Chapter 17

Sylvia and Daisy search unsuccessfully for respectable lodgings; Sylvia stays with Daisy. The next morning at the Glass Library, Gabe reports Bolton denied involvement in the thefts, murder, and Gabe’s attempted kidnapping, and that no evidence was found at Bolton’s home. Professor Nash suggests Bolton’s denial of art ties is telling, implying an accomplice with art connections.

They visit the Royal Academy and confront Bolton’s assistant, Mr. Driscoll, who has been rifling documents under board pressure to report exhibition takings. Pressed by Gabe, Driscoll admits he wasn’t ill; a hooded man paid him to stay away but he never saw the face. The timing seems irrelevant, until Gabe and Sylvia realize Driscoll’s absence allowed Sylvia to be hired, possibly altering the thieves’ plans.

Gabe notices a wartime photo and links “Passchendaele” to Horatio, Daisy’s friend, who painted that battle. Sylvia recalls Horatio recommended her for the temporary post. They conclude Bolton (a magic identifier at the Academy) and Horatio (with black-market art connections) likely partnered. Gabe calls Cyclops and heads to arrest Horatio, leaving Sylvia at Daisy’s nearby flat.

At Daisy’s, Sylvia finds Horatio visiting. Realizing she knows the truth, Horatio grabs a bronze statue to strike. Gabe arrives in time, wrenches the statue away, winds Horatio, and restrains him with Daisy’s scarf. Daisy calls the police. As calm returns, Sylvia recalls Gabe’s similar swift reversal during his kidnapping attempt and wonders how he accomplished it so suddenly.