"Oh no, most certainly not."
"You wiv' the newspapers?"
"I work with papers," I said, skirting the truth.
She spat in the gutter again. "Load of hoity-toity trash."
"I cover financial matters."
"Pity."
"Why's that?"
"Our Mavis, she had a tanner from a newspaper feller once. Said 'e wanted a story from her." She looked at me shrewdly. "What will you give me for answerin' questions?"
I thought of the dwindling supply of coins in my pocket, and decided I could spare a penny or two. Then I happened to notice the woman's children. Their clothes were old and oft-mended, although clean enough, but as to footwear I saw that two of the children lacked shoes, while the other sported a pair of tatty boots which were far too large for her feet. All three looked tired from carrying the washing, and my heart went out to them. "Here," I said, pushing a handful of coins at the woman.
"What's this, then?" she demanded, her voice laden with suspicion. "I ain't doing nothin' more than answer questions, and if you have a mind to anythin' else I'll yell for a constable, so 'elp me."
"No, no," I said, trying to placate her. "The money is for you. My, er, editor will reimburse me."
"Well, I don't know that I 'ave that many answers," said the woman doubtfully. Despite that, the coins disappeared inside her dress remarkably quickly. "But you ask away, sir. Ask away!"
"What have you heard about the death? Was there any foul play involved?"
The woman lowered her voice. "Some say the 'usband did it. Naval gentleman, he is, and they're used to all that killin', ain't they?"
"I thought he was posted overseas?"
"Nah, 'e's a big nob at the Admiralty. Lord something-or-other." She gestured. "Gentlemen like 'im, they sleep at their clubs instead o' coming home late. Afeared of robbers and the like. Or maybe afraid of wakin' their wives, what with the whisky and cigars on their breath."
"So his Lordship was not at home yesterday?"
"I ain't his housekeeper."
"Of course, of course."
"But I heard tell 'e was terrible upset this morning. Wailing and shouting and the like. Linda's boy what does deliveries, he heard the fuss and said the language was shocking."
I began to think my money had been ill-spent, but consoled myself with the thought that some of it might make its way to the children. Also, I had nothing better to do until the professor and Roberta appeared, and I was far less a suspicious figure in conversation with the washerwoman than I would have been standing under the tree by myself.
There was one question I desperately wanted the answer to, but I was afraid the asking would mark me as a madman. I could only imagine the washerwoman's reaction if I enquired as to any sightings of ghosts in the vicinity. Most likely she would draw up her skirts and leave post-haste, with the children following in her wake like over-burdened ducklings. But forewarned is forearmed, as they say, and the confirmed presence of a spirit would be useful news indeed to the professor. Roberta, too, might view me favourably.
Also, assuming the woman had no further titbits to impart, was there truly any loss in asking my question? She might huff a little, and withdraw from my company, but that was all. But then, before I could ask, I saw the familiar figures of the professor and his daughter approaching along the road. "Thank you ma'am, for your patient replies to my query. Do please have a pleasant afternoon."
"Pleasant afternoon, is it?" She took up the large basket of washing, then gave me a look. "Some of us 'ave to work for a crust," she said tightly, and then, after an impatient gesture at the children, she departed.
As the professor and Roberta drew closer, I noticed they were walking some distance apart. Was this the result of some argument? Had they fallen out during the omnibus ride? Then they got closer still, and I was overwhelmed by the smell of fish. Plucking a handkerchief from my breast pocket, I pressed it to my nose in an attempt to block the stench. "Whadever happered?" I managed, speaking indistinctly through the wadded cloth.
"Septimus!" cried Roberta. "However did you get here first?"
"I took the underground train," I replied, removing the handkerchief so as to speak more clearly.
Roberta gave her father a meaningful look. "You see, father? Even Septimus, with limited means at his disposal, saw fit to spend a little extra so as to avoid the omnibus."
The professor grunted in reply, and at this point I realised that it was he who stank of fish. Indeed, I could see silvery traces all over his coat. Some traces had deposited themselves on his top hat, and while I couldn't be certain, I thought I spied a patch on his cheek.
Roberta, meanwhile, was struggling not to laugh. "Unfortunately, the omnibus was rather crowded, and a lady carrying a parcel of fish lost her footing as the carriage moved off. My father, bless him, managed to save most of her catch before they landed on the floor."
"Not intentionally!" snapped the professor. "That blasted woman threw them all over me!"
"You did complain to her about the smell," said Roberta mildly.
"Gah!" snarled the professor, and he whirled around to look at the house. "Is that the residence?" he demanded, pointing at it with his walking stick.
"Indeed, sir."
"Then let us proceed."
Privately, I suspected the fish-scented professor would be about as welcome as a brick through the front window, but he was already striding across the road and it was too late to say anything. A passing carriage almost ran him down, and as it sped by the driver turned to give the professor a piece of his mind. The man's angry diatribe faded into the distance as the carriage continued on its way, and I noted that even the cursing had a genteel ring to it in this part of the city.
Then, with the road clear, Roberta and I hurried after the professor, haversacks on
