The blonde girl went out to gather eggs. She hated doing it. She'd rather not think about where eggs came from when she sat down to eat them. Unfortunately, it was a necessity in this new life of hers. She picked off the few small feathers that stuck to some of eggs.

"Ugh! Couldn't you be neater?" she asked the hens.

She brought them into the kitchen. "Here they are, Madame. Fresh eggs."

"Thank you, Gizelle." The woman looked at the girl. Her hair was beginning to grow out, just past her shoulders in blonde curls. She was wearing a frown along with her long cotton skirt and blouse. "Would you do me another favor? I need some bread. Would you go to the bakery for me?" She handed the girl some coins and added a few extra. "And you might buy some of those sweets you like. Be sure to save some for me."

The girl's countenance changed instantly. She smiled and put the coins in her satchel she always wore at her waist. "I will be sure to buy some with the cherry filling for you."

Louise smiled. "Yes, those are the ones. Pick them out for me. Make sure they are fresh."

"Yes, Madame," Gizelle said over her shoulder as she slammed the door.

Louise said a little prayer that someday the girl would fit in. But deep in her heart she doubted it.

….

Mr. Jameson slung the equipment over his shoulder and headed up the stairs. Wishing the place had an elevator, he finally reached the second floor landing. A gentleman with long flowing black hair stepped out of a flat. He examined Jameson and Jameson examined him. Must be an Italian or something. Mr. Jameson contemplated the possible political leanings of such a man. Possibly an anarchist. The man ran ahead of him and up a flight of stairs, into one of the flats. He wondered what Pen would discover when she investigated the building's occupants.

Finally Jeremy reached the top floor. He placed the tank next to the large wooden door. What kind of door was this? It didn't look like the other doors. He knocked on it, being careful not to use the knocker this time, knowing their proclivity for explosives.

Tumnus looked through a peephole and then opened the door. What a strange little man.

"Hello, hello," as if to make Jeremy doubly welcomed. "Come in, come in." Once again the double emphasis. "I've been waiting for you. I see you brought along your equipment."

"Yes, I am prepared. I should have left it in the entryway and avoided carrying it up. But I couldn't be certain that someone might not abscond it," said Jeremy placing the tank down for a moment. "Shall we go now? You can fill me in on the particulars on the way to the body of water." Jeremy prepared to hoist the equipment onto his shoulder again.

"No need for that," said Tumnus. "Sit down for a moment." He pulled out a chair for the man and sat down at the table in front of Susan's fireplace. He poured a cup of tea for Jeremy and himself.

"I'm glad you've come. I wasn't certain that you would. There are a few things we should discuss."

"Yes, fire away."

"First of all, as I have said before, it is absolutely necessary to have the utmost secrecy. As you might say 'top secret'." Tumnus smiled. "This is for our purposes and also, as you will see, to protect your own reputation."

Jeremy frowned. He wondered if this was some kind of clandestine activity he would later regret.

Mr. Tumnus smiled. "Don't worry. We're not asking you to kill anyone." He hesitated. "At least not yet." He cleared his throat and went on. "Now, I will have to blindfold you."

"Blindfold me?" asked Jeremy. "No, I can not allow that."

"I assure you, you must. It will be for only a few minutes. Once we are outside, I will take off the blindfold."

"This sounds very suspicious."

"Yes, I can see where you would think that." Mr. Tumnus put his hand on top of Jeremy's, as he had a habit of doing with his closest friends. "I believe you are not afraid of taking risks. No doubt you are a man of adventure. You could tell many stories, if allowed to, am I right?"

Jeremy nodded. He wondered where this was going.

"Well, I am offering you the greatest adventure of your career. I believe that this is one adventure you will not regret."

Jeremy looked into the man's eyes. He thought he was fairly good at reading people. And for some reason, he trusted this Mr. Tumnus.

"Very well. There is no time like the present," said Jeremy. "Let us begin."

They rose from the table. Jeremy obligingly leaned over and allowed Tumnus to blindfold him. Tumnus helped him with his equipment.

"Comfortable enough?"

"Yes."

Tumnus took Jeremy's arm and led him down the hallway.

"You're not taking me to that blown out water closet, are you?"

"No," chuckled Tumnus. "Just this way."

They rounded the corner. Tumnus had turned off the lights in the spare room. He felt for the door to the wardrobe.

"You'll have to crawl in."

Tumnus followed Jeremy into the wardrobe, assisting him with his equipment. Then he pushed past him and opened the door. He climbed out and led Jeremy into the woods. He placed several branches over the door to the wardrobe to disguise it.

"Here we are."

Tumnus took off the blindfold. Jeremy looked around and then rubbed his eyes.

"How did you do that? I know we didn't walk down any stairs." Then he saw the pools. "I suppose you want me to dive into these pools?"

"Only one of them."

Tumnus walked over to the pool. Jeremy followed and prepared to put on his tank. Tumnus stopped him.

"That won't be necessary. Not yet. Just follow me."

Then Tumnus jumped into a pool, disappearing into its depths. Jeremy stared at the ripples on the surface, wondering if he was coming out again.

"Well, he said follow him. I know I can hold my breath as long as he can."

Jeremy jumped into the pool, carrying his diving equipment along with him.