If it were? What, if Byerly were honest? Or if it were true? An odd thing to say. Why wouldn't he be?

He sets the thought away. What's more important is that Byerly knows that he's found the right bait. The hook may not yet be fully set, but the fish is fascinated.

"I suppose there's only one way to find out," Rutyer replies easily. And he holds out his hand for the papers back.