The narrator explains that each of the three friends has something to hide, noting, “Nobody tells everything” (61). The narrator goes on to explain that Loraine was insincere about her reasons for coming to see Jimmy, while Jimmy had his own ideas about George’s party. Likewise, Bundle had an entire plan of her own that she didn’t share.

Now, Bundle goes to Scotland Yard to see Superintendent Battle. He typically works on political cases, as he did four years ago at Chimneys. Bundle is grateful when he remembers her and that previous case. When she asks him about Seven Dials, he explains that it was once a working-class neighborhood but has since been torn down and largely renovated, attracting wealthier inhabitants. He questions why she wants to know about it, and she tells him only that Ronny uttered the phrase before he died. When Battle reveals that he already knows about Ronny’s death, Bundle questions why it hasn’t been reported in the newspaper yet. Battle simply tells her that the police wanted to wait 24 hours, but his lack of any real explanation unsettles her.

Battle warns Bundle against getting involved with the Seven Dials, insisting that it is too dangerous. However, she argues that as an “amateur,” she has an advantage over the police because she can work in secret. Battle begrudgingly agrees, then gives her one piece of advice: to ask Bill what he knows about Seven Dials.

Bundle invites Bill out for dinner the next evening. She tries to talk to him about Jimmy, and he mentions that Jimmy asked him about the political meeting. She asks who will be there, and Bill mentions a few people, such as Sir and Lady Cootes and a German man named Herr Eberhard. However, he then begins ranting about a woman whom he dated recently, and Bundle resignedly listens to his story.

After he finishes it, she directly questions him about Seven Dials. He explains that it is a night club in the old Seven Dials district—one of the few parts that wasn’t gentrified. He tries to avoid answering more questions about it, but Bundle refuses to let him evade. He admits that the last time he went there, he got into a fight, but he is also adamant that there is nothing special there. Even so, Bundle convinces him to take her there.

At the Seven Dials, Bundle and Bill are let in by a man whom Bundle vaguely recognizes. She and Bill dance for a while downstairs, then go upstairs to a room where some men are gambling. Bundle notes that the upstairs spaces are where “the real life of the club was exposed” (73). She then spots the man from the door again and recognizes him as Alfred, a former servant at Chimneys. When questioned, Alfred explains that he left Chimneys around the time Sir Coote was staying there, and he then took on a better job at the club. After a half hour, Bundle asks Bill to leave, convinced that she won’t learn anything of value.

When Bundle returns to Chimneys the next day, her father tells her that Chief Constable Melrose is going to speak with her at noon the following day about Ronny’s death. He then questions what she is doing, and she humors him by promising to do her best to stay safe. He mentions reaching out to George about a meeting, but Bundle advises him against it.

Bundle meets with Mrs. Howell, a housekeeper whom she knows. However, she learns no new information about the Cootes and their stay. When she questions Tredwell, she learns that Alfred left a month ago; two weeks before Gerry’s death, Alfred was replaced by a man named John Bauer. After this conversation, Bundle reflects that the name seems strange and realizes that it is German in origin.

Bundle then returns to talk to her father, asking him what Sir Coote did to make his money. He explains that Sir Coote built the largest steel company in England. Now, he does not work much at all, instead leaving matters of the business to people underneath him. As Bundle reflects on everything, she wonders if Herr Eberhard, Bauer, Coote, and Gerry’s time in Germany are all connected.

Bundle goes to visit Aunt Marcia, the late wife of her father’s deceased brother, Henry. Aunt Marica is well-known in political circles, so Bundle pretends that she is interested in learning more about these people. She convinces Aunt Marcia to speak with George and get her an invite to his political party.

Afterward, Bundle calls Jimmy. They are both excited because they have managed to get invited to the gathering. When they both end the conversation by telling each other that they are going to retire to bed, the narration notes that they are both “liars of the most unblushing order” (82), as Jimmy plans to go on a date with Loraine while Bundle plans to return to the Seven Dials Club.

Bundle puts on a maid’s outfit and returns to the Seven Dials Club. Alfred is the only one there, so she asks him to speak with her inside. She explains that everything at the club is illegal, which could lead to a lot of trouble for him. However, she promises to protect him if he helps her. She asks why he left Chimneys, and Alfred reveals that the club’s owner, Mr. Mosgorovsky, attended a party at Chimneys and was so impressed with Alfred’s work that he paid him to quit immediately. Mosgorovsky then suggested a replacement for Alfred. This information confirms Bundle’s suspicion that Bauer was likely involved in Gerry’s murder.

Bundle then asks Alfred for a tour of the club, and he obliges. She finds nothing peculiar until they get to the gambling room, where there is a small door off to the side. Alfred tells her that it is used as an escape route if there is a police raid. Bundle has him unlock it. Inside, she finds a table, chairs, and two cupboards. Alfred explains that inside the one cupboard, there is a secret door that leads to the street. However, he does not have a key.

Noting that the room was recently cleaned, Bundle decides that a meeting of the secret organization must be happening tonight. Alfred confirms that Mosgorovsky is supposed to be there later. Bundle opens the second cupboard and has Alfred clear out all of the dishes. Then, she drills a small hole level with her line of sight. She has Alfred lock her inside, insisting that he help her so that she can protect him from the police if he ever needs her to.

Bundle waits in the cupboard for several hours, noting that she arrived just after six o’clock and that the meeting likely won’t happen until after midnight. Finally, the light comes on, the door closes, and a man comes into her line of sight. She deduces that it is Mosgorovsky. He then checks his watch and puts on a mask, which consists of a piece of cloth that bears the symbol of a clock face with its hands indicating six o’clock. Then, after a knocking that comes from the other cupboard, two more men enter, also wearing similar masks. However, one mask reads four o’clock, and the other five o’clock. The three men refer to each other by their designated times, with the one man calling the other “No. 4.” As they speak, Bundle notes that No. 4 is definitely American, while No. 5 is likely Austrian or Hungarian.

From her position, Bundle can only see part of the table. Mosgorovsky sits directly facing her, while No. 5 sits next to him. Someone sits down with their back to Bundle, and she is shocked to find that the person is a woman. Bundle notes the small mole on the woman’s shoulder blade but cannot place her accent. The woman comments on the fact that the place at the head of the table, “No. 7,” is empty, and everyone sits uncomfortably for a few minutes before Mosgorovsky begins the meeting.

First, the group discusses the absence of another person, No. 2. Mosgorovsky notes that there is “danger” surrounding the group and that he has not heard from No. 2 in a while; the man is supposed to have more information about what happened at Chimneys. No. 5 interjects, again noting the absence of No. 7; he is annoyed that most of them have never even met No. 7. However, Mosgorovsky again dismisses this topic of conversation and instead asks No. 3 about Wyern Abbey—George Lomax’s home. No. 3 reads off the guest list, which includes Jimmy but not Bundle. The group then discusses “Eberhard’s invention,” which one man notes “should be worth millions” but could get even more because of “the greed of nations” (94). Mosgorovsky then confirms that their plans haven’t changed.

Next, the group discusses the letter that Gerry left behind. They mention that Bundle found it and gave it to Loraine, and they are annoyed that Bauer didn’t do more to clean up the situation. They discuss the investigation into Ronny’s death, noting that rumors have been spread about people shooting rifles nearby; this should lead the police to likely rule his death an accident.

As the meeting ends, the group congratulates No. 1, the woman, wishing her “luck in the part she has to play” (95) and calling her “Anna” as they cheer her. As the group leaves, Bundle sees No. 3 for the first time, noting his large size.

Two hours later, Alfred comes and lets Bundle out of the cupboard. She is stiff and exhausted, but despite Alfred’s worries, she is adamant that her efforts have been worthwhile.

The next day, Bundle calls Jimmy, and he offers to drive her to speak with an official named Melrose about Ronny’s death. On the way, they discuss the meeting from the night before, and Jimmy laughs in disbelief, adamant that it is all almost too fantastical to believe. He recalls hearing about Eberhard’s invention and knows that it somehow involves strengthening steel. He asks whether Bundle would recognize anyone from the meeting, and she is fairly sure she can, based on their voices. She speculates that the missing No. 2 was likely Bauer.

The inquisition goes exactly as Bundle expects it to. She tells her story, and Melrose discusses the evidence about people shooting rifles nearby. He ultimately rules the death an accident.

Afterward, Jimmy grows worried about Loraine’s safety. He calls her, but she assures him that she is safe. He warns her to be careful, and she returns the sentiment. Jimmy then calls his butler, Stevens, and asks him to purchase a pistol for him.