As it was, it hardly mattered, if we didn’t. Not a pleasant thought.
It seemed we were the last to arrive of those who would be bidding in the auction. The auctioneer announced a handful of rules in German, and then in English, no doubt for my benefit.
However, I saw the acknowledgements from several of those present and then realized there were representatives from a handful of other countries.
He then described the item up for auction—documents recently acquired, and of great value, as described in the information each had previously received. A side door next to the orchestra pit opened and a wood chest was brought out by a statuesque woman with striking blonde hair and vivid lip color.
The resemblance to those paintings was unmistakable as was the lip color, found on that cigarette at Sandringham.
Angeline Cotillard made her entrance and deposited the carved wood chest on the table next to the auctioneer’s stand. She then opened the lid and removed the thick roll of documents that had brought everyone here tonight.
The documents were authentic, the auctioneer assured everyone, acquired directly from the British Admiralty, revealing the development of an advanced weapon that could rain havoc down on other countries.
He then announced that surety deposits from all participants had been verified, and asked for the opening bid for the documents. Brodie’s hand squeezed mine as it began.
Before we left Cober Haus I had explained the mechanics of an auction as well as the strategy.
“The strategy is to obtain the highest price,” he had replied.
Yes, but there was more to it than that. It was very much like playing chess, I went onto explain. It was always best to wait, learn who your opponent or opponents were, and what they were willing to do. In this situation, what were they willing to bet in order to obtain the documents.
I thought of the telegram that I had sent before leaving the hotel for other accommodations and the response I had received, the message quite clear.
‘You must do whatever is necessary for you and Mr. Brodie to safely return. I do wish I was there, however must consider Lily. You now have what you need. Do make it back in time to help plan the wedding.’
I had taken certain measures with the instructions I had then put in place at the hotel. All the same, I chose not to discuss the telegram or those arrangements with Brodie. He did have a penchant for insisting on keeping my family out of our work.
The bidding proceeded, quietly with a raised hand, from a man who spoke with a thick German accent, then another with a somewhat different accent. Prussian, I thought. Then there was a bid from a dark-complexioned man in a set of long robes who might be from one of the eastern countries.
The bid was then raised by a lean, unshaven man who spoke with a French accent. He was plainly dressed and accompanied by another man in the same clothes of a common worker.
“He is not French,” I whispered to Brodie. “Possibly Hungarian by the accent.”
Was he perhaps with one of the anarchist groups that had spread attacks across Europe the past several years?
It was difficult to imagine that he had access to the amount of money the bids had now reached. But there were rumors that the money to fund their activities to spread unrest in fact came from sources in growing industries who hid their identities to protect themselves.
It was horrifying to think it might be true.
And the purpose of the documents for the design of that air ship that everyone in that theater was desperate to obtain?
The bidding had reached very near fifty thousand pounds sterling. Let us see what the response would now be, I thought. I raised my hand.
Instead of the increments of five thousand pounds that we had been acknowledged by the auctioneer, I announced my own bid.
“One hundred thousand pounds sterling.”
I immediately felt that dark gaze on me, along with several others in that ancient opera house.
“Do ye know wot ye are doin’?” Brodie whispered.
“Of course.”
“But that kind of money...Ye dinnae have that much. They will expect payment.”
I glanced over at him. “Trust me.”
“I do, but this is dangerous.”
