Judge Dee and the Mystery of the Missing Manuscript by Lavie Tidhar

Author:Lavie Tidhar
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group

7.

‘I really do not see why I can’t read The Book of the Dead,’ Baphomet said. She glared at the abbot with withering contempt. It was the following night and no one had died, which Jonathan counted as a blessing. He sat in the common room drinking warm milk with Bede.

‘I am of the purest blood. Surely that is the only thing of consequence in this matter,’ Baphomet said.

‘Things!’ Bede said. He blinked sleepily. ‘I often think about things,’ he confided to Jonathan, who nodded reassuringly.

‘How does it work, this inner sanctum?’ Drago of Carpathia said. He’d been released from the cell and now sat with the others, though he was watched by the monks. ‘You must have some amazing volumes inside. Books of ancient engineering and invention, I would venture. Perhaps a volume on mechanical locomotion!’

Master Umberto shrugged with good nature. ‘To tell you the truth,’ he said, ‘who can really tell why a book becomes banned? They had all probably upset someone important at one time or another. I believe The Book of Thoth is filled with filthy jokes, while The Gospel of Eve is a little too candid for some people. That is all. Nevertheless, we keep them secure.’

‘How secure?’ Drago said, his eyes wide.

The abbot smiled at him. ‘We take the usual precautions,’ he said comfortably. ‘There is a maze, naturally—’

‘Naturally!’ Drago said.

‘With the usual traps—oubliettes, silver spikes, balls of rock that would roll over you and crush you, that sort of thing. You really must know the path to get through, and of course only the keepers of the sanctum know the way. The books really are quite safe, you see.’

‘But I must have The Book of the Dead!’ Baphomet said.

‘You?’ Judge Cutter said with contempt. He came in and stood glaring at them like he wanted to murder them all. ‘What do you even know of blood? You are like a newborn pup with no understanding of what the elders are and were. I could crush your skull in my palm. However, Master Umberto, I do need it for my research, so if you could make it available I would be much obliged.’

‘Research?’ Master Umberto said. ‘You did not mention research.’

Judge Cutter waved his hand. ‘A minor historical work, though I trust it will have some merit when completed.’

‘And what would that be?’ Judge Dee said. He materialised in the room. Judge Cutter scowled.

‘Never you mind,’ he said.

Judge Dee nodded. He turned to Master Umberto. ‘I have examined the library,’ he said.

‘Yes?’

‘I can only presume someone wanted access to the inner sanctum,’ Judge Dee said.

‘I demand access!’ Baphomet said.

‘You must make it available to me,’ Judge Cutter said.

‘I would quite like to find Hero of Alexandria’s notes on steam engines,’ Drago said.

‘Enough with your Hero of Alexandria!’ Baphomet said. ‘Murderer!’

‘I did not kill Brother Shallum!’ Drago said. ‘I told you what happened.’

‘You were snooping around in the library!’ Baphomet said. ‘It is obvious. Searching for the sanctum.’

‘I am innocent!’ Drago turned pleading eyes on Judge Dee.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.