“How about this,” he said. “I should dearly like to see the papers—even if you decide not to sell them to me. So, I will pay you aviewing fee, just to look at them. Shall we say... fifty guineas?”
“A viewing fee?” Cruikshank repeated, narrowing his eyes. “Fifty guineas, just to examine them?”
“I still hope to buy them,” Lindsay added quickly. “If we can come to terms after I’ve seen them, all to the good—and the viewing fee will count towards the price in that event. If not, at least I’ll have had the opportunity to peruse them.”
Cruikshank said quickly, “It would have to be under my supervision.”
“Of course.”
“And only the first packet. There are six packets in all, but—I have to be careful, ye understand.”
Lindsay hesitated, but at length he nodded. Sight of one packet should hopefully be enough to satisfy himself as to the authenticity of the papers and give him some notion as to the contents. “All right.”
The old man considered that in silence, fingertips tapping on the arm of his chair. At last he said, almost reluctantly, “Very well, Mr. Somerville. The papers are not here. These rooms are too small and not secure enough to keep my whole collection in, so I keep a number of items with my bank. However, I can arrange to have them fetched. Call upon me again in”—he frowned, thinking—“better make it three days’ time, and I will allow ye the opportunity to view the first packet. If ye still wish to acquire them at that stage—and I am minded to consider an offer from ye—we can discuss whether terms can be reached.”
The thought of having to wait three days was aggravating, but Lindsay showed no sign of his frustration, merely saying in mild tones, “Very well. I will call upon you again on Thursday afternoon to see the papers, if that will suit?”
“It should suit well enough.” Cruikshank reached for the bell and moments later, the door to the study opened, revealing Cruikshank’s manservant.
“Meek,” Cruikshank said, “Mr. Somerville here will be calling on me again on Thursday afternoon. Ye are to be sure tae show him in as soon as he arrives, no matter what I am doing or who I am with, understood?”
Meek scowled and crossed his arms. “Thursday willnae do,” he answered flatly. It seemed he had no more respect for Cruikshank than he did for anyone else. “That’s the day we’re flittin’ tae the new house. Ye’ll no’ be here to receive anyone.”
“Aye,” Cruikshank muttered, “I forgot about that.” He looked up at Meek. “What day is the semblie for the Order?”
“The next day. The Friday,” Meek confirmed, looking none too pleased. “But—”
Cruikshank cut him off with a wave of his hand and Meek fell into a resentful silence. “Well, Mr. Somerville. As it happens, I’m putting on a dinner at my new house on Friday for the members of my club. If ye’d care to join us, you can examine the first packet of papers after dinner—for a viewing fee of fifty guineas. I cannae promise ye more than that.” He paused. “Shall I see you then?”
Lindsay’s smile was wide. “You shall, Mr. Cruikshank. What time should I arrive?”
Chapter Five
Lindsay spent the nexttwo days reacquainting himself with the city and calling upon several of Francis’s acquaintances. Despite it being over a decade since Francis had last set foot in Edinburgh, he’d kept a number of his old friendships warm and had provided Lindsay with several letters of introduction. The obligatory visits were tedious, of course, but valuable. When one went somewhere new, it was useful to make as many connections as possible. As a result of his visits, Lindsay was assured he’d receive invitations to dine and promised a temporary membership to a gentlemen’s club for the duration of his stay.
Having conducted all of his duty visits and with still a full day before the supper party at Cruikshank’s new house, Lindsay found himself brooding over whether to call upon Drew Nicol.
