Bartholomew jerked sideways in yet another attempt to break free from the flapper woman and her companion. The pair might not look strong, but they were. He’d struggled the entire way and came nowhere near escaping their grasp.
When they reached a dark corner, he dug his heels in. The man gave Bartholomew a rough shove that forced him forward. When they turned onto a wide street lit by gaslamps, the cloche-hatted woman raised her chin.
Bartholomew saw a trio of Artanians approaching and sighed.
Yes! They’d see his gagged mouth and come to his rescue.
Yes! Just a few more moments to breathe fresh air. Just a few more moments to feel free wrists. Just a few more moments to sound the alarm. Everyone would be on the lookout for a new kind of Mudlark. Bartholomew’s heart soared.
Then he sa
