William Monk 16 - Execution Dock

other course to your friends, and I know you value their opinion. Whatever their private habits, they could not be seen to think differently.” And before he could reply, she left the room, and told her maid that she would take supper in her boudoir.

    In the morning she left for the clinic very early indeed, before six. It was light at this time of the year, and when she arrived half an hour later, she found Ruby up and working in the kitchen. She had already decided that it was Ruby whose help she would ask.
    “‘Mornin’, Mrs. Burroughs,” Ruby said with surprise. “Summink ‘appened? Yer look kind o’ upset, bit feverish. Like a cup o’ tea?”
    “Good morning, Ruby,” Claudine replied, closing the back door behind her. “Yes, I would like a cup of tea. I have not had breakfast yet, and I imagine you haven't either. I brought some butter and a pot of marmalade.” She produced it and set it on the table. “And a loaf of fresh bread,” she added. “I wish for your advice, in confidence.”
    Ruby looked at the excellent Dundee marmalade and the crusty bread, and knew that it must be serious. She was alarmed.
    Claudine saw it. “There is no need to be concerned,” she said, going over to the stove and opening the door, ready to make toast. “I wish to do something that I hope will help Mrs. Monk. It will be uncomfortable, and possibly a little dangerous, so I imagine she would stop me if she knew, which is why I am speaking to you in confidence. Are you willing to help me?”
    Ruby stared at her in wonder. She was very aware that Hester was in trouble; everyone knew it. “‘Course I am,” she said decisively. “Wot'd'yer want?”
    “I want to sell matches,” Claudine replied. “I thought of bootlaces—that might also work—except people do not need to buy them very often. Flowers would be no use at all, nor would any kind of food.” She straightened up from the stove and began to slice the bread. The aroma of it filled the room.
    Ruby pulled the kettle over onto the burner and reached for the tea caddy, her mind whirling. “Why d'yer wanter sell matches?” She was utterly lost. She knew it could not possibly be for money. Claudine was rich anyway.
    “As an excuse for standing in the street outside the sort of shop where they would sell the photographs that Jericho Phillips takes of little boys,” Claudine replied. “We know the faces of some of hisboys; perhaps I can find these photographs, or at least tell Commander Monk where they may be found. Then he will have another way in which to trap Phillips. Or he may trap some of the men who buy them …” The further she went in trying to explain her idea, the more desperate and foolish it sounded.
    “Cor!” Ruby let out her breath in a sigh of amazement and admiration. Her eyes were wide and shining. “Then ‘e'd ‘ave the proof! ‘E could make ‘em split on Phillips, eh? It wouldn't be like ‘angin’ ‘im, but it'd make ‘im mad, for certain. An’ it'd make ‘is customers as mad as wasps in a fire, an’ all! I'll ‘elp yer, an’ I won't tell no one, I swear!”
    “Thank you,” Claudine said with profound gratitude. “Now, shall we have breakfast? I trust you like marmalade?”
    “Cor! Yeah, I do. Ta.” Ruby looked at the jar and she could almost taste it already. “Yer'll ‘ave ter ‘ave a blouse an’ skirt wot's right, an’ a shawl. I can get yer one. It'll smell, mind. But it should. Yer can't go lookin’ like that, or they'll con yer in a second. An’ yer'll ‘ave ter keep yer mouth shut as much as yer can. I'll tell yer wot ter say. Or better, pretend as yer deaf, an’ can't ‘ear nuffin’. An’ boots. I'll get yer some boots wot look like yer'd already walked ter Scotland an’ back in ‘em.”
    “Thank you,” Claudine said quietly. She was beginning to wonder if she really had the courage to go through with this. It was an insane idea. She was totally incompetent to carry off such a thing. It would be humiliating. They would see through her disguise in an instant, and Wallace would have her committed as a lunatic. He would have no trouble at all. What other explanation could there be for such behavior?
    Ruby shook her head. “Yer got some guts, Missus.” Her eyes shone with awe. “I reckon even Miss ‘Ester'd be proud o’ yer. ‘Course I won't tell ‘er!” she added hastily. “I won't never give yer away.”
    That sealed the decision. There was no escape now. She could not possibly