Ah. Again, this too is plausible, although not something that would outright suggest everything that Norrell claims of the man. The fae are by nature a rather tricky sort -- he need not have had reason to play Norrell for a fool. The other man made himself a target for it, and honestly would be a rather satisfying mark as well, all things considered. Childermass is suddenly wondering if maybe he should ask Norrell whether he's checked his pockets since, to find whether anything has wound up missing since such an ordeal as well.

"There you have it," Childermass says, sitting back in his chair. "If you have not heard of the author of such a book, then it is very unlikely he was telling you the truth. Who would know better than you regarding such matters after all, sir?" he asks, knowing that it is not a bad idea to stroke the other man's ego a little, certainly if he wants him to calm down out of this tirade and use some common sense.