A man emerged from the house, raised his head, looked around, and walked on. His expression was calm, as though he had merely come out for a stroll. He went to a newsstand by the street, bought a newspaper, then headed to the corner on the other side.
A Steam Car drove up and stopped nearby, seemingly just passing through.
But when it left, the man was gone too.
The Steam Car pulled away from the crowds and headed toward the end of the street.
The man sat in the back seat, engrossed in the newspaper in his hands. At some point, a white mask had appeared on his face.
"Any news?"
A low voice came from the passenger seat, and the man smiled faintly.
"Nothing interesting. Just the usual nonsense about how everything is going well for the Empire on the front lines."
"But you know that isn't nonsense."
"Perhaps it isn't. Perhaps it is. Either way, my position hasn't changed."
The man shook his head.
"The Empire shouldn't have become involved in a war that has nothing to do with us. Her Majesty the Queen is far too stubborn. I fail to see what we stand to gain from this war."
"But you can't change any of that."
The person in the passenger seat chuckled, the low voice carrying a hint of mockery. The man's expression darkened slightly.
"I didn't accept your invitation just to hear you mock me! What did you do to Lord Clop?"
"Lord Clop?"
"Yes. He's at home now, supposedly recovering from a serious illness-and this happened right after he attended your gathering! You told me there wouldn't be any harm!"
"I did say that. How strange... By all rights, nothing should have happened."
The voice sounded somewhat surprised.
"Don't tell me what should