Daniel protested, but I won the battle by simply charging ahead. I made for the tavern where I’d hidden myself, reasoning that perhaps the barmaid or someone else there might know Luke’s direction.

As we entered the circle that was Seven Dials itself, I saw, in the thinning crowd, the large head and shoulders of the brute called Luke.

“There.” I seized Daniel’s arm and pointed.

Before Daniel could start for him, a rumble sounded behind me, a growl of fury that seemed to shake the very stones I stood on. The noise came from Mr. Fielding, who shoved past us and ran at full speed toward the towering Luke.

Luke turned his head, saw Mr. Fielding coming. A look of alarm spread across his face, and he bolted.

“Damnation!” Daniel leapt after him. “Kat—back to the coach,” he shouted over his shoulder.

Luke shot out the other side of the circle, heading south. That way led to wider roads, and to the railway station at Charing Cross, which lay near the end of St. Martin’s Lane.

I dashed after Daniel, against his orders, but I had never been one for obedience. I had no confidence that I could fight Luke myself, but I might be able to summon help or prevent him from escaping.

Luke ducked into a side street as he ran, likely knowing every bolt-hole in the area. Mr. Fielding was hard on his heels, but Daniel did not follow. Instead, Daniel turned down a lane parallel to the one Luke had taken, in an attempt to cut him off.

I followed Mr. Fielding. I made that choice because I feared Mr. Fielding would kill Luke before we could wring any useful information out of him. Luke might have nothing to do with Nurse Betts, but he did know a great deal about procuring children and could possibly lead us to the lost foundlings.

We ended up in Long Acre, which was heavy with traffic. Bow Street lay to the east of us—with any luck, we’d chase Luke straight to the Bow Street nick, but I doubted he’d let that happen.

Luke knew the area well, diving into side streets and tiny passageways that were cramped and filthy. Unfortunately for him, Mr. Fielding and Daniel, children of the dark side of London, knew it too. I had grown up in streets farther to east, but I did know Covent Garden like the back of my hand, and Luke was racing directly toward the square and the market.

I picked up my skirts, feet flying as I ran after the two men and into the market proper. I supposed Luke meant to lose us in the confusion, but I knew the quickest ways through the stalls.