My list bore one more address, an equally notorious hell in Pall Mall, but I did not bother with it. I made my way back to number 20, Bishop's Lane, and presented my card to John when he opened the door. He took me upstairs right away, at least, and did not make me stand out in the rain.

I waited a full half hour before Mrs. Chambers entered her sitting room. She was dressed for the evening in a gray silk gown that bared her shoulders and much of her plump bosom. Wherever she intended to go, I predicted that she would eclipse every woman in the room.

"Captain?" She peered at my bruised face and torn coat in concern. "Are you well?"

"No." I made a formal bow. "Mrs. Chambers, I will just take the walking stick and go."

Her color rose. "Walking stick?"

"You have it, do you not?"

Mrs. Cambers gazed at me for a long moment, then she turned and rang the silver bell. In a few moments, a footman appeared-not John this time.

"Henry," Mrs. Chambers said. "Have Annie fetch Mr. Summerville's walking stick from my armoire, please."

Henry bowed and withdrew. I gathered that he truly hadn't gone to visit his family.

"How did you find me out?" Mrs. Chambers asked in the ensuing silence. She did not invite me to sit down again, nor did she offer me a beverage.

"You were not surprised when I told you what I'd come for," I said. "You had a glib explanation that Summerville always left the walking stick about, but I do not think he does. Summerville is careful even when he seems not to be, which is part of his charm, I think. And he was too worried when he found it missing to make me believe this a common occurrence. You questioned John, who would not have taken it at the door last night, instead of Henry who had. You did not want to make Henry lie."