"Ah, well. I am pleased to have met you, Captain."

I confessed myself equally pleased, bowed, and took my leave.

The rain worsened as morning became afternoon. I pulled my greatcoat around me and directed the hackney across London and down the river toward St. Katherine's Dock. Descending, I limped along the narrow lanes, conscious of scurrying feet in the shadows, of predators stalking unexpected prey.

I entered the lodgings Summerville had indicated, and a sharper contrast to Mrs. Chambers's comfortable house there was not. The stench of cabbage permeated the stairwell, and paint peeled from the walls. I climbed painfully to the second floor and knocked on the door at the top of the stairs.

A child cried fretfully within, and then I heard the unmistakable sound of a window being banged open.

The door was unlocked. I shoved myself inside in time to see a thin woman climbing over the windowsill. I crossed the room swiftly and grabbed her around the waist.

She screeched. "Lemme go!"

"You'll kill yourself, you little fool." I shoved her from me and slammed the casement closed.

She went for the door. Again, I caught her. She didn't weigh much, but she was strong.

"Stop!" I shook her. "I'm not a constable, whatever you may think."

She peered at me from behind a fall of yellow hair. "No? What are yer then?"

"I've come from Mr. Summerville." I glanced at the children on the floor. One was about four; the other, still crawling. Both of them had light brown hair the same shade as Summerville's.

"Oh. You mean our Dobbin."

I set her on her feet. "You are Nellie?"

"I am. Sorry I tried to fight yer. I though maybe you was coming for me." Nellie regarded me warily. "What'ya want, then?"

"Mr. Summ- er, Dobbin, believes he might have left behind his walking stick. A black stick with a gold head."