“Money’s no object to Stewart, Peter,” replied Linnell. “If he’s set his mind upon getting the three articles in question—nothing short of a miracle will stop him.”
“Why is he employing a firm of solicitors for a job of this kind?” asked Peter.
“Can’t say! But I suggest Colonel Leach-Fletcher has impressed him that we are thoroughly ‘safe and sound’—and he’s out taking no risks.”
“Very possibly you’re right,” Peter commented. “I certainly can’t think of any other reason. Have you seen a catalogue of the sale?”
“I’ve sent for one. Immediately upon receipt of this letter! Collins has gone round to Day, Forshaw and Palmers’ offices. He should be back very shortly!”
Peter walked to the window and looked out.
“Here is Collins,” he said, turning to his senior, “with catalogue complete.”
In a few minutes they were examining it. It was headed as follows:
“At Messrs. Day, Forshaw and Palmers’ Rooms,
The Hanover Galleries, W.1.
On Friday, June 10th, 192–, at one o’clock
precisely.
Sale of Old English and French Furniture,
Pictures, Porcelain, Jewelry, and
Objects of Art,
Formerly the property of Lord Clavering,
deceased, late of Clavering Court,
Warwickshire.”
Linnell and Peter ran their eyes down its contents. They were many and varied. Linnell read them quickly. “A William and Mary Marqueterie Walnut Cabinet, a Chippendale Wine-Cooler, a pair of Boulle Cabinets of Regency Design, Portraits by Hoppner, Paintings by De Ribera, Romney, Van Der Velde and Sir Peter Lely, Derby and Nantgarw Porcelain, Chinese Porcelain of the Sung and Ming periods, Jewelry, a Cromwellian chalice with the Hull hall-mark, a George II octofoil salver, a Georgian Epergne, an unusually large King’s Pattern service, several Sèvres vases—here we are, Peter, 37, 38 and 39 . . . h’m—h’m . . . exactly as described by our client in his letter.” He looked up from the catalogue.