The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters

extremely filthy handkerchief, and a mixed handful of coins. They gazed at the collection and with a sigh Miss Temple began to restore them to their places in the coat—for that seemed the simplest way to carry them.
    “After all of that, it appears you are right—I do not think we have learned a thing.” She looked up to see Elöise studying the silver cigarette case. It was simple and unadorned save for, engraved in a simple, elegant script, the words “
Zum Kapitänchirurgen Abelard Svenson, vom C. S.
”
    “Perhaps it commemorates his promotion to Captain-Surgeon,” whispered Elöise.
    Miss Temple nodded. She put the case back in its pocket, knowing they were both wondering at who had given it to him—a fellow officer, a secret love? Miss Temple draped the coat over her arm and shrugged—if the last initial was “S” it needn’t be interesting at all, most likely a dutiful token from some dull sibling or cousin.

    They continued down the narrow red-lit passage, Miss Temple dispirited that the Doctor had not caught up, and a bit curious that no one else had pursued them either. She did her best not to sigh with impatience when she felt the other woman’s hand on her arm, and upon turning tried to present a tolerant visage.
    “I am sorry,” Elöise began.
    Miss Temple opened her mouth—the last thing she appreciated after berating a person was that they should
then
waste her time with apology. But Elöise touched her arm again and kept on speaking.
    “I have not been thinking…and there are things that I must say—”
    “Must you?”
    “I was taken aboard the airship. They asked me questions. I do not know what I could have told them—in truth I know nothing that they cannot already know from Francis Xonck—but I do remember what they asked.”
    “Who was it asking?”
    “Doctor Lorenz gave me the drug, and bound my arms, and then he and Miss Poole made certain I was under their influence by the most impertinent demands…I was powerless to refuse…though I am ashamed to think of it…”
    The woman’s voice dipped deeper in her throat. Miss Temple thought of her own experience at the mercy of the Comte and Contessa, and her heart went out—yet she could not help speculating on the exact details of what had happened. She patted the woman’s silk-covered arm. Elöise sniffed.
    “And then Minister Crabbé interrogated me. About the Doctor. And about you. And about this Chang. And then about my killing the Duke—he would not believe I had not been put up to it by another party.”
    Miss Temple audibly scoffed.
    “But
then
he asked me—and in a voice that I do not think was heard by the others—about Francis Xonck. At first I thought he meant my employment by Mr. Xonck’s sister, but he wanted to know about Mr. Xonck’s plans
now
. Was I in service to him
now
. When I replied that I was not—or at least did not
know
—he asked about the Comte and the Contessa—especially about the Contessa—”
    “It seems a long list,” replied Miss Temple, who was already impatient. “What about them
exactly
?”
    “If they had killed Colonel Trapping. He was particularly suspicious of the Contessa, for I gather she does not always tell the others what she plans to do, or does things without caring how it may ruin their plans.”
    “And what did you tell Deputy Minister Crabbé?” Miss Temple asked.
    “Why, nothing at all—I
knew
nothing.”
    “And his response?”
    “Well, I do not know the man, of course—”
    “If you were to hazard a
guess
?”
    “That is just it…I should say he was frightened.”
    Miss Temple frowned. “I do not mean to insult your former employer,” she said, “but from all accounts…well, it seems the Colonel is not exactly
missed
for his good qualities. Yet as you describe Deputy Minister Crabbé’s curiosity, so I heard the Comte d’Orkancz pressing Miss Poole for the same information—and indeed the Contessa and Xonck asking as well, in a coach from the station. Why should all of them care so much for such a, well…such a
wastrel
?”
    “I cannot think they would,” said Elöise.
    Whoever killed the Colonel defied the rest of the Cabal in doing so…or was it that they had
already
defied the Cabal—already planned to betray them? Somehow Trapping knew and was killed before he told the others! The Colonel still breathed when Miss Temple had left him: either he had just been poisoned or was poisoned directly afterwards. She had been on her way