But Monk would not have been afraid to be alone in this alley. Even the poor and the hungry and the violent of this miserable area would have thought twice before attacking him. There was something dangerous in his face with its smooth cheekbones, broad, aquiline nose and brilliant eyes. Evan's gentler features, full of humour and imagination, threatened no one.

He started as there was a sound at the farther end at the main street, but it was only a rat running along the gutter. Someone shifted weight in a doorway, but he saw nothing. A rumble of carriage wheels fifty yards away sounded like another world, where there was life and wider spaces, and the broadening daylight would give a little colour.

He was so cold he was shaking. He ought to take his coat off and put it over the boy who was still alive. In fact he should have done it straight away. He did it now, gently, tucking it around him and feeling the cold bite into his own flesh till his bones ached.

It seemed an endless wait until Shotts returned, but he brought the doctor with him, a gaunt man with bony hands and a thin, patient face.

His high hat was too large for him and slid close to the tops of his ears.

"Riley," he introduced himself briefly, then bent to look at the young man. His fingers felt expertly and Evan and Shotts stood waiting, staring down. It was now full daylight, although in the alley between the high, grimy walls it was still shadowed.

"You're right," Riley said after a moment, his voice strained, his eyes dark. "He's still alive… just." He climbed to his feet and turned towards the hearse-like outline of the ambulance as the driver backed the horses to bring it to the end of the alley. "Help me lift him," he requested as another figure leaped down from the box and opened the doors at the back.

Evan and Shotts hastened to obey, lifting the cold figure as gently as they could. Riley superintended their efforts until the youth was lying on the floor inside, wrapped in blankets and Evan had his coat back, bloodstained, filthy and damp from the wet cobbles.