Daniel sighed. 'Very well, perhaps we'll get back to Alchemy in the end – but for now, no one can get near the poles – unless you can fly there on a broom, Mr. Root – and I'll put my trust in geometry and not in the books of fables that Mr. Boyle and Sir Elias are sorting through below. ‘Twill work for me, for the short time I have remaining. I have not time to-night.'