demands! That is bad enough, but he treats us with utmost disdain—as if we were mere slaves bound to do his bidding. The man is a tyrant and a bully. If he were to fall down a well I would not lift one finger to fling him a rope.”
Wilhelmina gazed at her companion. Clearly, he was frustrated and angry. It was probably good to allow him to vent a little steam, and she was more than happy to assist the process. Anything she could learn about Burleigh and his dealings with the imperial court, she counted to her advantage.
“Well, have some of this muffin,” she urged in a soothing voice, nudging the plate nearer. “Taste it, and tell me what you think. If enough people like them, we will begin selling them in the shop very soon.”
Gustavus broke off an edge and lifted a bit of the freckled yellow cake to his mouth. He chewed it thoughtfully and announced, “It is very good. Moist and sweet. What are you going to call this kleiner Kuchen?”
“We have not decided yet—but we are open to suggestions.”
He nodded and ate some more. The maid appeared with his coffee, put down the little pot and cup and, at a nod from Mina, retreated again. “Here,” said Mina, pouring his coffee, “taste it with this and tell me what Burleigh has done to upset you so.”
Gustavus sipped his coffee and recovered some of his usually placid demeanour. “It is not seemly to take on as I have,” he said, gazing into his cup. “Forgive me, Fräulein. I did not mean to inflict my personal concerns on you. I am sorry.”
“Nonsense,” she said, reaching across to pat his hand. “What are friends for? Come, now. Eat some more of this cake and tell Wilhelmina what is bothering you.”
The young alchemist did as he was told, and in a moment began to relate how early that morning the mysterious earl had appeared at the palace. The visitor had spent a long time in close consultation with the Lord High Alchemist while Gustavus continued with his work in the laboratory.
“Then,” he said, “all of a sudden, I am summoned and told to abandon my present work in order to undertake a new commission from Herr Burleigh. But I am deeply engaged in a most delicate experiment, I tell them. I will be finished in a day or two—and I must not lose all the work I have already completed. But no! It is not to be. Nothing will do but that I must sweep everything aside and begin at once on this new project—and they will not even tell me why it is so important that it cannot wait another day!” He puffed out his cheeks in exasperation. “Months of the most exacting labour gone up in smoke—poof! Just like that!”
“Most upsetting,” sympathised Wilhelmina. “What do they want you to do?”
“It is to be another device,” answered Gustavus. “Like the one I made before—to aid in His Lordship’s astral investigations, ja? But this one is a little bigger, and more powerful and more complex in every way.”
“I see.” Wilhelmina feigned a mild interest. Inside, her pulse quickened at the news. She let him enjoy some more of the muffin and drink some more coffee, then said, “Did they tell you the purpose of this new device?”
“No.” He shrugged, then gave her a sly smile. “But I overheard them talking about it when they thought I had gone.” He sucked in his breath with an audible clutch. “They treat me like a child.”
“Tch!” Mina gave her head a derisive shake. “That is a very shame. But I hope you know that I have the utmost respect for your intelligence and skill. I am grateful for your expertise.” She paused, then offered, “I suppose they hope to keep such important work a secret.”
“It is to be similar to the first device in many respects,” offered Gustavus. “But this one, I believe, is to be used to locate people as well.”
“People?” wondered Wilhelmina. “Which people?”
“Fellow travellers—if I overheard them correctly—those who likewise journey on the astral paths. The earl says he wishes to meet those who share his explorations.” The chief under-alchemist leaned forward. “But I do not trust him. I think this Lord Burleigh is not what he appears.”
“You could be right.” Wilhelmina frowned. There was no question but that she had to get her hands on a copy of Burleigh’s latest mechanism, whatever it was, and add it to