Part II The Baths — Chapter Nine

Returning to Cafe Rossi, Senlin finds customs agents staking out the patio and no sign of John Tarrou. Ogier silently warns him off, then meets Senlin by the reservoir. Senlin outlines the solarium obstacle and his need to smuggle a copy; Ogier forbids folding, provides the rolled replica, matches, and a candle stub. Pressed, Ogier finally confirms Marya is alive and orders a handover the next day.

The following morning, Senlin reaches the solarium without escort. Kristof inspects his bag, notes the hand-labeled grappa, and resumes his languid patrol. Over lunch, Kristof drinks deeply from the bottle and dozes by the door, giving Senlin his chance.

Senlin frees the original canvas, prying staples with his belt buckle, mounts Ogier’s copy onto the stretcher, and wraps the original around the grappa bottle, sealing it with wax. The front looks convincing; the back is sloppy but hidden. He restores the scene before Kristof stirs.

Upon waking, Kristof muses about his past as a lookout on the airship Ararat, then confronts Senlin, suspecting ties to the House of Algez after noting Senlin’s boot stamp. Senlin blurts the truth about his missing wife and Ogier’s coercion. Kristof calls him “a good liar,” deems the forgery terrible, and extorts Senlin’s last coins in exchange for a two-hour head start.

Senlin departs without running, the original concealed in his satchel and the weak copy left to eventual scrutiny, while Kristof lobs a final, mocking remark about the painting’s “dwarf” walking on water.