In its jar, poking out of the top of the backpack, the skull nodded amiably. “Nice one. Shut that just in time…” It left a significant pause. “So the inside of that flagstone’s lined with iron, is it? Lucky!” Right then I could barely speak. “No, no iron…” “Or silver, then?” “No….” The skull chuckled. “Of course—silly idea! Far too expensive. Must be some kind of barrier, though.” It grinned at me. “Or…” Or…Oh. “Lockwood…” I said.

