“If we circle around the sail loft, it looks like we can hide ourselves among the water casks stacked by the pilings.”
“Mr. Tyler—” began Hawk. But the valet was already moving toward the stone-and-timber building fronting the cobbled loading area.
The hustle and bustle of the various workers weaving in and out of the crowded quays provided enough cover for their stealthy approach.
“Mr. Tyler,” repeated the boy, once the valet had found a hidey-hole among the casks. “H-How do you intend to learn whether the specimen is on board the ship?”
Craning his neck, Tyler studied the wharf for a long moment before answering. “I think that’s rather obvious, lad.”
“But . . .” A look of misgiving rippled through Hawk’s eyes. “But both Wrexford and m’lady said we must be wery, wery careful, and err on the side of caution.”
“Fortes fortuna juvat,”countered Tyler. “Fortune favors the bold—isn’t that one of Lady Charlotte’s favorite sayings?”
“Oiy, but . . .”
“Come now, we can’t allow the scoundrels to get away if they have the plant.” The valet allowed a pause. “Can we?”
The boy drew in a troubled breath, but remained silent.
“I’m not going to run off half-cocked,” assured Tyler. “I’m going to study the surroundings and choose the right moment when—”
The sudden sound of footsteps on the cobblestones froze him in midsentence. Three men rounded a pile of coiled hawsers and headed for where the Baltimore Clipper sat at its moorings. As they passed the stacked casks, the one closest to Tyler and Hawk caught his boot on an uneven edge of stone and stumbled.
“Tollpatsch,”he muttered.
Eyes widening, Hawk sucked in an involuntary breath.
Tyler quickly pressed a hand over the boy’s mouth as one of the man’s companions—a Cornishman, by the sound of his accent—reacted with a brusque laugh. “Have a care,mein HerrOne must have steady footing around ships.” Another laugh. “Along with steady nerves.”
“I think the steadiness of my nerves is not open to question, Captain Lyman,” retortedMein Herr.
“Ah, but poison is a gentleman’s weapon,” said the third man. He was an American. “Unlike me, you’ve yet to get your hands really dirty.”
“And there is a great deal of dirty work left before our plans all come to fruition,” Lyman pointed out.
“As an expert in botany,” snappedMein Herr,“I have a great deal of experience in getting my hands dirty.”
More laughter.
Lyman took a flint and steel from his pocket, along with a thin cheroot, and struck a spark to his tobacco. “Let us hope you’re right in your surmise, and that Becton sent his precious specimen to Professor Murray at St. Andrews.” He blew out a plume of silvery smoke and watched it dissolve in the breeze. “Otherwise, you’ll have wasted a great deal of money in hiring us.”
“I’m sure of it. I overheard Lord Wrexford’s fiancée and her brother telling Sir Robert about how Becton and Professor Murray were good friends who exchanged both specimens and papers. I’m willing to wager a fortune—”
“You already have,” interjected Lyman.
“Yes, and mark my words, it will prove well worth it, for I’m positive Professor Murray has it,” continuedMein Herr.“He’ll be delighted to welcome fellow botanists, especially as we tell him that we took it upon ourselves to personally deliver this current shipment of plants from the Royal Botanic Gardens. Once we gain access to his conservatory, we’ll force him to turn over the specimen and formula. And from there, it’s clear sailing to Hamburg.”
“Making a fortune depends on the fact that no one but us knows the identity of the plant or recipe for the formula,” the third man pointed out.
“No one will,” repliedMein Herr.“It goes without saying that Professor Murray can’t be left alive.”
“Well, then,” said Lyman, after tossing the butt of the cheroot into the water. “Let us get on with sowing the seeds to becomingveryrich men.”
As the scuff of their steps on the brine-dark wooden wharf receded, Tyler released his hold on Hawk.
“That washim!” whispered the boy. “The one they calledMein Herrsaidtollpatsch!”
Tyler frowned in confusion.
