“But I’m guessing that Dr. Wiseacre didn’t seem like someone on a Wizard Quest?” Suri smiled kindly. Effie got the feeling that although she was in trouble, Suri was trying her best to help her.

“No,” said Effie.

“And you had reason to believe that she was hurting your cousin, and that she would continue to hurt her if you didn’t tell her how to get here?

“Yes.”

“You do know, don’t you, that we never use violence here?”

“Yes,” said Effie. “Well, I sort of understand. You can attack demons, but not people?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“So I’m in trouble for attacking Dr. Wiseacre?”

“Potentially, yes.”

“What should I have done instead?”

There was a long pause. Suri and Cosmo looked at each other.

“My grandfather left me the sword—you knew all about it,” Effie said to Cosmo. “I had to pass a test before Pelham gave it to me. It comes from here—from the mainland, I mean. Why shouldn’t I use it to protect Truelove House and the Great Library, and everyone here?”

“It’s complicated,” said Cosmo.

“Did Dr. Wiseacre mention the Great Library in particular?” said Suri.

Effie nodded. “Yes. At first she just said Dragon’s Green, but then she said something about the Great Library being in the hands of . . . I can’t remember how she said it exactly but she said that the Trueloves shouldn’t be in charge of the library. And then . . .”

“I see,” said Suri. “So she already knew about the Great Library?”

Effie felt herself blushing a little.

“Sort of. She suspected. But . . . then when I said something about the Great Library she said that she only knew then that it was real. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know it was a secret from people here. I truly didn’t realize I was giving anything away. I didn’t say anything else, I promise.”

“It makes sense for them to want to get into the library,” said Cosmo to Suri. “It’s how the Collective could achieve everything they think they want, just like that.”

“Well, not ‘just like that,’ ” said Suri. “There’d need to be the right book, and . . . Anyway. Effie.” She sighed. “There are always going to be problems with travelers—in both directions. Pelham is often in trouble in your world, for example. But you need to try to learn more about this world. You need to open your eyes more when you are here. None of us can tell you how to get to the next stage of your development, but I fear you must, or you risk being sent back forever.”

“But—”

“Hush, child,” said Cosmo. “Just listen.”

“We will overlook this incident for now. Indeed, my next step is to find out where Millicent Wiseacre disappeared to and bring her in to a tribunal in Frog Hole.”

“So she’s not dead?”