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they did not scream. But it seems a simpler explanation might be if the ladies were inebriated or had partaken of a drug, their mental capacity made it easy to overtake them.  He attacked in the darkest part of the night when there is almost no activity in the streets, and it allowed him a sort of cover.”
    “It makes me shudder to think such a person exists and can hide among us and then become this sadist monster in the evening. It is frightening to think we may have spoken to him in the market,” said Helen.
    “Perhaps they have caught him, and we have not heard the news. We are two or three days behind in hearing the latest report,” said Madeline.
    “That would indeed put my mind at rest. As it is, instead of yearning for our home again, I find myself reluctant to go back into my neighborhood. It is a foolish old woman’s fears, but I don’t seem to be able to stop dreading it,” said Sophie.
    “I am skilled with a revolver, and I mean to take it out of its cob webbed storage and have it at my disposal,” said Helen.
    “If I am able, I will stop in to check on you. I don’t know what my schedule will be, but as I am certain to be in the area of your home, I will try to find the time to call on you. It would be a good thing to reassure you that you have nothing to fear, but I don’t think that is the case. I don’t think any woman will be completely safe while he roams the streets, even though it seems he targets ladies of the evening, it may just be, that for now, he has found them the most convenient to attack,” said Jonathan.
    “I propose a toast also. “May only good things light upon our doorstep, lady luck be our constant companion and may God bless you all,” said Madeline.
    When she returned to her cabin and the picture that anchored her to life, she no longer felt sad because of their parting because she knew she would continue to be in contact with all of her new acquaintances, of course, with the exception of her dear boy, Phillip. But she would do her best to send him letters occasionally of the news from London.
    “Good-night, my darlings. Tomorrow we will be in London.”
     
     

 
     
    Chapter Three
    Whitechapel
     
     
     
    August 17, 1888
    The SS City of New York is awake and in such a mood as if it was New Year’s Eve. The excitement over our pending arrival can be heard and seen everywhere. I can just see the sun, its’ head just peeking above the water, but even at the early hour, the sound of creaking cabin doors opening and closing and footsteps can be heard in quantity. I am anxious to be on land again; it has been an effort not to give into sea sickness and headaches. My sweet, green fairy has been a saving grace to me these days and helped me over the sloshing of the sea.
    She hurried to get ready, worried that she might miss seeing her new friends and also to say her goodbyes to Phillip, Mr. Bonneville and the other wait staff who had treated her with such kindness.
    She carefully wrapped her picture of her family, in her best lace handkerchief, and placed it in the satchel she carried. Looking around her tiny cabin before she left it for the last time, a tear ran down her face. She was grateful for the time she had spent in it, for it had proved to be more friend to her than she had imagined.
     
    Rushing past her were throngs of purposeful feet seeking their destination; attempting to exit the lovely ship. She watched for her new found friends but did not see them. Phillip scurried past once reminding her, “Don’t forget, I’ll be here for ten days. Don’t lose my address.”
    She waved as he was busy carrying luggage under his arm and trying to assist in keeping some sort of order, already hordes of people had lined up near the exit ramp. There would still be nearly two more hours till they would dock in London. She was certain she would see Jonathan and the ladies before then.
    She did not wish to sit, but walk about the grand lady, examining every detail that