He moved a step closer to Kate, bending his head to look her in the eye, and a livid scar on his right cheek gleamed palely. ‘You’re being used, young lady. Trader only keeps you here as a cover for his not-so-respectable activities, but that’s all going to end. Cable Street belongs to me and his time here is over. You’ve been warned.’

Kate was trembling, but she was determined not to allow him to intimidate her. ‘I want you to go now.’

‘Out of respect to you ladies we will leave, but you can tell Harry Trader that we won’t be so polite next time. Make sure you pass on that message.’

‘I have nothing to do with Trader and his gang.’ Kate tossed her head. ‘We are here to help those in need. I’m not interested in your petty squabbles.’

Jenny plucked at her sleeve. ‘Don’t annoy him,’ she whispered.

‘Outside,’ Monks roared, pointing at his bruised and bloodied men. He glanced over his shoulder. ‘You’ve seen nothing yet, miss. Stay here and you’ll find yourself in the middle of a gang war where no one is safe.’ He swept out into the street, followed by his men.

Kate gazed in dismay at the four men who lay on the floor. They were bloodied and bruised and in various stage of consciousness.

‘Who are they?’ Jenny asked anxiously.

‘They must be Trader’s gang,’ Kate said in a low voice. ‘I suppose we’d better help them.’

‘They’re criminals, Kate.’

‘Yes, and they’re bleeding all over our clean floor. Fetch a bowl of water and some rags.’

‘Have they gone?’ Spears peered round the inner door.

‘Where were you when we needed you?’ Kate demanded.

‘I’m not stupid enough to take on Mad Moses Monks. I heard you through the crack in the door,’ Spears said, shaking his head. ‘You’ve made an enemy there, miss. You’ll need to be very careful where you go and what you say in future.’ He bent down to help one of the least injured men to his feet. ‘Come on, Watkins. Let’s get you upstairs. The rest of you, get up and stop acting like little girls. Harry’s not going to be very pleased with you, I can tell you that for nothing.’ He heaved Watkins towards the stairs, and the other men scrambled to their feet, two of them bleeding profusely.

Jenny handed one a drying cloth she had been clutching. ‘You’ll need some salve to put on those cuts, mister.’

‘Ta.’ The man held the cloth to his nose and stumbled off after Spears.

‘We should make them clear up the mess,’ Kate said crossly as the door closed on them.

‘Never mind. We’ll get it done quicker without them.’ Jenny began retrieving the items strewn all over the floor. ‘Send the bill to Harry Trader. That’s what I’d do.’