‘Pearl earrings indeed!’ huffed Ellen. ‘As if Gina would have pearl earrings of her own to sell. I know it was a small chance we’d learn owt, but all we have learned is that Gina really was involved in selling on the stolen items. Uncle Tom and I guessed that when we saw the entries in the exercise book that he’s taken to the police this afternoon.’

‘We know she sold some things; we know she’s got some others with her because she’d obviously dropped the hatpin you found in her room and gave to the police – at least it means she’s not without money, wherever it is she’s gone.’

‘That’s a comfort, I suppose, even if she’s living on ill-gotten gains,’ Ellen conceded. ‘At least she won’t be sleeping on the street with nowt to eat.’

‘Don’t even suggest that to your mum, Nell,’ warned Edward. ‘We’ll have to think where else she could have gone.’

Ellen shrugged dejectedly. ‘Do you think it’s worth trying to find this last fella, Mr Hellman, while we’re here?’

‘Might as well. Then we’ll have done all the names in Blackburn,’ said Edward. ‘We don’t know where he is, though.’

‘I’ll go back in and ask Mr Simmonds’ daughter, as she was so helpful. You never know.’

Ellen and Edward re-entered the pawnbrokers and asked.

‘Joshua Hellman?’ said Miss Simmonds. ‘He’s over the other side of Blackburn. It’s a fair walk but not difficult to find. But he’s closed on Saturdays. Look, why don’t I take a telephone number, and if I think of owt I can let you know? Or if Mrs Travers, your sister, comes in again, I can tell her you’ve been looking for her.’

Ellen was just about to thank her and leave, having no telephone, when Edward jumped in.

‘It’s Grindle 413,’ he said. ‘Ask for Edward or leave a message. But please, would you not tell Mrs Travers we’re looking for her?’

‘Oh? But I thought you were.’

‘We are, but Mrs Travers is rather a troubled person and is having a lot of difficulties at the moment. She won’t let us help her, though. We really want to find her before something nasty happens to her or she gets into serious trouble.’

‘I see …’

‘I’m not sure you do,’ said Ellen. ‘I don’t want to burden you with owt that’s not your problem, but “Mrs Travers”, as she’s calling herself, has taken summat that’s not hers. We’d like to find her and make everything right – as right as we can – before she gets beyond our help.’

‘Stolen goods?’ asked Miss Simmonds, nodding slowly. ‘It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve seen that. We try to be honest here, but sometimes dodgy stuff comes in and there’s nowt you can do to recognise that.’