Chapter 4 Summary

Croup and Vandemar, holed up in an old cellar, get a phone-call from their employer informing them that the "other one" isn't old enough, and so Door must be brought in alive. Croup, who is award that Door intends to hire a bodyguard at the floating market, sarcastically proclaims his intention to hire a bodyguard as well.

Meanwhile, Richard is saved from the blade-wielding Rat-speaker by the sudden arrival of an actual rat. The rat, translated via the Rat-speaker, identifies himself as Master Longtail, the very same rat who earlier bore the note from the marquis to Door. The rodent orders his people to release Richard and to escort him to the market.

Door and the marquis wander Door's family home, where they are haunted by the psychic imprint of Door's murdered family. The marquis proves ill-equipped to comfort the grieving Door. They...