The Glass Library, #1
The Librarian of Crooked Lane
by C.J. Archer
Contents
Chapter 6
Overview
Sylvia interviews with Professor Nash at the Glass Library and is immediately hired as his assistant, learning the library honors India Glass and that Gabriel is artless. After a brief visit home, she returns to the Royal Academy night shift, where she encounters Lady Stanhope and Ludlow in a suspicious meeting. Mr. Bolton backs Sylvia against Ludlow, but while searching for a missing packer, Sylvia is ambushed in the basement and locked in a room, escalating the danger.
Summary
Sylvia meets Professor Nash at the Glass Library’s cozy reading nook. Concerned Gabriel may have forced the interview, she admits her dismissal from the Philosophical Society. Nash, recalling Gabriel from childhood and trusting his judgment, swiftly offers Sylvia the assistant position, revealing the library honors India Glass, not Lord Rycroft, and that both Lord Rycroft and Gabriel are artless.
Nash reminisces about building the collection with his late friend Oscar, saving forbidden magical texts worldwide, and housing rare works, some coded or in ancient languages. Buoyed by the offer, Sylvia departs, forgetting to ask about salary, and hurries home to prepare for her night job at the Royal Academy.
At her lodging, Horatio arrives with a moody Tower Bridge painting as a gift, sparring lightly with the disapproving landlady, Mrs. Whitten. Sylvia changes quickly, and the pair avoid further confrontation as she heads to work.
At Burlington House, packer Mr. Allan taunts Sylvia for idling; she offers help but avoids his bait. Seeking Mr. Bolton, she instead stumbles upon Lady Stanhope and butler Mr. Ludlow arguing. Ludlow tries to eject her, citing her previous dismissal, but Mr. Bolton returns and pointedly defends Sylvia’s re-employment, despite Stanhope’s and Ludlow’s interference.
Afterward, Sylvia notices Mr. Allan missing and searches the building. Hearing a sneeze, she descends to a basement storage area. As she tries to recover a dust cloth over a headless statue, someone rushes her, knocking her into crates. Amid dust and chaos, the attacker slams the door, locking Sylvia inside and leaving her trapped.
Who Appears
- Sylvia AsheProtagonist; hired as Glass Library assistant; clashes with staff at the Academy; witnesses a suspicious meeting; ambushed and locked in a basement room.
- Professor NashHead of the Glass Library; warmly hires Sylvia; shares history of the collection and clarifies the library honors India Glass.
- Mr. BoltonRoyal Academy supervisor; defends Sylvia’s employment against Ludlow’s objections and questions Stanhope’s presence.
- Mr. LudlowButler who previously dismissed Sylvia; argues with Lady Stanhope; tries to expel Sylvia again at the Academy.
- Lady StanhopePatron present after hours with Ludlow; offers a dubious explanation for their visit; doesn’t recognize Sylvia.
- Mr. AllanScarred packer who taunts Sylvia and later goes missing, prompting her search that leads to the ambush.
- HoratioArtist friend who gifts Sylvia a moody Tower Bridge painting; provides comic relief; helps her depart the lodging discreetly.
- Mrs. WhittenSylvia’s strict landlady; disapproves of male visitors and scrutinizes Horatio’s presence.