"A good question," Childermass replies. He reshuffles his cards and lays them out a third time, though the cards are different this time around. The last one, though, that's still the same. He won't say who that one refers to, but when he does look up again, it's to wave Lambert off towards the door.

"You had best go find her while you can. There is no telling if any of your plans will survive the masquerade."

Yeah, Lambert might say he can't get caught up again, but Childermass knows better. It's a very real danger.