I saw no one in
society.
My time was now largely occupied with wandering about the streets of
London. I began by exploring the vicinity of the theatre, and day
after day used to thread the alleys and courts in that neighbourhood.
Then I took the eastern direction, and soon became familiar with the
most squalid haunts.
My method was to wander from street to street, looking at every
poorly-dressed girl I met. Often I was greeted with an impudent
laugh, that brought back the sickening mental pictures I have
mentioned; and often I was greeted with an angry toss of the head and
such an exclamation as, 'What d'ye take me for, staring like that?'
These peregrinations I used to carry far into the night, and thus, as
I perceived, got the character at my hotel of a wild young man. The
family solicitor wrote to me again and again for appointments which I
could not give him.
It had often occurred to me that in a case of this kind the police
ought to be of some assistance. One day I called at Scotland Yard,
saw an official, and asked his aid.
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