Page 2 of Storm of Bells
From behind me, I heard a clang andhalf-turned to glance at the mysterious tarpaulin once again. Itshifted, and there was another clang—then everything fell silentonce more.
I jerked a thumb towards the tarp. ‘Say, MrPearson…you don’t perchance know what that is all about, doyou?’
This encouraged Sallow-Face to gift me withan actual smile. ‘I do.’
I waited.
And waited.
Nothing came.
‘Well?’I demanded. ‘And?’
His smile widened. ‘And Mr Ambrose hasalready informed all the most important members of his office staffof this important change. I’m sure he’ll see fit to let you know atsome point, Mr Linton.’
Miserable little slimy son of a…!
‘Thank you so much.’ I gave the man my mostbrilliant, friendly smile. ‘I’ll make sure to remember how helpfulyou were in a few weeks or so.’
Sallow-face frowned. ‘Why? What’ll happen ina few weeks?’
Reaching into the pocket of my tailcoat, Ifingered the large golden betrothal ring that rested there, safeand sound. I smiled.
‘Oh, you’ll see. You’ll see.’
And without wasting any more time on him, Imade my way towards the stairs. In passing, I couldn’t help try andglimpse past the tarpaulin—but it was fastened too closely to thewall. I didn’t have a chance of seeing anything beyond. What theheck was worth going to so much trouble to hide?
Unable to come up with a reason to linger anylonger, I started upstairs. Several stories up, at the very top ofEmpire House, I stepped out of the stairwell and rushed down thecorridor, giving the nice young man at the upper desk a smile and anod in passing. ‘Morning, Mr Stone.’
‘Good morning, Mr Linton.’
I pushed open the door to my office—andhesitated.
‘Mr Stone?’
The receptionist, who somehow had managed notto become emotionally stunted after years and years in Mr Ambrose’sservice, looked up with a friendly, open smile. ‘Yes, MrLinton?’
‘You don’t perchance know what all thatruckus downstairs is about, do you? You know, that bigtarpaulin?’
He blinked up at me. ‘You didn’t get thememo?’
I tried to remain calm. I really tried.
‘No. I didn’tget the memo.’
‘Oh. Um.’ He blushed. ‘Well, I suppose it didsay “confidential”.’
My eyes gave a fiery flicker. ‘It did, didit?’
‘Err…yes, Mr Linton.’
‘I see. Well, thank you for your help, MrStone.’ Giving him a smile, I pushed the door to my office the restof the way open. ‘Is Mr Ambrose already in?’
‘He’s in the building. But I think he’s notin his office at the moment. He’s taking care of some problem inthe archives department. But he’ll be back any moment now.’
‘Excellent.’ I rubbed my hands. ‘I lookforward to having a little chat with him.’
And I stepped into the office, closing thedoor behind me.
