Simon grasped her wrist. “Not yet, Kate. We don’t know what’s on the other side. It could be a ruse. You recognized the name Ishwar?” He closed the portal, fearful that someone could be listening in.
“Yes.” Kate put a shaking hand to her forehead. “There was a magician named Ishwar whom my father met in India many years ago. He spoke very highly of the man in his journals. But what could he have to do with the Stone of Scone?” She went for the bellpull to summon for Hogarth, but the manservant was already standing in the doorway. “Oh, Hogarth. Did you hear what happened?”
“I did, miss. I also know of Mr. Ishwar.”
“Did you ever meet him? Did you recognize his voice?”
“I met him once many years ago. It was impossible for me to say if that was him speaking. I’m sorry, miss.”
Kate went to Hogarth and stood close to him. “Would you trust this Ishwar?”
“I couldn’t say, miss, but I’m sure your father would.”
“If that was truly Ishwar.” Simon began to twirl the empty chain on his waistcoat. “It could’ve been an agent of Gaios trying to draw us out using the slimmest bit of information, the name of a colleague of your father’s.”
Kate stared intensely at Hogarth. “Tell me, did my father steal the true Stone of Scone from Westminster?”
“I don’t know, miss. Once I was given the duty of watching over you and Miss Imogen, he ceased to discuss his travels and plans with me. He felt it was safer for both of you if he kept elements of his life separate. That may also be why he gave the key to Mr. Archer’s mother, knowing it would go to Mr. Archer, rather than to you, miss.”
Kate turned back to Simon. “What if my father stole the Stone to keep it from Gaios? We know from the key map that he visited places Gaios has traveled over the last few decades. New Orleans. Batavia. And there are no journals from those expeditions, as if he made those journeys secretly.” Kate began to walk along the shelves of her father’s notebooks, studying the spines. “Hogarth, you’re telling me the truth, aren’t you? You haven’t kept secrets from me about my father, even for my own good?”
“No, miss.” Hogarth’s stoic expression fell a little. “He told me nothing. My only duty was the welfare of you and your sister. I would very much regret having to report my failures to your father now.”
“Failures?” Kate spun around in shock, almost angry. “How dare you think that? You have done more than any man could. Any failure relating to Imogen is mine, completely. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, miss.” Hogarth nodded slightly. There was no reading his emotions. It was impossible to tell if he was grateful for the words or unconvinced. But there was no more to be said about it.
Kate returned her attention to Simon and Penny. “I think my father stole the Stone of Scone and hid it, apparently in India. He must have discovered that Gaios needed it.”
Simon looked dubious. “Why would he hide it there? He knew India was the home ground of Baroness Conrad.”
“It does seem like a bold choice of hiding spot, right in the enemy’s backyard. Not atypical of my father.”
“I like it,” Penny said. “Why would the bad guys bother to look there?”
“So,” Kate began, “we need to go to India, find Ishwar, and remove the Stone to a safer spot. I’ll gather everyone. We should leave by tonight.”
Simon held up his hand. “We need to consider this move carefully.”
“Consider what? You heard Ishwar. There are people being killed in the search for the Stone. I’m tired of hiding in this dark house while Gaios moves with impunity.”
“I’m not saying we aren’t going. But I want to know more about what Gaios plans for the Stone.”
“Why does that matter, Simon? We must act. Gaios has thrown wave after wave of attacks at us. He’s mutilated my sister. He’s destroyed my home. And we’ve done nothing in return!”
Simon ran his thumb over the key and replaced it on the chain. He could sense that Kate was edging toward a ferocious anger. There was no point in disputing her. He chose his words carefully. “I agree with you, Kate. We have taken enormous damage. But we are marshaling our forces to strike back. It’s imperative that we don’t play into Gaios’s hands by being instinctive in our reactions. I know you’re eager to strike at him. I am too. However, we don’t want to do something that could unleash power that Gaios could use to his advantage. If we don’t know how the Stone will be used, we could easily stumble into a catastrophe.”
“Fine.” Kate took a deep breath that held little patience. “What do you suggest?”
“This seems a dirty play, Simon.” Nick rolled a small bottle between his fingers and glanced nervously at the steel door to the makeshift cell where Ferghus was held.
“I know.” Simon rapped his fingers nervously against the wall.
“There’s no choice.” Kate paced outside the door. “We need information now.”