“What cheek!”
“Per’aps I should ‘ave words with ‘im.”
“Yes, do.”
The shorter man took a single step toward the entrance when a splintering sound reached us from the next room, followed by a loud crash.
_Dzzp!_
Heavy footsteps crossed the outer room. Then the door immediately across from me was flung open. Jack stood upon the threshold, staring at the cages, the vivisectionists, myself upon the table. Graymalk peered in from behind him.
“Just who do you think you are, bursting into a private laboratory?” said the beefy man.
“. . . Interrupting a piece of scientific research?” said the tall man.
“. . . And damaging our door?” said the short man with the wide shoulders and large hands.
I could see it now, like a black tornado, surrounding Jack, settling inward. If it entered him completely he would no longer be in control of his actions.
“I’ve come for my dog,” he said. “That’s him on your table.”
He moved forward.
“No, you don’t, laddie,” said the beefy man. “This is a special job for a special client.”
“I’ll be taking him and leaving now.”
The beefy man raised his scalpel and moved around the table.
“This can do amazing things to a man’s face, pretty boy,” he said.
The others picked up scalpels, also.
“I’d guess you’ve never met a man as really knows how to cut,” the beefy one said, advancing now.
_Dzzp!_
It was into him, and that funny light came into his eyes, and his hand came out of his pocket and captured starlight traced the runes on the side of his blade.
“Well-met,” Jack said then, through the teeth of his grin, and he continued to walk straight ahead.
When we left I realized that the old cat had been right about the seas and messes, too. I wondered what sort of light they would give.
October 24
When the wards were removed yesterday evening they showed that Nightwind had been by at dusk, trying to peer in. Also, Cheeter. And a huge, lean wolfish-looking creature. And the Things were all still held by their restraints, though struggling enthusiastically. I was feeling a little worse for my usage, but I forced a spring into my step and went and strolled past the church. Tekela was perched atop it and she stirred and studied me as I went by, but we exchanged no words. As soon as I was past, though, I glanced back and saw that she was gone. Good. I went home and slept.
This morning, I learned from Larry that Mrs. Enderby had run off to town as soon as word of Rastov’s death became current. Later in the day, the Great Detective had shown up to view the remains and the premises. I brought Larry up to date on everything that had happened after I’d left him, and he assured me that he had not been by the house last night. He told me that he intended to rescue Lynette, but that she was safe enough for now. If he freed her too early there would be pursuit both physical and nonphysical, now the power was rising strongly; and more importantly, there would be time for the vicar to make other plans, jeopardizing some unknown innocent. The timing, he said, would be very important. Weakening the vicar this way, he decided, could well be his main part in things. I told him that I’d help any way I could. I rested a lot afterwards and visited with Graymalk.
It began to rain late that night, a steady drizzle. Jack was in his laboratory, distilling essences or something like that. I had spoken with him last night, of course, between midnight and one, keeping him current on all particulars of my adventures.
“Isn’t your association with Jill a little, awkward, this far along in the Game?” I’d said, near to one o’clock.
“Strictly professional,” he had replied. “Besides, she’s a good cook. And what about you and the cat?”
“We get along well,” I’d said. “Any chance of your getting Jill to change her mind about opening?”
“I don’t think so,” he’d answered.
“She’s not making you think about switching, I hope?”