“Do you wish me to deliver another parcel?” I asked, nodding toward the one he held.

“If you would be so kind. It goes to the same place, with the same stipulations.”

“It’s no bother at all,” I said, taking the parcel from him.

He then handed me a banknote. “Buy something for yourself while you’re there.”

I tried to give it back to him. “That’s not necessary. I am only too happy to do a favor. You’ve been so kind to me.”

“This isn’t payment for the service. It’s a reason for you to be there. If anyone asks why you were in that shop, you’ll need something to show for it. You can look like you were selling and buying books.”

Even though I was fairly certain of the truth—and that his answer would be a falsehood—I asked him, “Are you in trouble?”

“These are dangerous times and it is better to take precautions,” he said evasively. Coming so close to being caught seemed to have frightened him into being more careful.

I nodded as I took the money from him and deposited it in my purse. He went with me down to the street, where a cab waited. As I rode downtown, I wished I knew a magic spell for looking inside a parcel. Seeing his fear and knowing that one of his associates had been arrested worried me. What would become of me if I were caught with this parcel?

As the cab neared Union Square, I noticed something in the sky. At first, I thought it was one of the airships that had been patrolling the city, but when I reached my destination and alighted, I got a better look and realized this must be the ship bringing the soldiers from India who had experience with insurrections.

This was a smaller ship, but it looked crueler. The Hercules was meant for carrying passengers and cargo, but this was a fighting vessel. I doubted it would be leaving, and I doubted that even his grandfather’s influence would get Rollo a tour of this ship. The front, rear, and underside of its gondola bristled with weapons, and the balloon itself had great jagged scimitars protruding from it.

The ship was moored to the tallest building on the university campus. Soldiers swarmed down rope ladders onto the building’s roof. It was difficult to see how many there were from nearly ten blocks away, but I didn’t have time to go closer. With a sigh of regret, I entered the modiste’s shop.