“Was coming back from the bakery with my breakfast when I saw this fellow running out of the side door of the mill like his coattails were on fire. Looked odd, so I thought I’d have a nose around, see what was up. I couldn’t find you anywhere, and I dunno what possessed me to come out here, but bless me, I’m glad I did. There you were, lashed to the wheel like some torture device from the Spanish Inquisition. I thought you were a dead man for sure.”

“So did I.” With arms as steady as aspic jelly, Daniel pushed against the walkway, forcing himself into a sitting position. “I want to get inside, away from this wheel.”

Cadogan helped him to his feet, keeping a firm grip on Daniel’s arm as he tottered like an old man toward the safety of the mill.

He couldn’t stop shivering, crossing his arms at his waist and hunching his shoulders. Cadogan hurried him to the carriage, and when he had Daniel inside, he rummaged around in the back, tossing a horse blanket inside.

“I think we should take you to the nearest inn where you can get a hot drink and some dry clothes. Or to a doctor. You must have swallowed half the Thames.”

“No, I need to get back to London.”

“But, guv, you’re near frozen and drowned.”

In spite of the blanket, the shaking continued, and Daniel realized it was as much the shock of knowing someone had tried to murder him as it was the cold.

“Get me back to the city. I have a killer to find.”

Chapter 15

“KEEP THE BLANKET TILL I see you again. I still think you should see a doctor. You came within a tiny cat’s whisker of meeting your Maker this morning.” Cadogan held the carriage door, his face creased with concern.

Daniel eased out of the carriage in front of his boardinghouse. There was nothing like being pummeled by a waterwheel for making a man feel as if he had been pummeled by a waterwheel. Every bone ached, and the cold inactivity of the ride from Hammersmith had stiffened his muscles.

A long hot soak in a tub would work wonders, but in his current sodden state, the thought of water abhorred him. He might only take basin baths for the rest of his life after this morning’s dousing.

Hot breakfast smells came from the kitchen and dining room, where his landlady reigned supreme. But Daniel didn’t take his meals there. His schedule was so unpredictable, he had opted not to include board with his rooms and took his meals where he could find them. There were some good vendors operating carts in the neighborhood. Once he was changed and warmed, he would scare up a bit of breakfast before returning to Bow Street.