Stalking Jack the Ripper

Audrey feels distressed watching her uncle’s beloved lab being picked over by the team of policemen. They find screws and bolts from one of the murder scenes, and Audrey wonders why her uncle took these pieces of evidence—it makes him look very guilty.

Superintendent Blackburn tells Audrey that disturbing sketches of torture devices were also found in the laboratory, which the police find suspicious. Audrey is distressed to learn that her uncle is being held at Bethlem Royal Hospital—known to most as Bedlam—the infamous psychiatric institution.

When Audrey arrives home, Aunt Amelia is setting things up for a tea party. Audrey’s cousin, Liza, demands to know the name of the handsome man with whom Audrey has been spending time. Liza encourages Audrey to dress beautifully and dance the night away, and Audrey feels inspired.

Audrey finds the tea party onerous. When the guests refer to Uncle Jonathan’s arrest, Liza defends him. Audrey reflects that the other girls at the tea seem to enjoy being mindless, but she tries to get along with them, reluctantly accepting an invitation to go to the circus.