Read Online The Phenomenals: A Game of Ghouls by F E Higgins - Free Book Online Page B

being, however, they were just about able to put
aside their differences and maintain a show of civilityas long as necessity demanded it.
    ‘I see you are surviving without your servants,’ said Leucer, picking casually at the knees of his trousers.
    ‘Oh yes,’ said Edgar breezily. ‘I hardly miss them – always skulking about and eavesdropping.’
    ‘You can’t be too careful, I suppose, but it’s hardly fitting for a man of your status to have no servants. That in itself might arouse suspicion.’
    ‘A girl comes in for a couple of hours every day and does what needs to be done. I eat at the Bonchance Club at night. Excellent food, as you know.’
    Edgar offered round the drinks – vintage crystal-clear chilled Grainwine – leaned his walking stick against the wall (the stick was an affectation if truth be told; his leg had
healed well after the incident with the Trikuklos at the gallows, but he rather liked playing the invalid, and the ladies rather liked it too) and propped an elbow on the mantelpiece to warm
himself by the fire.
    Outside, the sleet that had been slapping wetly against the window was turning to snow; Gevra was harsh in Antithica province, and the approaching thirteenth month the harshest. Over the coming
weeks Degringolade’s steel rooftops and copper domes would be concealed under a thick white counterpane. Edgar swirled his drink in the glass and slicked back a stray lock of hair that was
brushing his forehead. The firelight overemphasized his dark good looks to the extent that he almost became a caricature of himself. He
tsk
ed and gestured at the newspaper on the floor.
‘You see, Leucer, that the
Degringolade Daily
got the news about the warehouse? I didn’t speak to them. No doubt Hepatic Whitlock persuaded one of my loyal workers
to.’
    ‘What state are they in, my order of special Cold Cabinets?’
    ‘Damaged by the earthquake, though not beyond repair. It will take time. I only have a few workers on the job, the ones I can trust.’
    Leucer smiled broadly. ‘Imagine it! With the help of those cabinets I, and you of course, will have a workforce that never tires, answers back or makes unreasonable demands. An
industrialist’s dream.’ He shrugged. ‘So, for now, I can wait. Besides, it would be prudent to let the dust settle over that Tar Pit incident first. It’s still the talk of
the taverns. Everyone is in a state of hysteria about Lurids and Superents and Domne knows what. What the people want more than anything is the capture of these brass-necked toerags.’ He
frowned and sloshed a mouthful of Grainwine noisily between his teeth. ‘And the sooner the better. I didn’t become governor to deal with common vandals. I have far more important
matters to attend to. Professor Soanso will be here in a couple of days.’
    ‘Who?’ Kamptulicon was only half listening, still ruminating on his own problems.
    Edgar, who had been regularly checking the time and peering out between the parted curtains, looked up at the mention of the professor. ‘Arkwright Soanso,’ he said. ‘Surely you
have heard of him? The famous scientist who discovered kekrimpari. Hubert was always talking about it – he said it could be another source of energy at the manufactory.’
    ‘It’s all part of the greater plan,’ explained Leucer impatiently. ‘I reckon this kekrimpari could be used with the Lurids, when we have them. Professor Soanso is doing a
demonstration at the Degringolade Playhouse. Everyone will be there.’
    ‘Speaking of plans,’ said Edgar, ‘if we want to catch the Phenomenals, we have to draw them out, on our terms. Get one, the others will follow. We’ve enough on them now
to throw them all in the penitentiary and toss the key.’ A loud clatter at the door made them all jump. ‘And speaking of keys, my visitor has arrived.’
    Edgar left the room and returned shortly with a man of dubious-looking appearance (and, it was quickly established, character).