True. And, on the whole, I am embarrassed. I was well and truly deceived.

‘‘You about to confess a shortcoming?’’

After a fashion. We have come full circle. Because, for the Faction, this is all about the compliance device after all.

‘‘Old dead guy say what?’’

Not the compliance device originally conceived. Nor the one we saw in its second iteration, that could be deployed in a proactive, pathetically hopeful manner. Not even the upgrade version we saw here tonight. No. There are newer iterations in this most ingenious collaboration between MissAlgarda and Mr. Prose. The fourth-generation version moves from the purely protective to the offensive.

‘‘Meaning they’re about to start getting into other people’s heads?’’

Reading actual thoughts instead of just moods, yes.

‘‘Ouch!’’

Ouch, indeed. I would be rendered obsolete. Though, even more so than the three-wheel, their marketing strategy would be limited production sold to high bidders.

I glared at Kevans. The girl didn’t wilt. My thoughts became scattered as I tried to work out how her adolescent trauma, harsh as it might have been, could have brought her to—

You are yielding to melodrama, Garrett. Although you are not wrong in thinking that Miss Algarda’s relationship with her father impacts her decision-making. But greed has become more powerful.

I suppose there had been no point when Kevans believed she might not be doing the right thing. Nor would care now if some old fart showed her the truth.

The outstanding naivetй in all this is Mr. Prose’s. Who is now being saved by the love of a good woman.

‘‘What?’’

So the girl thinks.

I got it. But it was kind of corny. Kyra Tate, amateur fire goddess, saving boy genius Cypres Prose from the wiles of the dowdy wicked witch Kevans Algarda.

There is a fifth iteration of the compliance device coming down the road. The compliance part will have actual meaning.Miss Algarda convinced Mr. Prose that she needs it as a way to manage her father when he cannot be evaded or discouraged.

Young Mr. Prose is a very good friend. Miss Algarda is not.

Unbeknownst to the Faction, initially the fourth and fifth iterations of the device came to the attention of a family acquaintance involved in law enforcement.

‘‘It gets better and better.’’ A horror worse than any tentacled thing without vowels in its name, slithering through a crack in the wall between dimensions, that. ‘‘And I don’t have to guess who, do I?’’

If you did you would be wrong. The man was not someonewe know. Unintentionally he overheard an argument between Kevans and Kip. He did not take what he heard seriously. But he did pass it on to Prince Rupert.

‘‘I see, said the blind man. And all of Relway’s prayers were answered.’’

Given the situation, perhaps you should have taken your opportunity to become a key insider in the new order. As opposed to possibly becoming one of its earlier successes.

‘‘Well, yeah. I’m starting to think that. Also, I did figure out that there had to be some kind of connection between Kevans and Rupert. Or Kip and Rupert.’’

You did, indeed. You have been exercising your mind, if in secret. Mr. Felhske—likely Mr. Tick-Tack, too—belongs to Prince Rupert’s Special Office. Mr. Felhske was tasked both to contact Miss Algarda and to keep an eye on her. No trust on the part of the prince, who wanted an exclusive on the fifth iteration.

That explained Kevans being unhappy to see Felhske. It explained him wearing a near full-body fright wig that he had to get somewhere. Kevans had made a deal with Rupert and thought she was in control. Felhske turning up proved otherwise. To Kevans that said the prince did not trust her.

He allowed himself to be captured.

‘‘I know.’’

The young lady has, perhaps, overstepped herself. Youth features impatience and overconfidence. In ten years she could have been one of the great villains. The sociopathic pieces are all there. They need experience and polish.

She will not laugh.

‘‘Say what?’’ He was having fun now.

Given the opportunity to become what she has the potentialto be, Kevans Algarda would make few of the traditional story villain mistakes. No windy, gloating explanations. No evil laughter.

‘‘Another Belinda.’’

Worse. For Miss Contague these days it is about business ninety percent of the time, plus a touch of the personal. For Miss Algarda it would be personal most of the time. She would be punishing the world.

‘‘But selling compliance devices to the red tops . . .’’

Each including a control spell that can be tripped at the convenience of the manufacturer.

Consider, though. She fell into the situation but instantly understood that she was dealing with a man who might becomeking. She is impatient, but also capable of thinking ahead.

‘‘And you got no hint of any of this while the Algardas were here.’’

I did not. There is an excellent chance that they know nothing.

‘‘Yet they wore wigs.’’

Yes, they did. Algarda started at Kevans’ suggestion severalweeks ago.

‘‘She was setting him up to put thoughts in.’’

She was readying him for the day when she could.

‘‘And the Windwalker?’’

Kevans has very little respect for her mother. ‘‘That fire-crotchbimbo!’’ when she talks about her to the other kids. There is, definitely, an element of competition for Daddy’s attention and affection. But, as to the parental place in this, I believe them to be exactly what they purport. Parents worriedabout their daughter. With reason, obviously. Their part in the scheme would be unwitting. Many people have contributed,none being fully aware. Miss Algarda has used every acquaintance as a brick in the overall wall.

‘‘And would’ve gone to wondrous places if not for the rest of the Faction.’’

Those boys and their giant bugs were her undoing.

Dean barged in with food. ‘‘I’ll fetch a fresh pitcher in a minute.’’ He looked around. Matters appeared to be proceeding to his satisfaction. But, ‘‘Has anyone thought about what to do when the parents show up demanding explanations?’’

Oh. ‘‘You think they will?’’

That will depend on what the individual young people believe happened here. I suspect most will not be anxious to have their parents become further involved. We have leveragenow.

‘‘But Dean is right. We’ll hear from somebody. And none of this is what we’re getting paid for.’’

Correct. We will get back to the World in the morning.The connection between the Faction and the theater has been severed. The young people should go their own ways.

Tomorrow John Stretch will make his final effort. I am confident that his rats will find little of interest. In point of fact, now we have only to deal with the dragon.

A big Only.

The Dead Man’s mood had gone through a dramatic upgrade. He was on a super high now, thrilled to be part of what, for him, was a wild intellectual adventure.

Me too. Some.

There were beautiful women everywhere, wicked and good and every possible alloy in between, along with selfish, shallow, naive, and self-destructive. What a wonderful landscape!

Old Bones went right on having adventures in the wild country behind the eyes of Kevans Algarda and Lurking Felhske. I felt his glee as he plowed the darkness and turned up curious artifacts, most of which he would never share because he wouldn’t consider them my business.

Ah.

‘‘Yes?’’

I have made an interesting discovery. Buried deep in the trivia cluttering Mr. Felhske’s mind.

‘‘Which would be?’’ Knowing he loved to be coaxed.

Who produced your most recent batch of clubs?