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‘Fascinating,’ said his father, when William came to the end of the story ‘So you now need to find out who thedown silver that’s over a hundred years old’

‘But we can’t even be sure that’s what he’s up to’

‘Then what’s in it for him, unless he’s a rich eccentric collector? And if he was, he wouldn’t have given different names and addresses’

‘Got any other ideas, Father?’

Sir Julian didn’t speak again until he had finished his soup ‘Coins,’ he said ‘It has to be coins’

‘Why coins?’

‘It has to be soinal silver, otherwise it doesn’t make any sense’ Sir Julian pushed his ean to attack his salad ‘What’s your other problem?’

‘Have you come across a QC called Booth Watson? And if so, what’s your opinion of him?’

‘Not a name to beserious for the first ti Why do you ask?’

‘I’an William

‘Then this conversation must cease, as I have no desire to appear in court with that particular man’

‘That’s not like you, Dad You rarely speak ill of your colleagues’

‘Booth Watson is not a colleague We just happen to be in the same profession’

‘Why do you feel so strongly?’

‘It all began ere up at Oxford and he stood for president of the Law Society Frankly, I was only too willing to support any candidate who opposed him After the man I proposed was elected, Booth Watson blamed me, and we haven’t passed a civil word since In fact, that’s hi alone, which is all you need to know about him Don’t look, because he’d sue you for trespass’