“I am popular this evening,” Mr. Thanos said. “Ah, speak of the devil and he shall appear.”

The visitor was Daniel. Behind him came Mr. Fielding. Neither man looked happy. Though they tried to tame their expressions when they beheld me, I could see that an eruption was imminent.

18

Kat.” Daniel stopped in his tracks, clearly taken aback to find me here.

“Mrs. Holloway,” Mr. Fielding said in a more deferential tone. “What a pleasant happenstance.”

Mr. Fielding tonight did not wear his clergyman’s collar. His suit was what I’d call nondescript brown, and he pulled off a cap similar to the one Daniel hung up on Mr. Thanos’s coatrack.

“I’m afraid I ate all the food,” Mr. Thanos said in his breathless way. “Sit down, do.”

“A pity.” Mr. Fielding warmed his hands at the fire and then planted himself on a chair and crossed his legs at the ankles. “I would have loved to sample some of Mrs. Holloway’s fare.”

Daniel shot a glance at me, and I returned it calmly. After we’d gazed at each other a time, Daniel gestured me to a plush armchair then pulled a chair from the table to sit next to me.

“I came to report that I spoke to the police about the Woolners,” Daniel said to Mr. Thanos. “Inspector McGregor is not in the office that investigates such things, but . . . he took an interest. That means he will pester the inspectors in charge of looking into immoral acts until they take steps against Mr. and Mrs. Woolner.”

“Good,” Mr. Thanos said, relieved.

Mr. Fielding sent Daniel a look of approval. “Disgusting creatures. Want to take a cricket bat to them.” He looked thoughtful. “Hmm, I could always invite them to my church to discuss mustering a team. Have the equipment handy . . .”

“I have faith in the inspector,” Daniel said. “Though he might borrow your cricket bat.”

“Please tell me what happens,” I broke in. “Even if the police can do nothing, I might be able to.”

Mr. Fielding raised his brows at me. “How? I believe in your prowess, good lady, but not your fists.”

“You misunderstand.” I closed said fists on my lap. “I will not have to use violence. I would speak to their servants, and their neighbors’ servants, and those employed by the Woolners’ more respectable friends. Rumor and tales can do much damage. I believe in discretion most of the time, but there are exceptions.”

Mr. Fielding stared at me a moment before he burst out laughing. “Excellent. Between Daniel’s inspector and Mrs. Holloway’s claque of servants, these monsters will not hold up their heads long.”

A crime might have to be proved in a court of law, as Mr. Thanos pointed out, but the pillory of public opinion worked swiftly.

“This is all very well,” I said, “but still does not help us find the children.”