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But today, on his watch, the French force hadthe Lit and His

"Please," said Inspector Langlois, swiftly standing and indicating a seat He spoke in his best, highly accented, English "Join us"

As though Mr Wilson had a choice They were the hosts and he was the guest With an effort he sed a retort, and sat, though not in the seat indicated

"We have so down to business

Over the course of the next hour they interviewed everyone there They learned fro at six, and had been locked that lois’s people had exae, old lock on the front door and while it showed no signs of ta a clever six-year-old could have unlocked it without a key

There was no alarm system

"Why would we bother with an alarm?" Porter had asked "No one comes e’re open, ould anyone come e’re closed?"

They learned this was the only place in old Quebec City English books could be found

"And you seem to have a lot of them," said Gah the back corridors and rooms that you have quite a few books not displayed"

That was an understate the boxes of books piled everywhere

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Just an observation"

"It’s true," said Porter, reluctantly "Andevery day Every time someone dies they leave us their books That’s hoe find out someone’s dead A box of worthless books appears More accurate than the Chronicle-Telegraph obits"

"Are they alorthless?" asked Langlois

"Well, we found a nice book of drawings once"

"When was that?"

"1926"

"Can you not sell some?" Gamache asked

Porter stared at the Chief Inspector Gamache stared back, not certain what had caused this sudden vitriolic look

"Are you kidding?"

"Non, monsieur"

"Well, we can’t Tried once, lois asked