'Footwork'

Sun 9th Sept 1888.

ing climbed down from the hansom cab and walked up the steps to the Science Museum, it had only been open for a few years, so the stone was still relatively clean.

"Have you got a research department ?"

"Yes sir, have you got an appointment ?"

"No, but I'm sure they'll find it very interesting."

"I'll see if Professor Maxwell is available. Who shall I say is calling ?"

"Andrew Richardson of the F.O. !"

Five minutes later Bing was been sown into the cluttered office of the professor.

"Ah pleased to see you Mr. Richardson. Do have a seat, I hope its comfortable enough. Oh so that's where the 'Chronological Theorem of Giant Gas Body Decay' got to. Sorry, hope you didn't hurt yourself. Very clumsy of me. Would you like a cup of tea, good, I'll ring for it. Now Colman says you have something interesting, something to stimulate the electrical impulses of my mind ehh ! ... Ah photographs, these are very good, did you take them yourself, yes, well I'm blowed ... " stopping long enough for Bing to say something.

"Do you know what they are ?"

"I've no idea. This bit looks like clockwork and this bit here looks like some form of hydraulic plunger. I'd have to have a very close examination of these intriguing objects to perhaps have a better idea. Ah now I do know what that is, its one of Dower's Automatons. An advanced model by the looks of it. Why do you want to know, I wouldn't have thought the F.O. would have the slightest interest in anything scientific or mechanical. Not some ghastly foreign plot I trust."

"No, just a case I'm on. Do you know anybody who might have an inkling of what they are ?"

"Well if you leave them with me, I'll show then round some of my colleagues. They might have a clue. Give me your address and I'll contact you as soon as possible, most curious, exquisite workmanship."

Bing left the museum feeling a bit drained after his encounter and boarded a cab to take him to his club in time for lunch, then off to St. Paul's.

The singing was a trifle tinny but what else could you expect from a machine. Nothing perfect surely ? There were thirty of the clockwork figures all dressed in their white cassocks. Facial muscles and moving hands making them seem quite realistic from a distance. Organ music came from somewhere in the depths of the machine. It was a truly remarkable device and now they were starting another song, a large repertoire. Most impressive.

The choir was surrounded by a low fence and guarded by a deacon to keep the curious worshippers away from it. Quickly when he was distracted by a group of Scottish Methodists, Bing nipped around the back and quickly unlocked the door and slipped inside.

It was glorious, intricate cogs and gears were everywhere, whirring and clunking gently. A masterpiece. Nothing looked similar to anything he'd found in George's room. Best get out of here, while the Scots were still arguing.

Resuming his seat, Bing listened to the whole five song repertoire and felt quite relaxed for his task later. Best get a bit of supper from the chop house over the road, might not be able to eat later.

Whitechapel was really dirty, the sewer system couldn't cope with all the filth, very unsanitary. Litter strewn streets did nothing to improve the place. Prostitutes were already out, this early, a pitiful place, something should be done about it ! Still best get on.

"Excuse me miss, do you recognise this man ? ... " A tiring search, Bing had forgotten how many women he'd questioned, it had cost a fair amount. Once he'd had to run from a vigilance committee who thought he was Jack the Ripper, or Leather Apron, or what ever they were calling the murderer today. Fortunately he'd managed to hide down an alley and he'd lost them, or they would have strung him up for sure.

Now he'd found a girl who did recognise Dower.

"Yer 'es old Georgie Porgie. right game one was 'e !"

"Do you now where he is now ?"

"No, e wasn't one of my regulars. 'E went with Dark Annie that was, Kate Eddowes and a couple others. Though Vicky Smith was 'is fav. Right old time they 'ad. Boozing, eating, rogering away like rabbits. Musta bin on somefing to do that at 'is age ha ha ha"

"Where can I find this Vicky Smith ?"

"Don't naw, aint seen 'er for a coupla weeks. Ask Dark Annie where she is, na yer can't do that can yer, she's been ripped. Don't naw where yer can find t'others they move around a bit."

After five hours of search Bing gave up, all he found out was that Kate Eddowes lived in Mitre Square, but had been out when he got there. So he decided to call it a night and go up to Chigwell. Fortunately Camellia was still up and glad to see him.

"Why my poor dear, you look dead tired deary. Have a cup of tea."

"Thank you, that would be nice. ... I've bought a book of aristocratic crests I'd like you to have a look at, perhaps something might stir a memory."

"Well I'll have a look ducks, but I didn't get a good look at it without my specs."

After about a hours and a half Bing had a list of about 20 crests which might have been the one, it would take a while to sift through them.

Then just as the clock struck twelve, Bing heard something outside.