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knew anything that Charlotte had not already told her, indeed less; but she wished to see Euphemia’s reaction to the retelling, and of course Christina’s, if it were of any note.
    “Little to tell,” Christina began instantly. “The gardeners were digging to plant a tree, or some such, and discovered these dead bodies of babies. Naturally they sent for the police—”
    “How do you know?” Emily inquired.
    “My dear, from the servants, of course! Where does one ever learn anything that goes on, of any interest? And then the oddest policeman came round. Really, you never saw such a creature, all arms and legs and hair! I swear no barber ever took hand to it, far less comb or scissors. Or perhaps the working classes don’t have barbers. And he was perfectly enormous!”
    Emily smiled within herself at this view of Pitt, not wildly inaccurate. She would have recognized him from it.
    “Imagine my surprise,” Christina went on, “when he opened his mouth and spoke most civilly to me. Had I not seen him, I might have taken him for a gentleman.”
    “Surely he didn’t question you?” Emily looked suitably shocked, principally to exercise some emotion strong enough to override her amusement.
    “Of course not! I merely chanced to see him in the hall. He has been questioning all the servants, all round the square. I imagine it must be some unfortunate girl who cannot control herself.” She looked down for a moment, as if an embarrassment had caught her. Then she raised her head and the brilliance was back in her eyes. “Rather exciting, having detectives in the place. Of course Mother thinks it is all too macabre, and will lower the tone of the neighborhood. But I imagine people will understand. After all, everyone has servants. These problems are bound to occur. Ours is just a little more gruesome, that’s all!”
    Euphemia was pale, and it was obvious she did not wish to continue the subject. Emily rescued her.
    “I’m sure they will,” she agreed. “Lady Carlton, Lady Augusta said your husband is in the government. I imagine you must have to be most careful about your servants, only the most discreet.”
    Euphemia smiled.
    “Sir Robert very seldom brings home work that is of a confidential nature; but of course it is important that servants are discreet as to conversations overheard at dinner, and so on.”
    “How exciting!” Emily feigned girlish delight, and pursued the subject until her tea was finished and it was the appropriate time to take her leave. She must make other calls, or it would appear she was too eager. A cultured woman of society never restricted herself to one visit. She would call on at least one other, and leave her card at two more.
    She excused herself, her mind whirling to find some assured way of returning to Callander Square, if possible within the week.
    “So charming,” she murmured to Lady Augusta. “George has spoken so well of you, it was delightful to meet you,” to remind her that George was a friend of Brandy Balantyne’s and that they were of the same social circle.
    “Most gracious of you,” Augusta replied absently. “We are having a small entertainment this Friday afternoon. If you have no previous engagement, perhaps you would care to call in?”
    “How very pleasant,” Emily said equally nonchalantly. “I believe I shall.”
    She swept out with a feeling of infinite satisfaction.
    The following afternoon she put on a plain green dress, took a single unliveried footman, and went straight to Charlotte. It was far easier than waiting for Charlotte to come to her; for one thing, Charlotte did not have the use of a carriage, and had to resort to the hire of a hansom. The other reason, of course, was that she simply could not wait.
    She burst in upon Charlotte, who was busy mending linen.
    “What on earth are you doing?” she demanded. “Put it down, and listen to me!”
    Charlotte held the linen in her hand.
    “I thought ladies did not call before three?