We gave Mrs Nash due notice that we should not be home to supper, and might possibly be out after ten, and then sallied forth.

Hackney was a good four miles from Beadle Square, and by the time we had discovered Cabbage Street it was almost time to be returning.

But having come so far we were resolved we would at least make an effort to find out our old schoolfellow.

But the fates were against us.

Cabbage Street was a new street of small houses, about a third of a mile long.