“I couldn’t understand your mother . . . because her mouth was full!”
Mandrake’s obscene taunts were having their desired effect. The tavern’s gaslight globes dimly illuminated a horde of furious faces. Pilkington chuckled, though the movement was lost in his huge frame. He knew, unlike the crowd, that his associate’s cane concealed a vicious rapier.
Harry was, of course, nowhere to be seen - which meant she was close, and ready.
It was time. Pilkington activated his Tesla pistol; the room's growing discord obscured its angry hum. A small smile.
This might not turn out to be such a bad job after all.
