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add 15 per cent to the sale price, so the real bill is for £126,500 And what’s worse, if we put it up for sale again they also retain 15 per cent of the price that’s bid, so ould end up losing over thirty thousand’

‘Yes, that’s the way auctioneers h

‘But we don’t have thirty thousand, let alone 126,500,’ cried Elizabeth

Cornelius slowly poured hiht ‘Umm,’ he finally offered ‘What puzzlesin mind my current financial predicament’

‘We thought that as the auction had raised nearly a an Elizabeth

‘Far higher than was estih

‘We hoped you ht tell Mr Botts you’d decided to keep the piece; and of course ould confirm that that was acceptable to us’

‘I’m sure you would,’ said Cornelius, ‘but that still doesn’t solve the proble the auctioneer £16,500, and a possible further loss if it fails to reach £110,000 in three months’ time’

Neither Elizabeth nor Hugh spoke

‘Do you have anything you could sell to help raise the money?’ Cornelius eventually asked

‘Only our house, and that already has a large e on it,’ said Elizabeth

‘But what about your shares in the company? If you sold them, I’m sure they would more than cover the cost’

‘But ould want to buy the even?’

‘I would,’ said Cornelius

Both of thee for your shares,’ Cornelius continued, ‘I would release you from your debt to me, and also settle any embarrassment with Mr Botts’