[he produces from his back pocket that book the other man discarded some spectre lured him on this goose chase through the side streets. he offers it out to loki again.]

you been readin' this?

[it's a knowing question.]

yer not the first one to pick it up and start seein' things, bub. I just had a hope someone like you— someone who knows a thing or two about magic— might have a sense about what kinda tricks we're dealin' with here.