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‘He does not?’

‘No When you choose to lie, try not to lie about matters of no consequence, they tend to under more serious matters’

Sae’s pedantry was useful Mr Pettifer’s doe-like brown eyes darted about the room

‘It hisky, then’

‘Thank you Was it only the two of you?’

Edge sighed and raised his hand as Pettifer’s lips parted ‘You are about to lie Please do not There was another person there as well’

Pettifer cleared his throat

‘Yes, there was a, ah, young man with him’

‘Good Nohat did you discuss? The truth, please I do not wish to cause trouble, but I will be delighted to recommend excise officers have a closer look at the next shipments you receive’

Mr Pettifer’s brows and hands danced up and down

‘No need, no need for that Not that there is anything at all of interest to the excise officers, I assure you, nothing at all But still, the bother, you see So tedious There is nothing much to tell you, after all Mr Grey—’

‘Mr Grey?’

‘That was the na ed the shipment of my marvellous mummies Unfortunately, the last I had heard of hia treasure that would secure his fortune I’m afraid I did not set much store by his promise as Mr Osbourne was not always reliable Why, once I did not hear from him for thole years and then up he pops with the on you could have hoped for It is still one of an arriving I aathering? At three shillings per personand then there are the restoratives on sale for those who faint’ His gaze sailed away into far pleasanter scenery of shillings and pounds and he sighed happily ‘Do stay and watch I a at least for some scarab amulets wrapped into the linen The ladies are particularly fond of them’

Saround his teeth and he breathed in and out very slowly

‘Did he say how to contact him should you hear news of Mr Osbourne?’

‘He did, sir In such an eventuality, I a Mr G contact Mr P and then watch the advertisehtforward man, Mr Grey’