Free Julius and the Soulcatcher by Tim Hehir

wall. Julius’s body was like a blancmange on a merry-go-round—quivering and fragile.
    ‘That was one frightening customer,’ said Mr Flynn. ‘I’ve never met a man I couldn’t put the wind up if I put my mind to it.’
    ‘He was completely without fear.’
    ‘How did he know you gave the orchid away?’ said Mr Flynn, leading the way through the dark alleyways.
    ‘I don’t know,’ said Julius. ‘At least he doesn’t know who I gave it to.’
    ‘Aye,’ said Mr Flynn. ‘Let’s keep that way.’
    ‘Tock walked through the wall,’ said Julius. ‘One minute it was there and the next it like some sort of liquid.’
    ‘Aye.’
    ‘Do you think he came from a parallel realm, like the Grackacks?’ said Julius.
    ‘If he did, he’s found a doorway between the realms.’
    ‘That’s not very reassuring,’ said Julius. He shuddered when he recalled the Grackacks’ realm and his terrifying time there. He wondered what Tock’s realmwould be like. Would it be full of short, frightening people with staring blue eyes?
    ‘The soulcatcher orchid didn’t go for him like it went for Rapple,’ said Julius. ‘What did he mean when he said he didn’t have a soul?’
    ‘Damned if I know,’ said Mr Flynn.
    They arrived at the bank of the Thames and stopped. Across the river Julius could see the faint silhouette of the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral.
    Mr Flynn took the jar containing the orchid from his pocket. He shook it lightly and held it up to catch what light there was. It wriggled and writhed behind the glass.
    ‘It certainly wants to get at you, Mr Flynn,’ said Julius. ‘But the one in the birdcage didn’t even know Tock was there.’
    ‘But it made Edward Rapple flinch like a shepherdess,’ said Mr Flynn. ‘And what was that he said about getting away when they’re let loose?’
    ‘What if Tock’s planning to release the soulcatchers in London?’ said Julius. ‘There was a painting in Mr Darwin’s diary of a them growing out of a man’s mouth and nose and eyes. It looked like he was screaming in agony. We can’t let that happen here.’
    ‘Let’s hope that was just a painting,’ said Mr Flynn.
    ‘The Watchmakers will want to know about this,’ said Julius. ‘I think we should get the pocketwatch, Mr Flynn.’
    Mr Flynn put the jar away. ‘You’re right, Julius,’ said Mr Flynn ‘It’s time to get the pocketwatch.’
    A spasm of new life ran through Julius, as if someone had called out his name in a crowded room. His skin tingled as if fireworks were going off inside him. He was going to hold the pocketwatch again.
    ‘Do you think you could summon the Watchmakers with it, Julius?’
    It took Julius a moment to realise he was been spoken to. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I’m sure. I saw the professor do it.’
    You’re going to hold the pocketwatch again, Higgins.
    Its porcelain face was as clear in his mind as if it was right there before him, as white as sunshine on snow. Its tick-tock was the beating of his heart.
    ‘We should get it now,’ he said.

CHAPTER 8

    Saturday 20th January 1838
    1:13 AM
    Julius and Mr Flynn climbed the steps of St Paul’s. Julius lit a Lucifer to help Mr Flynn as he sorted through a ring of keys.
    ‘You have a key to the cathedral?’ said Julius.
    ‘Of course,’ said Mr Flynn.
    The city was silent, as if it was watching them open the cathedral door.
    Inside, it was as black as a coalmine on a Sunday. Mr Flynn struck another Lucifer and lit a nearby candle for himself and one for Julius. The darkness receded into the corners and alcoves.
    They walked across the tiled floors between the pillars and arches that lined the nave, and past the rows and rows of empty chairs. ‘I’ve only justrealised,’ Julius whispered, ‘that when Tock spoke—’
    ‘Yes?’ said Mr Flynn.
    ‘His breath didn’t mist.’
    ‘Something to do with his parallel realm, perhaps,’ said Mr Flynn.
    Up ahead, the Grand Organ rose towards the domed ceiling. Laughing cherubs