فصل 49

CHAPTER 49

THE MISSION

“ESCAPED?”

The word hissed like steam from von Schatten’s bloodless lips. His anger further revealed itself in the dull redness that seeped from the edges of his dark eyeglass lenses, forming two glowing circles in the darkened palace chamber.

Simon Revile took an involuntary step backward on fear-weakened legs.

“I’m afraid so, Baron,” he said.

“How? Did you not send the Skeleton?”

“Yes, Baron. And he had the boy. But Leonard Aster—”

“Aster? I was told he was seriously ill.”

“He was, sir. Apparently he used starstuff. He flew over the house. He attacked the Skeleton, and during the fight, the boy and the others escaped.”

“Why did the police not stop them?”

“From what I gather, they were also, ah, thwarted by Lord Aster.”

“Incompetent fools,” hissed von Schatten. “Did Aster also escape?”

“No. The Skeleton prevailed.”

“But the boy is gone.”

“Yes, Baron. But Chief Superintendent Blake says his men are scouring the city. He assures me that the boy and the others will be caught.”

The redness around von Schatten’s eyeglasses glowed more brightly. “Tell Blake,” he said, “that if they are not caught, he will answer to me personally.”

“Yes, Baron,” said Revile, turning for the door, eager to leave.

“Wait.”

Reluctantly, Revile turned back. “Yes, Baron?”

“I want none of this to distract the Skeleton from tomorrow night’s mission.”

“Yes, Baron.”

“The escape of the boy irritates me greatly. But it does not affect our plans. Tomorrow night is crucial. You will stress this to the Skeleton. He must not fail me.”

“Yes, Baron.”

“Go.”

Revile scurried from the room.