"And very conveniently too," Snubnose added to himself. Bump-arch had not admitted it, even to him, but Snubnose was convinced that the chamber was his friend's own invention.
"Reverence, elder ones," Bump-arch said and walked to the arched door of the meeting room.
"Time," said the Grandmaster.
Snubnose, rising, heard a conversation behind him, as two master chemists shuffled to their feet.
"Do you think the youngster will do it?" one asked.
"Well, there's a tradition about it," the other said.
"Yes, and there's a tradition about the elixir of life and a hundred texts as well, and you remember what happened to the young fellow who tried to make it."
There was a chuckle. "I remember, and he's not so young any more, and he's the best apprentice I have for washing glassware. Most experience."
Proudwalk had heard the conversation also, and her face turned red. She raised her delicate nose—quite unlike her brother's snub—and sniffed loudly.
"I think I smell hydrogen sulfide," she said.