Chapter 13

Summary

• The chapter begins with the stationmaster gossiping about the recluse, Lazarus Sidwell, who hasn't left his property since war broke out. His only human contact is with his neighbors and his nephew, who visits him occasionally.
• The main characters, Gabe and the narrator (Sylvia Ashe), have lunch at a teashop in Marlborough. Their relationship seems strained compared to before.
• Gabe escorts Sylvia back to the library, where they find a woman, Ivy, who seems distraught. She shows Gabe a newspaper article about former soldiers protesting that their army issued boots were of inferior quality. The article implies that Ivy's father might be at fault for this problem as his company made the boots.
• Gabe and Ivy have a deep conversation about their ended engagement. Ivy insists that they still love each other and asks Gabe to give a statement to the press supporting her family's business. Gabe refuses and reiterates that their engagement is over.
• The next day, Gabe returns to the library with his friends, Willie and Alex. They discuss the possibility of Lazurus Sidwell being brave enough to leave his estate and enter the city. Furthermore, they discuss Dr. Niccolo di Mario, a doctor to the Medici family who acquired the coveted Medici Manuscript which is believed to contain important alchemical symbols. It's suggested that Niccolo might have stolen it.
• Gabe receives a call about someone trying to sell the Medici Manuscript at an antique shop. They decide to go and interview the shopkeeper. As they are about to leave, Gabe is ambushed by a man with a gun who instructs him to come quietly. The chapter ends with the man pointing the gun at Sylvia.