Page 6 (1/2)

"I left him outside," she said into the silence

As if to underscore that the doorbell shrieked again

"What should we do?" Winnie asked, but instead of turning to Porter she looked at Elizabeth They all did

"We need to take a vote," Elizabeth said at last "Should we see hienda," Mr Blake pointed out

"That’s right," said Porter, trying to wrestle back control But even he looked at Elizabeth

"Who’s in favor of letting Augustin Renaud speak to the board?" Elizabeth asked

Not a hand was raised

Elizabeth lowered her pen, not taking note of the vote Giving one curt nod she stood "I’ll tell hio with you," said Winnie

"No, dear, you stay here I’ll be right back Iin the board and General Wolfe above "How bad could it be?"

But they all knew the answer to that When Augustin Renaud caood

TWO

Armand Gamache settled into the worn leather sofa beneath the statue of General Wolfe Nodding to the elderly man across from him he pulled the letters out of his satchel After a walk through the city with Émile and Henri, Gamache had returned home, picked up his mail, collected his notes, stuffed it all into his satchel, then he and Henri had walked up the hill

To the hushed library of the Literary and Historical Society

Now he looked at the bulging manila envelope on the sofa beside him Daily correspondence froent Isabelle Lacoste had sorted his ood to speak to you the other day I envy you a feeeks in Québec I keep telling my husband we must take the children to Carnaval but he insists they’re too young yet He’s probably right The truth is, I’d just like to go