After a breif car journey to central London in the trusty Laytonmobile, the two intrepid puzzle enthusiasts got out of the car and looked up at their destination.

"The London Palladium!" Luke gasped. He stared wide eyed at the fancy, white washed building with collumns at the entrance that made Luke have to step back for any chance to see the tops of them. It was an impressive building to say the least.

"It is simple an amazing peice of architecture. Now, shall we go in?" Layton asked, looking down at the awestruck Luke, who simply nodded eagerly in response. He scampered off ahead, Layton following behind as the entered the building through the double doors that had ornate, stained glass patterning of the theatres name on the windows.

They entered the foyer. The room itself spoke Luxury. It had a tall ceiling with two grand chandelliers lighting up the whole one side was a sitting area with leather seats and potted plants. At the far side of the room was a mahogany reception desk that seemed to be empty. There were signs on the wall and ceiling to direct the punters to the correct stages, and off to the left of the room was a large, dark wood door a sign boldly saying 'PRIVATE'.

The foyer was unusually quiet. Layton casually put it down to shows either not currently being on, or already being in progress. But it still struck to him as being odd.

Layton walked over to the reception desk, and rang the bell to summon someone to help them out.

"Just a moment!" Called a cheery, elderly voice from the room behind the desk. A few moments passed, and after a few noises of pens and paper cluttering around, an old woman, with blonde hair, and a green suit dress stepped out of the room and trotted up to the desk, looking up to Layton with tired but kindly eyes. "Pardon me, my paperwork is in a terrible mess! I can't move for ink and wood pulp!" the old woman joked. "Now, how can I help you dearies?" she coo'ed.

"Good afternoon ma'am. May I speak with a 'Mrs Clarice Criffe'?" Layton requested, tipping the top of his hat towards the old woman politely. He pulled out the letter and tickets from his inside pocket.

"Oh why yes, that would be me!" Grinned the woman. "Judging by the time, you must be the special guest the magicians have been talking about. They're a lovely group, some of them a bit eccentric and odd though." she replied, lowering her voice at her last sentence. She took the letter as Layton handed it to her, and she read through it, mouthing some of the words. "The Grand Master 'Phoenix' told me to notify you that he would be waiting in the private lobby for you around this time. Oh, and he also advises 'Knock first'." Clarice said, handing back the letter and tickets. She pointed to the door with the private sign and smiled.

"Thank you most kindly Mrs Criffe." Layton said, pocketing the tickets. Clarice responded silently with a warm smile and then returned to her work in the other room.

"Well Luke. Shall we go greet them?" Layton asked, turning on his heel and making his way to the door across the room. Luke tailed behind him quickly. "Of course Professor. But, who is this 'Grand Master Phoenix?'" he asked as he looked up at Layton.

"All I know is that he's the master of the London guild of magicians. Maybe we'll find out more from the man himself." Layton responded.

"He sounds awfully important." Luke muttered as Layton approached the door. Luke began to feel a little nervous of meeting him, and shyly sunk behind Layton.

The professor knocked on the wooden doors loudly.

Now, all they had to wait for, was a responce.