The Alchemist of Rome by M C Dulac

Author:M C Dulac [Dulac, M C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2018-04-24T22:00:00+00:00

chapter fifteen

The next day, Price broke his habit of staying indoors and went on a carriage ride with Carissa and her uncle. The previous night in the cavern, Price had been as flinty-eyed as the most ruthless corsair. That day, as he kissed Carissa’s hand, he was the picture of a gentleman.

The elderly servant went with them, but there was no room in the carriage for me. Instead I went into town to chat to the girl who sold lemons in the square. If my master was going to indulge in a romance, I would too.

The lemon girl had not forgotten me, and we flirted until her mother appeared. I bade the girl - Louisa - farewell and went on my way.

I made my way home through the narrow passages of the town. I was tossing a lemon in the air, when a figure stepped out of a doorway. I frowned as I saw Schumann. I tried to brush past, but the big man blocked my path.

“How are things in the palazzo?”

“As usual, sir.”

“And your master’s experiments?”

I said nothing and stepped to the side, but so did he.

“Your master has many books. Perhaps you have seen a book with a sun and moon on the spine.”

“I do not read books, sir.”

“I am not asking you to,” he held a leather pouch, “I will pay you handsomely if you bring the book to me.”

“I don’t betray my master.”

“Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe Price does not have this book.”

“Maybe you should get out of my way.”

“Be careful how you speak to your superiors, Antonio. Anyway, you are clearly too stupid to know what your master owns.”

I pushed past him, “Let me through. Or -”

“Or what? You will cry for help? I can get you arrested whenever I want,” Schumann leaned close, “Remember that.”

I walked fast along the narrow passage. I had to warn Price. But Price’s work scared me, and I felt safer the less I knew about it.

The palazzo was deserted. I ran through the gardens, and came to the lawn before the villa. Gentle music drifted over the terrace. Carissa was playing the piano in the sitting room. Price and Gianetti stood by, sublime expressions on their faces. She was the image of an angel.

I suddenly resented Price for endangering her. He had no right to romance her, when he was in the middle of such a risky enterprise. I raced back to the palazzo. Price’s only possessions were in the cellar or the study next to his bedroom. When I could not find the book in the cellar, I ran to the study and opened the cupboards. There were the ancient books we had brought from Rome. I searched through them all, until I found the book with a sun and moon on the spine. I pulled the book from the shelf and opened a page.

One picture showed a moonbeam piercing a bowl of liquid. I recognised Price’s notes in the margin. He had written corrections and questions throughout the book.

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