Chapter 52

Blathers and I loaded our tools into Barbary’s cab and jumped in behind. Barbary cracked the whip and headed to Spitalfields.

At the little house where it all started, we carried the tools through the front door. Anyone who was watching could see them. The house remained unlocked. We removed our coats and put them on one of the few chairs that had survived the attack earlier in the week. Barbary drove off to the sound of crowbars ripping up boards.

It wasn’t long before Blathers stopped tearing up the floor, wiped the sweat from his brow, and said, “Ah, this be hard work, ya know. How long does ya thinks we need ta go on?”

I said, “Until we’ve convinced them.”

“I wishes they’d hurry up. Does ya think they is too dumb ta gets the idea?”

“Just be patient. I think they are too smart to jump into a possible trap without waiting to see what’s going to happen. Keep making noise, and soon it’ll get to them.”

“’Tis when we stops banging round they’ll wants ta know what it is that’s happenin’.”

“Maybe your right. Let’s try something.” I went across the room to where I had left my coat. I retrieved the parcel Clara had given me, unwrapped it, and took the contents, the lady’s reticule, to the window as if to examine it in the light. I glanced out the window but didn’t see anyone. I went back into the room, and as I was wondering if Forster’s plan was going to work, I heard the rear door squeak. In a short second Percy Wesley was in the doorway with a cocked pistol in each hand.