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‘I could have told you to do that years ago,’ Pauline said She hesitated ‘But will that nice Mr Vintcent still be cos?’

‘Until one of us dies, that’s for sure,’ said Cornelius with a chuckle

‘Well, I can’t stand around all day chattering, Mr Barrington After all, a woman’s work is never done’

‘Quite so,’ said Cornelius, and quickly left the kitchen He walked back through the hall, picked up the package, and took it through to his study

He had re paper when the phone rang He put the package to one side and picked up the receiver to hear Timothy’s voice

‘It was good of you to come to the auction, Timothy I appreciated that’

‘I’ you the chess set, Uncle Cornelius’

‘If only your mother and aunt had shown the same restraint’

‘I’m not sure I understand, Uncle’

‘It’s not i man?’

‘You’ve obviously forgotten that I said I’d come over and read the rest of that story to you – unless of course you’ve already finished it’

‘No, I’d quite forgotten about it, ith the drama of the last few days Why don’t you co, then we can have supper as well And before you groan, the good news is that Pauline is back’

‘That’s excellent news, Uncle Cornelius I’ll see you around eight tomorrow’

‘I look forward to it,’ said Cornelius He replaced the receiver and returned to the half-opened package Even before he had removed the final layer of paper, he knew exactly as inside His heart began beating faster He finally raised the lid of the heavy wooden box and stared down at the thirty-two exquisite ivory pieces There was a note inside: ‘A sh’

Then he recalled the face of the woman who had slipped past him at the auction house Of course, it had been his brother’s secretary The second tied someone