Chains Read Online Free PDF

wouldn’t need repainting for three years or more. Though the links which got the most friction as they edged back and forth over the saddles would need retouching before then, the carriageway would soon be in place and there would be less movement, or so the engineers promised. Sir William was less certain on this point, but he did not object.
    â€œMy job is to get it safely up and running,” he observed. “The city and the railway companies will be responsible for long-term maintenance. I’m just thankful we didn’t lose any more men in the process. Or girls,” he added, giving me an expansive smile.
    We hadn’t talked as much this past week, but when we did, he had shown me the same encouragement as before. There was nothing to suggest he had changed his mind, and that meant that once the gang was paid, I would be free of them—and of Morlak—forever. But I had still not voiced my request that Tanish come with me, and it was suddenly clear that I could put the matter off no longer, however difficult it would be. I looked back to the southern tower and watched a figure at the top climbing down from the Tsuvada’s rickety platform.
    A thin, brown figure with spiked hair.
    Sarn.
    He was hooking a claw hammer into his belt as he climbed down the tower, not by the ladder at the front but via the girders at the back: a much more difficult and dangerous descent. I frowned, watching him.
    â€œYou had something on your mind?” said Sir William.
    I turned hurriedly, trying to compose myself.
    â€œSir William,” I ventured.
    â€œYes, child,” he said.
    â€œThere is something I wanted to discuss with you,” I said, my eyes lowered.
    â€œCertainly, Anglet, what is it? But quickly, mind. I have to pay your coworkers one last time. Walk with me.”
    â€œYes, sir.” I faltered, following awkwardly in his wake as he led me back toward the office on the city side of the bridge. “The kind offer you made to me before…?” I began.
    â€œStill stands,” he answered. “Mr. Morlak has responded to my terms.”
    My heartbeat quickened. I risked an anxious look at him and saw that his face was clouded with distaste.
    â€œA figure has been agreed upon,” he said, “but I don’t mind telling you that I would understand why anyone would seek to get out of that fellow’s clutches.”
    â€œExactly, sir,” I said, seizing the moment in a rush of relief, “which is why I wanted to raise the question of Tanish’s situation.”
    He scowled at that, though more with confusion than anger.
    â€œTanish? Which one is Tanish?”
    â€œThe boy…”
    â€œThey’re all boys to me, my dear,” he said as we reached the fortified office and stepped inside. He nodded at the guard beside the safe. “Which one?”
    â€œThe little one who works with me sometimes.”
    â€œOh, your young apprentice!” he remarked, pleased by the realization. “You want to take him with you. That does you credit. I value loyalty. I’m not sure what we will find for him to do, young as he is, but…” he hesitated and made a decision, “I have no doubt that we can find a use for the boy. I will finalize the details with the loathsome Mr. Morlak.”
    I gazed at him in astonished gratitude.
    â€œThank you, sir,” I said. “Your kindness is … You can’t imagine how…”
    He hushed me genially. “Not at all, not at all. As I said, this is not charity beyond a certain noblesse oblige. It is investment. I have no doubt that you will repay what you choose to call my kindness a thousandfold. Now, to my last inspection of the towers. I want to see how you have protected this particular investment against all the Bar-Selehm rains can throw at it.”
    A shadow fell across my back, and I turned to see the foreman, Harkson, considering me.
    â€œAh!” said Sir