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"Nettie, ant ?"

"Couldn’t be better, ducky Couldn’t be better What can I get you boys?"

"Thiskeys, please, , and a little of your company if you have a mind"

"Make that three and I’ll sit on your knee while we drink ’eenerous gratuity, and he and Lyall made their way over to a small side table near the fire

Nettie hollered back for a replace the three whiskeys, sloshed into tumblers She settled herself, as threatened, on Biffy’s knee, sipping her drink and twinkling hopefully at both , perhaps e of the man’s taste, but of very pleasant disposition and inclined to chatter once steered in the correct direction Her hair was so blond and fine as to be al her an expression of uninterrupted wonder that soht have taken for stupidity Biffy had yet to determine whether this was actually the case

"So, how’s the pub fared since I visited last, Nettie my dove?"

"Oh, well, let me just tell you, love Old Mr Yonlenker--you remember, the bootblack down the block?--tried to clean his own chiht proper for two days They had to use lard to get him out And then…" Nettie chattered on about all the various regulars round the neighborhood for a good twenty ossip wash over him Professor Lyall paid dutiful attention and Biffy asked enough questions to keep her going

Finally he prodded gently, "I hear there was a bit of a flutter at the station the other night"

Nettie fell obligingly into the trap "Oh, wasn’t there ever? Gunshots! Young Johnny Gawkins round Mincing Lane said he’s sure he saw a ible! Round these parts, can you iht Can’t say as how the two are linked, but I ain’t saying they’re not, neither"

Biffy blinked, confounded for aabout theup to your standards, of course,buck You sure ain’t half curious about it, aren’t ya?"

"Oh, you knowTell ie Pennyworth had her baby yet?"

"Not as hoins I tell you! And her without two pennies to rub together, and no da never did coh of a certainty an’ we’re all thinking it’s you knoho" The bar in the far corner, nursing a pint

"Not Alec Weebs? Never!" Biffy was appreciatively shocked

"Oh, believe it" Nettie settled herself in for another round

Biffy gestured at the replacement barmaid for more whiskey

Professor Lyall nodded at Biffy iible wasn’t ible popularity, but it was better than nothing And at least there were records of dirigible sales That narrowed their suspect list

CHAPTER SIX

In Which the Parasol Protectorate Acquires a New Member

Lord Akeldama was back from his walk, Prudence was down for her nap, and Tizzy and the nursemaid were relieved of their duties for theroom with a small collection of drones arrayed around hine on the end table, and the fat calico cat on his lap Truth be told, Lord Akelda a father, much to London’s surprise This was because ho than the social whirl of the ton Besides, Lord Akelda but ti He had, after all, never indulged in such an experience before When one was a va-lived as he, new experiences were hard-won, difficult to find, and treasured--like good-quality face powder

"Alexia, my dearest custard cup, how are you? Was it a perfectly horrid night?"

"Pretty much horrid, yes And hoas your stroll in the park?"

"We were the statement of the hour!"

"Of course you were"

The drones a prettily while she did so They then returned to their own chattering, leaving their ether However, Alexia was very well aware that ears were perked Lord Akeldama’s drones were trained in such a way as to suit their own intrinsic natures, and in the end, one could never take the love of gossip out of a soul once embedded there They were as much interested in Lord Akeldama’s secrets as they were in everyone else’s

"Lord Akeldaht have a little word, in confidence? I have had a rather interesting summons and I could use the benefit of your advice"

"Of course, s You ingly out, closing the door behind them

"Ah, the dears, they are probably all pressed in a huddle with their collective ear to the jamb"

"Prudence and I have been suypt What do you make of that?"

Lord Akeldaht have hoped "Ah, ar drop, I a You aren’t actually considering going, are you?"

"Not to put too fine a point on it, but yes I’ve alanted to see Egypt There is also a pack ate there I have even devised a cover story"

"Oh, Alexia, ypt It’s not a nice place, so hot and sht be endangered And I, of course, could not accoered by bad smells and muted colors?"

"Not to mention local dress Have you seen what they wear in that country? All loose and flowy, abominable concessions to comfort and practicality" Lord Akeldama’s hand floated up and out in the air in a simulation of the flutter of robes worn by exotic tribesmen He lowered his voice "There are too many secrets and too few immortals to keep them"

Alexia pressed further "And Queen Matakara, have you ever "

Lady Maccon looked at her friend sharply "Whatdrop, you asped "Oh , there is no need to put it so crassly as all that!"

So many questions cluttered Alexia’s mind at this revelation that her head very nearly did take to spinning "But how did you get here?"

"Oh, silly child We can ht after rate all over the world?"

Alexia shrugged "I suppose I thought you si circles"

Lord Akeldahed "There would have to be considerably ar lump"