can’t—” “You can and shall,” De Lhandes said curtly. “Am I not allowed to return a gift in my own way, with what means I have at hand, by the ancient bells of St. Germain? I would have cited Notre Dame, but you’ll understand that I’m a bit sensitive about the Quasimodo association.” “Thank you,” Nicholai said. “You’re welcome.” Nicholai was impressed that De Lhandes never asked why he wanted the contents of the envelope or what he intended to do with them. It has been a long time, he thought, since I’ve had a friend.
