Free Cat's Cradle by Julia Golding Page B

highly skilled from what I understand. A smart girl like you will manage, I do not doubt.’ He signed his name with a flourish then stamped a wax seal on the bottom.‘Just present this to Mr Dale. I imagine he will have no hesitation about assisting you. A remarkably kind man by all accounts.’
    I took the letter. ‘Did you explain my mission?’
    â€˜I said you were trying to trace your family but made no mention of names.’
    â€˜Thank you.’
    â€˜Not a’tall, m’dear, not a’tall. I look forward to hearing the outcome.’ He glanced up at Bob. ‘And I venture to say on both our behalves, that we wish you a pleasant reunion. You never know.’
    It was kind of him to dress it up that way, but we all knew this was very unlikely.
    Frank had already dismissed the tiger with the curricle when we arrived at the Temple. We therefore returned to Bow Street on foot, reminiscing about the times we’d shared on these streets, speculating as to what our old friends were doing now. Particularly Pedro. I could barely turn a corner without imagining I’d see him strolling towards me. He’d become so much a part of my life, it felt empty without my adopted brother.
    We crossed the Strand and headed north to Bow Street. It wasn’t until we were a hundred yards from Syd’s shop that I realized something was wrong. An angry crowd had gathered outside. Most of the gang were there, boys rolling up sleeves and dumping jackets on the ground. Four men had picked up makeshift weapons, tools and bricks. There was no sign of Syd. I broke into a run.
    â€˜Cat!’ Frank pounded after me. ‘What’s wrong?’
    I shouldered my way through the press and grabbed Nick’s arm. His face was ugly with rage, his eyes blank for a second until he recognized me.
    â€˜Nick, what’s happening?’ I gasped.
    â€˜Get inside, Cat. This is no place for you right now,’ he replied, turning back to face his troops, for that was what they looked like.
    â€˜Where’s Syd?’
    Nick jerked his head to the shop. ‘In there. The doctor’s with ’im now. ’E’ll live, we think.’
    I thumped his arm to gain his full attention. ‘What happened?’
    Nick ran his hand through his hair. ‘Look, this mornin’ ’e went to check on that Irish girl.’
    I groaned. It had never occurred to me that Syd would do such a thing, but of course he would have considered her his responsibility after she had stayed here last night.
    â€˜â€™E ran across ’er brothers. The O’Rileys accused ’im of all sorts of stuff and set about him, seven to one. Even Syd can’t beat them kind of odds. Bleedin’ cowards! ’E’s beat up pretty bad. You’d better go to ’im.’
    I swallowed my sick feeling of rage. I’d caused this situation, at least in part. It was my fault Syd was so badly hurt. ‘I will, but first tell me what you’re doing.’ I could guess. The Butcher’s Boys and the people of the market would not let this pass without taking their revenge.
    â€˜Evenin’ the score,’ Nick said with leashed fury. He flexed his fists. ‘Showin’ those Irish they’re not welcome round ’ere.’
    I could just imagine what would happen when a crowd of angry men from the market swarmed all over the building site. It would be a battlefield, innocents crushed in their passage.
    I gripped his sleeve. ‘Stop this, Nick. Thinkwhat Syd would want. There are women and children living there. You can’t go marching in and let rip – Syd would hate you to do that.’
    Nick shook me off. ‘Get out of my way, Cat. I’m in charge of the Butcher’s Boys, not you.’
    Frank, who’d been waiting just behind me, stepped forward. ‘She’s right, Nick. You can’t do it this way. This is between you and the O’Rileys – not every