“The man in the accident was carrying certain papers, and that image was found on one particular piece that seemed to indicate that‘things were in place, but far more information was needed.’”
“Did it say wot those things were?” Brodie inquired.
“Only that it would be helpful once all was known, and that there were those who would finally be brought down. That was over a year ago. It was considered important enough that we’ve had our people search for more information. That gold button is the first connection we’ve seen.”
“What about the man in the accident?”
“Unfortunately, he died in hospital, and we were not able to learn anything more.”
“Or perhaps it was made certain that he died,” Brodie suggested.
Alex nodded. “It would seem possible, with what you have discovered.”
Brodie explained that Mr. Conner had then found the coachman who had driven the man we now knew as Steiner from the Old Bell the night Burke was attacked. And that we had made inquiries with Herr Schmidt at the German Gymnasium, who knew the man.
Alex nodded, obviously having recognized that name.
“Steiner is a name we have followed, though we have no idea what he looks like. We had not heard that he was here.”
I explained that Steiner had attacked the man who remembered seeing him the night Burke was killed, a man called Fitch. And that Brodie was injured after he intervened and attempted to stop him.
“Fortunate that it was not worse.”
While there was more to that, there was no point in going into further detail.
I then explained about the laundry ticket that led us to the George Inn, where Adele DeMille had been staying after fleeing from St. John’s Wood.”
Alex stared at me. “A laundry ticket? Who would have thought? And you say that she then came to you? The woman from St. John’s Wood?”
“Burke had given her my name.”
He looked from me to Brodie. “Was she able to tell you anything about what Burke was up to? A story for the newspaper, perhaps, that he was after?”
Brodie and I exchanged a look.
Adele had entrusted us with her life. I was not willing to break that trust.
However, the journal had contained that date of 18 April, that was only three days away, as well as the names of the three men known as Torch, Hammer, and Saber, obviously not their real names, along with that combination of letter and numbers, B-10, that we now knew the meaning of.
The questions now were: who were they, and what had that secret project to do with all of this?
“The work you’ve accomplished is incredible,” Alex told us. “Where is the woman now? Sir Avery will undoubtedly want to speak with her.”
“She is safe,” I replied, but refused to tell him more. Not that I didn’t trust Alex, but neither Brodie nor I fully trusted Sir Avery, whose loyalties lay with the Crown no matter the cost in lives.
“There are three names she was able to give us.” I was willing to give him that, as it was obviously critical to what was to take place 18 April.
“Three men who met at St. John’s Wood over the past year, though there may be others. The names were obviously meant to disguise their identities. She said they called one another Torch, Hammer, and Saber.”
“Torch?” Alex stared at him, obviously stunned. “You’re certain of that?”
Brodie nodded. “Do ye know it?”
Alex nodded. “Twelve days ago, I decoded a cross-channel communication from one of our people in Brussels. We’ve been following communications that surface from time to time, for information that could be in the interests of the Crown.”
“You’re spying,” I commented.
Alex looked at me, somewhat startled from behind his glasses.
