The whirring of propellers drew closer and closer. There was a patch of fire at the end of the passage.
Only as it slowly approached did they see that it was a lamp. By its light, they could make out a Goblin steering a small boat.
Severus and Lucius, both on high alert, exchanged a look.
"The singing is coming from you," Lucius said after a moment. "What strange thing did you bring with you?"
Severus froze for a moment, then untied the transfigured lizard-skin pouch. He quickly found the source of the sound—a battered crystal ball they had bought from a pawnshop run by a Goblin called Steelyard when they had first arrived in Paris. It was actually made of topaz. The old Goblin had tempted them by saying that if it were repaired, they would be able to hear the songs of The Paradise.
It had been made by Edward Kelley, supposedly to swindle gold from Rudolf II, King of Germany. Originally, it had been battered and broken, as if whatever was inside had escaped. Now, the battered topaz sphere gave off a beautiful yellow glow.
"What is this?" Lucius asked.
"Pomona planned to use it to bribe the Mermaids," Severus said.
"Those saints bribe people too?" Lucius asked.
"For the sake of an alliance, Hagrid gave gifts to the Giants as well," Severus said.
Lucius raised a brow. At that moment, the little boat stopped before them, and the Goblin squinted at the two men.
"What are you wizards doing here?" the Goblin asked in English.
"What are you doing here, Goblin?" Lucius immediately shot back.
"As you can see, this used to be Gringotts property," the Goblin said. "What are you planning to do?"
Both men froze.
"Did you trigger the alarm?" the Goblin asked.
"No.