And reasoning thus, he crossed yen Pridmann off the death list.

There was a knock.

"Yes? Yes?" Julius said querulously, looking up.

An apologetic face peeped round the door. "Sorry to bother you, my lord, but you have a visitor? Philip ven Holtz-Hjalmar from the Office of the Post, with dispatches from the Crown."

"Tell him to leave them—" Julius paused.

That's funny, I wonder what it is?

The post office in question was the Clan's courier service, manned by members of the six families and their close relatives who held in common the talent of walking between worlds. Normally he could expect at most one courier delivery a day, and today's had arrived some hours ago. "Show him in."

"At once, my lord."

The manservant withdrew. After a moment's muted conversation, the door opened again.

"My lord Arnesen." Julius didn't recognize the courier. He was a young fellow, wearing a dark business suit, conservatively cut, standard uniform for the couriers who had to travel in public in American cities. The briefcase he held was expensive and flashy: brushed aluminum with a combination lock and other less obvious security measures. "May we speak in private?"

"Of course." Julius waved at his servant: "Be off, and keep everyone away from the door."

"Thank you, my lord." The courier didn't smile.

"Well? What is it?" Julius strained to sit up, pushing back against the weight of his years.

"Special message, for your eyes only, from her grace the dowager Thorold Hjorth." He put the briefcase down on the side table.

This should be good,

Julius thought. The duchess Hildegarde, Helge's grandam, one of the mainstays of the conservative faction, hadn't had the time of day for him since the disaster at the Summer Palace three months ago.

If she's decided to kiss and make up now it must mean—

He was still trying to articulate the thought when the messenger shot him in the face, twice. The gun was fitted with a suppressor, and Baron Arnesen was seated; there was barely any noise, and the second bullet was in any case unnecessary.