Balthazar, who's pretty savvy about Europan history for a little guy, tells Agatha some of Stev's backstory. Balthazar's dad, who appears in the story but hasn't been named yet, was formerly a smith in the employ of the "Gilded Duke" -- apparently the Duke D'Omas. (Whether this was pre-Balthazar isn't clear.) This worthy ran afoul of Baron Klaus Wulfenbach and was vanquished, at which time Balthazar's dad accepted (or absconded with) Smilin' Stev in lieu of back pay. The two of them then joined the circus. According to Balthazar, Stev is used for pulling carts and carrying heavy loads and not much else. This doesn't sound right to Agatha's Sparkish instincts, as she notes his mechanical sophistication (masked by the dumb grin) and suspects there's more to the story.