Jimmy cleared his throat. ‘Don’t forget, miss, that we were just going off to search for my sister,’ he said. He turned to the older man. ‘She’s only six and I just know that because I wasn’t there at ten o’clock she’ll have come out looking for me . . . Oh, I can’t explain . . .’

‘Well I can,’ Miss Trent said quickly, and outlined the story which Jimmy had told her. ‘So you see, we’re going to try to find this major’s house, even if it means rousing Mr Theaker. It’s none of your concern, of course, but if you’d like to stay in my warm room until we return you’re very welcome to do so. I’m sure your room will be icy cold, even though it’s a mild night.’

‘Hang on a minute, Miss Trent,’ the young man said eagerly. ‘When you say the major, are you referrin’ to Major Williams, what runs the Salvation Army in these parts? If you are, I can lead you straight to his house. I’m a Salvationist, you see, so I know him well.’ He grinned at Jimmy. ‘Is your sister a little bit of a thing with very fair hair, all curls? If so, she’s the reason I decided to come back to Orange Street. I were goin’ to stay with Williams and his family, but when they took the little gal in as well as all the others I said I’d come back here.’

He stopped speaking as Jimmy began to struggle into his borrowed coat. ‘She’ll be safe with the major, lad . . .’ he was beginning when Miss Trent interrupted.

‘I think we’d better all go,’ she said decisively, ‘because from what I’ve heard she may have already fled from the major’s protection.’ She smiled at Jimmy. ‘I gather your sister is a very spirited young lady, and if she has gone off to try to find you, Jimmy, we’ll need as many searchers as we can get. Big cities are dangerous places at night, and we know there is a man out there who would do her a mischief if he could.’ As she spoke she was taking her coat down from its hook, kicking off her slippers and sliding her feet into boots. Then it was the work of a moment to turn off the Primus stove, douse the lamp and go out into the brilliant moonlight.

Mr Bloggs pointed to a narrow street almost opposite where they stood. ‘It might be safer to stay on the main roads, but I imagine the little gal would avoid bright lights,’ he said in a low tone. He turned to Miss Trent. ‘From what you told me, this here Huxtable feller isn’t likely to creep around quietly, so we must make as little noise as possible and listen out for sounds of cursing and brawling.’

Jimmy began to remind the man that Cyril had been very quiet indeed when he had nabbed him in Princes Park, but though he nodded Mr Bloggs was quick to point out that some time had passed since that encounter.