THIRTY-FIVE
In the common room of the inn that night, Melitta threw her hands up in despair. "I don't know any more. I've never had to kill clever vermin before."
"Beg pardon, mistress." An elderly merchant rose from his seat and bowed in her direction. "Did I hear you say you need to kill rats that are too clever?"
Melitta opened her mouth to tell the man to mind his own business.
"Because one of my warehouses had a terrible problem with rats, but my steward told me an old wives' tale he swore worked. See, poisoning works for a while, but then they grow wise to that, seeing their friends die when they eat poisoned food, until none will touch it. You may try a new poison, but they'll learn about that, too. My steward swore he knew a poison that they'd never suspect. He painted all the
