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‘That’s precisely why I illing to let him take control of the company Timothy, unlike his mother and father, didn’t allow his heart to rule his head’

Frank nodded his approval as Cornelius drained the last drop of wine froame

‘Now, I feel I ought to warn you,’ said Cornelius as he rose from his place, ‘that the only reason you have won the last three encounters in a row is sis on my mind Now that those matters have been resolved, your run of luck is about to come to an end’

‘We shall see,’ said Frank, as they ether The two men stopped for a moment to admire the portrait of Daniel

‘How did you get that back?’ asked Frank

‘I had to strike a ain with Pauline, but we both ended up e wanted’

‘But how … ?’ began Frank

‘It’s a long story,’ Cornelius replied, ‘and I’ll tell you the details over a brandy after I’ve won the game’

Cornelius opened the library door and allowed his friend to enter ahead of him, so that he could observe his reaction When the inscrutable lawyer saw the chess set laid out before him, he made no comment, but simply walked across to the far side of the table, took his usual place and said, ‘Your move first, if I remember correctly’

‘You’re right,’ said Cornelius, trying to hide his irritation He pushed his queen’s pawn to Q4

‘Back to an orthodox opening gaht’

They had been playing for about an hour, no word having passed between theer ‘Are you not in the least bit curious to discover how I came back into possession of the chess set?’ he asked

‘No,’ said Fran

k, his eyes re fixed on the board ‘Not in the least bit’

‘But why not, you old dullard?’