‘It is despicable that he would do this to a woman, let alone a child. I cannot believe that Woodward would stand by and allow that. He lives with Crillick, doesn’t he?’

‘He’s not in London right now. I hear he went to his father’s house in Surrey.’

‘I saw him yesterday,’ Elvira said. ‘At Fortnum and Mason.’

Vincent back already? No reason for me to know, really, but as Elvira herself had said, how could he allow it? When I’d challenged him about Crillick keeping the Leopard Lady at the warehouse, he’d said he didn’t know. Surely, he couldn’t use that same excuse now. It made my stomach turn.

‘I am hoping that you can help me get her out.’

‘Tell me what my role would be. Ethel will assist us too.’

‘You have a carriage? Maybe more than one? I was thinking you might drive her away once I have freed her from the cellar.’

Elvira clapped her hands. ‘That is easily done. After we have rescued the woman and her son, they can stay here with me.’

That was the offer I had been hoping for.

‘What about the others? I’m assuming that there’s at least three more men and women that Crillick has forced to perform, but I do not know them.’

‘There is room for them all here, at least for one night,’ Elvira said. ‘On Thursday I can arrange for them to be taken to my country house where they can recover.’

‘That’s the day after tomorrow. You think the rescue should go ahead tomorrow night?’

‘There’s not a moment to lose, is there? But you are taking the job of getting them out of the house all on yourself. Can Ethel not help at all with that?’

Ethel nodded enthusiastically at this idea.

‘I would be grateful,’ I said. ‘I’ve seen a drawing that shows the Odditorium is quite large; there is more than one room to it, so it would help to have two of us.’

‘I’m sure there are others among my friends who would lend you their support, but I imagine you’ll want to ensure that the minimum number of people are involved.’

‘Do you think you would be able to help the prisoners find work?’ I said.

‘If they want it, yes, but if they would prefer to return to their homelands, then I will arrange for that.’

It sounded perfect.

‘I have another question,’ Elvira said. ‘How will we make sure the way is clear for the rescue attempt? What can we do to guarantee that Crillick is out – ideally you want him at his theatre, don’t you?’

I nodded. It was very important to me that he be in his box when I put my plan into action.