‘‘Is there a point to this catechism?’’ Kostich asked, all signs of politeness thrown by the wayside.

Gabriel’s cheek curved as he smiled. ‘‘I am a dragon. We are all very interested in security methods when it comes to treasure. I have not had the opportunity to try arcane magic to guard my own lair, but I can see from your spells and runes that it is something I should consider. Although I must admit I dislike relying upon one type of magic only, preferring the security that multiple types offer.’’

‘‘Nor would I be so foolish. If you were to take a step five inches to the right, you would find yourself held tight in a binding earth element.’’

‘‘Clever,’’ the thief taker murmured. ‘‘Very clever.’’

‘‘Earth element? You are an alchemist, then?’’ Gabriel asked, shifting his weight slightly, I assumed to block me a little better.

‘‘I am interested in it, yes.’’

‘‘Ah. And can I assume that the item which was taken from you was of an alchemical nature?’’

Kostich’s voice left no doubt that he was irritated. ‘‘A Liquor of Hepatis was stolen from me, as well as another element.’’

My foot was almost free. I twisted it with a strength that made my muscles cry out, dropping to my knees as Gabriel suddenly leaned toward the case to peer into it.

‘‘I could have sworn I’d seen something . . . but now it’s gone. Must have been a trick of the light.’’

I peered around Gabriel’s hip. All I could see was Dr. Kostich frowning at him for a moment before the latter ran over to the case, his hands gesturing quickly as he undid the binding element. I almost fell over at the sudden release of my foot.

‘‘What . . . it’s here! The quintessence is here!’’

Dr. Kostich’s hands came into view from where I crouched. He cradled an object invisible to all sight but that of the most peripheral nature. He flipped open the lid for a moment, filling the room with that brilliant warm glow. ‘‘But how . . . I was sure it was gone. No, it was gone, stolen. I know it was.’’

‘‘What is it?’’ Gabriel asked as Kostich closed the lid again.

‘‘Quintessence,’’ Dr. Kostich answered in a distracted way as he frowned at the case. ‘‘It is that which is invaluable. I don’t see how I could have overlooked it . . .’’

‘‘Very confusing, indeed,’’ the thief taker said.

I ground my teeth at the smugness in the man’s voice. I still hadn’t gotten a look at him, but I didn’t dare try to get an unobstructed view of him lest he see me, as well.

‘‘Perhaps in the confusion over the theft of the other object, it escaped notice,’’ Gabriel said.

‘‘No. I would not have done that. It was not on the shelf.’’