“But more than that, I feel guilty at having brought this creature into the world, and made the world a worse place.”
“Did you know that he was here?” asked Rena.
“Not until after I had arrived in the village. I came at first for the pleasure of seeing John again, and helping him solve the mystery of these coins. It was only after I reached here that I sensed the stain that creature leaves wherever he goes.
“And then I heard that his daughter was with him – ”
“The daughter that you used to watch in the park,” said Rena, smiling.
“That’s right. When I heard that he’d returned to London I couldn’t bring myself to go and see him. It was better not to revive the past. But I used to watch his house sometimes, and I saw the little girl come out with her governess. I guessed who she was beca
