imagination and so often prove to be indelible marks, no matter how strongly reason may strive to reject them.”
The judge waved toward the bronze statue of the Norseman. “To the victors go the spoils. It applies to the writing or rewriting of history as much as it does to gold or land. It may be what drove Horsford.”
Lean took his hat in his hand and shook his head. “Despite all we’ve learned of Professor Horsford, we haven’t gained any real clue as to just why Chester Sears was interested in the man. If we can’t lay our hands on the fellow tonight at the Tremont House, I fear the trail will be lost. Frank Cosgrove’s murderer may well go free.”
Justice Holmes stepped forward and clapped a hand onto Lean’s shoulder. “I can’t speak to that, Deputy, but don’t lose heart. While our acquaintance has been brief, I find comfort in your clear determination to see the villain brought to justice. If this should prove our farewell, then I would speak these few final words to you: Have faith and pursue the unknown end.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.”
“And, Grey, it would sadden me to have our latest endeavor together be so brief. You really should join me tonight for that reading on the American frontier. It’s supposed to be quite good.”
“Unfortunately, I think I shall have to …” Grey paused and stared for a moment at the bronze Viking looming over them. “You know, I may do that. It could prove to be just the sort of welcome distraction that I need.”
“Very good. I shall see you tonight then.”
Lean waited until Justice Holmes departed before speaking. “Something Justice Holmes said made you give up on the Tremont House? Do you think the Athenaeum is a better lead?”
“No, you and McCutcheon should still go ahead at the Tremont,” Grey said in a distracted voice. He began to pace back and forth beside the tall statue of Leif Eriksson. “Nothing about Professor Horsford has given me any insight into Sears’s interest in the man, or anyone’s motivation for shooting Frank Cosgrove. I don’t see any firm link to theBoston Athenaeum either. But there might be something there, and if not at least I have the chance to further extend our gratitude to Justice Holmes for his valiant efforts to assist our inquiry.”
“We don’t even know for certain that Chester Sears was after Professor Horsford’s work on Leif Eriksson and ancient Indian cities of gold. Maybe he was having a secret love affair with one of the scullery maids or something? That would make more sense.”
Grey shook his head. “I sincerely doubt that a man would need to write down the address of the woman with whom he’s having romantic dalliances, as well as noting the name of her employer. Not to mention some coded message. He had the name and address because he was unfamiliar with the location. Nothing in the house was disturbed except for the window to the professor’s locked study and the glass bookcase therein.”
Grey stopped pacing with his back to Leif Eriksson and bowed his head in thought. “We cannot ignore the connection merely because its true nature eludes us. Rather we must pursue it with renewed vigor.”
“ ‘Have faith and pursue the unknown end,’ ” Lean said glumly.
[ Chapter 13 ]
G REY MANEUVERED AND PARDONED HIMSELF THROUGH THE clusters of well-dressed proprietors, as the members of the private Boston Athenaeum were known. The doors on the left side of the vestibule, housing the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, were shut, and the milling crowd was slowly moving toward the right. Grey instinctively mirrored the progress through the hall of his host, Justice Holmes, pausing whenever that man stopped to engage in short bursts of animated discussion with one of his innumerable acquaintances. Although he recognized a few faces among the crowd, Grey avoided eye contact, refusing to convey any hint that he would welcome even the briefest bit of conversation. His mind was
The judge waved toward the bronze statue of the Norseman. “To the victors go the spoils. It applies to the writing or rewriting of history as much as it does to gold or land. It may be what drove Horsford.”
Lean took his hat in his hand and shook his head. “Despite all we’ve learned of Professor Horsford, we haven’t gained any real clue as to just why Chester Sears was interested in the man. If we can’t lay our hands on the fellow tonight at the Tremont House, I fear the trail will be lost. Frank Cosgrove’s murderer may well go free.”
Justice Holmes stepped forward and clapped a hand onto Lean’s shoulder. “I can’t speak to that, Deputy, but don’t lose heart. While our acquaintance has been brief, I find comfort in your clear determination to see the villain brought to justice. If this should prove our farewell, then I would speak these few final words to you: Have faith and pursue the unknown end.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.”
“And, Grey, it would sadden me to have our latest endeavor together be so brief. You really should join me tonight for that reading on the American frontier. It’s supposed to be quite good.”
“Unfortunately, I think I shall have to …” Grey paused and stared for a moment at the bronze Viking looming over them. “You know, I may do that. It could prove to be just the sort of welcome distraction that I need.”
“Very good. I shall see you tonight then.”
Lean waited until Justice Holmes departed before speaking. “Something Justice Holmes said made you give up on the Tremont House? Do you think the Athenaeum is a better lead?”
“No, you and McCutcheon should still go ahead at the Tremont,” Grey said in a distracted voice. He began to pace back and forth beside the tall statue of Leif Eriksson. “Nothing about Professor Horsford has given me any insight into Sears’s interest in the man, or anyone’s motivation for shooting Frank Cosgrove. I don’t see any firm link to theBoston Athenaeum either. But there might be something there, and if not at least I have the chance to further extend our gratitude to Justice Holmes for his valiant efforts to assist our inquiry.”
“We don’t even know for certain that Chester Sears was after Professor Horsford’s work on Leif Eriksson and ancient Indian cities of gold. Maybe he was having a secret love affair with one of the scullery maids or something? That would make more sense.”
Grey shook his head. “I sincerely doubt that a man would need to write down the address of the woman with whom he’s having romantic dalliances, as well as noting the name of her employer. Not to mention some coded message. He had the name and address because he was unfamiliar with the location. Nothing in the house was disturbed except for the window to the professor’s locked study and the glass bookcase therein.”
Grey stopped pacing with his back to Leif Eriksson and bowed his head in thought. “We cannot ignore the connection merely because its true nature eludes us. Rather we must pursue it with renewed vigor.”
“ ‘Have faith and pursue the unknown end,’ ” Lean said glumly.
[ Chapter 13 ]
G REY MANEUVERED AND PARDONED HIMSELF THROUGH THE clusters of well-dressed proprietors, as the members of the private Boston Athenaeum were known. The doors on the left side of the vestibule, housing the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, were shut, and the milling crowd was slowly moving toward the right. Grey instinctively mirrored the progress through the hall of his host, Justice Holmes, pausing whenever that man stopped to engage in short bursts of animated discussion with one of his innumerable acquaintances. Although he recognized a few faces among the crowd, Grey avoided eye contact, refusing to convey any hint that he would welcome even the briefest bit of conversation. His mind was
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