Although as easy as usual on the surface, Lightwood is not quite as easy as usual below it. With an air of not minding Eugene at all, he feels that the subject is not altogether a safe one in that connection.

“The natural curiosity which forms the sole ornament of my professional museum,” he resumes, “hereupon desires his Secretary⁠—an individual of the hermit-crab or oyster species, and whose name, I think, is Chokesmith⁠—but it doesn’t in the least matter⁠—say Artichoke⁠—to put himself in communication with Lizzie Hexam. Artichoke professes his readiness so to do, endeavours to do so, but fails.”

“Why fails?” asks Boots.

“How fails?” asks Brewer.