Augustus was in a bit of shock. He’d expected the man to be associated with Hawley, not this. Rose said, “I had no idea they were so important. They were one of many tablets found in a cave. Of course, I will return them.”
Augustus glanced at her, impressed that she was so willing to give up artifacts that he knew meant so much to her. She glanced at him before turning back to Mr. Abbas. “We have great relationships with most of the villages in the region. I don’t want to ruin that.”
The man smiled. “They are excited about your translation and want you to complete it. The story inscribed on them has been passed down for decades, but until now, no one has determined how much that story has evolved over time.”
Rose smiled, excited. “I have part of the story. It is an epic about a man who falls in love with the king’s wife and is sent on a quest.”
Mr. Abbas beamed. “In the story passed down, this man, who comes from nothing, becomes a ruler after an epic battle with the king.”
Rose sighed. “I think I don’t have all the tablets then. I have three. Do you know how many there are?”
“There should be five. They were in two separate locations.”
Augustus sat listening to the conversation, impressed with Rose for so many reasons. Her brilliance, understanding, and excitement were a few. This woman never ceased to amaze him.
Mr. Abbas sighed. “But you said the tablets are missing. How many do you have? The village elders’ ultimate hope is to have them returned. They wanted to propose that, after your translation, you could display them in London for a specified amount of time, and then the tablets could be purchased back.”
“I will return them for free,” Rose insisted. “I would have never taken them had I known their value.”
“Currently, there is only one,” Augustus said, ruining some of the excitement.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the man who took them was the same one who took the tablet I had with me. It isn’t associated with yours, but he demanded that I tell him who else might have anything to do with cuneiform text,” Mr. Abbas explained.
Augustus asked, “Do you think the collector is simply someone who wants to own this type of relic?”
Mr. Abbas looked at him, puzzled. “What else would it be? It happens often. Someone with too much money will become attached to artifacts that no one else is interested in, and then they hire men to acquire them by any means necessary.”
While it wasn’t good, Augustus was happy it wasn’t likely related to whatever Hawley was dealing with. “We are actively looking for them.”
Rose nodded. “If you have any contacts, we would be grateful if you could ask around as well.”
Mr. Abbas nodded. “I will try to see what I can discover.”
Augustus rose. “I’m sorry if we worried you, but we thought you might be somehow associated with the theft.”
Rose joined Augustus and asked, “We are leaving?”
“I think we’ve taken up enough of Mr. Abbas’s time.”
She nodded and turned back to the solicitor. “I would love for you to meet the Historical Society for Female Curators board members.”
Mr. Abbas nodded. “I agree. I will send a missive with some possible dates.”
Rose smiled at the man so brightly that it almost took Augustus’s breath away. Jealousy shot through him; he wished that beaming look was bestowed upon him instead of the man they barely knew.
“I can’t wait for our meeting. I would love to discuss if you have any ideas where the last two tablets may be.”
Mr. Abbas said, “I look forward to it, Miss Calvert.”
Augustus and Rose made their way to the carriage. When they were settled inside, she asked, “What are you thinking?”
He shook his head. “I’m glad Hawley was likely right, and this may simply be a theft, but I’m worried we won’t find them.”
Rose nodded. “I hope they can be found.”
The driver reopened the door. “Where to next, Your Grace?”
He looked at Rose and then turned back. “The warehouse.”
