‘I would have removed it as well. All right, thank you.’ Holmes appeared to be disappointed. ‘Sir, you have been a great help. Madam.’ He turned to leave. ‘Oh, before we go, may I have my watch back, please? Without it you are twelve pounds the richer, for naught but a few minutes of your time. Surely you have the advantage of me, even so.’

Flan shook his head, patting his pocket with the watch. ‘We have made our deal,’ said he. ‘It will be fifteen if you get back before I sell it.’

‘Well, then,’ said Holmes, ‘let me offer you this in exchange for the watch. That small diamond tiara over there? It was stolen from a minor royal with a country house nearby. Lady Debenby, you have heard of her? The thief killed a treasured servant in the taking, and the family are offering a hefty reward to identify the culprit. May I suggest you bring your information to the police?’

Flan looked askance at Holmes.

‘I am a good friend of Detective Inspector Hadley,’ remarked Holmes.

We left with the watch.

CHAPTER 36

A Holy Place

We ran – well, Holmes and Polly ran, and I limped – through the rain across town towards the Church of Our Lady of the Roses. My wound was now throbbing. I wish I had taken Dr Macready up on his offer of medication.

At last, the church was in sight. And there, thankfully, Holmes espied a constable on his rounds. Gripping my arm, he whispered, ‘Ask him to see Polly home safely. Tell him to wake up Hadley and say that Sherlock Holmes has been seen at the church and to come at once.’

Holmes carried on and I did as he asked. Regretting the need for this, I vouched for Polly’s honour with the young fellow and asked him to accompany the girl to her sister’s, so as to avoid the horror of the Spinning House. He was more than happy to do so.

‘I’m not so fond of those proctor’s men, myself,’ he said. ‘Bulldogs, we call ’em. Come, little lady.’ Polly rolled her eyes at ‘little lady’ but waved a thank-you to me.

‘But before that, please! Tell Inspector Hadley that Sherlock Holmes has been seen at the Church of our Lady of the Roses. And to come at once,’ I urged.

‘I’ll not be waking up the Inspector—’

‘Sherlock Holmes … who escaped from gaol earlier today!’

‘Oh, that fellow!’ cried the man, not realizing it was Holmes who had just left us. ‘By God, then, I’ll do it! Come along, young lady!’