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I had learned, that Mr. Trundle had begun informing everyone, over
mid-day, of our scheme and was getting several volunteers, which also
had begun speculation amongst the men as to whom this killer might
be, and as to why he was killing. Many thought, as I did, that he was a
doctor with some speculating that he preferred young girls over grown
women only to become violent with them, thus cutting their wrists, when
he is not able to  perform ; thereby, keeping them from telling others as to
who he might be.
But who could that be? What doctor could be that demented? Not
even good Dr. Wyck had wanted to speculate a guess as to who this
person might be when I had a chance to ask him over last evening s
supper; but he did seem to think, based on what I had told him, that
this man, this fellow doctor, who we are now beginning to look for, is a
desperate man for, it seems to him, that the man is discarding his victims
in to careless a fashion; plus, as I had hoped, Dr. Wyck had offered to
inform me of anything if he should ever hear of anything concerning our
case, which I felt was polite but empty offer knowing him for he would
most likely inform the Royal Society before telling me anything about
what he may learn, if anything.
It was then I knew I needed to visit and talk with Doctors Lyons and
Sloane about this man as well; whereby, getting their learned opinions;
plus, I knew it was coming down to us to find this man; and I also knew
I had to stop obsessing over this and eat my mid-day for I had to get our
paper typesetted so Mr. Trundle could start printing.
Soon Mr. Crook had over five hundred fliers prepared about this new
girl, sending a few of his lads out to inform London that another girl had
been found murdered like the one we had reported this Saturday past.
It was approximately half-past five when Wygate and I left the shop, eager
to put our scheme in motion. We caught a driver and headed directly to
Vyola s, arriving just before six. I made introductions in the foyer where
Wygate became instantly fascinated with Nyx, who had come to the door
WILLIAM M. CULLEN 115
with Vyola. Nyx, too, took a liking to Wygate and seemed to have made
an instant friend. While Wygate was petting Nyx I informed and Vyola
that I needed to be on my way to Hyde Park, and that should be back
within an hour or so. However, before leaving, Vyola wanted to talk to
me privately so we slipped into the front sitting room, leaving Wygate
in the foyer with Nyx. Once at our destination, Vyola wrapped her arms
around me hugging me most tightly. I immediately reciprocated. She
whispered up to me,  I have missed you all day long.
 And I, you, I replied, bending down to kiss her.
Before she accepted she said,  Please Ben, don t forget your promise
you made to me yesterday; about your feelings towards me.
 Ah, my girl is worried, smiling at her.  Don t you fret my love, I
have not forgotten my promise, and with that I kissed her and she kissed
me back.
After a passionate moment we heard a boy laughing and a dog
growling. (I could have sworn I had heard that growl somewhere else
before; and just yesterday.) It was Wygate and Nyx.
Vyola and I quickly separated, blushing at being caught.
 I knew it; I bloody well knew it! You do love her!
 Quiet you bloody fool! I said rather sternly, quickly approaching,
glaring at him.  If her father finds out I could lose my position.
 Ben, said Vyola calmly.  It is alright, coming up behind me,
placing a firm hand upon my arm.  Father is out. He s giving a lecture
this evening.
 Oh, good, I replied, being somewhat relived while still being a bit
irritated with Wygate.
 Now Ben, said Vyola cordially, extending her right hand, pulling
my attention away from Wygate and back to her.  Please, do not forget
our deal.
 Aye, my lady, I won t, taking her hand, bowing to kiss it.  Until we
meet again, I said before taking my leave; and as I walked to the front
door I smacked Wygate upside the head for being a little shite.
 Ow! he exclaimed, rubbing his head.  What was that for?
 Really, I said back to him, giving him another stern look.
 Now Wygate, stated Vyola, walking over to the staircase,  you
deserved that for startling Ben and I. Now, let s get upstairs to begin
your transformation, gesturing towards the staircase. Wygate moved
towards Vyola, snarling at me as he went.  Come on Wygate, let Ben be,
116 THE PRINTER S VAMPYR
ushering Wygate to move along, which he did; and, as I closed the front
door behind me, I had noticed Nyx following up behind them as well.
Now, Dear Reader, about that promise I made to Vyola. The subject
arose about my relationship with the  ladies of Hyde Park while we were
walking the Tower grounds the day before. She had asked me if I had
ever spent any time over there with them since arriving in London and I
decided to be honest with her, telling her that I had gone there with my
former friend James Ralph, who had sailed to London with me, after we
had first arrived and began making our way around London. She, at first,
seemed quite despaired at knowing this but asked, from that day forward,
that I should attend no more to satisfy my cardinal desire, as long as
she was in my life, to which I promised. (Nor did I have any desire to
attend after what Dr. Benson had told us about the  hot-wire cure for
the French Pox.) Thus, I walked with due purpose since Hyde park was
less than a half a mile away, directing my cause to a place where I knew I
could find a madam or two.
Beautiful Hyde Park used to be Hyde Manor nearly two centuries ago
when it was acquired by Henry VIII from Westminster Abbey, who had
it since the time of the Norman Conquests. Once King Henry VIII [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]