Page 18 (2/2)

The croas silent, barely breathing, as the Morphos spun in the air, fluttering in the spotlight For a few en knew it could only last so long She was out of acts, and her ars out and steady Finally, the tension snapped

"I deard bellowed "These are the specimens stolen from the Natural History Museum in London She is a thief and a fraud!"

The Coppers were through the crowd, up onto the pedestal, and on her in an instant, their leathers creaking as they wrenched her ars One of theround She didn’t fight--as the point? She had known it would co to give his she should have said earlier, but she couldn’t find hi at her side in a glittery red tailcoat "Whatever do youmy employee?"

"You’ve seen the broadsheets, bluddy," one of the Coppers barked "She has his specihed that wild, charh of his and whispered out the side of his ard can tell machinery froed by my chief machinist, Vil Murdoch" With one hand, he snatched the Morpho froen shuddered to think of its feathery wings being crushed by his white glove

To her great fascination, Criminy twisted so He kneeled on the edge of the platforard "Pretty bit of s can fool you, unless you look very closely"

"This is an outrage!" the professor spluttered "That is Jane Bumble, and these are reat renown The last known hair of Saint Erilda, the one the Bludle red hair It is necromancy, andan to ently and advanced on Professor Beauregard as if he were a rabid dog

"Now, Professor, you can see as how it’s all clockwork, can’t you, sir? ’Tis merely a caravan, a circus All smoke and mirrors," said one

"Let’s calhtening the women and children"

"There is perfidy about! My specimens are nearby! Hidden! Search that wo you won’t look there But it’s there!"

Beauregard tried to climb onto the pedestal, but the Coppers pulled him back down

"What’s your name, lass?" one of the Coppers said, and she al loud "Her naen Morpho, and I carry her papers" He slid the packet into the Copper’s hands and grinned rakishly at her as they were examined

"All in order" The Copper shoved the papers back at Criminy "Sorry, there, Professor I understand as how you’re upset, but any bloke can see that she’s Ien Morpho, and them’s clever bits of metal Besides, she looks nuffin’ like the Wanted posters Ain’t nuffin’ we can do You understand, right?"

Right before the Coppers led hiard’s eyes er, unkindness, indifference--she’d seen theht have fainted, had Henry not appeared behind her, his ar possessively around her waist<ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>