The Stone of Destiny by Jim Ware

Author:Jim Ware
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Philosopher's Stone, alchemy, fantasy, legend
Publisher: David C. Cook
Published: 2011-08-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Lapis Exsilis

The Gothic lamp above the tall oak doors of St. Halistan’s Church was a nebula of shifting brightness at the top of the hill as Morgan came trudging up Iglesia Street. The rain had stopped, the air had cleared, and beneath the warm circle of light he could see a small cluster of figures standing together and pointing up at the tower. Not until he reached the duplex did he recognize the faces: Rev. Alcuin, the two city inspectors, and Mr. Brevard Knowles. By the time he crossed the street the little group was already dispersing.

“Until tomorrow, then,” Knowles was saying as he shook Rev. Alcuin’s hand. “Ten o’clock. And please give my offer some serious thought.”

“Yes, of course I will,” said the Reverend wearily. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Knowles.”

Morgan drew up alongside Rev. Alcuin as the three men got into their cars and drove away. “What was that all about?” he said.

“Ah, Morgan!” said the Reverend. “Glad you turned up. I missed you at dinner. I just got the price tag on the repairs for the tower.” He took off his glasses, drew a handkerchief from his pocket, and wiped his forehead. “A good deal more than St. Halistan’s can afford, I’m afraid.”

“So what happens now?”

“Well, without the repairs the tower stands condemned. She’ll have to come down. But Mr. Knowles has offered to bail us out. He wants to buy the entire property. For a very attractive sum, I might add.”

“Sell the church? You’ve got to be kidding! What does he want with a church?”

“He doesn’t. He wants to put up a bed-and-breakfast. But let’s not talk about that now, Morgan. I had other reasons for wanting to see you. I wonder if you might like to join me in my office for tea and sandwiches?”

It occurred to Morgan that he had not eaten anything since a half hour before noon. All at once he was struck by a gnawing feeling of ravenous hunger in the pit of his stomach. His knees felt rubbery and weak. To make matters worse, his head was still reeling from the events of the afternoon and evening.

“That sounds like a great idea,” he said.

“Good,” said Rev. Alcuin. “I’ve been to see your mother again, and I think we need to talk.”

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