“Do you have any fire?” he repeated. “We are in fact here to investigate a case of arson,” Theodora said, “but that is a secret I am not to reveal.” The man frowned impatiently and pointed to his cigarette to show what he meant. The cigarette sat tucked in his mouth, hanging over his beard, unlit. “Oh!” Theodora said. “No, I’m sorry, I don’t have any matches.” The man turned his eyes to me and I shook my head. I did in fact have a box of matches in my pocket, but I don’t think adults should be encouraged to smoke.
