‘But you can hide,’ he said, gesturing around the room. ‘There’s so many places to hide. I’m sure there are plenty of good solid wardrobes your size. Even under a bed. You’d be surprised how many people don’t check under beds these days.’ ‘Mr Pleasant –’ ‘Skulduggery, please.’ ‘Skulduggery, you saved my life tonight. Are you going to undo all that effort by leaving me here so someone else can come along and just kill me?’ ‘That’s a very defeatist attitude you’ve got there. I once knew a fellow, a little older than you. He wanted to join me in my adventures, wanted to solve mysteries that beggared belief. He kept asking, kept on at me about it. He finally proved himself, after a long time, and we became partners.’ ‘And did you go on to have lots of exciting adventures?’ ‘I did. He didn’t. He died on our very first case together. Horrible death. Messy too. Lots of flailing around.’ ‘Well, I don’t plan on dying any time soon and I’ve got something he didn’t.’ ‘And that is. . . ?’ ‘Your hat. Take me with you or I’ll stand on it.’ Skulduggery looked at her with his big hollow eye sockets, then held out his hand for his hat. ‘Don’t say I didn’t warn you.’