The meeting room of the Ritz Hotel in central Paris.
Outside, it was still drizzling with a chill wind, but inside it was warm and cozy thanks to the burning stove.
Steed arrived at the meeting room half an hour early to wait.
Today was Halloween. He walked to the window, smoking a cigar while watching with great interest the lit jack-o'-lanterns on the street below.
An amusing scene popped into Steed's mind: Shire leading other kids to knock on doors, shouting at the homeowners, "Trick or treat!"
If that were the case, he wondered how the homeowner would react.
Probably stand there in a daze and forget to give out candy!
Just then, Steed saw a black Ford Model T heading towards the hotel entrance. He realized it might be Dejoka and Shire's car and quickly put out his cigar and opened the curtain to ventilate the room.
This was Steed's first meeting with Shire, and he didn't want to leave a bad impression.
