Chapter 24

Eager now to get back to the crowds of Drury Lane, Leander started walking. He’d barely gone a few steps before a hand yanked him into the shadows and slammed him into a rough brick wall with such force that his hat went flying.

“Lose yer way, me fine gentleman?”

Leander tried to catch his breath. “Let go of me!”

The hand around his neck only tightened, holding him firmly against the wall. “I’ll be taking any blunt yer carryin’. Yer watch and any bobs y’got too.”

“No!” Leander fought to break the man’s hold. “I can’t—”

“Blood is terrible hard t’clean up.” The scent of stale gin wafted across Leander’s face as the robber snarled in his ear. “Don’t make me spill more’n I ‘ave to.”

Leander struggled to free himself, terrified of what would happen when the thief discovered he was carrying nothing of value. He nearly squirmed free, only to be caught by the hair and shoved back into the bricks.

“Messy ‘tis, then, me—”

“Release him at once!” ordered another voice.