'Does his sister live in London?'

'Yes – she's in service at a house in Mayfair.'

'Do you have an address for her, Mr Voke? She needs to be informed of what's happened – and so do his parents.'

'Hugh and Effie are orphans, I'm afraid. They lost their parents. As to her address, I can't help you. I only met Effie Kellow a couple of times. She was a pretty girl. This horrible news will destroy her,' said Voke, sorrowfully. 'She looked up to her brother and Hugh was very kind to her. I know that he gave her money from time to time.'

'Is there any way of finding her address?'

'You might ask Mrs Jennings. She was Hugh's landlady and has a house not far away from here. But don't call on her this late,' he cautioned. 'Mrs Jennings would never open the door to a stranger after dark even if he is a detective.' Voke reached across to open a drawer in a sideboard and took out a pencil and some paper. Closing the drawer again, he scribbled an address and handed it to Leeming. 'That's where Hugh lived,' he said. 'His landlady will be terribly upset at what happened. I know how fond she was of him.'

'I'll speak to her tomorrow,' decided Leeming. 'I'll also need to have a word with your son.'

Voke was peremptory. 'I no longer have a son,' he snapped. 'But the person you're after works for a silversmith in Hatton Garden. Look for Solomon Stern.'

'Thank you, sir.'

'What will happen to the body?'

'I assume that it will be reclaimed by his sister.'

'Effie Kellow is in no position to pay for the funeral,' said Voke with a surge of affection. 'I'll bear any costs involved.'

'That's very generous of you, Mr Voke.'

'Hugh was the best apprentice I ever had. When he stayed on as my assistant, he was loyal and hard-working. It's the least I can do for him, Sergeant.'