“Cas has escaped,” intoned the first pigeon solemnly.
“But has company,” added the second.
“Meet him at Higgle’s workshop,” said the third.
“At dusk bring help,” said the fourth.
Cas stared at them in despair. “That’s Hildy’s workshop, not—oh, never mind. That will do. Go quickly!”
The pigeons rose into the air in a flurry of wings and vanished. Cas watched them go in despair. How many pigeons in the city were called Top? Was Top-the-fourth-cousin the right one? Would they remember his message or would it arrive hopelessly garbled?
He jumped violently when a hand grabbed his wrist. Looking round, he found Matilda standing behind him, silent behind her mask. She held up a flagon and nodded at him in exaggeratedly slow motion. It was the only way she could make the gesture apparent whe
