He took out his pocket watch and his head jerked back, “Wow, look at the time. I’ve got to go, Stephanie.”

“Go? Go where?”

“Things to do, I’m afraid. Number one is finding out why that nice gentleman was sent here, and number two is finding out who sent him.”

“You can’t leave me alone,” she said, following him into the living room.

“Yes,” he corrected, “I can. You’ll be perfectly safe.”

“The front door’s off!”

“Well, yes. You’ll be perfectly safe as long as they don’t come through the front door.”

He pulled on his coat but she snatched his hat away.

“Are you taking my hat hostage?” he asked doubtfully.

“You’re either staying here to make sure no else attacks me or you’re taking me with you.”

Skulduggery froze. “That,” he said eventually, “wouldn’t be too safe for you.”

“Neither would being left here on my own.”

“But you can hide,” he said, gesturing around the room. “There’s so many places to hide. I’m sure there are plenty of good solid wardrobes your size. Even under a bed. You’d be surprised how many people don’t check under beds these days.”

“Mr. Pleasant—”

“Skulduggery, please.”

“Skulduggery, you saved my life tonight. Are you going to undo all the effort by leaving me here so someone else can come along and just kill me?”

“That’s a very defeatist attitude you’ve got there. I once knew a fellow, a little older than you. He wanted to join me in my adventures, wanted to solve mysteries that beggared belief. He kept asking, kept on at me about it. He finally proved himself, after a long time, and we became partners.”

“And did you go on to have lots of exciting adventures?”

“I did. He didn’t. He died on our very first case together. Horrible death. Messy too. Lots of flailing around.”

“Well I don’t plan on dying any time soon and I’ve got something he didn’t.”

“And that is…?”

“Your hat. Take me with you or I’ll stand on it.”