11

"Diana, are you, um, acquainted with this Officer?" Etta wavered as she set the rolling pin out of sight and concealed the hat pin behind her back. "I'm certain you are aware, Officer, the NUWSS is a peaceful organization, our only goal equal rights for all women; and none of our literature," glancing toward her work-table filled with handbills and leaflets contentious and belligerent, "is confrontational or militant."

"Suffragettes? That's not of my official interest, Mum. I'm here to talk with Miss Prince."

Diana cleared a chair for the Officer, taking a seat to her side. "Officer Sandsmark, correct? This is my friend, Etta Candy. How may I help?"

"The night in the alleyway - with Miss Maddie O'Connell; the youth that ran away; and you restraining a man in the mud with your knee - do you remember?"

"Yes, I stopped that man from causing harm and turned him over to the male officers. Is he receiving the help he needs? Has Miss Maddie O'Connell recovered?"

"He's...under watch. Maddie is back on the streets. There's not much we can do for these girls but offer compassion and try to keep them from injury, or worse."

"If she has returned to the streets she can again fulfill her duty. That is good."

"Uh...yes, possibly." Officer Sandsmark muttered, unable to think of a more appropriate reply to what was an inappropriately unexpected statement. "But the reason I'm here is because of what Maddie told me. After she calmed..." - the officer removing a small sheaf of papers from her jacket pocket - "I have a copy of the official statement here" - and began to read aloud:

'I was jus' goin' abut me work, ya see, in all the usual places. I'm not one to meddle in another girls pitch, ya know.'

"Excuse the grammatical errors. Constable Pontsdale copied down her words as closely as possible."

'When out a' nowhere, a man grabs at me as if e's wantin' my attentions. I turns 'round, and sees 'tis Davy, a customer from long back - aren't seen 'im in months, ya see, but once a customer, always a customer, I says. So I make all friendly-like, when he takes me by the collar 'a me blouse and says 'Hand 'em over'. I'm thinkin' he's bein' a bit cheeky, us not settlin' on a price an' I tells 'em 'You can 'ave at 'em once I gets me money.' An' over by the fire ladder I sees this little boy hidin' in the shadow and I aren't about to conduct business when there's children about. Then Davy, he gets this mad look in 'is eyes, says 'That's not what we're 'ere for, Maddie, I kin get that any time.' So I'm a bit insulted, I is, and I don' know if he's sayin' 'we' 'bout me and him, or him and someon' else or what. Then he grabs for me locket and me purse, brutal like. Now me locket was me grandmums, has real diamonds in it, it does, and I isn't about to let that go. And I entertain'd a couple customers this evenin' already so me purse weren't empty neither. I says 'Let go' and he grabs me neck and I scream.'

"Officer", Etta interrupted, having slowly and quietly positioned herself nearby in order to better overhear, "although an official Police record, is this account appropriate for ladies" looking at Diana, "who are not accustomed to the... less-refined elements of London?"

"Etta, it is important I hear these truths. If you are uncomfortable, you may wish to leave the room."

"No dear, I'll mange somehow." she stated, leaning in a bit closer. "I won't leave you alone."

Diana turned toward their guest. "Please continue, Officer Sandsmark."

'Let go' and he grabs me neck and I scream. Just then that Lady comes - the one who was dressed so pretty - and she stands there not 'fraid 'a anythin' and says 'Let 'er go' but he don'. Then he reaches in his jacket 'n comes out with a knife and holds it up to me throat. Now I ain't old enough to remember the Ripper but I heard the stories and I'm thinking I's 'is next victim and I struggle and start to cry but I can feel the steel on me neck and it aren't a nice thin' to feel, let me tell you. Then - and this 'eres the curious part - the Lady, she says a few thin's more, I don't know what, I was havin' other thoughts on me mind, and she throws a circle 'a fire round ole Davy and he lets me go and drops the knife and they starts into fightin' real brutal like, I think that Lady's done for and when he finishes with her 'e's comin' back for me, but then he makes these animal sounds and falls down like 'e's in awful pain. That fire didn' burn anythin' but Davy's sayin' 'IT'S BURNIN'!' and he's floppin' on the ground like a eel out a water. Then I get sorta taken over by thinkin' a' what almost 'appen to me and I's cryin' an Davy's screamin' and I 'ear the police whistle an the next thin' I know you're sittin next to me askin' if I wan' some tea."

"Other than a few procedural issues, that's the extent of her statement, Miss Prince. Now the reason I'm here; and what I want to ask you is; How is it that a single, obviously well-born lady such as yourself is able to subdue and hold an assailant, by herself, resulting in nothing more than a few wrinkles to your jacket and bits of mud splattered on your skirt? With, or without, a 'circle of fire'?"