“The police will have him,” I answered before Daniel could, but the dark anger in Mr. Fielding’s expression made my words trail off.

“Mine,” Mr. Fielding said with finality.

Daniel did not argue. He gestured to Mr. Thanos. “Elgin, may I introduce my brother, Errol Fielding, vicar of All Saints Church in Shadwell. Errol, Elgin Thanos, a close friend and a genius.”

The two men shook hands, Mr. Fielding looking Elgin up and down. “A genius, eh? Don’t meet many of those. Vicars, now, a dime a dozen.”

Mr. Thanos blinked at him. “Er. Quite. Whisky?”

“Please.” Mr. Fielding dropped wearily into the nearest chair.

Mr. Thanos poured out and carried him a glass. “Daniel told me what happened,” Mr. Thanos said in a quiet voice. “You have my deepest sympathy.”

Mr. Fielding looked startled, then when he realized Mr. Thanos was sincere, gave him a grateful nod. He took the whisky and drank a large swallow.

“Ladies?” Mr. Thanos turned to us. “I’m afraid I have no sherry . . .”

“Thank God for that,” Cynthia said. “Oh, sorry, vicar. Coffee if you can scare it up, Thanos. I have a head.”

“If there is only coffee I’ll have nothing,” I said when Mr. Thanos looked inquiringly at me. I did not care for the stuff. “Do not distress yourself. I have drunk plenty of tea this morning to keep me for the afternoon.”

“I will inquire with my landlady,” Mr. Thanos said. “Won’t be a tick.”

He all but ran out the door, which Daniel closed behind him.

“Yes, indeed,” Mr. Fielding said with dour humor. “We have come to speak of dire events, including children being spirited away and a blameless young woman losing her life, but we must be so very civilized.”

“It is no bad thing,” I said quickly. “A cup of something keeps one calm, so that a solution to the matter can be rationally discussed.”

“Rational. Calm.” Mr. Fielding studied the ceiling. “That is the answer—except of course for the brutes who have left being rational and calm far behind.”

My heart went out to him in his grief. “Please do not despair, Mr. Fielding.”

Mr. Fielding gazed at me with flinty blue eyes, no more politeness in his demeanor. “Why not? What is the bloody use of reforming and taking up a life of virtue if it couldn’t save a person as good as Nell?” He drank deeply of whisky, then let his head drop back on the chair and closed his eyes.

Mr. Thanos returned after a few moments, bearing a tray of cups and two pots. “I found Miss Townsend on the stairs,” he announced, standing aside to let her precede him. “Do you know everyone, Miss Townsend?” He glanced at Mr. Fielding.