin’ of interviewin’ SimonWhitemarsh, sir. He was at the brothel last night and left aboutmidnight. He might’ve seen somethin’.”

“There you go again! You’re obsessed withgentlemen! That place is crawling with low-life and you’ve got topursue proper people.”

“Are you sayin’ I can’t talk toWhitemarsh?”

“Oh, go ahead. But I want Kray pursued, doyou hear? And I expect the house-to-house to turn up somethinguseful, considering the extra help I’m giving you. Now get out ofhere!”

Cobb was more than happy to leave.

***

While Rossiter and Wilkie took the description ofthe killer and went house to house in the area of each of thecrimes, Cobb got a search warrant from Magistrate Thorpe and wentto Kray’s cottage. Mrs. Kray answered the door, and was not pleasedto see the warrant Cobb brandished.

“You won’t find anything here, Cobb,” Kraysaid, trying to calm his mother. Cobb spent the next hourfruitlessly searching the Kray cottage. He felt foolish and veryannoyed with Bagshaw. It was so clear that the crimes wereconnected and that Kray had no motive whatsoever for killing SarieHickson.

“My son was home here all last night,” Mrs.Kray said in response to Cobb’s question. “From suppertime tillbreakfast.”

Cobb wasn’t surprised. He hoped, however, tobe surprised by the house-to-house inquiry. When he got back to thestation, however, he learned that no-one in Devil’s Acre had seenor heard anything. It was as if they had all been struck deaf anddumb. Fortunately the Chief was not there to hear the bad news: hehad been summoned to the Mayor’s office upstairs. Cobb decided togo and beard Whitemarsh — without an appointment.

Simon Whitemarsh answered his own door.

“I’m Constable Cobb.”

“I remember you, sir. What do you want?You’ve come at a very bad time.”

Cobb took a good look at Whitemarsh, whom heremembered from Madame LaFrance’s place as being a pasty-faced,soft-fleshed character with sleepy eyes. But the man before him wasquite flushed, as if he had been drinking, with bright red spots oneach of his cheeks. And his eyes were stark and staring, as ifhighlighted by kohl, with an unnatural brightness to them. Perhapshe had been taking opium.

“I’d like to ask you a few questions,” Cobbsaid.

“About Sarie Hickson’s death, I presume?”

“Yes, sir.”

“All right, then, come in. I can spare youfive minutes.”

“You live here alone?” Cobb said as heentered the vestibule.

“My mother shares the house. The servants areall out, as it happens.”

Whitemarsh did not move any farther into thehouse, so Cobb removed his helmet and said, “You were at MadameLaFrance’s last night?”

“You know I was.”

“I been told, yes, but I needed to hear itfrom you.”

“I was there until about midnight.”

“When you left fer home?”

“That’s right.”

“Did you go straight home?”

“I did. I go south to St. James and KingStreet.”

“Did you hear or see anythin’ unusual in thevicinity of the brothel?”

“Nothing. It was very quiet.”

“Except fer the murder of Miss Hickson, whichmust have happened only yards away from where you were shortlyafter midnight.”

“I’m sorry to hear of her death, but I’mafraid I cannot help you.”

“You ain’t lost a scarf?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“May I see yer foot, sir?”

“Good God, man, what are you up to?”

Cobb ignored him and glanced down at thefellow’s feet. They were exceptionally large. “May I see the bootsyou were wearin’ last evenin’?”

“You may certainly not. Do you think I hadanything to do with the murder? You must be crazier than youlook!”

“The killer wore boots with a special patternon the sole. I can stroke you off my list of suspects by checkin’yer boots.”

“It so happens that the boots I wore lastnight are at the repair shop today.”

“Then I’ll come back when they’rereturned.”

“Now, if that is all, I have business toattend to,” Whitemarsh said, turning away.

Cobb put his helmet back on. “Thank you feryer co-opt-eration,” he said.

As he was going down the front steps, itoccurred to Cobb that the man’s lips had been excessively red.Could he have been wearing make-up? Was he into playing games, likeClough? What a nest of vipers he’d stuck his nose into!

***

Bagshaw was waiting for him in the anteroom. “I’vejust come from the Mayor,” he said, his taut body quivering like atuning fork.

“Had a nice visit, did you?”

“Don’t be funny, Cobb. The Mayor wanted toknow all the details so far. I told him the little bit you’vemanaged to gather. And by Christ, he agrees with you!”

“Me?”

“Yes, you! He’s convinced there’s a madkiller on the loose in his town. And so are a number of citizenswho’ve heard of the second murder. He’s afraid of panic in thestreets. He thinks men will keep their wives indoors. He wants thiskiller caught.”

“I’ve got to start over,” Cobb said. “I’msure the killer is a gentleman, one of the gentlemen at thebrothel. I’ve been lookin’ at the three Cavaliers, but there are adozen regulars or more in that whorehouse. I’ve got to go up thereand rout them out, one by one.”

“You’ll do nothing of the kind, Cobb. You’vealready upset enough gentlemen. Gussie told me while I was out thatGardiner Clough came here and complained that you’d accused him ofmurder. I told you to go easy there, but you’re incapable oflistening.”

“But we can’t just sit on our hands.”

“We’re not going to. We’re going to go backto basic police work, the kind we did when I was with the Met.”

“Whaddya mean?”

“I mean patrolling, that’s what. We’re goingto put three men on patrol all night in Devil’s Acre. If this is amad killer, then he’ll strike again. And we’ll catch him before hecan wield the knife. We’ll patrol for as many nights as it takes.And I want you to quit playing detective and join Wilkie andRossiter on the patrols. I want experienced men out there. And Ihear you’re pretty good at wielding a truncheon.”

“But, Chief — ”

“No buts. You’ve failed as a detective. Let’ssee if you can remember how to be a policeman.”

Cobb went out — seething. His career as adetective had been short, and not very sweet.

SIX

“A body?” Marc said to Robert in the dining-room ofthe Clarendon Hotel.

“One of the workmen apparently. Found on thesite this morning by the other workmen when they arrived.”

“On the site? You mean the Parliamentbuilding?”

“Yes. Bert Campion just passed the news alongto me.”

“An accident?”

“Afraid not. It’s definitely murder. Thefellow was pole-axed with a hammer. Died instantly.”

“But what was the man doing out there afterdark?”

“I don’t know, but he was definitely killedovernight.”

“Do you think I should offer to helpout?”

Robert thought about the matter. Marc hadhandled more than half a dozen murder investigations in the pastfive years, and had been very successful in aiding the Torontopolice. But they were not in Toronto, and there were no municipalpolice as such here in Kingston, only the magistrate and twoconstables under his watch. “We need you here with us very much,”Robert said at last.

Just then Bert Campion came into theroom.

“I’ve just been over at the magistrate’s,” hesaid breathlessly. “And there’s news.”

“About the murder?”

“They’ve just sent a constable to arrest oneof the workmen, a Quebecer named Jacques LeMieux.”

“On what grounds?” Marc asked.

“It seems that the victim was killed with hishammer.”

“Is that all the evidence?”

“No. He was heard in a dive last eveningmaking drunken death threats against the victim. One of the otherworkmen was there and told the magistrate.”

“Who was the victim?”

“Earl Dunham, the foreman.”

“Oh, dear,” Robert said. “An English-speakingworker murdered by a French-speaking one. That’s very bad newsindeed.”

“What do you mean?” said the architect.

“We’re involved in delicate negotiations herewith our French colleagues. This sort of thing could raisetensions. And I suspect it would poison the workplace out at theParliament site.”

“That’s true,” Campion said with a sigh. “Thecarpenters are due in to lay the floor of the Legislative Councilchamber next week, and half of them are French.”

“The magistrate is sure he’s got the rightman?” Robert said.

“It certainly looks bad for LeMieux,” Campionsaid.

Robert looked at Marc. “Would you mind goingover to the magistrate’s, Marc? If LeMieux is guilty, we want theproof to be incontrovertible.”

“And I could take you out to the site later,”Campion said.

“I’ll look into it,” Marc said.

***

By the time Marc reached Magistrate Wilson’s house,Jacques LeMieux had been taken to jail, protesting his innocence.“They all say they’re innocent,” was the magistrate’s summaryremark. The murder weapon and an eye-witness statement as to thenature of the threat made by LeMieux was all the proof he needed.Marc was given permission to speak to the accused in jail.

LeMieux was a wiry man of middle height withblack hair and dark, protruding brows. The eyes were brooding and,despite the surroundings, fiery and rebellious. Marc addressed himin French.

“I’m here to help you Mr. LeMieux. I am abarrister and I have carried out murder investigations before. Yousay you are innocent.”

“I am. And the only reason I’m in here isthat I am French.” The eyes smouldered.

“The claim is made that it was your hammerthat killed Mr. Dunham.”

“It could have been. We leave our tools onthe site. Anyone could have come along, picked it up and hit Dunhamon the head with it.”

“Someone who might want to throw suspicion onyou?”

“Of course.”

“You were heard making death threats againstDunham.”

“I was in Bernie’s dive last night afterwork. It’s a dump out near the hospital. I had too much to drink. Imay have said something I shouldn’t have, but I don’t remember. Iwas too pissed. I don’t even remember walking home.”

“Well, I should be able to get moreinformation about that at this Bernie’s place.”

“Bunch of low-life thieves is all you’ll findthere. English bastards.”

“If you didn’t do it, who do you think mighthave? Did Dunham have enemies?”

LeMieux snorted. “Everybody hated his guts.He was the worse kind of Englishman, cruel and arrogant. My friendMichel Jardin saw Dunham fire his brother for sticking up forhimself. Michel was very angry. But he’s no killer. And Greg Mansonwas angry because he was passed over for the foreman’s job. ButDunham treated us all badly.”

“You had no particular reason yourself forwanting to kill him?”

LeMieux looked down. “I do, and somebody hasalready told the magistrate. I expect it was Manson.”

“Why did you dislike Dunham?”

“Not dislike. Hate. Dunham was a corporal inthe militia in ‘thirty-seven.”

“And did something to you?”

“He and his troops razed my barn andterrified my family. They burnt us out.”

“Did Dunham know this?”

“Yes. But he never let on he recognized me.And me, drunk one night, spilled out the whole story to the othermen.”

“So you do have a powerful motive for wantingto kill Dunham?”

“You think I’m guilty, don’t you? Justbecause I’m French.”

“I don’t see how you can be convicted ifno-one can place you at the murder scene last night. The evidenceis all circumstantial.”

“But I’ll be put on trial?”

“Yes, if I don’t find the real killer.”

“Go after Manson. He’s a bitter man with awicked temper.”

“It could be someone else. We don’t know whatDunham was doing out there at night. He could have been meetingsomebody.”

“He’d been out there for three nights keepinga watch on our stock of laths. Someone, a kid likely, was stealingthem. A few every night.”

“I see. Then it’s possible he surprised thethief and the thief picked up the nearest weapon and struck.”

“Yes, that’s quite possible,” LeMieux saidwith some enthusiasm. “So you really think you can help me?”

“I’m going to try,” Marc said, rising. “Eventhough I’m an Englishman.”

***

Marc rode out to the scene of the crime withCampion, the architect. He didn’t expect to find anything, but hewanted to see the spot for himself and search the area for clues.Campion was very concerned about replacing his foreman and aboutthe loss of two men from his complement of five. Of course, DenisJardin, the fired brother could be brought back if he were still intown. Meanwhile, if, as Marc had informed Campion, the accused manwas bruiting it about that he was being charged solely because hewas French, then trouble could be looming when the flooringcarpenters, French and English, came in next week. Marc and Campionarrived about two o’clock and went immediately to the LegislativeCouncil chamber. The three remaining workmen were there, sitting ona pile of laths.

“I know a fellow worker has been killed,” Campionsaid, “but the work must go on. Manson, you will act as foreman forthe time being.”

The men got up reluctantly, even the newlyminted foreman. When they had begun their work attaching the lathsto the studding, Campion went over to the far side of the room andpointed at the rough flooring. Marc saw the large, darkbloodstain.

“So this is where it happened, eh?”

“He was struck from behind, the coroner said.I was here when he did his initial examination. A single violentblow. Perhaps he had dozed off and didn’t hear anyoneapproaching.”

“Then the killer was not likely the thiefwho’s been stealing the laths,” Marc said, looking around. “I takeit Dunham has been out here for the past three nights?”

“He has,” Campion said. “But the thief musthave spotted him and kept away. Perhaps until last night.”

“The laths are here, so it’s likely Dunhamwas hiding behind them. But if Dunham had fallen asleep, the thiefwould just take his booty and slip off undetected, wouldn’t he?No-one kills for a pile of laths if he doesn’t have to.”

“I think you’re right. This was adeliberately planned murder.”

“Where were the tools left?” Marc asked.

“Over near the work on the far side of theroom.”

“So I assume the killer entered the door onthis side, saw the sleeping watchman, slipped over and picked up ahammer, then came across silently and did the deed.”

“And it doesn’t look as if he’s left anythingaround.”

Marc spent several minutes making sure, butthis side of the room was uncluttered, and the killer had leftnothing but his victim behind.

“I’d like to speak to the workman one byone,” Marc said, blowing on his hands. The room was heated by animprovised stove under the windows, but one had to be standing nextto it to receive its benefits.

“Fine with me,” Campion said.

“I’ll talk to them over where it’s a littlewarmer,” Marc said.

First up was Gregory Manson. He was a large,florid man who possibly drank too much.

“I understand you felt cheated when you werepassed over for the foreman’s job,” Marc began.

“That’s true, sir. But I didn’t kill him. Iwas home at midnight, in my bed.”

“And earlier you were at Bernie’s placedrinking?”

“And doin’ a little dice, we was. Marvin andme.”

Marvin Leroy was the other English-speakingworkman.

“And Jacques LeMieux was there as well?”

Manson frowned. “He come in later. He’dalready been into the booze somewheres. Bernie lets the Frenchiesin if they behave themselves. But they don’t usually come atall.”

“You don’t socialize with your Frenchcomrades?”

“You crazy! Them bunch of rebels andlayabouts? We only work with them because we got no choice.”

“And you heard LeMeiux make threats againstDunham?”

“Yes. And I told the magistrate straight offwhen he come here this mornin’.”

“What was the specific nature of thesethreats?”

“What did he say, ya mean? It was in Frenchand my French isn’t perfect. I can understand it mostly, but can’tspeak it.”

“So what did you hear, in French?”

“He said he was gonna get even with thatbastard Dunham if he lived to be a hundred. ‘I’ll get him, you’llsee!’ he kept sayin’ over and over. He was very drunk and slurrin’his words, but they were clear enough.”

“He did not use the word ‘kill’? -‘tuer’?”

Manson looked confused for a moment. “Not assuch, no. But his meaning was obvious, wasn’t it?”

Marc could hear the cross-examination in thetrial to come. He had no doubt that he could get LeMieux acquitted,but the damage could already have been done. Robert and Louis weremeeting two or three new potential members of the new Parliamenteach day and laying the groundwork for the upcoming alliance in theAssembly. Any perceived strains between French and English at thisstage could prove detrimental to these delicate negotiations.LeMieux’s arrest on purely circumstantial evidence certainly lentitself to misinterpretation by the French.

“Was it, though?” Marc said. “There are manyways to get even, aren’t there?”

“Not when you hate a man as much as LeMieuxdid Dunham,” Manson said stubbornly.

“He might have sabotaged the work project,eh?” Marc continued. “That might have got Dunham fired. Or perhapshe merely wished to give the fellow a good thrashing.”

“With his hammer?”

“Where were you after you left Bernie’s” Marcsaid abruptly.

“Leroy and me walked back to Kingston aboutmidnight. LeMieux was still in the dive. We went to our separateboarding-houses.”

“Did your landlady or landlord hear you comein?”

“She may have. She’s a light sleeper.”

“Dunham was killed sometime during the nightaccording to what the coroner told Mr. Campion. That leaves plentyof time for you to walk back out to the site and do the deedyourself.”

Manson laughed. “I didn’t have to, did I?Somebody did it for me.”

***

Marvin Leroy was a small man with bright red hairand freckles, and a livid scar the size of an earthworm on hisright cheek.

He was nervous and did not make eyecontact.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of, Mr. Leroy.I just want to ask you a few questions.”

“I had no reason to kill Mr. Dunham,” Leroysaid quickly.

“You liked the man?”

Leroy hesitated, then said, “No, I didn’tcare for him. He was a mean bugger. So I can’t say I’m sorry he’sdead.”

“You were in Bernie’s dive last night?”

“I was. With Greg Manson.”

“Did you hear Jacques LeMieux making threatsagainst Dunham?”

Again, some hesitation before the response.“I heard him mumbling to himself in French. But I don’t speakFrench at all. But he really sounded very angry.”

So, Marc thought, it was only Manson’stestimony so far as to the threats made by LeMieux. LeMieux himselfdidn’t remember much. Marc would have to go to Bernie’s and try tosort this out. Without the threats, the magistrate, beyond motive,had only the hammer, and that was thin evidence indeed.

“You didn’t hear the word ‘tuer’?”

“No, sir. If I did it went over my head. Gregan’ me walked home.”

“You went straight to your ownboarding-house?”

“Yes.”

“Did your landlady or landlord hear you comein?”

“My landlady usually does. I’m afraid I madequite a noise.”

“I’ll check it out. I want all the addressesof you men before I leave this morning.”

“I’ll help if I can.”

“That’s all for now,” Marc said, releasingthe man and wincing once again at the sight of that scar. Someone’sknife had sliced open that right cheek.

***

Michel Jardin looked as if he had a permanent chipon his shoulder. He slouched over to Marc, resentment andirritation writ large in his face.

“You were upset when Mr. Dunham fired yourbrother?” Marc began.

“So what?”

They were speaking in French but the contemptwas clear in any language.

“So it gives you a reason to dislike yourforeman.”

“I didn’t need a reason like that. I hatedhim after the first day on the job. He was a very cruel man.”

“In what way?”

“He looked down on us French. He gave us thedirtiest jobs. He chewed us out for no reason at all, alwaysworrying that we weren’t working fast enough. Anything to lick theass of his boss.”

“He was anti-French?”

“He was in the English militia in therebellion. He burned barns and killed cattle and scaredchildren.”

“But he was only doing his duty, surely,”Marc said lamely, remembering his own compunction aboutbarn-burning.

“He was an animal. An English bastard.”

Marc had been present for some of thereprisals taken after the rebellion in Lower Canada, and had knownthen, as now, how difficult it was going to be for the two racesand cultures to live side by side, let alone unite in a singlestate.

“Where were you last night, say, from nineo’clock onwards?”

“You think I killed Dunham?”

“Please answer the question.”

Jardin looked across at Bert Campionsupervising the work, as if his boss might relent and allow him tosay no to Marc’s questions. But the architect had been adamant inordering his men to cooperate with Marc.

“I got home from work at eight o’clock. I hadsupper at my boarding-house. I went for a long walk around teno’clock. When I got back everyone was asleep. No-one saw me untilmorning.”

So, Jardin had no alibi, but also no realmotive other than a general dislike of his foreman, a dislikeshared by his colleagues.

“You men all used your own tools?” Marcthought to ask.

“Yes, we do. And our hammers are alldifferent.”

“Except that Jacques’ hammer has got bloodand brains on it,” Marc said.

“That means nothing,” Jardin said. “Anyonecould have used it. You people are picking on us because we’reFrench!”

“Was anything stolen last night?” Marc said,ignoring Jardin’s agitation.

The question startled Jardin, but herecovered to say, “Yes, there was. Another bundle of laths.”

So, the thief had been here. Still, itwas difficult to believe he had done it. However, it would serveLeMieux’s lawyer well if a trial ever came about. (One of Marc’sploys in the courtroom was to offer the jury alternative views ofthe crime.) And the way things were going, he himself might end upbeing that lawyer.

Marc dismissed Jardin. He got the address ofeach worker from Campion, then joined the architect for the rideback to Kingston. Marc went immediately to Robert and Hincks. Louisjoined them, and Marc briefed them on everything he had discoveredso far.

Robert was first to speak. “Marc, we’re goingto have to settle this matter quickly. We need definite proof ofLeMieux’s innocence or guilt. If the business hangs fire, up in theair, we could be in for trouble here with our negotiations. I’mgoing to go to Magistrate Wilson and get his permission for you tocontinue your investigation — officially — if you’re willing to doso.”

“Of course, I will,” Marc said, “but I’m alsoneeded here to help out with Christopher Pettigrew and HenriThériault.”

“Well, we’re not expecting a reply fromThériault for a day or two. That should give you a little time toinvestigate further.”

“All right, then, that’s settled,” Marcsaid.

“Thank you, Marc,” Louis said.

***

Marc had just finished supper when he was accostedin the lobby by Christopher Pettigrew, looking distressed.

“Why, what’s the matter?” Marc asked.

“I just received another letter from mysister,” he sighed. “She’s desperate to have me back inToronto.”

“Perhaps I could help you formulate a replyto her,” Marc offered. “She will relent when she knows what apivotal role you’re playing in the negotiations for the success ofour alliance.”

“She’s most upset at my getting married, Ifear.”

“But you’ll be living at home.”

Pettigrew shook his head. “That may be worsethan not living at home. It’s my bride she seems to be anxiousabout.”

“That’s perfectly natural. Your bride isusurping her place, as it were.”

“But I’ve told her that Miss Todd is thespitting image of her. Look, here is my fiancée’s portrait.” Hepulled out a locket, opened it and showed Marc the miniature of hisbride’s head and shoulders. She was a fair-haired beauty.

“That may not have been the wisest thing todo,” Marc suggested tactfully.

“I know that now. It enraged Christine,”Pettigrew said, then grabbed Marc by the shoulder. “Would you mindlooking at her latest letter and letting me know what you think?I’m worried sick.”

And worried they did not want this young man,this linchpin in their plans. “All right. I’d be happy to.”

“Come up to my room and I’ll show it toyou.”

They went up the stairs to Pettigrew’s room.Christopher went to his desk and picked up a letter, which hehanded to Marc. Marc read:

Birch Grove

March 11, 1841

My Dearest brother:

I found your most recent letter unsatisfactory inthe extreme. What you offer me are not reasons but excuses. Andwhat is reason even, when love and devotion are at stake? You go onand on about politics, about being absolutely required to stay onin Kingston whilst there is some faint hope that Henri Thériault,who sulks in his tent in Quebec like Achilles, may decide to heedthe calls for his presence in Kingston. Is there no-one else in allthat conglomeration of politicians and hangers-on who will sufficeexcept you?

I do not for one minute believe any suchthing. Indeed you are not staying away from me in the horrid stonetown because of Robert Baldwin and Louis LaFontaine. You cannotfool me, who have shared your company and one half of your beingfor twenty-five years. We were struck from the same ore, as closeas any two humans can hope to be. No, Christopher, I know youbetter than you know yourself. You remain in Kingston and eschewthe company of your soul-mate and fraternal friend because of MissTodd. And it is in a futile attempt to save my feelings that youconcoct this sorry tale of being needed by the Reformers to act asa go-between in their efforts to woo Thériault. But I know, withoutyour having to admit it directly or obliquely, that you have becomebesotted with Martha Todd, and in doing so have automaticallyestranged yourself from me. Even though the wedding is not untilApril, you feel compelled to pay court to this interloper, thisfair creature who places her shallow beauty between the vows wemade together as children and have sworn to keep ever since. Is herbeauty so fragile that you feel you must ever be in its presencelest it falter and fail?

Meanwhile, I am alone in the cold empty roomsof the house we lit with the warmth of our companionship. I feellike Ariadne on Naxos, abandoned and betrayed by the one sworn toprotect and love her always. And each letter from you does littleto propitiate and much to vex. So much so that I am sorry to reportthat my headaches have once again begun to torment me, and I feelthat there is no-one but you and your immediate return to Torontothat will give me a moment’s relief. If you cannot find it in yourheart to tell me the truth about your stay in Kingston, please donot bother to write at all. I prefer to suffer in silence.

Your loving and devoted twin,

Christine

“You see, Marc,” Christopher said when Marc hadfinished reading, “how she dismisses my role in politics here andrants against my fiancée.”

“What are these headaches? Nervoustension?”

“No, they’re serious setbacks she suffers.She retreats to her room and won’t let anyone but her personal maidcome near her. I’m really afraid for her well-being.”

“Well, the letter is extremely literate andquite rational, despite its sentiment. I’d say she is pulling outall the stops to get you back in Toronto.”

“You think I should not give in to her?”

“It’s not for me to say, but I really doubtif her health is in jeopardy. Try writing her a very personalletter. Recall your happy memories. Make the point that you areneeded here, but that it is only a matter of three or four weeksbefore you’ll be back. I think she is just looking for reassurance.If you can’t be present, then work on reassuring her by every othermeans. If you like, I’ll add a brief note on the work here. It maycarry more weight.”

“Thank you. That is good advice.”

“I hope it works,” Marc said. “We need youhere.”

And clear-headed if the alliance was tosucceed.

SEVEN

“It ain’t fair,” Cobb was saying to Dora aftersupper. He felt so put upon and irritated that he had broken acardinal rule of the Cobb household: not to talk shop. Cobb was notto burden Dora with the tawdry details of his daily patrols and shewas not to burden him with accounts of childbirth and its aftereffects in her role of midwife to the eastern half of town. “I wasonly on the job fer a few days. And I was gettin’ close, Iwas.”

“Life ain’t fair,” Dora said, as if thattruism settled the matter.

“It has to be one of the gentlemen at MadameLaFrances’s. But I been told not to bother the good madamagain.”

“You’re a fine patrolman, Mister Cobb. Youalways was. And who knows, you might catch the killer tonight.”

Cobb nodded. “The first two crimes were threedays apart, weren’t they?”

“You’re sure it’s the same person?”

“Positive. I got a gentleman’s glove and agentleman’s scarf found near each crime scene, a pair ofgentleman’s boots makin’ clear signs in the snow, and a fistful ofgentlemen at the brothel two blocks away. That’s enough ferme.”

“There are other brothels.”

“But Madame LaFrance’s is the only onecaterin’ to real gentlemen.”

“How long is Bagshaw gonna keep you onnight-patrol?”

“I’m afraid it might be till we catch thekiller.”

“Well, it sure is a nuisance havin’ youaround here all day tryin’ to sleep.”

“I’ll be sure and tell Bagshaw about yerobjection.”

***

Cobb met Wilkie and Rossiter, his fellow patrolmen,at the cathedral entrance to Devil’s Acre at eight o’clock thatnight. A light snow was falling on the gravestones in thecathedral’s cemetery, and Cobb shuddered under his turned-upcollar. Cobb told the others that he would take the west side ofthe maze, and suggested, as they had done the previous night, thatWilkie do the north-east and Rossiter the south-east. Cobb was notlooking forward to the night’s work. He felt that no murderer,however mad, would come out knowing that his territory was beingpoliced by three constables. And their presence was well known toresidents and visitors alike. The word had spread quickly, and onmore than one occasion an angry resident had left his businessestablishment to complain that his customers, respectable citizensall, were being frightened off by the police presence. MadameLaFrance had come out onto her stoop and shooed Wilkie away (he wasdozing on the lower step).

“We gotta tramp around here till sun-up,”Cobb said to his associates. “And it’s cold enough tonight thatwe’ll have to keep movin’ or freeze to death.”

With that advice Cobb walked into Devil’sacre and swung west. After two previous nights of wandering aroundnot knowing where he was, Cobb felt that he had finally figured outthe lay of the land. But if you didn’t stay alert, you could soonfind yourself coming up against a dead end or re-entering an alleyyou had just come out of. The snow made it even more difficult tosee the shape of buildings or the far end of an alley, and Cobbrealized that the killer would be able to carry out his crime andescape notice, despite the police. Throat-slashing was a silentbusiness and the snow would camouflage a getaway.

Cobb had been meandering for about an hour — his feet were already cold — when he thought he saw a shadow upahead, moving stealthily across in front of him. He ran towards itand skidded to a stop at the end of the alley. He looked left. Hesaw nothing. Without warning something heavy and grappling slammedinto him and knocked him over. He rolled to one side, expecting atany second to feel a knife-blade at his throat.

“Gotcha!” Wilkie cried, pouncing on Cobb ashe lay helpless on the ground.

“Fer Christ’s sake, it’s me you’ve caught.Get off!”

Wilkie rolled away. “I heard somethin’ comin’up behind me,” he said, breathless, “and so I ducked aside untilyou went by. I was sure you was the killer.”

“Well, I ain’t, and you’re patrollin’my territory!”

“It’s so easy to get turned around in here.I’m — I’m sorry.”

“And you’ve gone and got me all covered withsnow,” Cobb complained. “My balls are already frozen solid.”

“Maybe that madam would let us warm our toesfer a bit.”

Cobb brushed the snow off his greatcoat andtrousers. “That’s the first sensible thing you’ve said tonight,” hesaid.

They made their way, after missing severalturns, to the brothel, and Cobb gave the coded knock. MadameLaFrance answered.

“We was wonderin’ if we could warm ourselvesby yer fire,” Cobb said.

“You might as well,” Madame said with a sigh.“You’ve scared off most of my customers. I guess they’ll not comeback till you fellas have caught the killer. I might as well be ofsome help.”

“Thank you,” Cobb said.

They entered the parlour and made their wayto the roaring fire. The room was empty, of customers andgirls.

“We’ll just stay a minute,” Cobb said. “Untilour toes thaw out.”

“Can I get you something warm to drink?”

“No, thank you.”

Just then Bartholomew Pugh and GardinerClough came down the stairs and stopped when they spotted theconstables. They turned and went back up the way they had come.

“I guess they ain’t worried about killers,”Wilkie observed.

“That’s because one of them might be akiller,” Cobb said. To Madame LaFrance, seated at the piano, hesaid, “Is the other one here as well?”

“Sir Galahad?”

“That’s the one.”

“He left just a few minutes ago.”

“Then I guess we better get back out there,”Cobb said to Wilkie. “I don’t trust any of these so-calledgentlemen.”

He and Wilkie headed out into thestill-falling snow. Cobb went directly west, along the route thatboth Pugh and Sally Butts had taken several nights ago. Wilkieturned south. Ten minutes later, Cobb was just enjoying the returnof feeling in his feet when he heard Wilkie cry out.

“Where are you, Wilkie?” he called.

After a brief pause in which there wasnothing but silence, Wilkie blew on his whistle (Chief CyrilBagshaw had insisted that all his patrolmen be equipped withwhistles to be able to alert fellow constables of their whereaboutswhen needed). Cobb moved in the direction of the sound, but therewas, of course, no direct route. But Wilkie, bless him, continuedto blow. He’s discovered the killer, was Cobb’s first thought. Andcould be in danger himself.

Cobb finally rounded a corner and saw Wilkiestanding in the middle of an alley with the whistle stuck in histeeth. The snow had stopped, and he was clearly visible. So was thebulk of the body lying at his feet.

Cobb raced up to Wilkie who was still blowingon the whistle.

“I’m here, Wilkie. You can stop thatnow!”

Wilkie, as pale as the snow around him,pointed at the ground. “I found her,” he stammered. “Anotherone.”

Cobb knelt beside the body. Fresh blood wasstill leaking into the snow, from a slashed throat. “You’re right.It’s another woman. And just killed.”

Cobb stood up and glanced farther up thealley. There, among the competing ones, were the bootprints heexpected to see. “He can’t have gotten far,” he said. “Go andinform the Chief and the coroner. I’m going after the bastard.”

He set out on the trail of the bootprints,fresh and stark in the snow, their star-pattern winking up at himlike a taunt. The trail zigzagged several times, but eventually ledto an alley that opened onto Jarvis Street to the south-east. Againas Cobb arrived there, he saw evidence of a shuffling about, as ifthe killer were waiting for the all-clear on Jarvis before steppingout. But this time, with fresh snow, the trail ought to have keptgoing. However, just as Cobb was about to move onto the street, asquall of snow erupted in his face. He saw a shadow flit into analley or side-street to the north, but a gust of wind blew snow upinto his face and he could see nothing. Not even the boot tracksthat were, like everything else, swallowed up in the maelstrom. Hewalked a block north, but the trail, if there was one, had gonecold. Cobb cursed the snow, and headed back to Devil’s Acre,retracing his own prints before they too were obliterated. He cameagain to the body. Wilkie was gone but Rossiter had come up toassist.

They looked down at the body, slumped on itsside. It was warm all right. She was wearing a fur coat and aladies’ fur hat and ladies’ button boots. Cobb was not surprised tosee the thick, blond hair under the hat.

“Looks like an older woman,” Rossiter said.“And these are fancy clothes. This is no whore.”

And that spelled trouble. If somehow arespectable woman had found her way into Devil’s Acre, then theconsequences of her death would go straight to the mayor’s office.The public outcry would be a clamour.

Rossiter bent over to have a closer look ather face, now clouded by the rapidly falling snow. “There’ssomethin’ wrong with her hair,” he said.

Cobb took a look. “It’s a wig,” he said.Then: “And this ain’t no lady. It’s Simon Whitemarsh — in ladies’clothing.”

***

Leaving Rossiter to wait for Dr. Withers, Cobbheaded straight back to the brothel.

“There’s been another murder,” he said toMadame LaFrance in the vestibule.

“Who? My girls are all safe.”

“Simon Whitemarsh, yer Galahad.”

“Oh, my!”

“He was dressed in ladies’ clothin’. Do youknow anythin’ about that business?”

“Of course, I do. Galahad was fond ofcross-dressing. He was here earlier — with the other two Cavaliers- and got all dressed up, with make-up and everything. He madequite the lady. I sold him some clothing from time to time.”

“What time did he leave?”

“About ten minutes before you and that otherconstable did.”

“What about Gawain and Lancelot?”

“They were spooked by your being here. I toldyou that you were ruining my business. They headed out right afteryou. And threatened not to come back.”

So, Cobb thought, his two chief suspects werestill in the picture. One of them could have caught up withWhitemarsh and slashed his throat, taking him for a blond woman. Hewould have to interview them again, if he were allowed back on thecase. And that was problematic as the Chief could be furious thatthe murder of a respectable gentleman (albeit a cross-dressing one)had taken place right under their noses. With a sigh, he headedback to talk to the coroner.

***

The next day the news of the ghastly murder of SimonWhitemarsh spread throughout the city. No mention was made of thefellow’s eccentric haberdashery, only the fact that he was anupstanding citizen in his prime. It was assumed that he had bymistake wandered into Devil’s Acre or that he had been partaking ofone of the gentlemanly pleasures offered there. And this was thethird murder in just over a week! Was no-one safe on the streets ofToronto? The mayor was feeling the pressure, and when he did, hemade sure his Chief Constable suffered likewise.

Cobb had his report ready for Bagshaw byearly afternoon. He was drowsy and irritable, but waited patientlywhile Bagshaw read the lurid details. (Cobb was desperate to gethome and get some sleep in case the Chief wished to continue thenight patrolling of Devil’s Acre.) Whitemarsh’s throat had been cutwith a serrated knife and he had rapidly bled to death, unable tocry out for help. The star-shaped bootprints had been presentagain, suggesting strongly that they were looking for one madkiller.

“So you think Mr. Whitemarsh was mistaken fora woman,” Bagshaw said when Cobb had seated himself in Bagshaw’soffice.

“He had a wig and was plastered with facepaint,” Cobb said. “I even sniffed some fancy perfume. And all hisclothes were ladies’.”

“I trust there’s no need for these details tocome out?”

“Well, sir, any inquest will have to know hewas the third blond victim to be murdered in the same part oftown.”

“I suppose so. But the coroner’s holding offfor now.”

“I found the bootprints again.”

“And these were in fresh snow?”

“No, but I’m sure the killer made them,sir.”

“But you lost the trail at JarvisStreet?”

“I did see someone up ahead, to the north,but lost them in the snow.”

“And so you conclude our killer is agentleman with large boots?”

“Probably, but it did occur to me that hecould be putting on oversize boots to throw us off the scent.”

“You’re giving the madman a lot of credit.And may I remind you that gentlemen are not given to such madbehaviour.”

Though they are cross-dressers occasionally,Cobb thought. But he said, “It’s the fancy pattern of thebootprints that tells me this fella is a gentleman, a gentleman whohates blond-haired women.”

“My God, Cobb, Devil’s Acre has threemiscreants for every house, and you’re still harping on yourgentlemen. Those boots could be stolen, and probably were!”

“All three murders have taken place within astone’s throw of Madame LaFrance’s. I know it’s where we oughta belookin’.”

Bagshaw folded his hands together on thedesk. “Now, Cobb, what I want to know is how a murder could happenright under the noses of three experienced constables?”

“The killer must’ve seen Wilkie and me gointo the brothel fer five minutes to warm our feet.,” Cobb saidevenly.

“You left your post!” Bagshaw quivered to theroots of his brittle hair.

“Just fer five minutes. I wanted to see whatgentlemen were in there.”

“Looking for suspects, were we? Instead ofdoing honest police work!”

“The murder must have happened just as Wilkiewas gettin’ back on his patch. The killer knew we weren’t gonnacatch him in the act.”

“And you certainly didn’t.”

“That place is such a maze, sir. If thekiller knows his way around, he could murder someone right underour noses.”

“But surely you know your way around bynow.”

“Not really. Wilkie still bumped into meearlier.”

“Are you saying my patrols are useless?”

“I’m sayin’ I think I need to investigatesome more, that’s all.”

Bagshaw sat back and grinned nastily. “WhatI’m going to do is add a fourth constable to the night-patrolthere, and have you investigate in the daytime, if you think itwill help. But I don’t want to have any complaints from gentlemenyou’ve disturbed. I’ve already got the mayor and three aldermen onmy case. Now go home and get some sleep. You’ve got a long nightand a day ahead of you.”

Cobb slunk out, exhausted and not a littlepeeved.

***

Even Dora was sympathetic.

“Why don’t that man try ploddin’ in the coldfer a night in Devil’s Acre,” she said, pouring Cobb a cup of hottea.

“He wants me to investigate,” Cobb said,sipping at the tea, “but he won’t give me any leeway. And I gottapatrol to boot.”

“You got any new leads?” Dora said.

“I’m gonna talk to Pugh and Clough again.They were both there last night.”

Dora put out a plate of biscuits. “Youremember tellin’ me about a laundry woman on Church Street, afterSally Butts was killed?”

“That’s right. She might’ve got a close lookat our killer and doesn’t know it.”

“Why don’t you try and find her?”

“But she could be anybody takin’ laundry into any of them dives or brothels.”

“There’s somebody who might know, though,isn’t there?”

“Itchy Quick,” Cobb said, and Doragrinned.

***

After a cold, fruitless night patrolling Devil’sAcre, Cobb decided to have a morning’s sleep and then go back tohis detective work. First up, about two o’clock that afternoon wasa visit to one of his old haunts, the Cock and Bull. In a farcorner, in a shadowy alcove, sat his current snitch, Itchy Quick.(Nestor Peck, his long-time snitch now had a regular job in achicken hatchery and no longer needed the occasional boost to hisincome that a little tattling would supply.) Itchy was anything butquick. His several hundred pounds saw to that. His movements wereslow as a sloth in hibernation and his thought processes onlymarginally speedier. But he spent a lot of time in taverns, cadgingpennies for a drink and selling information he picked up in histravels.

“How’s it goin’, Itchy?” Cobb said, sittingdown.

“My flagon is empty, Mister Cobb,” Itchy saidsorrowfully. “Like my life.”

“Would a fresh ale improve yer spiritsany?”

Itchy thought about the offer for severalseconds, rubbing the back of his scalp. “It just might.”

Cobb waved at the barkeeper, who, seeing itwas Cobb, hustled over.

“A flagon of your finest,” Cobb said.

“You payin’?” the barkeeper said.

“I’m payin’,” Cobb said.

“Thanks, Cobb.”

“Now that I’ve done you a favour,” Cobb said,“how about doin’ me one?”

“You want some information?”

“I do.”

“On the murders we been havin’ the pastweek?”

“Somethin’ to do with them, yes. You beenhearin’ anythin’ on the street or in here?”

Itchy scratched his scalp again. “What I beenhearin’, it ain’t the fault of any of the regulars of Devil’sAcre.”

“That’s been my feelin’, too.”

Itchy took hold of the flagon that had justarrived and downed half of it, slowly but surely. “They tell meit’s terrible fer business. They need respectable folk to feel safein there. They wouldn’t do anythin’ to ruin their ownprospects.”

“So it’s got to be somebody from outside,doesn’t it?” Cobb said, more to himself than to Itchy, who was inthe midst of a second swig.

“Some crazy person, that’s fer sure.”

“But what I wanted to ask you, Itchy, isabout the laundry women who might go into Devil’s Acre.”

Itchy looked at the empty part of his flagonlongingly. “Well, the big brothel, Madame LaFrance’s, does its ownlaundry. But there’s a smaller brothel, Mrs. Purdy’s, up nearChurch Street that uses somebody from the outside.”

“And you know who?”

“I believe I do, yes.”

Itchy drained his ale with a meaningfulslurp. Cobb sighed and waved at the barkeeper.

“Gracie Fitchett. She lives on BerkeleyStreet, this side, two houses up from King.

Cobb tossed a coin on the table and got up.“That’s what I needed to know,” he said, and hurried out.

***

Cobb found the house on Berkeley Street. It was aramshackle cottage, unpainted, with a roof that sagged, andtired-looking oil-paper windows. A wreath of black smoke poured outof its single chimney. Cobb rapped on the door.

“Who’s there?” The voice was female, butsharp and low, like a witch’s cackle.

“Constable Cobb, with the Torontopolice.”

“Go away! I’m busy workin’.”

“I need to talk to you — about the murders inDevil’s Acre.”

“I didn’t do it, so go off and leave mealone.”

“I insist you open up, madam!”

The door squealed open and a large womanfilled the doorway. She was flushed and sweating, the beads ofsweat rolling down her plump cheeks and settling in the folds ofher multiple chins. Her blue eyes were round as buttons and staredout at the world with sustained belligerence.

“I told you, I ain’t no murderer!”

“I didn’t say you were, ma’am. But I believeyou may have seen the killer on the night when Sally Butts waskilled.”

“I remember the night that poor lass had herthroat cut, but you can’t get round me with that ‘ma’am’ business.I’m no ‘ma’am,’ just plain Gracie.”

“May I come in for a minute, then?”

“You gonna help me with my laundry? I got atubful ready to come out.”

Cobb glanced at the far side of the room ashe walked in, spotting several steaming tubs, a pair of washboardsand a mangle. Gracie Fitchett was indeed hard at work.

“I just need to ask you one question,” Cobbsaid, shutting the door behind him.

“Since when do bobbies ask people questions?I thought you bashed in the heads of drunks and robbers.”

“I’m a detective,” Cobb said, as if thatexplained all.

“What in hell is a detective?”

Cobb winced, but said evenly, “I investigateserious crimes like murder and robbery. My job is to go around andask people questions.”

“And they pay you fer that?”

“They do, and I’d appreciate it if you’danswer one fer me.”

“All right, then. But I’ve got to get themsheets out of the tub before they boil to death.”

Cobb waited patiently until Gracie wasfinished and came back to him, puffing and panting.

“Were you in Devil’s Acre the night thatSally Butts died?”

Gracie thought about the question, then said,“I was. What’s it to ya? I told you I didn’t stab that poor girl.Why would I?”

“What time were you there?”

“I don’t know fer sure. Between nine and teno’clock. I had a load of laundry to pick up at Purdy’s place.”

“Purdy’s is over near Church Street, isn’tit?”

“Yeah, that’s right. What of it?”

“You left Devil’s Acre by Church Street?”

“Why wouldn’t I? It’s the nearest exit.”

“Did you see anyone else come out of Devil’sAcre at that time?”

“Say, you’re way past yer one question.”

“Please, just answer me.”

“I didn’t see a soul — that time ofnight.”

Cobb was hugely disappointed. Surely this wasthe figure the watchman had seen that night. But she herself hadseen nothing.

“Thank you fer yer help,” Cobb said.

Gracie’s expression softened as she said, “Ihope you catch the bugger.”

***

Cobb went to Bartholomew Pugh’s house once more, andwas once more snubbed by the butler. He found Pugh in his billiardroom, practising his bank shots.

“You again,” he snarled. “What is it thistime? I’ve given you a description of the killer. Why haven’t youcaught him?”

“You were at Madame LaFrance’s again thenight before last, the night Mr. Whitemarsh was murdered.”

“Damn shame that. You’re not accusing me ofkilling my own friend?”

“We believe the killer mistook him for awoman. It was dark and the mistake is quite understandable.”

“But I saw the man in woman’s clothing in thebrothel. I knew, didn’t I?”

Pugh was making a valid point.

“But you left Madame’s right after Idid.”

“And walked directly west, as I always do,not south — like Simon.”

“And Mr. Clough?”

“He turned east, as usual.”

“So you saw or heard nothing?”

“How many times must I repeat myself?”

“Thanks fer yer help, sir.”

Cobb found his own way out, avoidingSmithers.

At Gardiner Clough’s Cobb got the same frostyreception, and the same response. Nobody saw or heard anything.

***

“So,” Cyril Bagshaw said to Cobb, “you’ve finallyeliminated two of the town’s finest gentlemen?”

“Not really, sir. They had means andopportunity for all three killin’s. A knife is an easily concealedweapon.”

“But you have no motive, man. Where is yourbrain, in your truncheon?”

“Our killer is crazy in the head, sir. Lookat what we’ve got so far. Three victims, all blond young women ormistaken fer such. The killer has it in fer blondes. Perhaps ablond lover jilted him or he hated his blond mother. Somethingtriggers his madness for the murders are two or three nights apart.When the sickness comes on, I figure it comes real sudden and can’tbe helped. He goes huntin’ fer blond women, and as soon as he seesone, he cuts her throat and skedaddles. He’s dressed like agentleman, with a greatcoat, a fur hat, and proper boots, so nobodywill take a second look at him in Devil’s Acre, where gentlemen areforever comin’ and goin’. So far he’s lucky not to have been seen.He heads straight out of the place as soon as the murder’s done,back to his home — with nobody the wiser. You see, Pugh or Cloughcould look normal to you and me, and suddenly the urge to killtakes over and they go stark mad. Afterwards they go back to bein’themselves. And don’t forget, they did drop a glove and ascarf.”

“But you haven’t been able to trace those toMr. Pugh or Mr. Clough.”

“Not yet.”

“You’ve got a fanciful theory, Cobb, but noreal evidence and two unlikely suspects. I’d say you’ve come to adead end.”

“He’ll kill again. I know he will.”

Bagshaw gave Cobb a sardonic grin. “And we’llcatch him, won’t we. On patrol!”

***

The following night Cobb had been on patrol for onlyan hour or so, but he was already cold. With a fourth constable,Brown, on duty each man’s patrol was even more confined and moreboring. If they did come across another murder, there would be nobootprints to follow because every alley was trampled flat bypoliceman’s boots, and there was no fresh snow this evening. Still,what were the odds, with four constables in the area? Although thiswas, Cobb recalled, the third night following the murder of SimonWhitemarsh.

Then, when he was almost completely numbedand thinking about Madame LaFrance’s fire, a shadow flitted pastthe end of the alley he was in. A dark figure, moving quickly.Cobb’s heart skipped a beat as he strode forward. Just as hereached the corner, he heard someone cry out, a female cry. Heraced around the corner and there in the next alley lay a crumpledfigure. Cobb looked ahead of it, but could see nothing. Tornbetween stopping to check on the victim (who he felt was dead ordying) and pursuit, he chose the latter, hurrying to the end of thealley and looking both ways at the T-junction. Nothing. He lookedfor tracks but found only the maze of his previous bootprints, thesnow scuffed and hopelessly trampled. He blew on his whistle, andsped back towards the victim, filled with dread.

The girl was beginning to rise from theground. She was clutching her neck. She was pretty and veryblond.

“He tried to — kill me,” she gasped. “He hada knife.”

Cobb breathed a sigh of relief. He had comerunning just in time, not to catch the killer but to scare him off.Perhaps the fellow would run into one of the other constables. Cobbblew his whistle again.

“What were you doing in Devil’s Acre?” hesaid to the girl

Weeping, she said, “I was taking a shortcutto my cousin’s. I–I got lost.”

“Well, you’re all right now, miss. I’ll takeyou to your cousin’s.”

“I’d like to go home.”

“Where is that?”

“Birch Grove.”

“What’s yer name, miss?”

“Christine. Christine Pettigrew.”

EIGHT

Marc hired a one-horse cutter and drove out theHospital Road looking for Bernie’s dive. He went by it the firsttime, as it was a mere half-log hut tucked into a cedar grove somethirty yards off the main road. It was four o’clock in theafternoon, and Marc hoped to catch the proprietor alone to questionhim about the events of the night of the murder. It was not to be,however. When Marc stepped into the smoky interior, he found itcrowded with customers. Several men — farmers obviously — wereslouched over a makeshift plank bar, sipping cups of whiskey thathad been dipped out of a large barrel nearby. In one corner fourmen huddled over a stump table on which they tossed a pair of dice.In another three men were sitting on stools, cup in hand, andstaring through the smoke-haze with malevolent eyes. Behind thebar, in a filthy apron, stood the tall, angular man who must havebeen Bernie, the proprietor.

All talk ceased the moment Marc’s presencewas noted, and all eyes followed him as he went over to the bar andsaid to the barkeeper, “Are you Bernie?”

“Who wants to know?”

“My name is Marc Edwards. I have been askedby the magistrate to look into the death of Earl Dunham, who wasbludgeoned to death last night out at the hospital.”

Marc was not exaggerating about his officialstatus: over the lunch hour Robert had gotten permission fromMagistrate Wilson for Marc to investigate the crime.

“We heard about the murder,” the barkeepersaid.

“And you are Bernie?”

“I am. And this is my establishment.”

“I need to ask you about what took place herelast night.” Marc felt the rest of the room listening, even thoughthe other customers had resumed their activities.

“Just the usual night in here.”

“Two workmen, Greg Mason and Marvin Leroywere in here last night, were they not?”

“They’re regulars. After work, every day.Stay till midnight or so.”

“Was it midnight when they left lastnight?”

“Well, I don’t keep track of time in here,but I guess that would be about right.”

“And they left together?”

Bernie looked surprised. “Why, no, as amatter of fact they didn’t.”

“They left separately?”

“That’s what I’m sayin’. Manson left first,I’m sure. Leroy was caught up in a dice game and didn’t want toleave while he was winnin’. Manson cursed him and left.”

So, Marc thought, both Manson and Leroy hadlied to him in saying they had left together. To cover for oneanother. Unless their landlords gave them an alibi, they were bothloose and apart with time to go back to the hospital building andclub Denham to death.

“A Frenchman, Jacques LeMieux was also inhere last night. Did you hear him making any threats?”

“I know the fella. But he was cursingsomebody in French. I paid no heed to it.”

“Thank you, Bernie. You’ve been a bighelp.”

“Would you like a drink?”

“Not today, thank you.”

“Too good fer us, eh?”

This latter remark came from a heavy-setfellow with a permanent scowl on his flushed face, exaggerated bytwo broken front teeth. He had left the dicers and come up besideMarc at the bar. The other bar-flies immediately pulled back intothe shadows.

“Now, Joe, take it easy,” Bernie saidevenly.

“You’ve got the strut of an army officer,”the fellow called Joe said to Marc.

“That’s because I was an officer in thearmy,” Marc said, facing the man down.

“We don’t take to barn-burning soldiersaround these parts,” Joe said, edging closer to Marc.

“I didn’t burn barns, sir. I did myduty.”

“Let it go, Joe,” Bernie said with a hint ofwarning in his voice.

“I’m about to leave,” Marc said to Bernie,and made the mistake of turning away from Joe to head for the door.Joe wound up and sucker-punched Marc on the back of the neck. Itwas a glancing blow and succeeded only in pitching Marc a couple ofsteps forward. Marc wheeled and faced his adversary, towering overhim. But Joe had already launched himself at Marc and pushed himover a stool. Marc fell backwards in a heap, and Joe was instantlyon top of him.

“Let him have it, Joe!”

“Don’t let him up!”

Marc heard the cries of Joe’s supporters andrealized he had walked into a hornet’s nest. These men were drunkand itching for a fight, at least itching for their champion tohave a fight.

Joe had both hands around Marc’s throat, andMarc felt his breath being slowly squeezed off. He tried to buckthe fellow off but was unable to detach him. Suddenly Joe’s fingersrelaxed, and he rolled sedately to the floor beside Marc. Standingover them both was Bernie, a chunk of firewood in his righthand.

“It’s a crude weapon, but it works,” Berniesaid. “Now, mister, you better go before things get ugly inhere.”

Marc got up, brushed himself off, and left.But he had got what he’d come for.

***

After supper Marc drove along Front Street past thelimestone façades of Kingston’s business section and on towards themighty fort, the fort that had held rebel prisoners after therevolt had been put down. He turned off onto a narrow side streetuntil he came to a substantial limestone house that he had beentold was the boarding place of Michel Jardin, the French-Canadianlather. Jardin had said he went for a walk about ten o’clock anddidn’t think his landlady heard him come in a little later on. Marcwanted to check out the details of that story. If no-one heardJardin come back in, then he would have had time to walk out to thebuilding site and kill Dunham. The walk could be done in less thanhalf an hour, even in the winter weather. Marc went up and knockedon the door. After a bit the door was opened by an imposingdark-haired woman in her late thirties. She had a ready smile forMarc, but there was a wariness in her deep brown eyes, as ifexperience had taught her to be cautious with her smiles.

“Good afternoon, ma’am,” Marc said in French.“My name is Marc Edwards and I’m investigating the murder of EarlDunham out at the Parliament building last night.”

“Yes. Michel told me about it just a fewminutes ago. Terrible thing, eh?”

“A brutal killing, yes.”

“You don’t think Michel had anything to dowith it?”

“I’d like to eliminate him and you could helpby answering a question or two.”

“Then please come in. I’ll put the kettleon.”

Marc followed her into a large kitchen inwhich the supper dishes were still being put away. A cooking-stovein one corner looked red hot, and the room itself was exceedinglywarm. Marc took off his coat and hat.

“I’m Madame Poulin,” the woman said. “I runthis boarding-house with the aid of my son. I’ve got water alreadyhot. I’ll just make the tea.”

While Marc watched, she made a pot of tea andserved Marc a mug. He sipped at the tea appreciatively.

“Now, how can I help you?”

“Well, Michel told me that he was in here allevening, but went out for a walk about ten o’clock. Did you see himdo so?”

“Yes, I did. I heard the clock striking tenwhen he told me he felt like a walk. He hadn’t slept well sincethat foreman fired his brother Denis off the job. Denis boards herewith his brother.”

“Were you awake when he got back?”

“I’m afraid I wasn’t. He has a key for thefront door. He must have let himself in.”

So, Jardin had no real alibi, and a strongmotive: revenge for the firing of his brother and Dunham’s generalmistreatment of French-Canadians.

“So it might have been very late?”

Madame Poulin looked puzzled. “I shouldn’timagine he was more than an hour or so, but as I said, I was fastasleep.”

“Thank you. That’s helpful information.”

They sipped at their steaming tea.

“You’re one of them Reformers that aremeeting at the Clarendon, aren’t you?” Madame Poulin saidsuddenly.

“Why, yes. How did you know?”

“I saw you coming out of the hotel yesterdayand you were with Mr. LaFontaine.”

Marc looked up, alert. “So you are familiarwith politics?”

“One has to be, eh?”

“Well, I am indeed an associate of Mr.LaFontaine.”

“And Robert Baldwin?”

“And Robert Baldwin.”

“We hear that you are planning some sort ofalliance.”

“I see that word has reached ground level,”Marc said with a smile. “What is your opinion of what we aredoing?”

“Well, like most French people, I amsurprised that you would try, let alone succeed. There is so muchbitterness between the races — ever since the rebellion.”

“That is precisely why we feel we must try toreconcile the two races, especially at the political level. WeReformers by and large did not support armed rebellion, but we didsympathize with its aims.”

“So you are radicals, too? And you hope yourradicalism will be enough to overcome your natural dislikes?”

Marc realized he was in the presence of afine intelligence. And decided here was a chance to get somefeedback from the French trenches.

“You are an admirer of Mr. LaFontaine?” hesaid.

“Yes and no. He has been strong andconsistent in his denunciation of the terms of the union, and yetnow he is proposing to take part in the new Parliament andcooperate with those he’s denounced for four years. He is apuzzle.”

“But you are willing to accept his judgementon the matter of an alliance?”

Madame Poulin paused, and finished her teabefore saying, “He is a great man, a great Frenchman. Many people Iknow are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.”

“But he will have to tread carefully?”

Madame Poulin smiled, unwarily. “Indeed hewill. And he won’t be helped by this murder.”

“Oh. How so?”

“Well, Michel tells me they’ve charged one ofhis mates just because he’s a Frenchman. And here you are, comingaround to see if Michel might be part of this thing.”

“But I’m trying to find out who really didit,” Marc said. “I’ve talked to Jacques LeMieux and I believe himwhen he says he is innocent.”

“I see. Then I hope you’re successful,because to the French people in town — and there are a lot of themin the capital for the work that’s going on everywhere — it willlook like a case of racial bias.”

“That’s why LaFontaine and Robert Baldwinhave put me on the case. They are in the middle of negotiationswith possible supporters of our cause and any racial conflictlocally will not make them any easier.”

“Well, Michel and Denis are nice boys. Youcan safely look elsewhere.”

Marc stood up. “Thank you for your frankness,ma’am. I’ll convey your thoughts on the union to Mr.LaFontaine.”

Marc said goodbye at the door and left. Whilehe sincerely hoped that Michel Jardin did not kill Dunham, he stillcould not rule him out. Even his brother Denis was a possibility,though only Jardin, Manson and Leroy knew that Dunham was going tobe on guard duty that night. Unless, of course, Michel mentioned itto Denis. Marc turned back and surprised Madame Poulin at thedoor.

“Sorry to bother you again, Madame, but Iforgot to ask about Denis Jardin. Was he here last night?”

“He was here all evening with my son and me,playing cards. I saw him off to bed.”

Marc thanked her again and left, quitesatisfied with his visit.

***

Gregory Manson’s boarding-house was only a blockfrom the Clarendon Hotel, on Queen Street, so Marc returned thehorse and cutter to the livery stable and walked to the place, aone-storey clapboard cottage. He was shown in by the landlady, aMrs. Brownwell, who was as thin as a stork with a nose that wouldhave made that bird proud.

“I’ve come to ask you about the whereaboutsof Mr. Manson last night,” Marc said when they were seated in asmall, comfortable-looking parlour.

“This is about the murder?” she shuddered. “Ijust heard about it a little while ago. Horrible business. A bodyain’t safe on the streets no more.”

“I think the streets are safe, ma’am. Themurder took place way out at the hospital, which is being turnedinto Parliament.”

“Yes, ain’t it excitin’ that Kingston is tobe the new capital. We’re plannin’ on buildin’ a splendid cityhall, and there’s ever so much construction goin’ on everywhere.The only sad thing is that there are so many Frenchies comin’ inhere to work on the projects. After what they did in the rebellion,they should all be in prison.”

Marc winced, though this was a common enoughsentiment among many Upper Canadians. While Louis was concernedwith being seen to traffic with the enemy, Robert and the Reformershad a similar problem with many of the people who would normallysupport them. But an alliance was the only way forward, if adangerous one.

“I’d like to know if you heard Mr. Mansoncome in last night shortly after midnight?”

“Oh, gracious no. I was sound asleep. He lethimself in, but he told me at breakfast it was abouttwelve-thirty.”

If true, Marc thought, that would give himjust time to walk home from Bernie’s. But there was nocorroboration, so Manson did not really have an alibi. He couldhave gone straight to the site and struck Dunham, out of jealousyat not being made foreman. With Dunham dead, as he now was, Mansonhad got the job, at least temporarily.

Marc thanked Mrs. Brownwell. At the door shesaid, “I’d look to them Frenchies if I was you.”

***

As Mrs. Brownwell had suggested, Kingston was a boomtown. There was construction everywhere as residences for theeighty-four members of the Legislative Assembly and the othercouncillors and cabinet members had to be built from scratch. Manyof the limestone warehouses were being converted into hotels andboarding places comfortable enough for gentlemen, and in somecases, their ladies. New businesses to serve such an eliteclientele were springing up daily. All of this at Toronto’sexpense, which added spice to the enterprise.

Marvin Leroy’s boarding-house was justanother block away on Queen Street. There Marc found the landlord,James Muir, at home but not very helpful. He had been away fromhome last night, and his wife, who had been there, had just nowgone off for a visit to her sister and wouldn’t be back untiltomorrow at the earliest. Marc said he would call back.

He wasn’t overly concerned because, of thethree co-workers, only Leroy did not have a strong personal motivefor murder. He may not have liked Dunham, but he hadn’t beensingled out like the Quebecers and didn’t fancy the foreman’s job.But Marc would come back and check all the same. He was positiveone of the three was the killer. He just had to find a way todiscover which one.

***

First thing in the morning Marc drove out to thebuilding site. He wanted to confront Manson and Leroy about theirmutual lie. Bert Campion, the architect, met him at the doorway tothe Legislative Council chamber. The workmen were up on thescaffolding.

“I’d like to talk to Manson and Leroy,” Marksaid.

“I’ll fetch Manson down for you,” Campionsaid, moving into the room under reconstruction. “But first I’vegot something to show you.”

He held out his hand, opened it palm up, andrevealed a tin button.

“What’s this?” Marc said, curious butpuzzled.

“I found this after you left yesterday, overthere near where the body was.”

Marc cursed himself silently for havingmissed it himself when he had examined the crime scene. “Is itimportant?” he said.

“Yes, I believe so. You see, we haven’t beenworking on that side of the room so far, and so there’s no reasonfor a button — an overalls button — to have fallen off in thatarea.”

“I see. You think it might have been rippedoff, perhaps by Dunham himself?”

“It’s possible.”

“Any idea whose it might be?”

“Yes, I do. I noticed that Gregory Manson hadthe bib of his overalls tied up with a piece of string. I asked himif he had lost a button. And he had to say yes, didn’t he?”

”Well, then, I’d better speak to him first,eh?”

“I’ll get him.”

Campion called to Manson to come down fromthe scaffolding. Manson obeyed, and gave Marc a sharp look.

“Mr. Edwards wishes to talk to you again,Manson. I want you to cooperate fully.”

Manson muttered agreement, and Marc took himto one side.

“You and Marvin Leroy did not walk home fromBernie’s on the night of the murder, did you?”

“Of course we did. We always did.”

“Perhaps. But not that night. Leroy stayed tofinish his dice game, didn’t he?”

Manson looked down. “He may have. It’s hardto remember because we’re in that dive every nightpractically.”

“Bernie swears he did. And you, sir, did notgo straight home, did you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Mr. Campion found this button — youroveralls button — over there near the body. It fell off of you whenyou confronted Earl Dunham sometime after midnight. Is that notso?”

Manson looked down and then up, defiance onhis face. “What if I did? That doesn’t mean I killed him, doesit?”

“What were you doing out here at thathour?”

“All right, all right, I’ll tell you. I hadone too many to drink at Bernie’s. I started to feel sorry formyself, not being made foreman. But I was angry at Dunham morebecause of the way he fired Denis Jardin. Denis, even though he wasa Frenchie, was the best lath-man we had. We’re runnin’ way behindon this construction, and we need Denis. So I went out there. Iknew Dunham would be on guard-duty, he was always suckin’ up toCampion. I went there to try and persuade him to rehire Denis.”

“And you had a confrontation?”

“I couldn’t make him see reason. We were overon the other side of the room, near the piles of laths where he washidin’, and he just kept shoutin’ at me to mind my own business.Then he grabbed me — that’s when the button must’ve popped off — and pushed me away. I stormed out.. I was mad as a hatter, butDunham was certainly alive when I left him. Alive and cursin’me.”

“You didn’t, in your anger, pick up a hammerand strike him?”

“I did not! Besides, there were no toolslyin’ about over there.”

Dunham had been struck on the back of thehead, according to the coroner’s report, whose contents had beensummarized for Marc by the magistrate. That meant someone hadsneaked up behind the victim and caught him unawares. Mason couldhardly have raced over to where the tools were, picked up a hammer,and then raced back to strike Dunham on the back of the head. But,of course, he could have waited and returned later to do the job bystealth.

“I’ll have to inform the magistrate of thesefindings,” Marc said. But the magistrate already had his man,Jacques LeMieux, who had a powerful motive, had been heard making athreat against the victim, who had no alibi, and whose tool hadbeen the murder weapon. The best Marc could hope for would be touse Manson’s actions in court as pointing to an alternativescenario. “That’ll be all for now,” Marc said, dismissingManson.

Leroy quickly admitted he had not left thedive with Manson. “I was winnin’ too much at dice to leave.”

“How long after did you leave Bernie’s?”

“Could have been an hour. Have you checkedwith my landlady? She always hears me come in.”

“She’s away at the moment. But I shall check,don’t worry.”

“I went straight home from Bernie’s.”

“But if you don’t know what time you left,what difference will her testimony make? You could have left afterhalf an hour and had plenty of time to murder Dunham and get home,say, by one-thirty.”

“But I didn’t. I went straight home.”

Marc let Leroy go back to his work. Without astrong motive, it was hard to see that he — in a good mood afterwinning at dice — would have gone out to the site and committedmurder. But he was still on the list, especially if his landladydidn’t hear him come in.

Marc thanked Campion and drove back toKingston, straight to the magistrate.

***

In the foyer of the hotel Marc was met by RobertBaldwin, who looked excited.

“What is it?” Marc said.

“We’ve just received a letter from HenriThériault, in response to Christopher Pettigrew’s letter. Come oninto the meeting room. Everybody’s there.”

Marc followed Robert into the nearby room,where, seated around the table were Hincks, LaFontaine, GillesGagnon and young Pettigrew.

“You’re just in time, Marc,” Hincks said.“I’ve got a letter here. It’s in French, so why don’t you read andtranslate it for us?”

Marc nodded to the others and sat down. Therewas an air of expectancy in the room, for the cohesion ofLaFontaine’s nationalist group might well be tied up in thisresponse. Certainly the fact that Thériault, isolated on hisfamily’s farm in Chateauguay, had replied at all was a positivesign. Marc took the letter and read one sentence at a time,translating as he went.

Dear Christopher:

It was good to hear from you again after such a longabsence, and to know that you are well and proposing to marry. MayI offer my congratulations. I know also, from our conversationsduring the time I spent hiding out in your Montreal home almostfour years ago, that you were a passionate believer in the Reformcause in your province. I have of course heard, and heard much,about your champion, Robert Baldwin, and I have been kept informedof the attempts by Louis LaFontaine to forge an alliance of theleft with him. While I admire Mr. LaFontaine, I, like many of mycontemporaries, are puzzled by his consistent denunciation of theterms of the union and his readiness to embrace the Britishparliamentary form of government. Was it not this very form ofcolonial rule that prompted even the English farmers of UpperCanada to take up arms?

However, your patient and detailedexplanation of Baldwin’s hopes for a responsible form of governmentwherein the executive would be beholden to the Assembly and theAssembly beholden to the electorate was intriguing, to say theleast. However, interesting though the possibilities be, there isno more than a hope and a desire on the part of the Reformers thatthe governor will accede to their pressures, even if they becomethe dominant voice in the Assembly, representing both races.

What you are asking me to do is to betray thetrust that so many of my countrymen have placed in me over the pastthree and half years — to collaborate with those who have burnt ourbarns and destroyed our churches — on the faint hope of a politicalbreakthrough in Kingston this Spring. Let me say that I am nowconvinced that responsible government could work in favour of bothraces, but am not sufficiently certain of its attainment to joinLaFontaine’s alliance. Your eloquence has, however, convinced methat I should stay where I am and not respond to the overtures ofJohn Neilson and his ultra-nationalists. For while there would besatisfaction personally for me to do so, I think an obstructionistand xenophobic approach at this point in our history is not the wayforward.

So I will sit tight, and do nothing but wishyou and your Reformers the best of luck in pursuing your goals.Please feel free to write me again. I want to hear about your newbride and would like news of that twin sister of yours, of whom youspoke so often and so highly.

Until then,

I remain

Your friend

Henri Thériault

“Well,” Robert said into the absolute silence,“you’ve caught his attention. I congratulate you, Christopher, andMarc here for composing a letter persuasive enough to elicit thisresponse.”

“At least we’ve convinced him there’s anotherroute than Neilson’s ultra-nationalists,” Louis said.

“We came so close, though,” Hincks said.

“Is it worth writing him again?” GillesGagnon said.

“I don’t know what we could add that wedidn’t put in the first letter,” Marc said.

“I could keep the next letter personal,”Pettigrew said. “He obviously remembers our time together and whatI did for him.”

“It’s worth the effort,” Robert said. “Isuspect Neilson will keep sending agents to work on him. We need tokeep reminding him, through Christopher, that we English are notall demons.”

“I’d be happy to do that,” Pettigrew said.“He’s given me an opening with that last sentence, hasn’t he?”

“Perhaps he’s wavering more than he’s lettingon,” Louis said.

“Why don’t you invite him to meet you?” Marcsaid, and was surprised at the sudden silence in the room.

“I mean, Christopher could suggest that he’dlike to meet on a personal basis, say, at a place somewhere neutralbetween here and Chateauguay,” Marc added.

“Splendid idea,” Hincks enthused. “How aboutCornwall?”

“There’s a little inn just the other side ofCornwall,” Marc said. “They could arrange to meet there. If we geta letter off immediately, he should have it in two days.Christopher could suggest that he intends to be there on businessanyway, and will simply wait to see if he shows up. They could betogether, if all goes well, in four days.”

“What have we got to lose?” Robert said.

“As long as our friend can take this timeaway from his bride,” Louis said with a wry smile.

“I’m sure she’ll understand,” Pettigrewsaid.

“And we’ll send you along, Marc, to help withthe persuasion. If Thériault objects, you can just step asidequietly.”

“All right,” Marc said. “It was my idea, so Iguess I really can’t say no, can I?”

Marc and Christopher Pettigrew wereinstructed to go up to the young man’s room and begin drafting asecond letter right away.

Up in the room Pettigrew looked suddenlyforlorn.

“What’s the matter?” Marc said. “Don’t youwant to leave your fiancée?”

“It’s not that,” Pettigrew said. “Marthawould be very understanding about it.”

“It’s not your sister again?”

“I’m afraid so. I’ve had another disturbingletter. My attempt to reassure her she’s safe and loved apparentlyhad little effect. Would you mind reading the letter and giving mesome advice?”

“I’d be glad to,” Marc said. He took theletter that Pettigrew picked up off his desk, and read:

Dear Christopher:

Once again you confess what, knowing you, I cannotaccept as the truth. You are not the only one in the Reform partywho can deal with this execrable Frenchman, and your including apathetic screed from one of those you bow down before was apathetic attempt to persuade me otherwise. Mr. Edwards writes welland passionately, but then he does not know anything essentialabout you or your bride to be. He does not know you have forsakenthe one to whom you pledged your love and lasting devotion. Whatsort of witch must this Martha Todd be if she can beguile you soand woo you away from the troth you made to me, and the promises toremain at my side forever? It is all right for you on your ownthere in Kingston because you have your gentlemen friends and yourinamorata. How could you allow such diversions to keep you awayfrom Toronto and me, who waits as patient as Penelope for hersoul-mate to return and make her well again?

Yes, the headaches have come on as severe asthey did when we were five years old and I was struck down, you’llremember, like a tree felled by lightning, and you refused to leavethe darkness of our room and my side even though the doctorsinsisted on it. Please know that because of your absence, I wassemi-conscious for almost a day, moaning by myself in the dark ofmy bedroom, knowing you ought to be in the adjoining room preparingto offer me the only comfort against the pain.

I want you back in Toronto. I need youdesperately. I rant against that awful woman who keeps us apart andme miserable. If I were a witch I would curse her.

Come home. And write me no more lies. Theydouble the pain!

Your twin sister,

Christine

“You see, sir, how my absence torments her. I don’tsee how I can do anything but get the first coach back toToronto.”

“She does sound desperate, but if she’s beenhaving these headaches since she was little, they are obviously notlife-threatening. They sound like migraines to me.”

“That may be so, but they are exceedinglydistressful.”

“Has she servants to take care of her?”

“Mrs. Baldridge, a long-time widow, has beenwith the family ever since Christine and I were tots. She wasreally a nanny to us, and she dotes on Christine. And Gulliver isour butler, who keeps the house running smoothly. He’s also veryprotective of my sister.”

“Well, there you are,” Marc said. “She’s gotpeople who care around her.”

“But they’re not me, are they?”

“My honest opinion, Christopher, is that yourpoor sister does not want you to marry. These letters are reallyabout Miss Dodd, whom she sees as bewitching you.”

“But I’ve been honest with her all along. AsI mentioned to you, I even told her that Martha looks likeher.”

“And she was not amused, right?”

“She flew into a rage. I thought, foolishly,that she’d be flattered.”

“But you are determined to getmarried?”

“I am.”

“So going back to Toronto, even for a fewdays, is not going to change that fact. It’s more likely she’ll seeyour return as a sign of weakness, and press you harder not tomarry.”

“You may be right. And Martha and I intend togo to Toronto right after the wedding — Christine has refused totake part — and then we’ll all be together.”

“So you need to stick it out here, don’tyou?” Even though he was making an argument he believed to beright, Marc still felt guilty about pressuring the lad.

“And I am needed here, aren’t I?”

“You’re essential to the success of ourplans.”

Pettigrew smiled. “And my sister is loved andsafe in Toronto, isn’t she?”

NINE

They were all in the anteroom of the police quartersat the rear of the City Hall: Cobb, Wilkie, Christine Pettigrew andChief Bagshaw. The latter had just arrived, having been wakenedjust after falling asleep. He was drowsy and shivering as he cameinto the room, and was shocked to find a young blond woman seatedbetween Cobb and Wilkie. Wilkie had got a roaring fire going in thestove, and Cobb had found in the constables’ room an extra cloak tothrow over the trembling shoulders of the girl. A tea kettlewhistled on the stove.

“What on earth’s happened?” Bagshaw said,though it was plain that he saw readily enough what hadoccurred.

“Another attack, sir,” Wilkie said.

“And unsuccessful this time,” Cobb said,pointing out the obvious.

“Our police whistles may have saved thelass,” Wilkie said.

Bagshaw glowered. “But four of you up therecouldn’t prevent the attack!”

“No, sir,” Wilkie said.

“The culprit got clean away?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Was he seen?”

“We were waiting to question the young ladytill you came,” Cobb said. “She’s had a terrible fright.”

“I’m much better now, Constable,” Christinesaid. “You’ve all been very kind.”

“I’ll make the tea,” Wilkie said.

“Can you tell us your name?” Bagshawsaid.

“Christine Pettigrew.”

Bagshaw blanched. “You live up in Birch Grovewith your brother, Christopher Pettigrew?”

“That’s right.”

Bagshaw now realized the enormity of what hadjust happened. A young woman of social standing had been attacked.The stakes were raised yet again.

“What were you doing in a place like Devil’sAcre?” Bagshaw said gently.

“Well, sir, I decided to pay my cousin avisit. She lives on King Street past York.”

“At ten o’clock in the evening?”

“I sent her a note saying I was coming, and Igot delayed at home.” Christine was still trembling now and then,but otherwise seemed quite composed. Wilkie handed her a mug oftea.

“But you have a carriage and a driver.”

“I do, of course. But I felt like a walk.It’s only fifteen minutes or so.”

“But we’ve had three murders in the last tendays.”

“I’ve always felt safe on our streets,especially with our constables on duty.”

Wilkie smiled at the compliment.

“But Devil’s Acre is not on your route, isit?”

“Birch Grove is about a quarter of a mileaway, off Jarvis Street north. I came down Jarvis and decided — foolishly, I now see — to cut through the corner of Devil’s Acre tosave a little time.”

“And you got lost in that maze ofalleys?”

“Yes. I couldn’t believe how fast I gotturned around.”

“This may be painful, ma’am, but tell us whathappened in there.”

Christine took a swallow of tea and held themug in both hands. “Well, I was walking along, peering right andleft, when I heard a thumping of footsteps coming up behind me. Iturned to look back and — ”

She paused and took another sip at hertea.

“Go on when you’re ready,” Cobb saidquietly.

“I looked back and this large dark shape wascoming at me. Its right hand was raised. There was a knife in it.”She shuddered at the memory. “He lunged at me and I fell backwards.I heard myself screaming.”

“And that — ”

“That seemed to scare the man, for it was aman, a tall man with a big black greatcoat, a fur hat and big blackboots. He paused and raised the knife again. I screamed. I heard apolice whistle somewhere. He did, too. And he took off.”

“Did he speak?”

“No. Not a word.”

“Did you see his face?” Cobb asked, and got aglare from his superior.

“No. It was too dark. I saw only that it wasa man.”

“Did he run off the way he had come?” Cobbasked.

“I’m not sure. I was terrified. I couldn’tscream again.”

“We didn’t find any bootprints,” Cobb said toBagshaw. “But that’s because the whole area was covered with ourown tracks.”

“And if those tracks had been where theyshould have been, Miss Pettigrew would not have been shamefullyattacked!” Bagshaw retorted.

Wilkie looked at the floor.

“Well, we did foil him, sir,” Cobb said.

“Wilkie, I want you to take Miss Pettigrewback to Birch Grove. And don’t try any short cuts!”

Wilkie escorted Christine out of theroom.

“Well, Mr. Detective, are we any furtherahead?” Bagshaw said, standing closer to the stove.

“We’ve got the description of the fellowrepeated,” Cobb said. “It jibes with Pugh’s.”

“That’s not a lot, is it?”

“We know now he’s right-handed.”

Bagshaw snorted. “So we’re looking for asix-foot, big-booted gentleman or would-be gentleman who’sright-handed?”

Cobb grimaced. “It’s not much, is it?”

***

Cyril Bagshaw was right about the stakes beingraised. On the afternoon following the latest attack, Bagshaw wassummoned to the mayor’s office, where he was given a gooddressing-down by Mayor Kennedy and two aldermen.

“We’ve doubled the size of your force toallow you to patrol our streets day and night,” the mayor ranted.“And suddenly we’ve had three murders and a near-murder, all withinan area no bigger than a city block. Get your troops out there andcatch this maniac!”

Bagshaw took the criticisms quietly, but hewas boiling inside. The mayor was right, though. His troops hadfailed him. And especially that fellow who called himselfdetective. “I’d like permission, sir, to end this detectiveexperiment. I’d like to put every man on the street.”

The Mayor’s gaze narrowed. “It seems to me,Bagshaw, as if what we need on this case is more detecting, notless. Move Cobb around as you see fit, but he remains our detective- for now.”

“Yes, sir.” He’d move Cobb around all right!“ We’ll catch this fellow soon. I guarantee it.”

“I don’t want guarantees, sir, I wantresults.”

And with that Bagshaw was summarilydismissed.

***

Cobb found himself on night-patrol with Brown,Rossiter and Wilkie. For two fruitless nights they pounded up anddown the alleys and lanes of Devil’s Acre. So effective were theythat hardly a soul ventured into the gambling dens and brothels.Madame LaFrance came out on her stoop and shook her fist at them.The snow was hard-packed where the constables walked, so that thebig-booted maniac could have come and gone without his spoor beingnoticed. But, of course the murders had occurred on every thirdnight, so it was with much more expectation that the four patrolmenmet at eight o’clock that evening at the police quarters. ChiefBagshaw was waiting for them. He came out of his office with alaundry bag in his hand.

“What’s up?” Rossiter said.

“I’ve come up with a plan,” the Chief said,smiling tightly. “I’m sick and tired of having the madman makefools of us. I’m going to set a trap for him.”

“A trap? How?” Wilkie said.

“I’m going to provide the killer with a blondwoman to kill.”

“But sir,” Brown said, “you can’t expose awoman to the possibility of havin’ her throat slit!”

Bagshaw grinned. “Ah, but I don’t intendto.”

Cobb looked at the laundry bag. “You’re gonnago there in costume?” he said.

“Close, Cobb, close. I am not going incostume. Wilkie is.”

Wilkie blanched. “As a woman?” he gasped.

“As a seductive blond woman. Our killer — this is likely his night — won’t be able to resist, but he’ll findhimself face to face with a policeman’s truncheon.”

“But I ain’t no woman!” Wilkie wailed.

“You’re the slimmest of these fellows,”Bagshaw said, glancing at the others, “so you’re elected.”

“What do I gotta wear?” Wilkie said.

“I’ve brought all you’ll need from home,”Bagshaw said. He began slowly removing the contents of the laundrybag. First to come out was a large, fluffy, blond wig. Then aladies’ evening gown. Then a pair of ladies’ button boots. Then aladies’ feathered hat. And finally, a ladies’ cape.

“I’ve got my wife’s face-paint in theoffice,” Bagshaw said.

“Oh, I couldn’t do that,” Wilkie moaned.

“It’s time you earned your keep,” Bagshawsnapped. He had, of course, thought to humiliate Cobb by choosinghim, but Cobb’s bottle shape precluded any dress fitting him, andthe wild shock of unkempt hair would make any wig impossible tofit. Wilkie was fleshy but slimly built with small feet — alas.

“We’ll help you get ready,” Rossitergrinned.

“Use the constables’ room,” Bagshaw said.

Rossiter and Wilkie went into the constables’room with the garments.

Bagshaw turned to Brown and Cobb. “Now,gentlemen, you’re going to bear witness to how proper police workpays off. I want you, Cobb, to keep a short way behind Wilkie atall times, but discreetly. We want this killer to make his move. Ifhe does, you can yell to alert Wilkie and trap the fellow betweenthe two of you. Blow your whistle for help. I figure that twotruncheons should be able to take care of that knife. Still, youmust remember here that we’re dealing with a madman.”

“Careful! You’re gonna rip the damn thing!”It was Wilkie’s voice from the other room.

Cobb and Brown grinned.

“There’s nothing funny about any of this,”Bagshaw said. “Wilkie will be risking his life.”

A few minutes later the door of theconstables’ room opened, and a sturdy blond woman stepped gingerlyout into the anteroom. Wilkie had successfully squeezed his bulkinto the flowery gown. The wig was bold and curly upon his head,under the hat. He couldn’t get the cape fastened, so it hung on himlike two flaps. The boots, unbuttoned, pinched his toes inward andmade him walk oddly — more like a woman than a man.

“Splendid! Splendid!” Bagshaw enthused.

Wilkie staggered and was caught by Cobb.

“Now a little rouge on each cheek and we’llbe all set,” Bagshaw proclaimed.

Wilkie groaned.

***

As Wilkie meandered through the maze of Devil’sAcre, Cobb stayed close behind, flattening himself against walls tokeep as far out of sight as he dared. Brown and Rossiter werepatrolling other sections of the place — in hopes they might runinto the killer — so Cobb and Wilkie were on their own. And whileWilkie was certainly comic-looking, Cobb realized there was realdanger involved. This was the third night. The killer could be onthe prowl, and Wilkie certainly resembled a woman from even a shortdistance away.

Once, Cobb lost sight of Wilkie, and it wasonly by chance that they met face to face coming around a corner.Wilkie almost jumped out of his dress, then saw it was Cobb.

“I thought you was supposed to be behind me,”Wilkie complained.

“You’re movin’ too fast,” Cobb said.

“You’d move fast, too, if there was a maniacon yer ass.”

Cobb resumed his rear position and theycontinued.

About two hours into their patrol, neareleven o’clock, Cobb saw Wilkie make a limping right turn aboutfifteen yards ahead of him. He sped up to make sure he didn’t losetrack of his man, when out of the opposite alley the blur of afigure vanished somewhere in behind Wilkie.

This was it! Cobb raced to the corner of thealley, fumbling for his whistle. It stuck to his lips. Ahead hecould now see two figures, Wilkie and his attacker. They appearedto be locked in a deadly embrace. Cobb’s whistle sang through themoon-lit darkness. The figures broke apart, and Wilkie tumbledbackwards into a drift. Cobb dashed towards his stricken colleague.The attacker was heading for the far end of the alley. Wilkie wavedCobb after him.

Cobb’s speed was always underestimated bythose he pursued. His tube-like belly was attached to two slim,pistoning legs, and seemed even to assist his forward locomotion,once he got up a head of steam. The attacker aided Cobb by slippingas he tried to turn a corner and sliding into the snow. Cobb wasquickly upon him.

“Gotcha, ya devil!” he cried as he fell uponthe man, truncheon raised.

No serrated knife gleamed in the moonlight.The killer lay panting and passive beneath him. Cobb got up andhauled the fellow up by the scruff.

“Where’d ya hide the knife?” he yelled.

“W-what knife?” the killer said in a chokingvoice.

“Don’t mess with me, fella. Where is it?”

“I haven’t got a knife. And I didn’t donothing to have a policeman jump on me!” Some vigour was returningto the villain’s voice.

Cobb took a good look at his captive. He wasa short, paunchy man dressed in gentleman’s attire. His beaver tophat lay on the ground. He wore a cape, not a great coat. Somethingwas amiss here.

“You assaulted a police constable,” Cobb saidsternly. “We’ll go back and see what he has to say.”

Cobb dragged the man back to where Wilkie wasjust getting to his feet. He had a pained expression on hisface.

“Are you all right, Wilkie? You’re notinjured?” Cobb said.

“’Course I ain’t all right. This bastardtried to kiss me!”

***

Neither Wilkie nor Bagshaw found the kissing episodeas amusing as the rest of the constables. Bagshaw was in a blackmood the next day, and not amenable to any suggestion by Cobb thathe pursue the big-booted gentleman by going back to MadameLaFrance’s brothel and seeking out any client of above averageheight. There could not be that many tall gentlemen visitingDevil’s Acre on a given night. There were also three or four otherbrothels in there, although their clientele was decidedly down thesocial ladder. But it looked now as if — the Wilkie trap havingfailed spectacularly — Bagshaw would rely on patrols alone to catchthe killer. There would be no more traps and no more detecting forCobb, in or out of uniform.

***

It was Dora who came up with the suggestion:

“Mister Cobb, why don’t you sit down andwrite a long letter to Marc Edwards in Kingston?”

“What for?” Cobb asked.

“To tell him all about the killin’s here,that’s what. You two always made such a great team doin’ yerinvestigatin’.”

Cobb thought about the suggestion for a bit,then said, “You think he might be able to see somethin’ I missed?”There was no defensiveness in the remark; it was just a simplequestion.

“You could give him yer reports, couldn’tyou?”

“Well now, I couldn’t do that, but I couldget Gussie to copy them out and I could send the Major thecopies.”

“It’s worth a try. It sure don’t look likethis loony worries about policeman gettin’ in his way.”

“All right, Missus Cobb, I’ll do it.”

It took Gussie a day to copy out Cobb’sreports, which contained detailed accounts of all his interviewswith his own analysis and opinions appended. Gussie did not objectbecause he loved nothing better than to sit at his desk and copyout important documents. Cobb gathered all the materials together,packed them in a bundle, penned a brief covering letter, and mailedthe package off to Kingston. It was on his arrival back from thistask that he was met by Bagshaw.

“You just missed Miss Pettigrew,” he said toCobb.

“Is she all right?”

“Not entirely. She came here to report that astranger looked into her bedroom window last night. She screamedand he disappeared. But she had the wherewithal to run to thewindow in time to see a tall, dark-clothed man striding away acrossher back garden.”

“Our killer, come to finish the job?”

“It appears that way, doesn’t it?”

“Devil’s Acre is only a quarter of a mileaway. It’s possible,” Cobb said. “But how would he know who shewas? Our victims seem to have been unknown to the killer.”

“How do you figure that?”

“Well, Simon Whitemarsh was a man, not awoman. And I reckon our killer has it in for young, blond women — of any class. And Sarie Hickson was wearing a wig as well. She wasnot really blond. Our killer, I figure, goes after what hesees.”

“So you figure Miss Pettigrew was frightenedby a peeping Tom?”

“Most likely. I don’t see any connection toour case.”

Bagshaw’s thin lips quivered. “Well, I’mafraid she does and she happens to be a member of an importantfamily. Her father was in solid with the Family Compact.”

“But we can’t very well patrol Devil’s Acreand Birch Grove, too.”

Bagshaw’s beady eyes grew beadier. “That’sexactly what we’re going to do.”

“You’re takin’ one of the men off the Devil’sAcre patrol?”

“I am. And I intend to have this constable goout to Birch Grove and stay there overnight, from dusk to dawn,until the madman is caught. We’re here to protect the respectablemembers of society, who pay our wages with their taxes.”

“Who’re ya gonna send?”

Bagshaw grinned deliciously. “You,” hesaid.

***

Cobb felt his new assignment as the ultimatehumiliation. After all, he had been selected from among theoriginal four constables, by former chief Wilfrid Sturges, as thebest candidate for the new detective position. Selected because hewas by far the best of the patrolmen. He had worked with MarcEdwards on more than half a dozen murder cases, all of themsuccessful. He had learned from the Major (as he called Marc), andmade himself into an investigator, while using his network ofsnitches to further his duties as patrolman. Now he had been givena baby-sitting job for a frightened young woman who, having escapedthe mad killer of blondes, was now in no danger as long as shestayed in her home.

An order was an order, however galling, so atseven o’clock that evening Cobb found himself using the bell-pullon the front door of Birch Grove, a rambling clapboard manor set ina grove of birch trees off north Jarvis Street. The door was openedby a black-suited butler. The man’s features were squeezed into themiddle of his round face, as if he had sucked in his breath and theexpression had frozen. It gave him a look of permanent distaste forthe world he looked out upon.

“The tradesman’s entrance is around back,” hesaid sepulchrally.

“I ain’t trade,” Cobb snapped back. He was inno mood to put up with a butler’s shenanigans. “I’m the police. AndI been ordered here to protect yer mistress.”

“Ah. . I got a note saying a ConstableCobb was due. Are you he, sir?”

“I am. And I’m gettin’ cold toes standin’ onyer stoop.”

“Then you’d better come in,” the butler saidstiffly.

From farther within the house, Cobb heard afemale voice say, “Is that the constable, Gulliver?”

“It is, ma’am. But he’s come to the wrongdoor.”

“Well, show him in, do.”

Cobb took off his helmet and plunked it inGulliver’s automatically outstretched hands. Gulliver winced, as ifa cold fish had been dropped there, but held his ground as Cobbremoved his coat and draped it over the helmet.

Christine Pettigrew, in a plain grey dress,came up behind Gulliver and held out her hand. “We meet again, Mr.Cobb. It’s good of you to have come.” The plain dress could notdisguise the tall, regal beauty in it. Her blond hair shimmered,but in her pale blue eyes there was a wariness bordering on fear,ready to shy away from whatever it saw before it that might be toopainful to bear.

“I hope me bein’ here will make you feelsafer,” Cobb said.

Just then an elderly woman swept into theroom from the other side. She was a crone with bony features thatmight have once been handsome but were now fleshless andsharp-edged. Her brown eyes seized upon what they took in, seemedto draw one inward to a powerful and confident personality. Thiswoman had ruled some roost for a long time.

“Come, come, Mr. Cobb,” she said brusquely,coming up to him and Christine. “There is no need for you to haveactual contact with Miss Pettigrew. There’s a cup of tea waitingfor you — in the kitchen downstairs.”

“I was just gettin’ acquainted,” Cobb saidgruffly.

“Well, you’ve gone far enough in thatdirection, sir. Follow me.”

As Cobb turned to obey, he spotted Gullivertossing his coat on a nearby stool.

***

Cobb was placed at a small table at one end of thekitchen, a mug of tepid tea in front of him. Mrs. Baldridge, thecrone, went to the far end, where she engaged the cook and scullerymaid in heated conversation. Cobb drank his tea, but his mood washotter than the beverage.

“Where am I to be stationed?” he called outwhen he had finished.

“You can stay down here with the rest of theservants. When the household has settled down — my mistress retiresat ten — you will go upstairs and sit, or stand, in the parlour. Ofcourse, you may wish to make the rounds of the garden from time totime.”

Well, Cobb thought, this is going to be along and boring assignment.

Just then a pretty upstairs maid arrived onthe stairwell.

“What is it, Bridget?” Mrs. Baldridge saidshortly.

Bridget blushed and stammered, “It’s MissPettigrew. She wants the constable to join her in thesewing-room.”

***

Miss Pettigrew ordered coffee and sweetmeats fromGulliver, who looked as if he might faint from chagrin at the sightof his mistress seated across a little table from Horatio Cobb andpreparing to engage him in polite conversation. When Gulliver left,Christine said, “I have no-one to talk to around here exceptBaldridge, and she’s been here for donkey’s years.”

“She helped to raise you?”

“My parents died before I was twelve, soshe’s been like a second mother to me. But one can’t spend allone’s time talking to one’s mother, can one?”

“What do you want to talk about?” Cobbsaid.

“Anything except what has to do with BirchGrove. It’s not the same around here since Christopher leftme.”

“Your husband?”

“Oh, no. My twin brother. We’ve beenseparated only once before, you know.”

“You’ve got a twin, eh?”

“Yes. For twenty-five years we’ve beentogether, we’ve been soul-mates, and now he just up and leaves me.Do you think that’s fair?”

“Depends on why he left, I suppose.”

Christine’s expression darkened suddenly. “Heleft to get married, that’s why.”

“Ah. . I see. And where’s he gettin’hitched?”

“Away off in Kingston.”

At this point Gulliver arrived with coffeeand chocolates. Cobb helped himself to both and earned a glare fromthe butler, who backed discreetly out of the room, his facesqueezed perilously inward.

“Are you not goin’ to the weddin’?” Cobbsaid.

“I don’t see why I should, do you?”

“You’re the fella’s sister.”

“I have no intention of meeting this bride — ever.”

“Are they stayin’ in Kingston?”

“Oh, no. They think they’re coming back here.But I won’t have it, will I?”

“I can see you’re worked up about allthis.”

“It’s his bride, you see. He tells me shelooks like me, thinking that that would make me feel better aboutbeing abandoned, about being left here with an old crone of a womanservant and a big, old, empty house. But I won’t be appeased!” Theblue eyes now blazed, and she seemed to be talking right past Cobbto some invisible soul farther into the room.

“You never met the bride?”

“I don’t have to! I know what she must belike. She’s selfish and cruel to steal my darling Christopher fromme. Don’t you agree?”

“Well, I’d have to meet her, wouldn’t I?”

“She’s a witch! She’s bewitched my poor,helpless Christopher. Damn her!”

“I think you’re gettin’ yerself all workedup, ma’am. Perhaps I oughta go and leave ya to yer thoughts.”

Christine looked over at Cobb with somethinglike pity in her eyes. “You’re a man, aren’t you? I wouldn’t expectyou to understand anything of what I’m suffering.”

“I know you’re upset, that’s fer sure.”

“Well, go, then. I’ll just have to talk toChristina.”

“Who’s Christina?”

In a faraway, plaintive voice, Christinesaid, “Oh, just a friend who comes by every once in a while.Perhaps she’ll come this evening. Do you think so?”

“I’m sure she will,” Cobb said. He got up,snatched a chocolate, and said, “I best be off to my post.”

But she didn’t seem to hear him. She was offin some world of her own — where twin brothers didn’t betray.

TEN

A day later, Marc returned to Marvin Leroy’sboarding-house. This time, Mrs. Soames, his landlady, was home. Sheherself answered the door. She was a tiny wisp of a woman with redhair and bright blue eyes. She wiped her hands on her apron andinvited Marc in.

“I’ve come to ask you a question about thenight that Earl Dunham was murdered,” Marc said. “Two nightsago.”

“Well, come in and have a cup of tea,” Mrs.Soames beamed, her friendly face seemingly arranged in a permanentsmile. “It’s not every day I get to meet a gentleman.”

“Please, don’t go to any trouble. This willjust take a minute.”

“I don’t hurry in my business, young man. IfI did, I’d never stop running. I’ve already got the kettle on theboil. I’ll just make us a fresh pot. Come along into thekitchen.”

The Soames’ kitchen was spacious andcomfortable. Mrs. Soames made the tea and put out a plate of tarts.She settled down at the kitchen table opposite Marc, who hadremoved his hat and coat and placed them on a chair. The room waswarm and cosy. It reminded Marc of Briar Cottage and the family hehadn’t seen for over a week.

“Now then, you had a question you wanted toask me,” Mrs. Soames said, sipping her tea.

“Yes, I’m investigating the murder, and Ineed to know what time Mr. Leroy, your boarder, arrived home thenight it happened. Did you hear him come in?”

“I’m a light sleeper. I remember hearing theclock strike one, and I hadn’t heard the door open and close bythat time.”

“So Leroy could have arrived much later?”

“I suppose he could. I fell asleep afterone.”

So Leroy had no real alibi. And no realmotive either.

“You are married?” Mrs. Soames asked.

“Yes, and I have two children.”

“How wonderful. Mr. Soames and I have notbeen so blessed.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“But I take a keen interest in the young menwho board here.”

“So you know Mr. Leroy well?”

“He’s only been with us six months, but he’sa talkative fellow and we hit it off right away.”

“And he’s an honest, upstanding fellow?” Marcasked, seeing his chance to get some background on Leroy.

“Oh, yes. Despite the sad life he’s led.”

“Oh? He’s suffered some tragedy?”

“Not directly. It was his sister who was thetragic figure.”

“They were close?”

“Very close.”

“What happened? Did his sister die?”

“Oh, no, sir. Worse than that. She was leftstanding at the altar, if you can believe it.”

“Her husband-to-be didn’t show up?”

“That’s right. Backed out at the lastminute.”

“That must have been devastating.”

“It was. And I’m afraid Mr. Leroy bears ahatred for the man to this day.”

“It would be hard to blame him.”

“And then he comes from Montreal and findsout he’s got to work right next to this dreadful man.”

“Out at the hospital?”

“That’s right.”

“Who would that be, ma’am?”

“Why the man who was killed — EarlDunham.”

***

So, Marc had now come up with three viable suspects: Michel Jardin, Gregory Manson and Marvin Leroy, each with strongpersonal motives and no real alibi. Of the three, Manson haddefinitely been out at the building site after midnight. But if hedid leave Dunham alive, then either Leroy or Jardin could have comealong afterwards and done the deed. But how was Marc to get anycloser to discovering which one did it? The murderer did not seemlikely to confess, and Marc had no physical evidence other thanManson’s lost button and the murder weapon, LeMieux’s hammer. Heexplained all this to Robert back at the hotel.

“You’ve done good work, Marc. But we’vereached a dead end, eh?”

“It looks that way, Robert. But if I can’tfind the real killer, I’m pretty sure I can get an acquittal forLeMieux in court.”

“But that won’t be for several months at theSpring assizes,” Robert said. “And I understand the small Frenchcommunity in town is quite upset at LeMieux’s being charged.There’s talk of a revolt by the French workmen out at the site. Andwith negotiations still going on between Louis, us and the otherpotential French members of our alliance, the whole enterprisecould be put in jeopardy, especially if this unrest among theFrench here grows worse. In short, we can’t wait for theassizes.”

“Well, I’ll think of something,” Marcsaid.

“Meanwhile, I need you to accompany youngPettigrew to Cornwall on the chance that Thériault will be luredthere by Pettigrew’s most recent letter. The murder investigationwill have to be put on hold.”

“I’ll go and see Pettigrew right away. We’llleave this afternoon.”

Marc went immediately to ChristopherPettigrew’s room The young man answered the door in an agitatedstate.

“What’s the matter?” Marc asked.

“It’s my sister,” Pettigrew said, waving asheet of paper at Marc. “She’s had a terrifying experience. I’mneeded at home right away.”

“Is that a letter from her?”

“Yes. You’d better read it.”

Marc took the letter and read:

Dear Christopher:

You had the gall to send me a miniature of yourharlot. I spit upon her yellow-headed image! How dare you choosesomeone who resembles me? Do you not have a heart? Have we notshared our lives for twenty-five years. Can you forget the thousandchildhood hours we spent in each other’s company? Even Mother andFather could not keep us apart for more than a minute. Why do youthink I dressed as a boy and had my hair cut short when we wereeleven? I could not bear to have you go off hunting with Fatherwhile I sat in our rooms tatting doilies. I hunted as keenly as youdid. And wasn’t it you who cried the first time you shot a rabbit,and wasn’t it you who were afraid of father’s skinning knife, evenwhen he showed us how to use it, and later in our room I consoledyou and swore the next time I would cry along with you just so youwouldn’t be embarrassed? These were the moments that bonded us asclose as if we were identical and not fraternal twins.

I think of these matters in the midst of mypain, with only old Mrs. Baldridge to try to soothe it away, whenall I need is my loving brother near me. If you do not come backimmediately, I feel I will sink permanently into the blackness thatengulfs me whenever I think upon your absence and your lies andthat wanton creature you claim will take my place and leave meforsaken forever!

And just now a horrible thing has happened. Ihave been attacked in the street by a madman, and almost killed! Iwas so lonely I went off to see our cousin at ten in the evening. Igot lost in Devil’s Acre. And had to face — alone — aknife-wielding killer. And why was I alone? Because you’veabandoned me!

Come home. At once. Without your harlot!

Christine

Marc went and sat down beside Pettigrew’s desk.Pettigrew, anxious and sweating, sat down opposite him.

“This is a very disturbing letter,” Marcbegan.

“She has a right to be upset.”

“I agree. But it’s the first part of theletter — written, it appears, before the incident she mentions atthe end — that I find disturbing. The language is extreme and seemsunwarranted by the circumstances. You’ve only been gone a fewweeks.”

“But she was almost killed!”

“It appears so. And it looks as if there’ssome kind of killer loose in Toronto.” Marc thought of Cobb andtheir previous investigations together. “Still, I don’t believeyour sister is in danger now. She’s escaped an attack and surelywill stick close to home. But she’s certainly emotionally upset.”Marc was more puzzled and concerned about the tone of the letterthan he was letting on to Christopher. But, then, Marc had noexperience with twins or their eccentric behaviour.

“Do you think I ought to go there?” Pettigrewsaid.

Marc hesitated. They really needed Pettigrewto go to Cornwall to meet Henri Thériault, but Marc felt obligatedto give an objective answer, at least as objective an answer as hecould. “Look at it this way,” he said. “If you do go back, you’llhave to leave again, won’t you? Unless you’re thinking of not goingthrough with your wedding plans.”

“I can’t cancel them. I’ve committed myselfas a gentleman. So, yes, I could only stay for a few days.”

“And would Christine not see your leaving asecond time as another betrayal? Remember, it’s your bride who isthe problem here, not your absence as such.”

“I see what you mean. It’s clear thatChristine doesn’t want me to marry,” he said miserably. “Perhapsnot ever. But I must. And she must come to accept it.”

“Then I’d advise you not to go back, at leastnot now. Give her a chance to recover from this attack, and keep onwriting her reassuring letters.”

“All right. I’ll do that.”

“You’ve got time to write a reply,” Marcsaid. “Then you and I are going to head for Cornwall.”

Where the hopes of the alliance now lay.

***

Just as Marc was preparing to go out to meetChristopher Pettigrew on the cutter he had hired, Robert came intothe foyer with a package in his hand.

“What’s that?” Marc asked.

“It’s a parcel from Toronto for you. FromConstable Cobb.”

“Just put it in my room, will you? I’ll readit when I get back.”

“Good luck in Cornwall,” Robert said.

Marc joined Pettigrew on the cutter outsidethe hotel. The drive to Cornwall over a snow-packed road with ateam of stout horses would take them six or seven hours. They wouldbe there late in the evening. Then it would be a question ofwaiting a day or two to see if Henri Thériault had taken upPettigrew’s invitation to meet him at the Roadside Inn. TheKingston Road, which linked Cornwall and Toronto, was designated ahighway, but it was in reality a bush-trail some twenty-five feetwide, cut out of the woods that surrounded it on both sides. Itmeandered along the line of least resistance, but in thewinter-time passage over it was both smooth and fast. Since theywould not be changing horses, however, Marc urged their team on ata sedate, steady pace. They were in no real hurry.

Pettigrew talked a little more about hissister, but after a while had said all that could be said on thesubject. The air was crisp and clear, and the two men soon fellinto a companionable silence. There was even a little light snow tocover the ruts and blemishes on the much-used road. Twice theypassed sleighs coming west and received enthusiastic waves andcheers. There was something inherently cheerful about a sleigh-ridethrough the snow.

They had been travelling about an hour whenMarc spotted what appeared to be a sleigh parked sideways acrossthe road about fifty yards ahead.

“Looks like someone’s had trouble,” Pettigrewsaid.

“Let’s see if we can help,” Marc said.

When they were about thirty yards from thevehicle, someone stood up behind it. Marc reacted instantly. Hegrabbed Pettigrew and pulled him down on the floor of the cutter. Alead ball thudded into the seat just above them.

“Jesus, we’re being shot at!” Pettigrewcried.

“We are. And we’re sitting ducks inhere.”

“But how did you know?”

“I was a soldier. I recognize a rifle when Isee one. Especially if it’s pointed at me.”

Marc peered around the side of the seat.“They’re coming for us!” he cried. “We’ve got to make a run for thewoods.”

With Pettigrew just behind him, Marc leapedout of the cutter and hit the ground running. A bullet whizzed pasthim into the snow. He made it to the nearest clump of cedars andturned to look back. Pettigrew was sprinting towards him. A shotrang out and Pettigrew pitched into a drift. Marc did not hesitate.He ran to his young friend and hauled him into the relative safetyof the cedars.

“Where are you hit?” he asked,breathless.

“In the leg. It just grazed me. I’ll be allright.”

“Can you run?”

“I think so.”

“Then we’d better skedaddle.”

The two men took off at full speed, straightinto the bush. They could hear the shouts of their pursuers, notfar behind.

“They think they’ve wounded you,” Marc said.“They’ll keep coming, I’m afraid.”

“I’m all right. There’s just a littlebleeding here on my calf.”

“With all this snow they’ll be able to trackus easily. But we’ve got no choice. They’re armed with rifles. Wehave nothing.”

“Well, let’s go, then. We’ve got to outrunthem, eh?”

They took off, in what direction they reallydidn’t know, except that they seemed to be getting farther into thewoods and the snow was getting deeper.

“We’ll be exhausted in ten minutes at thisrate,” Marc said when they paused to catch their breath. They couldhear their pursuers in the near distance.

“And my leg is starting to really hurt,”Pettigrew said.

“Our only hope is that they give up before wedo.”

“Unless they’re on snowshoes. Then we’ve hadit.”

The two men staggered forward. The driftswere up to their knees, and each step was more painful than thelast. The snow had stopped but it was still cloudy and sunlessoverhead. Pettigrew began limping.

“I can’t go much farther, Marc,” he said.

“What’s that just ahead?”

“It looks like a creek.”

“Then we may be in luck. Can you get thatfar?”

“I think so.”

Grimacing with every step, Pettigrew followedMarc to the creek. As Marc had hoped, the centre of the stream wassnow-free — an icy ribbon of frozen water. “Let’s get out therequick!”

When they got out to the icy patch, Marchesitated. “That way is the way we came, I think. They’ll figure wewent the other way — ahead.”

He led the way along the icy surface, leavingno bootprints of any kind. They had to get around the first bend,though, before the pursuit reached the creek. They made it to thebend, but did not stop for another five minutes.

“I don’t hear anything,” Marc said.

“Neither do I.”

Fortunately their would-be assassins had beennoisy, talking and shouting to one another as they tracked theirprey. Now there was no sign of them. They had come to the icycentre of the creek and not known which direction their prey hadtaken. Also where the creek bent — often — the icy patch extendedto the banks, so that even if the pursuers split up, they wouldhave to slow down and inspect every bend for the possibility ofescape there. And although the ice was slippery, it was easiergoing than the two- and three-foot drifts in the woods.

However, Pettigrew’s leg was now reallybothering him. Marc decided he had to help. He took Pettigrew’sright arm and laid it over his shoulder. They hobbled forward,three-legged.

“How long can we stay on this creek?”Pettigrew asked between gasps. “Aren’t we lost? If we do go backinto the bush, we’ll just wander around till we freeze.”

“We’ve got no compass and no sun. But Irecall crossing a creek about a mile before we were attacked. Ifthis is the same creek, then eventually we’ll end up back on theKingston Road.”

“If.”

“That’s the operative word. But it’s our onlychance.”

They continued on. Pettigrew’s breathing wasbecoming more laboured.

“Who do you think they were?” he asked whenthey had stopped to rest.

“Someone who knew our plans or suspectedthem.”

“But how could they know?”

“Perhaps Thériault let something slip at hisend. Whatever happened, there are people willing to kill to keep usfrom bringing Thériault over to our camp.”

“I hope Thériault’s all right.”

“They wouldn’t touch him. He’s a hero, likeLaFontaine. No, it’s us they’re after.”

“Maybe they’ll assume we froze to death outhere.”

“Or at least turned back for home,” Marcsaid, getting up.

Fifteen minutes later the creek led them tothe Kingston Road.

“What now?” Pettigrew asked. “I’m feelingfaint.”

“Well, we can’t go back to the cutter. Theycould have left someone there. We’ll just wait here under coveruntil we hear someone coming along the road.”

It was growing dark when they heard a sleighcoming towards them from Kingston. “We’ve got to take a chance onthis,” Marc said. “You need a doctor — soon. And I’m freezing todeath.”

Pettigrew, who had been drifting in and outof consciousness, replied, “Yes, soon.”

Marc stepped out onto the road, and held hisbreath. The sleigh, a big one with two horses, drew up in front ofhim.

“Need a ride, stranger?” a portly man calledfrom the driver’s seat. A woman, bundled up, sat beside him.

“Yes, we do,” Marc said. “I’ve got an injuredman who needs medical attention. How far are you going?”

“Brockville. But there’s a doctor there. I’lltake you to him.”

Marc thanked the man and got Pettigrew intothe back seat of the sleigh. Marc introduced himself, but said onlythat he and his friend were on their way to Cornwall on businesswhen their team bolted and his friend had injured his leg. Whenthey came to the place where the attack had occurred, Marc saw thecutter by the side of the road, without its horses. The assassinshad cut them loose.

“There’s your sleigh all right,” theirrescuer said. “But no sign of your horses. I suppose they’ll headhome eventually.”

Marc agreed, but what he was thinking wasthat they were fortunate themselves to be able to head home — eventually.

***

It was noon the next day before Marc and apatched-up Pettigrew reached Cornwall and the Roadside inn. Thehorses had been picked up by a traveller and brought to Brockville.Marc found them when he checked the livery stable there. Hearranged for someone to go and fetch the cutter, and said he wouldtake cutter and horses back to Kingston on his return trip.Meantime he hired another sleigh and team to take them toCornwall.

At the Roadside Inn they were welcomed, butnot by Henri Thériault. They spent the evening in their rooms,reading and trying not to appear anxious. But time moved slowly.The next day Christopher Pettigrew went for a walk and managed toopen up his wound again.

“I’ll send for the doctor, Christopher,” Marcsaid. “We want you to be in top form if your friend shows up.”

“It’s looking less and less likely,”Pettigrew said. “He’s only half a day from here.”

They were sitting in the lounge when thefront door of hotel opened.

“Ah, it’s the doctor,” Marc said.

“No,” Pettigrew said, “it’s Henri.”

***

“You don’t know how my heart sank that night whenthe door opened and I looked up to find an English fellow staringdown at me,” Henri Thériault was saying. He and Pettigrew were inthe lounge, after a good supper, sipping brandy and reminiscing.Marc was seated a little ways away, discreetly listening to theconversation in French. “I thought to myself, ‘I’ve landed in theDevil’s parlour.’”

“And I wondered who on earth had landed on mydoorstep,” Pettigrew laughed.

Henri Thériault was an intense little man,dark complexioned, and with eyes so fiercely intelligent they werepainful to look at. At the moment, though, they were as relaxed andamiable as they were ever likely to get.

“But you didn’t hesitate. You asked mein.”

“You were injured. Stranger or not, Icouldn’t turn you away, could I?”

“But you must have had your doubts, eh, whenI told you who I was and how I got wounded.”

“I admit I did. And I’ve never told you this,but when the soldiers came knocking on my door, I had a moment ofpanic and indecision. I was a Reformer and a sympathizer, but I wasalso a law-abiding citizen articling for the law, who believed inright and wrong. I didn’t know then what you told me later aboutthe barn-razing and church-burning. But it was more instinct thanreason that made me tell the soldiers you’d been there but had goneon to downtown Montreal.”

“And I’ve never told you this,” Thériaultsaid gravely, “but I had my pistol loaded and pointed at you,though I was probably too groggy to pull the trigger. But then Iheard the soldiers leaving, and I thought: this is a strangeEnglishman. I didn’t know then the difference between an Englishmanand a native-born Upper Canadian.”

“But you do now.”

“Yes. And your letters have moved medeeply.”

Pettigrew signalled for Marc to jointhem.

“And Marc here is not native-born, but he hasbecome a true Upper Canadian. He’s a close friend and confidante ofRobert Baldwin.”

“And this Robert Baldwin has a plan tobenefit both our peoples?” Thériault said to Marc.

“He does,” Marc said. “I gave you the outlinein one of the letters that Christopher sent to you, but I’m here toflesh it out and answer any questions you might have.”

So, for the next hour Marc expounded Robert’stheory of responsible government, the governing passion of hislife. He emphasized that the Governor’s cabinet must have theconfidence of the majority party in the Assembly, and that it mustact cohesively to promote the policies of the majority party. And,of course, the majority party was elected, not appointed. If thiswere accomplished — and there was every reason to believe it wouldbe under Governor Poulett Thomson — then no longer could theappointed Legislative Council or the Governor himself veto orindefinitely delay laws favoured by the Assembly. Moreover, if thatAssembly were in control of a united party of the left, comprisingboth moderate French rouge and moderate English Reformers,then the agenda of both races could be advanced simultaneously.

“But French is not an official language ofthe Assembly,” Thériault pointed out.

“True, but a majority party in the Assemblycan make it so.”

“The capital is in Upper Canada, a veryEnglish city,” Thériault said.

“But that too can be altered. Both Baldwinand LaFontaine favour moving it to Montreal as soon aspossible.”

“I see. But how do we know the English willnot use us until it is convenient to drop us?”

“For two reasons,” Marc said. “First, withoutLouis’ group, there will be no majority. The Reformers are splitand can never hope to make up a majority by themselves. You see,the key point here is that the racial division is really moot.LaFontaine and Baldwin, French and English, have more policies incommon than they do differences because of race. That’s the geniusof the arrangement.”

“And the second reason?”

“The leader of the combined Reform group isnot to be Robert Baldwin but Louis LaFontaine.”

That took Thériault by surprise. “This isagreed?”

“It is. They hope eventually to form aLaFontaine-Baldwin ministry.”

“And what are these common policies?”

Again, Marc spent time going over theprogressive platform that had been hammered out between Baldwin andLaFontaine the previous year: the improvement of commerce, newcanal construction, the revamping of the banking system, theformation of a permanent civil service, and the end of nepotism ingovernment. Thériault asked searching questions about each point,and seemed both surprised and pleased with Marc’s answers.Pettigrew simply sat and marvelled at the depth and range of thediscussion.

Finally, Thériault reached over and shookMarc’s hand.

“You have convinced me, sir. I shall throw inwith LaFontaine and Baldwin and do my best to persuade others.”

Marc sighed with relief. They were one morestep on the road to responsible government.

ELEVEN

Cobb spent a miserable night sitting in adining-room chair in Birch Grove trying, unsuccessfully, to stayawake. No screams of terror disturbed him unless they were in oneof his many nightmares. When Christine Pettigrew had retired at teno’clock, Cobb had been allowed upstairs. Mrs. Baldridge then satsentinel outside her mistress’s bedroom door, in the room next toCobb, and proceeded to knit. No-one was apparently to disturbChristine once she went to her own suite. At about eleven o’clock,Mrs. Baldridge had left for her room and Cobb remained alone — withnothing to do but twiddle his thumbs. And doze.

Sometime towards morning, Cobb dreamt thatDora arrived home from one of her night visits with a large bagslung over her shoulder, like a laundry woman’s. ‘I’ve had a busynight collectin’ these,’ she said merrily, and dumped the contentsof the bag on the floor beside Cobb. They were babies, livesquirming babies. Cobb woke up with a start, breathing heavily.Daylight was just beginning to seep through the dining-roomwindows. He could hear the servants below, getting the day started.The room was icy cold. Cobb shivered. How many more nights likethis would he be required to endure?

***

“Bagshaw’s got it in fer you,” Dora Cobb opined asshe shovelled another helping of sausage onto her husband’sbreakfast plate. “That’s all there is to it.”

“He don’t want me to play detective, Iguess.”

“Pure jealousy, I’d say. And where is itgettin’ him?”

“I’m sure I could’ve found the gentlemandoin’ these awful deeds,” Cobb said, chomping into a sausage. “Buthow can I help out bein’ stuck at Birch Grove baby-sittin’ astrange woman?”

“Strange? In what way?”

“Well, fer one thing, she calls me upstairsbecause she needs someone to talk to.”

“You?” Dora said, raising her eyebrow.

“Yeah, me. Ain’t that pathetic?”

“I can’t imagine what you’d have to talkabout.”

“Well, she just wanted a listenin’ post ferher so-called troubles.”

“She was assaulted, though.”

“That didn’t seem to bother her as much asher twin brother gettin’ married down in Kingston.”

“A twin, eh? They’re always mightyclose.”

“Well, she went on and on about bein’betrayed by her brother leavin’ her. I was glad to get out ofthere.”

“I guess you’ll be wantin’ to sleep throughthe day?”

Cobb grinned. “Somehow I don’t feel sosleepy.”

***

Cobb arrived at Birch Grove at seven o’clockthat evening to find that Miss Pettigrew was just about to sit downto her supper. Gulliver was steering Cobb towards the stairs to theservants’ quarters when Christine called out to him from thedining-room.

“Have Mr. Cobb come in and take a seat,” shesaid.

“Oh, I’ve already eaten,” Cobb said. Gulliverhad not let go of his sleeve.

“I’ll have Mrs. Baldridge bring you a cup ofcoffee.”

Gulliver let go reluctantly, and Cobb wentthrough the archway into the dining-room. Mrs. Baldridge gloweredat him, but went off to fetch his coffee. Christine was seated atone lonely end of a long table, her soup steaming in front of her.Then Cobb noticed that a second place had been set beside her. Hemoved towards it.

“Oh, no, not there!” she cried. “That’sChristopher’s place.”

“But Christopher’s in Kingston” Cobb pointedout gently.

“But he could arrive home any minute. Ialways set a place for him.”

Cobb sat down on the opposite side of thetable, feeling decidedly uncomfortable. “Is it all right here?”

“Oh, yes. You’ll have coffee while Ieat.”

“That’s good of you, ma’am, but I don’t mindthe servants’ quarters.”

“I need someone to talk to.”

“So you said last night. Why don’t you inviteyour friend to visit you?”

Christine’s face darkened. “Christina onlycomes when she feels like it. Sometimes I think she doesn’t evenlike me.”

“Well, you could go to her house perhaps. I’dbe happy to escort you.”

“She doesn’t like anyone suddenly dropping inon her.”

Cobb wondered what kind of friend this couldbe.

“Anyway, I want to talk to you. You seemed sounderstanding last night when I told you how faithless my brotherhas been.”

“But your brother will have to marrysometime, won’t he?” Cobb said, pointing to what he thought wasobvious.

“Of course he won’t!” she snapped. “He’salready got me, hasn’t he?”

“But he might want children, a regular familylife.”

“You’re beginning to sound just like him.”Her pale blue eyes widened and a wild, almost desperate, look cameinto her expression.

At this point the conversation was saved bythe arrival of Mrs. Baldridge with a cup of coffee on a tray.Beside it was an envelope.

“What’s that?” Christine said sharply.

Mrs. Baldridge replied hesitantly. “Well,Gulliver picked this up at the post office this afternoon, andseeing how letters seem to upset you so, he held onto it. I’vealready chastised him for it.”

“Leave it with me.”

“Couldn’t you wait till after you’veeaten?”

“It’s from Christopher. I must read it rightaway.” She snatched the letter from the tray, tore it open, andbegan reading the letter, muttering under her breath as she didso.

“He’s not coming home! He’s not cominghome!”

“Please, Christine, don’t upset yourself,”Mrs. Baldridge said. “He’ll be home as soon as he can. He’s animportant man of the world now. We can’t have him all toourselves.”

“And he mentions that harlot again!”

At this she rose up, spilling her soup, andhurled the letter to the floor. Her face went beet-red, twisted inpain and frustration. Her hands turned to fists as she leanedagainst the table. Suddenly her whole body began to tremble, andher eyes rolled back in her head. Mrs. Baldridge let out a littlecry and reached out to catch her mistress as she collapsed in afaint.

Cobb was up instantly and at Mrs. Baldridge’sside.

“Is she havin’ a fit?” Cobb said, staringdown into the girl’s face, now becalmed.

“It’s her headache. It often starts this way.I’ll carry her to her room.”

“Can you manage?”

“I have for twenty-some years.”

With that, the little woman carried the tallgirl into the next room and through a far door, which led toChristine Pettigrew’s suite. Cobb ran ahead and opened thedoor.

“No-one’s allowed in but me,” Mrs. Baldridgesaid firmly, and swept inside. The door closed behind her.

‘What have I gotten myself into?’ was Cobb’sthought.

He turned and went back into the dining-room.His coffee was still there, still hot. He sat down and drank it. Nosound came from Christine’s suite. Cobb noticed the letter on thefloor. He picked it up. He remembered seeing several like it on asmall secretary in the sewing-room last night. He decided to putthis one with its fellows. There were four or five other letters ina neat pile on the desk. He placed this one on top. Then somethingmade him browse through the others. They were all from Christopherin Kingston. They had come quite regularly. And, he assumed, eachone had brought on the “headache.”

He went back into the dining-room and took uphis post for the night. He thought that Miss Pettigrew would likelybe sedated and unaware of any peeping Tom, should one happen tocome.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Baldridge came outof the suite, and then did a strange thing. She reached in herapron pocket and pulled out a large key. She inserted it into alock on the door, and turned it. She put the key back in her pocketand came into the dining-room.

“I’ll take these dishes downstairs,” shesaid. “You can stay where you are.”

Cobb sighed. Now he was taking orders from alady’s maid.

Mrs. Baldridge reappeared and went to take upher own post outside Christine’s door. Out came the knitting. Cobbyawned. At ten o’clock, Mrs. Baldridge, without saying goodnight,got up and disappeared into her own quarters. Christine was allalone with her headache.

As Cobb drowsed, dreamt, and came awake, heremembered the dream he had had the previous night. And suddenly heknew what clue he had missed: the image of a laundry woman with awhite bag over her shoulder on the night of the first murder. Andhe thought about the regularity of those letters, and a scarf leftbehind in an alley. And then a cold shiver came up his spine. Hehad a wild, fantastic thought. And suddenly, he had toknow.

First he had to get the key. He went into alittle hallway off the drawing-room and, following the snores hecould hear, he soon found Mrs. Baldridge’s bedroom. The door waspartially open. He gave it a push. No squeak. He slipped into theroom, lit by moonlight from its sole window. Mrs. Baldridge wasasleep on a cot in a far corner. Her apron was draped over a chair.Cobb tiptoed across to it. He hit a squeaky board, and stoppeddead. The snoring hesitated, then resumed. Cobb reached the chairand felt about in the apron for the key. It was there.

He slipped back into the drawing-room andwent up to the door of Christine’s suite. He realized the danger inwhat he was doing. If he disturbed Christine from her sleep, shemight cry out before he could explain that he had heard a noiseoutside and was checking to see if she were all right. (He waspraying she didn’t realize she was locked in.) If the hue and crywere raised, however, he would have no plausible way of explaininghow he had come by the key. But he had to know.

He inserted the key and slowly turned it. Heeased the door open and put his head inside. What he could see,with moonlight through the windows, was enough to let him know hewas in an anteroom off the boudoir. There was a couch on the farside near a fireplace, but it was empty. He stepped into the room.The boudoir was to his right. He could see the small door leadingto it. Fortunately it was open. He went over to it and peekedinside.

The room was small, containing just a vanity,a tall wardrobe and a curtained bed. The curtains were drawn back.No-one was sleeping there, though someone had been. Cobbdecided to take a huge risk. Softly, he called out, “MissPettigrew? Are you here? Are you awake?”

No response. Not a breath of sound.

He went back into the bigger room andsatisfied himself that it too was unoccupied. What was he to think?The outer door was locked from the outside. Christine could havehad a key of course, but if she did, then why did Mrs. Baldridgebother to lock her in? Cobb knew he had dozed off a bit, but surelyhe would have heard the click of a lock. He went over to each ofthe windows and noted that neither had been opened that winter.

Where was she?

Then he remembered the tall wardrobe. She hadto be in there. He went back into the boudoir and over to thewardrobe. It opened easily. It seemed full of dresses and otherladies’ garments. He pushed at them, expecting at any moment to hitsomething solid. Then he pushed too hard and stumbled into thecupboard. He pitched forward and hit his head on the far wall.

It swung open.

It was actually a door, set in what had oncemost likely been a window. He crawled through it — into a cold,dark room. There was just enough light for him to realize that hewas in a milk shed, attached no doubt to the back of the stonehouse. Cobb shivered at the shock of cold air, but went across toan outside door and opened it. He was staring at the snow-coveredkitchen garden. A narrow path led off to the right, packed hard bythe tramp of servants. He couldn’t tell if anyone had come out heretonight. But he was now certain that someone had.

He went back inside. What to do? He made hisdecision. He went into the boudoir and sat down on the bed. Hehoped he knew what he was doing.

***

He didn’t have to wait long. About half an hourlater he heard the door to the milk shed bang shut. Then he heardthe secret door to the wardrobe open. He stood up, just as a heavylaundry bag was flung onto the boudoir floor. Then ChristinePettigrew herself came through. She had a knife in her hand.

Cobb lunged for the knife, but he wasn’t fastenough. He knocked it aside, but it swung back in a sharp arc andsliced through Cobb’s shirt. He heard the girl grunt with theeffort. With both hands he seized the arm wielding the knife. Shestrained to break free of his grip, and Cobb felt, and was amazedby, the strength in her. The girl’s rasping breath was in his ear.Finally Cobb brought the arm down on his knee, and heard the girl’scry and the knife hitting the floor.

“It’s all over, Christine,” he cried. “Giveit up.”

Suddenly all the fight went out of her. Sheheaved a big sigh and collapsed in Cobb’s arms.

Her cry brought Mrs. Baldridge to thedoor.

“What are you doing to my precious?” shedemanded.

“It’s what she’s done to me and others thatmatters,” Cobb said. “I’ve just captured the mad killer who’s beenterrorizin’ the town!”

Mrs. Baldridge acted as if she had notheard.

“Put her on the couch. I’ll get the smellingsalts.”

Cobb hauled the dead-weight of the girl overto the couch in the anteroom. He went back and picked up the knife.There was, thank God, no blood on it, his or anyone’ else’s. Thehunt had been unsuccessful this night.

Mrs. Baldridge retuned, propped Christine up,and applied the smelling salts. The girl woke up drowsily.

“Hello, Nanny,” she whispered in alittle-girl voice. “Oh, hello, Mr. Cobb. What are you all doing inmy room?”

“I think Christina’s been for a visit,” Mrs.Baldridge said.

***

“Whenever Christine has one of her headaches,Christina is likely to appear,” Mrs. Baldridge explained. Christinewas sitting up and merely looking bewildered. She apparently hadlittle or no memory of what she had just been doing. “And Christinais not a very well balanced lady, so I lock the room at night.”

“Christina is sometimes very bad,” Christinesaid.

“So you know about Christina, then?” Cobbsaid.

“Oh, yes. We talk often, and Christinadelights in telling me about her being naughty.”

“She sneaked out of the house?”

“Oh, yes. She had a secret door, didn’tshe?”

“I didn’t know anything about a secret door,”Mrs. Baldridge said. “I had no idea she was sneaking out at night.I always found Christine in bed in the morning, with the headachegone.”

“Christina has been goin’ out to Devil’sAcre, hasn’t she?” Cobb said.

“That’s what she’s been telling me,”Christine said.

“And why did she do that?”

“It was all Christopher’s fault. That’s whatChristina told me. He abandoned me, he was going to marry awitch!”

“But a witch that looked like you?”

Christine winced. “That’s what Christophertold me. Tall and blond, like I am and Christopher is.”

“So Christina convinced you to hate thiswoman in Kingston?”

“Christina said all would be well if only wecould get rid of her.”

“So Christina plotted to do that, and shewent looking for someone blond and attractive in Devil’s Acre.”

“She was a devil, wasn’t she? Where elsewould we find her?”

“But she lived in Kingston.”

“That’s what Christopher wished me tobelieve, but she’s been here in Devil’s Acre all along. He’s beenkeeping that secret from me, but Christina knows everything. She’snaughty, but she knows things for certain.”

“So Christina went looking for her?”

“And there she was. Christina told me abouther. And how clever she was in doing what had to be done.”

“Christina thought up the idea of dressing uplike a man? In yer brother’s clothes?”

“Oh, yes. Clever, isn’t she?”

“But what did Christina do?” Mrs. Baldridgesaid with a gasp.

“She killed three people by slitting theirthroats: Sally Butts, Sarie Hickson and Simon Whitemarsh,” Cobbsaid.

“Oh, my God,” Mrs. Baldridge said, andreached for the smelling salts. She sat down in a chair oppositethe couch that Christine was lying on.

“But the third time Christina killed yourbrother’s fiancée,” Cobb said to the girl, “it was really aman.”

“Christina was not pleased to read that inthe newspaper.”

“Not completely clever, was she?”

“Oh, but she boasted to me how she outwittedthe police every time.”

“She put on your brother’s boots andgreatcoat and fur hat, didn’t she?”

“Oh, yes, but not here.”

“That was the really clever part, wasn’t it?She put these things in a big laundry bag and pretended she was alaundry woman, didn’t she?”

“And who would notice or remember a laundrywoman walking towards or away from Devil’s Acre?”

“So Christina waited till she was insideDevil’s Acre, then put on a man’s coat, hat and boots over herwoman’s clothes, old clothes like a laundry woman would wear. And abit like the ones you’ve got on, Christine.” Cobb had an image of atall, dark figure stalking its victim, silently except for thewhirr of the knife, blood splashing on the white snow.

Christine looked puzzled. “Christina musthave given me these. They’re not mine.”

“Then she prowled Devil’s Acre looking forthe witch, didn’t she?” Cobb said.

“Even if she was seen she got only a nod fromthe passers-by. She had the knife ready, the one my daddy used forskinning rabbits.”

“What puzzled me the most,” Cobb said, “wastracking those bootprints to the edge of Devil’s Acre, at Jarvis orChurch Street. They disappeared because Christina stopped there toput the men’s things into the laundry bag — and became the laundrywoman again.”

“How clever is that, eh?”

Cobb remembered now that the tracks at theedge of Devil’s Acre had always looked as if the killer hadshuffled about waiting for the coast to be clear. But now he knewthe shuffling about was for the removal of the disguise. And thatthe laundry woman the watchman had seen after Sally Butts waskilled was in fact the murderer.

“And Christina was clever enough to fake anattack on you,” Cobb said.

Christine smiled. “Oh, that was a good one,wasn’t it? I was very frightened, of course, when she told me I hadto walk through Devil’s Acre. ‘But I’ll be nearby, won’t I?’ shesaid to me. And I knew I’d be safe. She told me when to scream andfall down.”

“She wanted the police to know, from yourdescription, just what sort of man was doing the attackin’,didn’t she?”

“They’ll never suspect it’s a woman,’ shesaid, and laughed.

“She only made one mistake, though. Shedropped her scarf in the alley. It had the letter ‘P’ on it forPettigrew.”

“But there are a lot of ‘P’s in Toronto,aren’t there?”

“Tell me, though, why would Christina invitea policeman into your house?”

“Oh, but she didn’t. I did see a man at mywindow, and without Christopher here, I wanted protection. I justinsisted and Christina had no say in the matter.”

“What put me onto your clever friend,” Cobbsaid, “was my sudden memory of the laundry woman and beginning towonder what might have been in that bag. Then I noticed that theletters from your brother were dated three days apart. I saw howyou reacted to the letter at supper time, and I began to wonder ifyour headaches were brought on by the mention of Kingston and yourbrother leavin’ you. Then there was the letter ‘P’ on the scarf. Ithought my idea was wild at the time, but all I needed to do wasmake sure that you were in your bed where you were supposed tobe.”

“Oh, but I was, wasn’t I? It’s Christina whogoes out and does those naughty deeds.”

“Ah, yes, Christina. Well, she’s in a lot oftrouble, I’m afraid.” Cobb looked over at Mrs. Baldridge. “We’llhave to go to the magistrate,” he said.

Mrs. Baldridge, still in shock, repliedquietly, “I’ll see that she’s ready to go.”

TWELVE

Marc and Christopher had an uneventful passage hometo Kingston. Marc went immediately to Robert’s room, where he foundRobert, Hincks and LaFontaine.

“I’ve got great news,” Marc said before heeven greeted them.

“You’ve won Thériault over?” Robert said, hiseyes widening.

“All the way,” Marc said. “Christopher wasmagnificent.” He had been magnificent, too, but was too modest tosay so.

“He’s going to back the coalition?” Louissaid.

“And try to persuade others to do the same,”Marc said. “I left a number of documents, in English and French,for his use with his peers.”

“I’d like to meet with him as soon aspossible,” Louis said.

“That will not be difficult. He has expresseda desire to do so as soon as you’re free.”

“I’ll go to Chateauguay at once,” Louis said,as excited as he ever got.

“I’ll go with you,” Hincks said, “if youthink I could be of any help.”

“Marc, this is wonderful news,” Robert said.“I really feel now as if we are on the path to responsiblegovernment. Oh, there will be setbacks and bumps along the road,but with a French-English Reform alliance in the Assembly, nothingcan stop our steady march.” Robert had tears in his eyes. “Therewere times when I thought this day would never come. But it has.And I thank God — and my many friends — for it.”

Was Robert right? Had they at last won thebattle they had been waging for so long? Robert all his adult life,of course, and Marc since the winter of 1836 when he had venturednaively into the Upper Canadian countryside to try and solve themurder of Beth Smallman’s father-in-law. He had been an ignorantaristocrat then, full of himself and his own narrow future. ButBeth and her neighbours had taught him about the reality of life inthe province, and he had come to know and love them. Then there hadfollowed the slow but inevitable change in his politics — fromcareer Tory to enthusiastic Reformer. He had teamed up with Robert,and they had together fought elections, battled in the Assembly fortheir rights, championed the union of the two Canadas, and alwayswith one eye on the main prize: responsible government. Was it nowreally within their grasp?

“Well, then, we’d better make a toast to oursuccess,” Hincks said. “I’ll see if our host has a chilled bottleof champagne handy.”

***

While the toast was being drunk, less sanguineevents were occurring in the town. The three dozen or so Frenchworkers from the Parliamentary and other work-sites, many withtheir families, lived in rundown shanties in the east end ofKingston. This evening, instead of fiddling and dancing and otherentertainments, there was an uneasy quiet over the community. Menwere seen going door to door, gathering in small groups andwhispering. Gradually they formed into a single group of severaldozen. They still spoke in low voices but the tone was one ofanger.

“I say we go to the jail and let LeMieuxout,” someone was heard to say.

“It’s the magistrate who did this. Let’s goto his house and demand that he free LeMieux.”

“It’s a plot against us French, that’s what.We have to do something about it.”

“Let’s take clubs!”

The talk was increasing now in volume and inanger.

“No! No! This must be a peaceful march. Thereare troops in the fort.”

“To the magistrate’s house!”

“To Wilson’s!”

The group was leaderless, but they didn’tseem to require one, so focussed was their purpose and itsrightfulness. They swarmed down a side street — a swelling tide ofresentment — to King Street, and thence on to number 31, asubstantial two-storey stone house. One of the men went up andpounded on the door.

“Come out, Wilson!” he shouted inEnglish.

The door opened, and a black-suited butlerrecoiled in shock at the sight of the mob in front of him. Heslammed the door shut.

“Come out, Wilson, or we’re coming in!”

A few minutes later, Magistrate Wilson, inhis dressing-robe, stepped out onto the stoop, shivering andwide-eyed. He was a rotund little man with fleshy cheeks andpop-eyes.

“What do you people mean, disturbing me likethis? Go to your homes!” he shouted in as commanding a voice as hecould muster.

“We want Jacques LeMieux freed from prison.He is there only because he is French.”

“Libérez LeMieux!”

“If you don’t let him go, we will go to thejail and do the job ourselves.”

“Just a minute. I have to get my coat on.Then we’ll discuss this.” With that Wilson shut the door, and saidto his footman. “Go to the Clarendon Hotel and fetch LouisLaFontaine. Immediately. We’ve got the makings of a mob on ourhands.”

The footman scooted out the back door.

Wilson re-emerged on his stoop with a coatand hat on. “Mr. LeMieux’s hammer was used to murder Earl Denham,”he said to the spokesman for the French protesters. “And the manmade a death-threat against him. He has no alibi. He was seen drunkand heard threatening Denham just before midnight when we think thecrime took place.”

“What about the other workmen? You arrestedLeMieux because he is French!”

“Libérez LeMieux!”

The magistrate continued to argue with thespokesman, but since he was the only one whose English wasproficient, the arguments were lost on the mob that was growingincreasingly restless.

“To the jail!” someone shout in French.

“Arrêtez!”

The single word boomed from the back of themob. All chatter ceased, and the crowd parted to let a tall, darkman of regal bearing walk through to the stoop. He stood besideWilson, towering over him, and faced the mob.

“You know who I am?” he said in French.

“Monsieur LaFontaine,” someone said, sendingwhispers through the crowd.

“That’s right. I have fought for your causelong and hard in the legislature and in the courts. I have beenjailed by the English. I speak to you now as your friend and yourally. I know all about Jacques LeMieux’s case. I have engaged afirst-rate investigator to find the real killer of Earl Dunham sothat LeMieux may be freed. If that does not happen, then we willhave the most able defense attorney to defend LeMieux, and I havebeen assured he will be acquitted.”

“But he’s innocent!” someone shouted.

“I believe he is as well. But going to thejail as a mob will only get you shot at by the English troops. Itwill not free LeMieux. You must accept my word that LeMieux will bedone right by. I am LeMieux’s best hope.”

“The English will not listen to aFrenchman!”

“They will and they do. I am a friend ofRobert Baldwin, who is a member of the Governor’s ExecutiveCouncil. He has agreed to help. Together we will get LeMieux out ofprison — now or later. I guarantee it.”

There was a lot of muttering and murmuring inthe crowd, but LaFontaine had broken the spell. Their fury wasspent.

“Now, please go home to your families.”

Silently, the mob drifted away.

“That was a close call,” Wilson said. “Thankyou for coming.”

LaFontaine smiled wryly. “Now I must deliveron my promises.”

***

And the man who could help him do that was MarcEdwards.

“How is the investigation going?” Louis askedMarc the next morning. “We have a lot of restless French peoplehere in town, and the word will spread. We don’t want a bump in theroad this soon after our victory in Cornwall.”

“I’ve got three good suspects,” Marc said.“Marvin Leroy, Gregory Manson and Michel Jardin. But littlephysical evidence and no witness to put them at the scene of thecrime, except for a button off Manson’s overalls. I couldinterrogate him again and see if he makes a slip.”

“It looks as if you’re more likely to end updefending LeMieux in court.”

“I’m afraid so. But I haven’t given up.”

“I’ve never seen you do so,” Robert said.

“Do you think you’ve avoided a possiblesitdown by the French workers out at the Parliament site?” Marcasked.

“Possibly. But Campion told me most of thelath work is finished.”

Marc did not reply. The mention of lath workhad triggered an idea in his head. He knew how he might track downthe killer of Earl Denham.

***

After supper, Marc went to his room and dressedwarmly. He put on a fur hat. He borrowed a flask from Hincks andfilled it with brandy. He took an extra scarf and put on a secondpair of socks. Then he walked to the livery stable and hired ahorse. He rode out to the Parliament building-site and led thehorse behind the huge, two-storey structure. He tethered the horseand walked back around to the front of the building. Two oak doorswere being fitted into a new façade, and one of them swung easilyopen at his touch. He went through a dark hall until he came to theunfinished Legislative Council chamber. Here, moonlight streamed inthrough several tall windows. He could see a single pile of lathsover in one corner. He went over and crouched down behind it. Hetook out his flask.

And waited.

And waited.

His toes began to grow numb, so he stood upand walked around the room three times, stomping his feet to getthe circulation going again. He went back to his hiding-place. Hetook another sip of brandy, rationing it out because, although itprovided the illusion of warmth, he had to keep his mind clear andalert.

By the movement of the moon, Marc guessed hehad been hiding out for about three hours when he heard the oakdoor ease open. He crouched as low as he could, while maintainingan eye on the door to the chamber. He heard footsteps coming alongthe hall. Soon a figure appeared in the doorway. It was short andslight. Marc tensed as it moved slowly across the room towards him,glancing about often. It reached the far side of the pile, andbegan picking up pieces of lath.

“I don’t think those are yours,” Marc said,getting up and reaching out for the thief.

The thief dropped the lath he was holding andsprinted for the doorway. But Marc was too quick for him. Hetackled the fellow before he reached the door. But he scrambled up,pushed Marc’s arms away, and headed for the scaffolding. By thetime Marc reached it, the thief was halfway up.

Marc stood below the fellow and said quietly,“I won’t come up there after you, son. But neither am I going toleave this spot until you come down. So you might as well do itnow.”

Marc heard the lad sigh, and then slowly hemade his way down. He stood meekly in front of Marc. He was a boyof no more than thirteen years of age.

“You’ve been stealing laths for a week ormore, haven’t you?”

“Are you a constable?”

“No, I’m not. And I’m not particularlyinterested in your stealing.”

“We need the firewood. We’re poor. We haven’tan axe. And my mother’s sick.”

“You were in here every night last week,weren’t you?”

The boy’s eyes widened. “What if I was?”

“I’m interested in something you saw onenight. Something you should have gone to the magistrate about.”

Fear filled the boy’s eyes. “I didn’t mean tosee it. I couldn’t help it!”

“I want you to tell me exactly what you saw,and then perhaps I’ll put in a good word for you with themagistrate.”

“What good would that do? I’ll go tojail.”

“What if I agreed to pay the company back forwhat you took?”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because I want you to go to the magistrateand tell him what you saw here last week.”

“I saw a man kill another man,” the boy said,near tears.

“With a hammer?”

“Yes. I came in here like I done tonight, andI see a man crouched down where you were. He’d been here for threenights, guarding the laths. I turned to run as usual, but then Ihear him snore. So I think I’ll just take a few pieces andskedaddle. But then I hear someone comin’ down the hall. So I hidebehind another pile of laths, and this fellow comes in, real quietlike. He goes over to the sleeping man. Then he goes to the otherside and picks up a hammer. I wonder if he’s seen me, but, no, hejust walks back and raises up the hammer and — and hits thesleepin’ man on the head. It makes a terrible sound.”

“Was there moonlight, like this tonight?”

“Yeah. Lots of it. That’s why I thought hemight’ve seen me. But he didn’t. I heard him laugh, and then hewalked away. I went over to the man, but he wasn’t snorin’. I wassure he was dead, and I thought I might be blamed for it. So I justgrabbed a bundle of laths and ran. I didn’t come back the nextnight, but I heard they arrested a man, and we needed firewood. SoI come back tonight.”

“Did you get a real good look at thekiller?”

“Yeah. I saw his face.”

“Can you describe it for me?”

“He had a long scar, right here.” The boybrushed his cheek.

Marvin Leroy. They had their murderer.

“Now, son, you and I are going for a rideinto town.”

***

Next morning, faced with an eye-witness, MarvinLeroy soon confessed to the crime. Jacques LeMieux was set free.Marc convinced Magistrate Wilson to let the thief off with awarning and restitution (courtesy of Marc). A further toast was inorder in Robert’s room, after which Marc went back to his own roomand discovered a pile of papers sitting on his desk. He sat downand began to read.

***

Constable Cobb was invited into the Chief’soffice.

“You wanted to see me, sir?”

“I’ve just come from the Mayor’s office,Cobb. They are very pleased at your catching the mad killer.”

“And mad she is, sir. I figure she’ll end upin the asylum.”

“I’ve sent a note to her brother in Kingston.He’s a twin. He’ll no doubt take the news hard.”

“Bound to, ain’t he?”

Cobb sensed there was more to be said, so hejust waited.

Bagshaw cleared his throat. “The Mayorordered me to pass on his congratulations to you for a job welldone.”

“That’s real nice of him.”

The next sentence was delivered as if thespeaker were in pain. “He also ordered me to make you ourdetective, to investigate all serious crimes.”

Cobb’s surprise showed on his face. “I wasn’texpectin’ that,” he said.

The next sentence came out a whisper. “Hewants you in plain clothes, just like the detectives in London,”Bagshaw said, his right eyebrow quivering.

***

When Cobb got home and told Dora the news,her response was, “Well, then, I guess we’ll have to get yer Sundaysuit mended.”

Then she mentioned that she had picked up aletter at the Post Office. Later, alone, Cobb opened it. It wasfrom Marc in Kingston.

Dear Cobb:

I just spent a couple of delightful hours readingthrough the copies of your interviews and your reports on theDevil’s Acre murders. I have formulated a theory, which is quitefanciful but may prove to have some basis in reality. First of all,I think you took into account almost all the clues available toyou. Your pursuit of the dropped glove was persistent and resultedin the first detailed description of the killer by BartholomewPugh. The scarf with the ‘P’ on it certainly suggested Pugh mayhave been more than a witness to the crime. And were it not foranother, more compelling theory, I would say that he — given hisobsession with Sally Butts — was the most likely ‘gentleman’ tohave committed the crime.

Also, you were quick to discern that you weredealing with one killer and three victims. The killer was obviouslyobsessed with women with blond hair. But even though the deathsoccurred in Devil’s Acre, I don’t believe this was a case of agentleman hating prostitutes. Sally Butts may have been taken for aprostitute, but Sarie Hickson was dressed as a lady (a famouslady), and your cross-dresser certainly had good taste in clothes.So victims two and three were taken for respectable women, whoseblond wigs got them murdered. So we are left with a killer whomerely hated blondes.

Why? Well, it could be a blond lover who’sbetrayed him or a despised mother who was blond (which wouldn’taccount for the youthfulness of the first two victims). But I amgoing to suggest another motive, and it’s based on the one clueyou’ve overlooked so far. In your very first report you mention alaundry woman whom the watchman saw on Church Street, just beyondthe point where the killer left Devil’s Acre. Also, you mentionthat the bootprints showed the killer “shuffling” about, waiting toenter the street. What I am wondering is, what might have been inthe laundry woman’s sack? Could it not have been the coat, hat andboots that your killer is described by Pugh and Miss Pettigrew aswearing? That is, could this have been a disguise, allowing thekiller to move about freely in Devil’s Acre to search forvictims?

Yes, I know it sounds fantastic, but if themale clothes were a disguise, then the killer might have been thatlaundry woman.

If it was a woman — and I think you shouldkeep an open mind on the matter — then the motive becomes clearer.Remember that the crimes are committed about three days apart andthe same figure is murdered — a youngish blond woman. This suggeststhat your killer is mad to some degree, for she kills the sameperson over and over again, every three nights or so (although thismay be coincidence). Why? Because the woman is a rival or otherfigure of detestation. I am convinced there will be more murders ifthere are victims available, so I do hope you are lucky enough tocatch the killer in the act. Meanwhile you’ll know who to warn.

Anyway, I enjoyed speculating on your case.Thank you for sending me the material.

Your Friend

Marc Edwards

Cobb told Dora about Marc’s letter, and then said,“The Major and me still make a great team, don’t we?”

Content

Don Gutteridge
Governing Passion

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE