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deer for hunting where it remained his private hunting ground until King
James I permitted limited access to the upper-classes. Then, in 1637,
King Charles I opened as a public park for all; and from then on the
public has enjoyed Hyde Park as its own personal playground .
Upon arriving at Hyde Park I went straight over to Lancaster Gate where
I knew I could find two madams with whom I was well acquainted
Miss Alice and Miss Maggie. I took a moment to greet them, informing
them that I was not there for pleasure , thus receiving a few sad groans
from some of the other nearby ladies, but that I was there on a matter
of some considerable importance, to which they inquired to the nature
of my concern. I informed them I had come seeking their aid in helping
Watt s Printing to capture a killer of children, most notably young girls.
You know Dear Reader, to some these ladies are nothing but low,
wretched, whores but I have found that they do have a philosophy about
life most encouraging since most of them have had children of their own
before life s misfortune had placed them here; and in knowing that I
knew they would want to help. In fact, once I mentioned capturing a
WILLIAM M. CULLEN 117
killer of children they quickly put a halt to their evening s business (not
that it was a particularly busy night), calling for a meeting with me. Once
grouped together, I quickly went about telling them how we at Watt s
had been investigating the murder of three girls, now four, who had been
found with their wrists cut open and their bodies drained of their blood;
and that suicide, for each, had been ruled out. I told them we believed
the killer was a West End doctor who seems to have a special need for
young girls, preferably virgins . . .
Don t they all, quipped one of them.
. . . for whatever dark deed they were performing. First, they made
me aware that they had no virgins amongst their ranks, which I kindly
understood already; however, I did let them know they might want to
remove their youngest girls in order to keep them safe, which they said
they would. Then I asked if they would be willing to do Mr. Watt a favor
and they, in turn, asked what it was. I then told them we were going to
use one of our apprentices for bait.
On a fishing expedition, then are we? asked one young lady .
Aye, I replied, informing them we have a lad who had volunteered
to dress-up as a lady of Hyde Park who was willing to walk-about with
them if they would be willing, to help us, to keep a safe eye on him; and
that is all we ask. Some thought the idea rather preposterous, while some
thought it rather ingenious, understanding why I wanted to do it this
way. I then told them that most of my fellow printers would be helping
out as well, offering our young man additional safety, to which they
seemed to appreciate very much. (I could only imagine the issues we were
going to have for I overheard a few ladies commenting about how strong
printers are.)
How old is the boy? asked one lady .
Fourteen, I said. And I would like to get him back that way, if I
could.
Oh, I don t know, she replied mischievously. We could pop im
up to a quick fifteen, garnering a few laughs. All I could do was shake
my head.
After the laughter had died down Alice and Maggie decided to take
a vote, asking who all was in favor in helping me out to find this killer.
I got a majority vote, with a few being slightly reluctant. They were
concern about loosing customers while walking around with our bait ;
thus, I had to assure them that business was to go on as usual, which they,
then, deemed all right. I then asked if they knew of anyone that might
118 THE PRINTER S VAMPYR
have been looking for such girls in the last few weeks, who were willing to
pay a premium for their services .
Alice and Maggie said they each knew of several such blokes. (Better
than hundreds, I thought.) They said they were usually older gents, very
charming ones, always acting polite and courteous. Said they usually
drove nice carriages, which sounded like a professional, like a doctor but
most would move on when they learned that they didn t have any virgins
available.
Have you then, seen anything or anyone out of the ordinary? I
asked.
No, replied Alice, shrugging her shoulders. Not that we can think
of; but, then, we haven t been, really, looking for anything out of the
ordinary.
Aye, I said, realizing that.
But we ll keep an eye out for you now until this bloke is caught, she
said.
And I thanked her. I then informed them that we, my team and our
bait, will be here on the morrow evening around six o clock. They said
they ll be looking for us. And with that I bid them good evening and took
my leave.
Once back at Vyola s Henry let me in, bidding me a pleasant
evening. He informed me that Vyola was still upstairs, sequestered in
her bedchamber, with young Wygate. (Why that little bugger! He got to
see her bedchamber before I did!) Henry also informed me, while taking
my hat and coat, that I was to go upstairs and wait in the music-room, a
room I had been in once before.
Once in the music-room I found Nyx already there, lying on the
floor beside Vyola s harpsichord; and upon seeing me he sprung up and
trotted on past me, going down the hall to where, I presumed, was Vyola s
bedchamber, obviously informing her that I was here; and with that I
took my seat and began waiting, wondering what Wygate looked like and
how Nyx knew to go and inform her.
After a few moments Vyola came into the room, smiling at me,
obviously glad I was back within a reasonable amount of time. I stood to
greet her.
Did you keep your promise? she asked, approaching me.
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