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Four
"I’veneverhadanydealingswithIslington,"saidthemarquis.
"Ithoughtitwasjustalegend,"shesaid.
"Notatall."Hereachedacrossthedesk,pickedupthegoldpocket-watch,thumbeditopen."Niceworkmanship,"heobserved.
Shenodded."Itwasmyfather’s."
Heclosedthecoverwithaclick."Timetogotomarket.Itstartssoon.MisterTimeisnotourfriend."
Sheblewhernoseoncemore,putherhandsdeepintothepocketsofherleatherjacket.Thensheturnedtohim,elfinfacefrowning,odd-coloredeyesbright."DoyouhonestlythinkwecanfindabodyguardwhowillbeabletodealwithCroupandVandemar?"
Themarquisflashedhiswhiteteethather."There’sbeennoonesinceHunterwho’devenhaveachance.No,I’llsettleforsomeonewhocouldgiveyouthetimeyoumightneedtogetaway."Hefastenedthefobofthewatchchaintohiswaistcoat,slidthewatchintohisvestpocket.
"Whatareyoudoing?"askedDoor."That’smyfather’swatch."
"He’snotusingitanymore,ishe?"Headjustedthegoldenchain."There.Thatlooksratherelegant."Hewatchedtheemotionsflickeracrossherface:quietangerand,finally,resignation.
"We’dbettergo,"wasallshesaid.
"TheBridgeisn’tveryfarnow,"saidAnaesthesia.Richardhopedthatwastrue.Theywerenowontheirthirdcandle.
