‘Zillah is looking for a friend, Gus. I thought you might be able to help her?’ Lucien said. ‘It’s an African woman but she has white patches on her face and arms. They call her the Leopard Lady and have been exhibiting her as a freak. Have you heard of her?’

Augustus shook his head in disbelief. His brow was furrowed and the expression in his eyes was pained.

‘A bad business. Why will they do that to we?’

My tongue was stuck to the roof of my mouth. Augustus wasn’t looking for a reply but what could I, a gaffed freak, possibly say to that? Why will they do that to we? In all this time it had never occurred to me to ask that one simple question. But, before now, would I have had the answer? For the first time it dawned on me.

When the crowds greeted Amazonia’s arrival onstage with monkey noises, when they bayed to see her dance, or gasped in mock-fear to see Amazonia drink Bouncer’s blood, it wasn’t just about an enjoyable way to spend an hour. My act wasn’t harmless; it had never been. Its very success had emboldened Crillick to seek out the Leopard Lady. To rip her from her child and exhibit her. It was why I felt responsible for her. Why I was risking everything to find her.

Why will they do that to we? It was a question I should have asked myself long ago.

Lucien was still speaking.

‘We’d appreciate any news that you’re able to pass on, Gus. You know my place on Charles II Street. You will send a note if you hear something?’

‘If she’s in London, there’ll be someone in tonight who could tell you. Matthias will be here later. Bill himself, if you’re lucky. Soon as I see either of them, I’ll give you the nod.’

I forced a smile to show my thanks, but inside my stomach churned. Black Bill. Who else could Gus have meant? I’d done everything to keep away from him and his men, but now I was being pulled back into their world. I hoped it hadn’t somehow got back to Bill that I’d used his name to get information from the rat-faced man at the docks. It’s worth it if it helps the Leopard Lady. I looked around but didn’t recognise any Blackbirds among our fellow patrons.

Lucien handed Gus some coppers before we claimed one of the empty tables in the centre of the room.

‘I’m surprised Augustus hasn’t heard of your Leopard Lady, but don’t lose hope,’ Lucien said. ‘The men he mentioned are well connected all over the capital. I am still confident we can find her.’

‘Your friend, Gus … the man he mentioned was Black Bill, wasn’t it?’