He sighed with long-suffering. “I have to get up every morning and pretend to go to work in case they’re watching me.”

“You poor darling.”

“I don’t know how people do it.”

“Maybe you should ask Gideon. He seems to thrive in that sort of life.”

“But he probably would have died of boredom by now if he hadn’t met Lizzie.”

“So would I,” Anna assured him.

That made him smile. “Now that I think of it, tell Lizzie not to call me too early. I may want to stop off for a drink on my way home from the office.”

—

Elizabeth was delighted to see Anna, who stopped by on her way to her afternoon classes.

“Jake came to see me this morning,” she explained when the maid had left them alone.

“How presumptuous of him,” Elizabeth teased. “I assume he had a message for me.”

Anna explained Jake’s séance experience and how he had found the handkerchief in his pocket. “How did it get there, though?” Anna asked. “I was embarrassed to ask Jake. He seems to think I’m just as knowledgeable as he is about these things, and I don’t want to disillusion him.”

Elizabeth laughed at her. “One of the first things I learned was how to pick pockets. It’s a skill that comes in handy, especially if you want to put something into someone’s pocket.”

“How clever! I never would have thought of it. I thought pickpockets just stole things. I see the warning signs on the trolleys all the time.”

“Yes, pickpockets love those signs. Every time someone sees them, he pats his wallet to make sure it’s still there, so the pickpocket knows exactly where it is.”

“How awful!” Anna cried, aghast.

“So yes, pickpockets do just steal things, but no con artist worth his salt would even consider such a thing. The risk is far too great for such a small reward.”

“I suppose you’re right. Stealing someone’s wallet is pathetic when compared to emptying his bank account.”

Elizabeth shook her head in dismay. “Oh, Anna, I’m afraid we have totally corrupted you.”

“I hope so. Jake thinks Gideon would have died of boredom if he hadn’t met you, and so would I.”

Elizabeth sighed in mock despair. “I hope not!”

“But I’m sure of it, so you must do what you can to keep saving me by telling me what you and Jake have planned.”

“You’ll be horrified,” Elizabeth protested.

“I’m counting on it,” Anna replied.

—