Justine nodded, silent. I knew she would forgive me. And I did not regret what I had done. We were here now. We would find him. And our success would wash away all my manipulations to get here.

Mary leaned back, picking up a piece of chicken with her fingers and popping it into her mouth. She had watched the whole exchange with silent interest. “So Victor came to study and stopped writing. And then Henry came to check on him, and immediately left without giving you Victor’s address?”

“That is the sum of it,” I said flatly. “You know how inconsiderate men can be of our feelings. They get so busy with their lives that they forget we are left at home with nothing to do but fret over them.”

“That is my experience, as well. Since my uncle left I have had not one letter from him. It is vexing.” She wiped her fingers on her apron. “I do not know this Henry. If he came by the bookshop, he must have spoken with my uncle. But your description of Victor is true, and your concern seems genuine. He is an odd and obsessive young man. Quite rude a lot of the time, frankly. But I did not mind, since I got the impression he was rude to everyone and not just me because of my sex and heritage. He has not been in the shop for a few months now.”

I wilted. Lying to Justine, deceiving her, and, worse, potentially giving Judge Frankenstein a firm excuse to throw me out—all for nothing!

“But,” Mary said, leaning forward and putting a finger under my chin to lift my face. She smiled at my devastated expression. “I do have a delivery request from his last order that should have an address. It may no longer be current, but I know my uncle was stopping to see him on his way to the continent, so—”

“Please, give it to me!” I was too obviously desperate. She could press any advantage from me, ask anything, and I would give it.

Instead, she stood and left the room. Justine ate, not looking at me. I should have apologized more, but I could not manage anything with my nerves in their current state.

Finally, Mary returned with a slip of paper. “Here it is.” She passed it to me. It was not the old address I had already checked. And the date was from only six months before!

Mary had also brought a cloak and an umbrella.

“You must need to return to the shop,” I said, standing. Justine sighed over the remaining food but did the same. “Thank you so much for your kindness and help!”

“With my uncle gone, I seldom have customers. The shop will keep for a few hours while I take you to Victor’s residence. It is not in a friendly part of town.”