Arthur went to the book-filled back room in the morning with Rory, who seemed unusually distracted, touching his pocket more often than usual.

“Everything all right?” Arthur asked, as they approached the door in the alley. The bowls of food scraps were out again, a mangy cat skittering away as it saw them.

Rory touched his pocket again, where he kept the ring in its lead box at all times now. “I’ll tell you later.”

Arthur frowned.

Jade and Zhang were already there, sitting on the striped chaise with a notebook. Jade motioned for Arthur to join her. “Gwen was telling the truth, the seller of the siphon will no longer work with an alias,” she said. “He wants to know who he’s been dealing with.”

He was willing to take the risk, of course, but it wasn’t his alone. “If I use my name, will it come back to my family?”

“Shelley was targeting your brother with her nightmares, and Hyde knew all about you. I’m afraid we should assume Baron Zeppler knows who your family is already,” Jade said quietly. “And Gwen and Ellis shared Mansfield’s ledger; your name is in there. You’re listed as the—his words, not mine—weak link in your family and a possible target.”

“Flattering,” Arthur said dryly. “This is your way of telling me it’s too late to hide; my name has already gone out into the paranormal world as a possible rube?”

“There aren’t very many names in there who could afford what the seller is asking,” said Jade. “It’s known you were at Mansfield’s mansion the night he was murdered. I think we might have to accept that your name may be more than just out.”

“The watcher on the boat,” Zhang said. “What if it wasn’t about Rory for Zeppler, but you for the seller?”

Arthur rubbed his temple. He had never wanted magic so close to his family, but here he was. “If I’m known, then there’s no choice. I might as well exploit it.”

Jade touched his arm. “I’m sorry you’re in this position.”

“Not your fault,” he said firmly. “Yes, I’m in. The telegram can come from me. Let’s find this seller.” He looked across the room. Rory had gone straight to Sebastian, and the two of them were talking quietly. “Excuse me.”

He crossed the room to the pair. “What are we up to, gents?” he said, too cheerfully.

“I got a relic, here’s a fella who knows about relics,” Rory said, gesturing at Sebastian. “So now I got questions.”

Rory had none of the hostility from the day before. Arthur felt completely wrong footed, his chest too tight. “I see,” he said uncertainly. “Rory, could I talk to you a moment?”

Rory followed him into the other room, behind the pocket door.

“I, um.” Arthur shook his head slightly. “I thought you didn’t like Sebastian.”