Outside the courtyard of 2 Kirk Street.
Edwin drove away in the carriage.
After Arthur and Malinda walked into 2 Kirk Street shoulder to shoulder, she immediately took out her Pipe-it was already packed with tobacco.
Mrs. Susan had taken away the tobacco she kept at Caesar Manor.
But never underestimate a smoker's ability to hide tobacco.
Under drawers and beneath beds were the simplest places.
Smoke a pack down to its last two cigarettes, step on it a couple of times, and toss it onto the dormitory floor. No one would ever notice it, and you could pick it up when you needed it.
Of course, you could also unscrew the armrest of a steel-pipe bed. That was another prime hiding spot.
But Malinda had no need for any of that.
She had Spatial Equipment.
Inside it, she kept six jin of tobacco and seven spare pipes.
Whoosh!
Malinda took a puff, a look of bliss spreading across her face, then blew out a large Smoke Ring.
"I'll be back tomorrow morning."
With her Pipe between her teeth, Malinda waved to Arthur and slipped inside the ring.
The Old District was theirs.
But there were still some loose ends to tie up.
Both Arthur and Malinda wanted complete, genuine control over the Old District-and that meant someone would have to take charge in person.
Since Uls was Malinda's subordinate, she was naturally the better choice.
After Malinda vanished, the smoke dispersed.
Arthur scooped up Pendragon and leaned back in a chair in the Medium's Hall with his eyes closed. Stroking the cat, he called, "Anna, we're expecting guests. Please prepare three cups of tea-and remember to put double sugar in mine."
At this late hour, strong tea was naturally the answer.
Strong tea tasted bitter and astringent, with a