It was a long walk back to the City. Lemony was exhausted from a sleepless night, but he hadn't wanted to take a taxi back in case they reported to the V.F.D. about where he was going.
There was no time to lose. He had to get to the office of the Secretary of Annulment Dispensation and get Beatrice's annulment document so that he could find her in her new life and they could be together at last. Today was the day the papers would be locked up in the Secret Annulment Dispensation Document Enclosure Room where they would be much harder to get.
He arrived at the Royal Palace in the late afternoon. Lemony was nervous about going into the Palace since he was accused of the Royal Gardens arson and he hadn't stopped to disguise himself. He carried the Chinese takeout box and chopsticks, taking on the manner of a hurrying delivery boy.
He dashed through the corridors to the office of the Secretary of Annulment Dispensation. He found the Secretary sitting at the desk and placing papers in an open briefcase.
Lemony set the box of Chop Suey down on the desk. "Chinese delivery lunch special," he announced.
"I didn't order Chinese food and I already had lunch," said the Secretary coldly.
"It's already paid for, Sir. Here!" Lemony pushed the box too hard and it landed in the Secretary's lap. In the instant the man looked down at his lap, Lemony used the chopsticks to remove papers from the open briefcase. He pushed them into his coat pocket with a smooth motion and slapped the chopsticks onto the table.
"You clumsy oaf, you're lucky that box didn't come open on my nice suit. You're not getting a tip!" said the angry bureaucrat.
"Yes, Sir. Very good, Sir," said Lemony, quickly backing out of the room. In his nervousness he took a wrong turn into the restricted section of the palace. Two burly-looking palace guards challenged him.
"Let's see some identification," one of them said.
Lemony produced one of the fake business cards he had had printed for occasions like this. He drew himself up to his full height and adopted a haughty French accent.
"As zis card weel show you, I am an Admiral in zee French Navy. I have zee, 'ow you say, deeplomatic immunity."
"Oh, sorry to bother you, Sir. Carry on, but the Diplomatic Wing is back that way," said the other guard.
Lemony set off down the hall at a fast walk, when suddenly he heard a guard yell behind him: "I know where I've seen that face before -- on wanted posters! That's the infamous arsonist Lemony Snicket!"
Lemony ran with the guards in hot pursuit. As he raced down the steps of the palace he noticed a carnival setting up tents in a vacant lot nearby. On the tents were various symbols, and on one large tent was the insignia of the V.F.D.!
Lemony raced to the large tent and ducked in. Inside was a woman wearing a turban, sitting in front of a large crystal ball.
"Madame Lulu is not giving the readings now, please," she said. "Come back later when we open, please."
"The world is quiet here," said Lemony, hoping she was on his side of the schism. "I need a place to hide."
"Very well, you be hiding in tent corner. Is good curtains for hiding there."
Lemony hid in the corner under a dark curtain. Just as he hid, the Palace Guards entered. "Have you seen a man with one eyebrow come through here?" one guard said.
"Madame Lulu will be reading the crystal ball to tell you what you want to hear," Lulu said. "I see him, he is running down Swindle Street."
"Thank you, Madame Lulu," said one of the guards. They took off in that direction.
"Thank you, Madame Lulu," said Lemony when they had gone.
"Is no problem, please," said Lulu.
"May I invite you to dinner as a way of saying thanks?" asked Lemony.
"Yes, please," said Lulu. "Anywhere but the Cafe Salmonella, please."
Lemony strongly agreed. They went to the Veritable French Diner instead.
As they were being seated, Lemony said, "May I ask your full name?"
"Is Lulu diLustro, please," said Lulu.
They sat for a moment in silence. Then Lemony began the dinner conversation with a good opener.
"Madame diLustro, I believe I've discovered your true identity!" he said.