The person who entered the morning parlour an hour and a half later was nothing like the shabby scarecrow Kate last saw. Spears was dressed smartly in her late father’s clothes and now he was clean-shaven. His hair had been washed and brushed and she could see that he might once have been a good-looking man.

‘I feel like a fool, dressed up in these duds, miss.’

‘Augustus Spears, you look like a proper gentleman. No one in Cable Street will recognise you. In fact I think you’ll take Harry by surprise.’

‘I’ve come this far. What d’you want me to do?’

‘Find Harry and bring him here after dark.’

‘What then? I can’t go back to Cable Street looking like this, and I got no money.’

‘You can sleep here tonight. I’ll ask Mrs Marsh to have a room made up for you and tomorrow I’m planning to visit Warren House in Walthamstow. I was thinking of taking you with me.’

‘You said you might have a job for me? I need to know, miss. I’m a marked man as far as Monks is concerned.’

‘Annie’s brother is a soldier, or rather he was until he was badly injured. I thought you two might get on well together and he needs someone to do things that present a problem to him.’

‘Sounds all right, I suppose.’

‘You don’t have to make up your mind now. Just find Harry and bring him here. That’s all I ask.’

‘Yes, miss.’ Spears was about to leave the room when Perry breezed in, almost knocking him over.

‘I beg your pardon, sir,’ Perry said hastily. ‘I was in such a hurry that I didn’t see you.’ He paused, staring at Spears. ‘Is that really you, Spears?’

Kate clapped her hands. ‘That’s excellent. You passed the test, Augustus. You can be assured that no one will recognise you.’

Spears jumped to attention and saluted. ‘Yes, miss.’ He marched out of the room leaving Perry staring after him.

‘I wouldn’t have believed the transformation. I’ve only met Spears once or twice, but had I seen him in passing I would not have recognised him. What are you up to, Kate?’

‘Sit down, Perry. I’m glad you’re here. I’ve sent for Harry, but I don’t want Monks to get wind of our plans. If Harry can spread the word that there’ll be rich pickings at the ball, I want Monks to think it’s too good a chance to miss.’

‘Can you give me a copy of the guest list? The police will need to know who will be in attendance.’

Kate moved to her mother’s escritoire in the corner of the room and lifted the lid. ‘I have one here. I made a fair copy because I knew you would need one.’

Perry took it from her, smiling. ‘You think of everything, Kate.’