We were taking a somewhat winding path for all the hurry Jackaby seemed to be putting into the trip, but we had already traveled several blocks before I spoke again.

“So . . . has it been filled?” I asked. “The position?”

“Yes,” my companion replied, and I drooped. “Since the posting of the advertisement, it has been filled . . . five times. It has also been vacated five times. Three young men and one woman chose to leave the job after their introductory cases. The most recent gentleman has proven to be far more resilient and a great deal more helpful. He remains with me in a . . . different capacity.”

“What capacity?”

Jackaby’s step faltered, and he turned his head away slightly. His mumbled reply was nearly lost to the wind. “He is temporarily waterfowl.”

“He’s what?”

“It’s not important. The position is currently vacant, Abigail Rook, but I’m not certain you’re the girl for the job.”

I looked at the mismatched detective and digested the turn the conversation had taken. His ridiculous hat fought a color battle with his long scarf. The coat that hung from his lanky frame looked expensive, but it was worn, its pockets overstuffed and straining. Their contents jingled faintly as he walked. It was one thing to be turned away by a stuffy suit in an ascot and top hat, but this was another matter entirely.

“Are you just pulling my leg?” I demanded.

Jackaby gave me a blank look. “I clearly have not touched your leg, Miss Rook.”

“I meant, are you serious? You’re really an investigator of—what did your sign say—‘inexplicable phenomena’? That’s really your building back there?”

“Unexplained,” corrected Jackaby. “But yes.”

“What exactly is an ‘unexplained phenomenon,’ then?”

“I notice things . . . things that other people don’t.”

“Like that business back at the inn? You never did tell me how you knew so much about me at a glance.”

“Back where? Young lady, have we met?”

“Have we—is that a joke? Back at the inn? You somehow knew all about where I’d been traveling . . .”

“Ah—that was you. Right. Precisely. As I said . . . I notice things.”

“Clearly,” I said. “I am very keen to learn what you noticed about me, sir—as it obviously wasn’t my face—and you’ll find I can be very persistent when I’ve set myself to something. That is just one of the qualities that would make me an excellent assistant.” It was a reach, I knew, but if I was to be given yet another brush-off, I would at least take my explanation along with it. I straightened up and kept stride, keeping shoulder to shoulder with the man—although, truthfully, my shoulder came up barely past his elbow.

Jackaby sighed and drew to a stop as we reached the corner of another cobbled street. He turned and looked at me with pursed lips.