The sound does hit his ears, and Robert wonders, looking around, but- there doesn't seem to be anyone else here. Just the detective, who still takes his attention with a bit of a chill down his spine. Not much that can be helped there, at least, and Callaghan's gotten over the whole judging-book-by-cover aspect.

He lets out a heavy breath as Skulduggery confirms his find. "I can cover that price," he says immediately. "It's the least I could do. And I can see what I could get together for your time and trouble..."