Surely The End Days

Arthur is about to ask Sprocket if he's any good on a bicycle.

To which Sprocket would have said, no.

But there is an interruption.

Gaius returns with Shu.

Good news! says Gaius.

Bad news, says Elodie.

Bad news first, says Gaius.

Baby Pierre found four more dead spiders on the track between here and Markus's camp site, says Elodie. I've recovered them. Here they are on the tin.

Dear me, says Gaius. Did it appear that they died of natural causes?

If your shoe prints are natural causes, says Elodie.

Gaius looks at the soles of his Crocs.

Shu looks at his sandals.

Marati are small, and leave miniscule traces, but yes, it is possible.

We were preoccupied, says Gaius. But that's no excuse. I am heartily sorry. Now for the good news.

That's not the end of the bad news, says Elodie.

Go on, says Gaius.

The fifteen female spiders have run away into the shrubbery, except for one that Arthur demolished.

My fault, says Sprocket. I let them out.

The fourteen female spiders in the shrubbery count off.

Fourteen! Another one gone. These are surely the end days!

They disperse, to follow their own single fates, in different directions, avoiding only the bike track, which is sensible.

So what's the good news? asks Elodie.

Markus and Raoul have agreed to let Shu take Ar-Lu-Lun back to China, says Gaius.

Why is that good news? asks Elodie.

It will allow us to establish whether Ar-Lu-Lun is a maratus furvus, or a new species, says Gaius.

Where is Ar-Lu-Lun? asks Elodie.

Here, in this glass bottle, says Shu, holding it aloft in the lantern light.

Arthur admires it. So does Sprocket.

It's a thick round preserving jar scattering light beams, and holding a priceless spider.

Arthur nudges Sprocket.

Sprocket takes out his phone.

This reminds Gaius:

Did you get Sweezus's message?

Yes, says Arthur. How long have we got?

Three weeks, says Gaius. I suppose we ought to think about getting some practice.

What's happening? asks Sprocket.

Tour de France, says Arthur. We're in it. And we're short one rider. Are you busy?

No, says Sprocket, but I...

Wait Sprocket. Don't let that stop you.

It would be beyond awesome, and totally make your career as an artist.

And even better, impress your mother, Grace Swan.