The Ruby in the Smoke (24 page)

As for the ruby—perhaps he still has it, perhaps not. It is a horrible thing, tainted with blood and murder—and with the very evil I am going to seek out, because the wealth that paid for it in the first place came from the poppy fields of Agrapur. Those fields are today more prosperous than ever; the evil remains.

But I am hopeful. We have a good agent in Singapore, a man called Van Eeden. I shall talk to him, and together we shall deal with this corruption.

Take the money, my Sally, and forgive me. Forgive me for not telling you to your face; and forgive me for inventing your mother. There was a girl like that, and I loved her, but she married another man; and she is long dead.

I give you the money in cash, because I know how long it would take you to extract it from the grasp of a lawyer. Temple is a good man and will look after the rest of your money faithfully and well, but he'll consider you incapable of doing so yourself, and he'll use every method the laws of

England allow him to keep it out of your hands—for the best of motives. But with cash, you have freedom. Look for a small business, one which needs capital to expand. You will do it. You will choose well. I have chosen less happily; my friends, my partner, all have disappointed me.

But once in my life I chose very well. It was when I chose you, my dear one, in preference to a fortune. That choice has been my greatest pride and my greatest joy. Good-bye, my Sally. You will understand what it means when I sign myself with the deepest love.

Your father, Matthew Lockhart

She let the paper fall and bowed her head. Everything had come to this now: to a box full of money, and a letter. She was crying. She had loved him very much, real father or not . . .

And he had made everything safe; there would be a future.

"Daddy," she whispered.

Oh, there would be difficulties, hundreds of them. But she would cope.

She gathered up letter and box and left for the train.

Philip Pullman is the author of two more novels featuring Sally Lockhart, The Shadow in the North and The Tiger in the Well, as well as a related mystery, The Tin Princess. His other books include The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, Count Karlstein, The White Mercedes, and The Broken Bridge.

A graduate of Oxford University with a degree in English, Philip Pullman has written novels, plays, and picture books for readers of all ages. He lives with his family in England.

THE SHADOW IN THE NORTH

by Philip Pullman

The year is 1878, and the spirited Sally Lockhart, once again defying Victorian sensibilities, has gone into business for herself When one of her clients loses a large sum of money in the unexpected collapse of a British shipping firm, Sally sets out to investigate. But as she delves deeper into the identity of the wealthy and elusive industrialist who owns the doomed company, she uncovers a plot so diabolical that it could eventually subvert the entire civilized world-and if Sally's enemies have their way, she won't live long enough to see it happen.

"A second brilliant bauble, perhaps more foreboding

and terrifying than The Ruby in the Smoked

-Publishers Weekly

*"An immensely entertaining thriller." -Booklist, Starred

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

A Booklist Editors' Choice

Nominated for the Edgar Allan Foe Award

for Best Mystery

THE TIGER IN THE WELL

by Philip Pullman

Life has been good to Sally Lockhart in the two years since her fiance's death. Unlike most Victorian women, Sally is completely independent, with her own successfiil business and a comfortable home for her young daughter, Harriet

But Sally's whole world is about to collapse. A complete stranger emerges, claiming to be both her husband and Harriet's father and threatening all that she has-her business, her child, her very sanity, Sally realizes with growing horror that tfiere is a guiding hand behind this deceit: someone who hates her so passionately that he has devoted years to bringing about her ruin. And there's only one man that could possibly be

"A fast-paced gem." -Chica^ Sun-Times

*"Nineteenth-century London comes alive here ...

a fascinating read, pulsing with life."

-Booklist, Starred

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

THE TIN PRINCESS

by Philip Pullman

The year is 1882, and three young Londoners-Becky, Jim, and Adelaide-journey to a tiny country high in the mountains of Central Europe. They're an unlikely trio to lead a nation, but when Adelaide's husband, the new king, is assassinated, they have little choice. Adelaide, a Cockney commoner, is crowned princess-then queen-of Razkavia. She rises to her new station, playing international politics with the help of Becky and Jim. But before long, ominous forces threaten the balance of power, thrusting Adelaide and her friends into a fight for the crown-and their very lives.

♦"Mesmerizing ... a taut adventure," -Kirkus Reviews, Pointer

"A swashbuckling adventure story... filled with deception, political intrigue, and romance." -Booklist