‘I mean everything, Albert. Everything there is—or was. It is by no means an uncommon desire to want to own the world. Many have said it, several have believed it, and some have even tried it. But what makes Zacharias Bosquanet truly exceptional is that he is the only man who ever actually succeeded in doing it.’

Albert sat up very straight, feeling a strong tingling sensation in his head, the sort that came with flashing lights and a banner that read ‘Eureka!’ And behind it, a little warning bell that he was overlooking something important. But there was no time to listen to it right now, he had already begun reacting. ‘Did you say Bosquanet? Bosquanet?’

‘Yes, Bosquanet. Of course it is a name you know well. But this Bosquanet was Zacharias Bosquanet.’

‘Then—the Keeper—she’s descended from him?’

Father smiled, a grim, hard smile. ‘Unquestionably. She is his daughter.’

Albert looked hard at him. ‘Daugh—How? You said this is from the time before the Dome, right? Then this must all be from years—hundreds and hundreds of years ago! Nobody can live that long!’

‘That is correct, Albert, so therefore you must conclude it was not hundreds and hundreds of years ago, as you put it. In fact, the time of which we speak was less than fifty years ago.’

‘Fifty—but how? The Dome’s been around for—for—forever! You’re wrong about this.’

‘There is little point in asking me questions if you are going doubt the veracity of my answers, Albert.’

Albert flushed. ‘No, I didn’t mean it like that, Father, it’s just that—well—it’s just—’