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“All right, I know, yer always in a rush Here’s what I’ve got for yer, sir…”

Sebastian listened carefully Dipper had asked, but no one had heard of Mrs Slater The house across the street was taken by a man called Jed Holmes, and he paid for the use of other prehout London He had a reputation for dealing in the darker areas of prostitution”

“Jed Holmes,” Sebastian said “No mention of a woman’s involvement at all?”

“Well” Dipper gave him a sly look “I did hear somethin’”

“Coht”

“There’s a woman been seen off and on, but she’s a cripple Gets carried about in a chair Might be Jed’s mother, the way he treats her, awful polite”

“You don’t knoho she is or where she lives?”

“He keeps her hidden away, I reckon”

“Ask, will you? Try and find her There’s money in it for you, Dipper”

The littlethe coins Sebastian handed hiuv’ner”

“And tell Polly I may have some work for her, too She needs to look respectable, mind A lady”

Dipper chortled “I’ll tell her”

“And don’t get caught with your hand in anyone else’s pocket I ate next time”

Dipper chuckled and vanished into the crowd

Sebastian leaned back against a brick wall, pretending to warm himself beside a smoky brazier Across the street, the shabby house looked innocent enough But God kneent on behind that door…