‘Your superior in the Holmland Intelligence Department was not a Dr Tremaine supporter, I take it,’ Caroline said.
‘No. As a result, his influence declined markedly. Even more so after his unfortunate demise.’ He looked up at the ceiling. ‘Suicide, they said. He was a remarkable man, but I think that shooting oneself seven times in the back was beyond even him.’ Von Stralick hardened. ‘His name has been disgraced, his family ruined, thanks to Tremaine.’
Aubrey felt his stomach turn to ice. This was no game. ‘So you were cast adrift? No-one to report to?’
‘I have my superior’s superior. He didn’t answer my messages so I thought he may be in some difficulty. I decided to take matters into my own hands.’
‘No wonder Albion seems like a more comfortable place,’ George said. ‘So if you’re not spying, what’s your game?’
Von Stralick rubbed his gloved hands together. ‘Importing and exporting. A bit of this, a bit of that, I think the saying goes.’
‘Nice and nebulous,’ Aubrey said. ‘Good-looking suit. Barber and Sons?’
‘It is. I’m glad you like it.’
‘A Barber and Sons suit means that you’re not short for money.’
‘Importing and exporting is doing well, in these troublesome times.’
Caroline sighed. ‘Can you two finish posturing soon? Then we can move on to more important matters.’
‘Such as the most dangerous man alive,’ Aubrey muttered. The others looked at him. ‘Sorry if it sounds melodramatic, but it’s probably true. Someone who is dedicated to plunging the world into war, just to fuel his magical efforts at personal immortality? Sounds dangerous to me.’
‘I agree,’ Kiefer said. ‘He must be stopped.’
‘How?’ George said. ‘Easier said than done, it seems to me.’
‘Flush him out,’ Caroline said. ‘Lure him to Albion and take him.’
Von Stralick lifted an eyebrow. ‘Extraordinary.’
Caroline bristled. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Remember who we’re talking about, Miss Hepworth. The most dangerous man alive and you want to confront him? Most people spend their waking hours hoping to avoid him.’
‘We choose the place, the time, not him,’ Aubrey said, picking up Caroline’s suggestion. Slowly an idea was beginning to take form. ‘Every other meeting we’ve had has been because of his planning. He’s been prepared, with multiple escape routes, with backup resources. Let’s turn the tables so that we’re the ones who have traps within traps.’
Von Stralick sat back in his chair. ‘You know, I think you could do this. At least, that’s what the reports said.’
‘Reports?’ Aubrey said.
‘Tremaine circulated a number of reports about the affair in Lutetia, then the failed plot to destroy your economy. He drew attention to you, particularly. He noted you as a potential threat, strategically and magically.’
For a moment, Aubrey felt absurdly pleased. Then he realised it may help to explain the attention he was receiving from Dr Tremaine.
The room suddenly felt much more exposed than it was.
A figure stood at the doorway. Once again, all heads turned in the direction of the newcomer – even Kiefer’s, and he brightened noticeably. He stood and waved. ‘Professor Glauber! Over here!’
Aubrey swung around to see a short, pear-shaped man rolling towards them. He wore round spectacles and had a peculiar, waddling gait, as if his shoes were much too long for his feet. His long, black coat hung to his knees and was buttoned to the neck. He wore black gloves. Several coffee drinkers hailed him as he passed, but he didn’t respond, leaving a string of puzzled Holmlanders in his wake.
Despite Kiefer’s entreaties, Professor Glauber didn’t come to their table. He stopped and stared, making waiters edge around him. Aubrey shifted uneasily; he had the distinct impression that he was the object of the professor’s scrutiny. Then, without a word or change of expression, Professor Glauber veered off and made for the far corner of the room, where a telephone was attached to the wall.
Kiefer sank, baffled. ‘He must be busy.’
‘Metallurgical crisis, no doubt,’ George said. ‘Happens when you least expect it, I imagine.’
Kiefer crossed his arms and did his best to look confident. ‘When he’s done, he’ll tell you what happened.’
Aubrey studied the mysterious professor as he spoke into the telephone. The conversation was mostly on the other side, but the professor did glance constantly toward Kiefer, so Aubrey was sure the professor was aware that his protégé was in the room.
Aubrey was taken aback when the professor called him from across the room. ‘Mr Fitzwilliam!’ he bellowed, in a hoarse but commanding voice. ‘Over here, if you please!’
The professor was so demanding that Aubrey was on his feet before he knew it. Kiefer looked hurt and Aubrey shrugged. ‘I’ll go and see what he wants.’
Caroline frowned and for a moment Aubrey thought she was going to say something, but the moment passed and she busied herself with her bag.
As Aubrey drew closer to the impatient Professor Glauber, he began to grow uneasy. The professor had him fixed with an impatient, glassy gaze and he was still clutching the earpiece of the telephone in one hand, almost as if it were a weapon.
‘Hurry, Fitzwilliam.’ The professor adjusted his grip on the earpiece. ‘I have a message for you.’
‘Is there someone on the other end?’ Aubrey said.
‘Yes,’ Professor Glauber said. His face was leaden, with a greasy sheen to it. Aubrey wondered if the man were sick. ‘It’s important.’
Despite his misgivings, Aubrey stepped closer.
‘Dr Tremaine wants you.’ Glauber darted out a hand like a snake and clamped it on Aubrey’s upper arm.
Instantly, Aubrey’s eyes flew open wide. His teeth clicked together and his head snapped backwards. Every muscle in his body went rigid and it felt as if a bolt of white light had shot through his body. He started to shake, to spasm uncontrollably, his limbs flailing, his head jerking wildly. A scream sounded from nearby but Aubrey only heard it dimly as he shook, unable to speak or to tear himself away. All he could do was stare at the awful, impassive face of Professor Glauber.
Dosomethingdosomethingdosomething, he thought.
Then, if he’d been able to make his mouth work properly, he would have cried out with horror. Professor Glauber’s hand, the one holding the telephone earpiece, had melted.
Even in the middle of his spasm, in a room suddenly thrown into chaos as Holmlanders bolted for the door, Aubrey managed to correct himself. No, not melted. Professor Glauber’s hand had fused with the earpiece, reshaping and dividing until it disappeared through the holes. As he watched, helpless, the process continued rapidly, the professor’s hand actually being drawn into the earpiece, right up to his wrist. Within seconds, the earpiece swallowed the professor’s arm up to the elbow like a python swallowing a pig.
Aghast, Aubrey summoned all his strength. He struck at the hand clamped to his upper arm, but it was like hitting a sack of sand. The professor didn’t even change expression. He pulled Aubrey closer, and grappled for a one-armed embrace while his other arm disappeared up to his shoulder.
His face showed no emotion.
He’s going to disappear up the telephone line, Aubrey thought, heaving at the professor’s grip. And if he doesn’t let go, he’s going to drag me along with him.
A metal tray skimmed past his startled eyes. It hit the professor edge-on, just above his nose, and made a musical ringing noise.
‘Aubrey!’
Caroline came into view, swinging another metal tray, but she was seized by von Stralick. ‘Do not touch them with metal!’ he cried, but then he lurched backward to avoid Caroline’s angry backswing.