“You really waited at the gate,” Seth said, using his teeth to rake an oily salt pellet from his bottom lip into his mouth.
“Did you think I would abandon you?” Virgil asked.
“It was a long time to just stand around,” Seth said.
“I kept an eye on the Games,” Virgil said. “I was back and forth.”
“You were just waiting when I got there,” Seth said.
“The Games had ended,” Virgil said. “You really can’t tell me what you learned?”
“Not all of it,” Seth said.
“Do you know what happens when the fallen gladiators disappear?” Virgil asked.
“I know a lot,” Seth replied.
“They don’t die,” Virgil conjectured. “Their lives are somehow preserved, and they start over in the competition at a later date. I assume this is why so many competitors have their faces hidden.”
Seth pointed at Virgil. “That is a really good theory. I’d stick with it.”
“Is that confirmation?” Virgil asked. “It would explain how they never run out of combatants.”
“It’s as close to confirmation as you’re going to get,” Seth said.
“I’m jealous you went down there,” Virgil said. “I’ve dreamed of an opportunity like that.”
“I also ran into trouble,” Seth said. “You didn’t notice a lady with green hair and no arms?”
“Completely armless?”
“Well, one is a nub and the other a stump,” Seth said. “She tried to kill me.”
“With no arms?”
“It’s how she lost one of them.”
“Oh,” Virgil said. “She must be new here. Or else really hot-tempered. You can’t take a life in Humburgh, unless you’re on the arena floor. Then again, not even there, if my theory is right.”
“Unless somebody joins the fight without signing up,” Seth said.
“You’re right,” Virgil agreed. “Those poor saps bleed out.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have revealed that,” Seth realized.
“It’s obvious if you watch those who leap from the stands to the arena floor,” Virgil consoled.
“Did you see the lady?” Seth asked.
“No,” Virgil said. “I’ll watch for her. Will you go back to the coliseum tomorrow?”
“I guess I can go as much as I want,” Seth said. “I’ll have to look out for trouble. Where else can I search for clues in Humburgh?”
“Take your pick,” Virgil said. “The whole town has potential.”
“I wish I hadn’t blown it at the Humburgh Mystery House,” Seth said.
“How did you blow it?” Virgil asked.
“I couldn’t get inside,” Seth said.
“You just go down the side alley to the back,” Virgil said. “They try to make the entrance feel hidden. If you haggle with the guy at the door, you can get in for peanuts.”
“I talked to a woman out front,” Seth said. “She wanted something valuable from me.”
Virgil laid a hand on Seth. “Wait. You spoke with Esmira?”
“A lady all bundled in black?” Seth asked.
“What did you offer?” Virgil asked.
“A turnip.”
Virgil’s eyes went wide. “The hag approached you and you offered a turnip?”
“I didn’t have much,” Seth said defensively. “I hoped maybe she liked turnips. She rejected me and told me it was the last offer I could make that day.”
“This happened yesterday?” Virgil asked. “As in, perhaps you could make another offer today?”
“Yes.”
“You were with Reggie, Hermo, and Calvin?” Virgil sounded excited.
“Yeah.”
“Let’s fetch them and try to re-create the moment,” Virgil said. “See if Esmira shows herself again. Getting admitted by Esmira is the best way to find the Diviner.”
“What does the Diviner do?” Seth asked.
“I’ve never met him personally,” Virgil said. “I’ve tried several times. But if you find him, he helps you locate stuff. Including your destiny.”
“Really?” Seth said. “Is the Mystery House still open?”
“Until midnight,” Virgil said. “We should grab the others. Esmira shows herself infrequently. You should imitate the conditions of her first appearance as much as possible.”
“What should I give her for admission?” Seth asked.
“I’ve heard money always fails,” Virgil said. “Give what you have.”
“Except not a turnip,” Seth said.
“Something of value,” Virgil said.
They reached Virgil’s townhouse, and the satyr opened the door with a key. The main floor looked quiet, so they headed for the stairs.
“Seth!” Calvin called. “You’re back!”
Seth paused at the foot of the stairs. Calvin came running across the floor.
“How was your day?” Calvin asked.
“Interesting,” Seth said. “How was yours?”
“Amazing,” Calvin said. “I went to Humbuggle’s estate.”
“Really?” Seth asked. “Did you get inside?”
“There were barriers to keep me out,” Calvin said. “But I made friends with a maid out hanging clothes. She confirmed that one of Humbuggle’s staff—a woman named Sable—has a little woman like me.”
“It could be Serena,” Seth said.
“That’s my hope,” Calvin said. “The maid caught me and tried to keep me as a pet. I got away, though. What are you up to now?”
“We’re going back to the Mystery House,” Seth said. “Are you up for it?”
“Anywhere,” Calvin said. “Always.”
Seth placed Calvin in his pocket, then climbed the stairs. He found Reggie in the bedroom, standing still.
Welcome back, Master, Reggie communicated.
Seth looked around. “Have you seen Hermo?”
He’s hiding beneath the bed, Reggie conveyed.
Seth knelt down and looked under the bed, but he saw only clutter.
“I know you’re under there, Hermo,” Seth said. “Come out.”
“Dirtman tattletale!” Hermo complained, sliding out from under the bed and hopping to his feet.
“We’re going to the Mystery House,” Seth said.
“No,” Hermo said. “Me stay.”
“You can’t make a lair in here,” Virgil said, entering the room.
“How you know?” Hermo complained.
“Because this is my home,” Virgil said. “You are here as my guests. And if you want to be my guests, you have to help in my research. Come along to the Humburgh Mystery House.”
“Fine,” Hermo said. “Me solve mystery for slowpokes. Then Hermo sleep.”
This time the troll on the balcony of the Humburgh Mystery House wore a striped jacket and a dapper straw hat. Most people passing by did not look twice at him.
“Do you see her?” Virgil asked Seth.
“Not yet.”
“I’ll hang back,” Virgil said. “You should show up with the same group as before.”
Seth approached the alley beside the painted door, and the woman bundled in dark fabric emerged from the shadows. Seth walked up to her.
“Have you a better offer?” the hag asked in her
