As Jot ran from the room, Toke exhaled and went back to studying the invisible web.

“What a pity I will never play cards with Lady Tamarind.” And yet he did feel that he was playing cards with her, trying to read signs in her implacable, snowlike countenance. “Do you know what courage is? Not a willingness to fling oneself into danger without proper thought—that is nothing, nothing. There is cowardice in all impulse. Real courage lies in thinking things through, seeing all the risks and taking them anyway. Lady Tamarind has courage. The question is, do I? I think she has misplayed her hand, but dare I gamble our lives upon it?” For a few seconds he shook the two keys in his palm like dice, then came to a decision.

“Caveat, you will need these where you are going. They are the keys to the inner door of the Eastern Spire.”

Caveat was lost in a flutter and a stutter.

“How. Did we come. By . . .”

“Provided with the Locksmiths’ compliments. Haul that jaw back up to your face, man. Is that how you wish to be seen when you walk in to arrest Lady Tamarind?”

“La . . . la-la-lady Tama-ma-ma-rindledindle . . .”

“Here.” A sealed parchment was slapped into Caveat’s hand. “The Duke has given us a warrant to search any room or house we please, and arrest all within if we find a trace of the printing press. Be sure you find something, or we shall all dry in the wind after this Assizes. Take three men and a brace of pistols.”

Some. Kind of boat race probably, thought Caveat, noticing the large, excitable crowd jostling on the jetty. How very foolish and. Dangerous.

Mr. Toke always knows exactly. What he is doing how cold. It is I shall have Martha tell the girl. To patch those old curtains and. Hang. Them after all. But no one else is shivering so. Perhaps I am sickening for something. Mr. Toke always knows. What he. Is. Doing.

The crowds parted before men in Stationers’ livery, as they always did. The guards at the gate of the Eastern Spire glanced at the Duke’s seal on the parchment, then stood aside.

How shabby I must. Seem next to these fine ladies and gentlemen I wish. I had been. Given time to fetch my. Silk cravat and good bagwig.

“Duke’s business!” he snapped crisply, waving the warrant in the face of the footmen at the door to the spire. Before they could protest, he pulled back his great cuffs and flourished the little silver keys, then turned them in the locks with all the confidence he could muster. The uniform, the keys, and the air of confidence were enough. Someone ran off to report, but no one stopped him.