“I have a memory like wax,” Evie explained. “I need but see a thing written once, and it stays imprinted in my mind for good. It is somewhat inconvenient to have so many random things stored in my brain, much like one stores boxes in an attic.”
Hartenberg snapped the quill out of Schneider’s hand and pushed the paper towards her. “Write it down.”
After some hesitation, she picked up the quill and began to write.
Kasper Draskovic, Graf von Witt, Karl Ludwig von Schulmeister, Franz von Leykam, Chevalier Valmont.
Both men choked simultaneously.
Evie paused to look up.
“Good God,” Hartenberg breathed.
Schneider slammed his fist onto the table. “Schulmeister. I knew it. An Austrian spy of Alsatian origin. Valmontis a well-known French agent. No surprise there. But von Leykam? That is a coup.”
She wrote down thirteen more names before she set down the quill. “I shall not put down Julius’s name. It was the last one on the list.”
Schneider looked slightly ill. Hartenberg’s granite face gave nothing away as his eyes moved down the list.
“How do we know this list is authentic?” Schneider asked.
Evie scowled. “Do you think I am inventing these names?”
“She could not possibly have heard of Valmont. Nor Schulmeister.” Hartenberg picked up the paper and studied it. Then he lifted his head to study Evie. “Let us attempt an experiment.” He picked up the pencil and quickly jotted down a list of thirty or so random names. Then he held the paper out to Evie. “Look at it.”
After she had read the list, giving her barely thirty seconds to do so, he whisked it away. Then he pushed the pencil towards her. “Now write them down.”
She gave him a long, speaking look. Then she picked up the pencil and easily wrote down the names, without hesitating even once.
“Brilliant,” Schneider breathed. “Utterly brilliant.”
She pushed the paper towards Hartenberg, who ascertained that everything she had written was correct.
“What an enviable talent,” he muttered. “Truly. As for authenticating the list, that will be our next task.” He handed the paper to Schneider. “The question that remains is this: what do the Widows intend to do with this list once they have it?” Hartenberg tapped an impatient finger on the table. “One would have to wait and see what theyare up to.”
Evie stared. “You cannot possibly want me to hand them this list? Just like that?”
Schneider’s head snapped to Hartenberg as well. “Sir? Wouldn’t it be better to keep it locked away somewhere safe until we have verified the list?”
“We need to give the Widows something. I do not believe the woman was bluffing when she threatened to ruin Aldingbourne’s name if Lady Evangeline did not give her what she wanted by tomorrow.”
“With respect, sir, if the list is authentic, handing it over is a considerable risk,” Schneider said.
“Which is precisely why we shall manage what happens next.” Hartenberg’s tone did not invite further debate.
Schneider’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
“Then how about fabricating names?” Evie suggested.
“They will know it is a fabrication. Never underestimate your enemy.” He paused, then said, “Add Aldingbourne’s name.”
“But why?”
“If it is missing, she will know it is a fabrication.”
“True, true,” Schneider hummed.
Hartenberg turned abruptly to Evie. “You will meet her at the appointed place tomorrow and hand her the list. Have Miss Honeywell accompany you.”
