“All in the name of research,” said Firebaugh. “I see myself in a solitary place—in some other country, yes—but surrounded by my papers and my books and my … my peace,” he said. “Precious solitude, in which to exercise my mind. And who knows what might come from the potions in that book? In my estimation, the formulas are intriguing and at least on paper promise to be extremely effective, but also … I wish to use them as starting points toward greater experiments.”

Matthew didn’t like the sound of that. Greater experiments? What? Poisoning the water supply of entire cities? It seemed to him that Firebaugh might not be content in his pursuit of solitude until half the world had perished.

“That’s my story.” Firebaugh stood up. “Pardon me while I resume my reading in my bedchambers, as I prefer the privacy there.” His reverie done, the good doctor left the room.

Miss Mulloy brought Lioness back within fifteen minutes, about the same amount of time as Montague had spent. Both of them had left their satchels with Lash. “Next will be Mr. Krakowski,” the young woman announced. “Sir, are you ready?”

“Yes, ready!” He stood up, took one stumbling misstep but corrected himself. He got his satchel and followed Miss Mulloy from the room.

“That’s one we can count off,” Merda said. “He’ll make a fucking hash out of his bid.” Merda stood up from his chair, stretched to his not very impressive full height and strolled over beside Matthew at the fireplace. He rubbed his hands before the fire, and then his small dark eyes took Matthew’s measure. “Doesn’t the baron ever speak?” he asked Julian.

“When he has something to say,” Julian answered. “And then only in our language.”

“He looks like a painted dummy.” Merda reached up and flicked Matthew under the chin. “No offense, but it’s the fucking truth.” Matthew simply stared back at him, then with a snort of disgust—both playing his part and expressing his own truth—he walked away and settled himself into the chair Merda had just vacated.

Krakowski was brought back into the parlor in around ten minutes. Miss Mulloy took Victor away and Krakowski took a chair, closed his eyes and seemed to go to sleep right then and there. In a few minutes Lioness got up from her seat and circled the room, examining some of the marine paintings and signal flags that adorned the walls … or at least pretending to. When she got close to where Julian was sprawled in his chair she turned toward him as if she hadn’t realized he was there. “I have heard quite a lot about you and the baron,” she said.

“Positive things, I hope,” Julian replied.

“Ha,” Montague said bitterly.

“Interesting things,” Lioness answered. “You and the baron recently had dealings in Portugal, is that correct?”

“Hm,” said Julian. “You heard this in Africa?”