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William explained what had happened over the past few days and read out the relevant section of Charles Lester’s Will

Tho over his notes carefully

’Do you think his wishes would stand up in court?’ asked William

’Who knows? I can’t think of a precedent for such a situa - tion A nineteenth - century Member of Parliament once bequeathed his constituency in a will, and no one objected, and the beneficiary went on to becoo - and in England Now in this case, if the board decided to contest Mr Lester’s will, and you took their decision to court, I wouldn’t care to predict which way the judge ht juate of New York County Nevertheless, a nice legal conundrum, Mr

Kane: ’What do you advise?’said William

’I am a Jew, Mr Kane I came to this country on a ship from Gerht hard for anything I’ve wanted Do you want to be chairman of Lester’s that badly?’

’Yes, Mr Cohen, I do’

’Then you must listen to an old reat respect, and if I may say so, with some affection, and I’ll tell you exactly what I’d do if I were faced with your predicament!

An hour later Willia so the way, he passed a site on which a huge building ell into construction A large, neat billboard announced ’The next Baron Hotel will be in New York When the Baron has been your host, you’ll never want to stay anywhere else’ Williahter step towards the Metropolitan Club

Ted Leach, a short dapperin the foyer of the club, waiting for him He ushered William into the bar William admired the Renaissance style of the club, built by Otto Kuhn and Standford White in 1894 J P Morgan had founded the club when one of his closest friends was blackballed at the Union League

’A fairly extravagant gesture even for a very close friend,’ Ted Leach suggested, trying to make conversation ’What will you have to drink, MrKane?’

’A dry sherry, please,’ said William