“They’re less likely to shoot me on sight, if anyone’s there.”

“Then be very careful with that drop.”

He knelt beside me and helped me get my skirts through the small window. My feet found the ladder that was still below the window, and I got my footing, then took stock of the room, making sure no one was there before signaling for Henry to come down.

When he stepped onto the floor, I tugged on his necktie to make him bend so I could speak directly into his ear—the only way to be heard over the sound of the dynamo without shouting. “Follow my lead, and let me do the talking.” I paused. “Maybe I should go up alone first.”

He shook his head, then said into my ear, “You’re not going anywhere without me.”

We went up the narrow stairs to the auditorium, which looked like any other theater after a performance. Some of the chairs had been knocked over or shoved aside, as though the audience had left in a hurry. The floor was littered with programs. There were no signs that the Rebel Mechanics had ever been there. A light came from the balcony, and I could see people up there. Gesturing for Henry to be as quiet as possible, I led him up the side aisle to the balcony stairs. As we climbed the curved staircase, I felt like I was leading a cat into a mouse hole. They would see this as a betrayal.

Then, I reflected, they would know how I felt about what they’d done to me, only I was doing this to help them, not to trick or use anyone. The closer I got to the top of the stairs, the more uneasy I became. This would be the first time I’d seen Alec since I’d learned the truth, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hit him or kiss him. I’d imagined bringing him some important piece of information and him being appropriately penitent about how he’d treated me and awed about what a brilliant spy I was, but now that I was actually doing so, I felt certain he wouldn’t react the way I wanted him to. I only hoped that I didn’t reveal how hurt I was to Alec or show enough emotion that Henry would infer anything about our relationship.

At the top of the stairs, I nearly ran into Nat. “Verity!” he said. “What are you doing here so late? Don’t you know there’s a revolution on?”

“I have news. It’s important—urgent.”

Nat turned to shout, “Alec! Colin! Lizzie! It’s Verity. She says it’s important.” Then he turned back and noticed Henry behind me. “And she’s brought a magpie with her!”