The dour detective and his rotund companion were about, the latter limping from his adventure of the other night. We passed them twice in the fog. But it was the wand Jack bore this night, to stand at the city's center with it and trap a certain beam of starlight in a crystal vial while the clocks chimed twelve. Immediately, the liquid in the container began to glow with a reddish light; and somewhere in the distance a howling rose up. No one I knew. I wasn't even sure it was a dog. It said a single word in the language of my kind, a long, drawn-out «Lost!» My hackles rose at the sound of it.

«Why are you growling, friend?» Jack asked.

I shook my head. I was not sure.

October 5

I breakfasted in the dark and made my rounds of the house. Everything was in good order. The master was asleep so I let myself out and prowled the vicinity. The day would not begin for some time yet.

I walked beyond the hill, to Crazy Jill's place. The house was dark and quiet. Then I turned to head for Rastov's ramshackle abode. I caught a scent as I did, and I sought its source. A small form lay unmoving atop the garden wall.

«Graymalk,» I said. «Sleeping?»

«Never wholly,» came the reply. «Catnappery is useful. What are you after, Snuff?»

«Checking an idea I had. It doesn't really involve you or your lady, directly. I'll be walking to Rastov's place now.»

Suddenly, she was gone from the wall. A moment later she was near. I glimpsed a glint of yellow light from her eyes.

«I'll walk with you, if it's not secret work.»

«Come, then.»

We walked, and after a time I asked, «Everything quiet?»

«At our place, yes,» she replied. «But I heard there was a killing in town earlier. Your work?»

«No. We were in town, but it was a different sort of work we were about. Where did you hear of it?»



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