‘Who’s there?’ A querulous male voice demanded.

‘I’m interested in renting the premises,’ Kate said boldly. ‘I’d like to see inside.’

The door opened to reveal a tall man with a mane of black hair tied back with a piece of string. His jacket was patched at the elbows and his trousers had the shiny texture incurred from years of wear. He glanced up and down the street.

‘Are you sure you wasn’t followed?’

Kate stared at him in surprise. ‘Who would follow us?’

‘You ain’t here on behalf of Mad Monks, are you?’

‘There are mad monks in this neighbourhood?’ Kate wondered if the man was slightly deranged.

‘Monks is a person of ill repute.’ He eyed her curiously. ‘If it weren’t him was it Harry Trader? Monks is bad enough but you don’t want to get on the wrong side of Harry Trader and his gang. This is his place, so take my advice and push off.’

‘No, sir,’ Kate said patiently. ‘I don’t know either of those people and I have nothing to do with any sort of gang or gangster. Now may we come in, please?’

‘Never let it be said that Augustus Spears kept a young lady standing on the pavement. I was once a soldier in Her Majesty’s army. I know me manners.’ He opened the door wide enough to allow them to enter, but he slammed it shut as quickly as he could without knocking Jenny over. ‘Help yourselves,’ he said, sighing. ‘I’m just the caretaker now. I look after the place.’

The first thing that Kate noted was that the premises had gaslight, which was a definite advantage. It was a large empty room with lime-washed walls and a high ceiling. Behind it was an equally large kitchen with a range and a stone sink with a pump.

‘This is ideal,’ Kate said enthusiastically. ‘What was it used for previously, Mr Spears?’

He stood in the doorway, watching anxiously as she opened the back door. It led into a small yard with a ramshackle shed at the far end, which was presumably a privy.

‘Many things,’ he said vaguely. ‘People come and go.’

‘It must have been something.’ Jenny turned on him impatiently. ‘Was it a shop selling boots and shoes, or food of some sort?’

He shrugged. ‘It’s been all of those. It never stays open for long.’

‘What is the rent?’ Kate asked, coming straight to the point.

‘Ten shillings a month.’

‘It takes me a year to earn that much,’ Jenny whispered. ‘It’s too dear, miss.’

‘That is rather a lot,’ Kate said thoughtfully. ‘Perhaps that’s why the occupants don’t stay for long.’

‘It’s the gangs, miss.’ Spears tapped the side of his large red-tipped nose. ‘Mad Monks and Trader’s lot are always trying to outdo each other. Very bloody it gets sometimes, if you’ll pardon the expression.’