Just inside the entrance to 108-119 Wentworth Model Dwellings in Goulston Street, off Whitechapel High Street, a piece of bloodstained apron was found that would suggest that Jack the Ripper was indeed a local resident. To appreciate the significance of this tantalizing clue, it is important to return to Mitre Square. Having grossly mutilated Catherine Eddowes and sliced off a piece of her apron, Jack the Ripper had but only three avenues of escape from the murder scene: First, back out into Mitre Street and possibly straight into the arms of police constable Watkins, who was patrolling the street and would also shortly discover the murder. Second, through Church Passage and into Duke Street. And finally, across the square and along the passageway, leading into St. James Place. It is from these three exits that the possible routes taken by Jack the Ripper to Goulston Street can be determined.

First: Jack the Ripper could have entered Mitre Street, exited into Aldgate, walked along Aldgate High Street and Whitechapel High Street and then turned left into Goulston Street towards Wentworth Street. With the exception of Goulston Street, this route seems improbable because all these streets were busy major thoroughfares, well lit and traversed by both the police and the public. Second: Again, he could have entered Mitre Street, along King Street into St. James Place and then through part of Duke Street into Houndsditch. Crossing Houndsditch into Gravel Lane would have led to Stoney Lane and Middlesex Street. Walking across Middlesex Street into New Goulston Street would have brought him into Goulston Street with Wentworth Model Dwellings almost opposite. This route could have also been taken by leaving Mitre Square along the passageway to St. James Place, thus alleviating the use of Mitre Street and King Street. Third: He could have exited Mitre Square along Church Passage into Duke Street. To turn right here would have led him straight into Aldgate High Street, which, as noted before, could have invited possible capture. Turning left along Duke Street would have led him to Houndsditch and then onto Goulston Street by the previous suggested route.

It is possible but extremely unlikely that, having entered Middlesex Street from Stoney Lane, Jack the Ripper walked along Middlesex Street to Wentworth Street, turned right and then right again into Goulston Street, discarding the piece of apron in the entrance of 109-118 Wentworth Model Dwellings on the left. In this unlikely scenario, he would have thrown previous caution to the wind and been heading straight towards the busy thoroughfare of Whitechapel High Street. Turning right into New Goulston Street, before Whitechapel High Street, would not have helped him either. He would be returning from whence he came, towards an alerted police force fanning out before him.

Having reached 109-118 Wentworth Model Dwellings and discarded the piece of apron, what did Jack the Ripper do next? It must now be obvious to us that he yearned for safety. He was heading home. Crossing Wentworth Street into Bell Lane would have taken him towards the numerous doss-houses in White’s Row and Dorset Street. However, and if we accept that Jack the Ripper was indeed a local man, his refuge was close at hand. From Wentworth Model Dwellings he turned immediately right into Wentworth Street and headed towards Commercial Street. At the corner of Wentworth Street and Commercial Street was situated the Victoria Workingmen’s Home – sanctuary.