Once more, Edgar cautiously slips his hand back into the pouch, trying to push it as close to the opposite opening as possible.

He turns to Almondine, prepared to give her the sign to keep up, but her attention is on the alley entrance. Her ears are pricked and her head is cocked, as if she is hearing something in the distance. She glances around as Edgar moves beside her and quickly sets off once she sees he is in motion.

By the time they reach the street corner again, she's broken into a trot and Edgar hurries to keep up, deftly weaving around pedestrians.