illiam held the book in his lap. A tear splashed onto the pages.

“William?” Faith said. “What in heaven’s name just happened? Where did Mr. Sutcliff go? You’d better have an explanation.”

Her husband did not turn from the pages. He merely whispered, “Why can’t I go? Why can’t I help my son?”

“Go where, William?” The blood drained from her face. Where was Yeats?

Gran touched the spot where, only moments before, two long-forgotten bookends stood watch over her library. “Don’t be afraid, Faith. Instead, be patient.”

“Mum!” Faith stammered. “Did you not just see? Mr. Sutcliff was standing here, right there, and reading that book. He disappeared! And what on earth was he doing yelling at a bookend?”

Gran clasped her hands to her face. “Yes! Yes! It was wonderful. I’ve always known Mr. Sutcliff would figure it out.”

“Wonderful?” Faith gaped, flabbergasted. “William?”

He ran his fingers over the pages. “I can’t get in.”

“Get in where?! Are you both mad?”

Gran rested her hand on Faith’s shoulder. “Faith. Don’t turn away—look at me, girl! I know you are afraid. You have a right to be. But rest assured that while there may be forces out of our control, we just gained one for our side. Mr. Sutcliff is there now, I’m sure of it. He’ll find Yeats. And your husband is not mad. Neither am I.”

Faith was speechless.

“Listen to me,” Gran continued. “You will need to see this with your heart and not just your eyes. You’re a smart girl. Always have been. I’m proud of you. But all your intelligence can’t help you if you won’t see what is happening. Three people have disappeared, one of them before your very eyes. You are witnessing a marvel. If you can’t believe it for William, and Lord knows he needs you to, then at least do it for your son. Can you?”

Faith felt ill.

“Can you?” Gran repeated.

Faith clutched her stomach. It was late afternoon. She could not imagine making it through the night without knowing something about Yeats.

Gran waited patiently.

Slowly she turned to her mother-in-law. Without looking at her husband she said, “I’ll do anything to get my son back.”