Gramercy Park. Paula Cohen

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СКАЧАТЬ the man must get advice from someone. He’s a singer, not a financier.”

      Hadcock shakes his head. “Perhaps he does. But it appears that he handles all his business affairs himself, and just today Beeson told me that in the week Alfieri’s been here he’s made inquiries about some very sound investments.”

      “Then perhaps he is descended from the Medici, after all,” murmurs Mrs. Hadcock.

      For these, at least, of Mrs. Astor’s guests, it only remains to be seen if the tenor can make lame men walk and blind men see; there is plainly nothing else he cannot do.

      Still talking amongst themselves about the prodigy they have just met, the little group moves on. Chadwick watches them go, slowly sipping his wine until, tiring of the noise and the heat, he retreats to the conservatory, to seat himself in the cool shadows and smoke a cigar amid the foliage. If he is surprised, halfway through his cigar, to have someone sit down quietly beside him, he gives no sign of it.

      “Mr. Chadwick?”

      “Yes?”

      “Mr. Chadwick, I believe that you are the only man in New York tonight whom I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. I am Mario Alfieri.”

      “I know who you are, signore, even though I did not join the lines of those waiting to shake your hand. I am not easy in crowds.”

      “On a warm night even I find them trying, Mr. Chadwick. There is no need to apologize.”

      “Apologize? I’m not apologizing, signore; merely explaining.”

      The tenor smiles in the darkness. “Then let me explain, as briefly as I can, why it is that I have sought you out. You are, in fact, the chief reason that I am here tonight, although I would hope that you would not say as much to Mrs. Astor. I understand from Mr. Upton that you were the late Mr. Slade’s attorney.”

      “If this is business, Signor Alfieri, perhaps it will wait until tomorrow? You may not be particular about where you are when you break into song, but I make it a rule never to discuss business either after hours or away from my office.” He stands and bows shortly. “Allow me to retire so as not to disturb you.”

      “I wish to buy Mr. Slade’s house, Mr. Chadwick.”

      There is silence for several moments. “Did you say ‘buy,’ signore?”

      “I did.”

      “Strange. I was not aware that the property is for sale.”

      “Nor am I. That, obviously, is why I am speaking with you now.”

      “But you are aware that the house is available for lease. Did Mr. Upton tell you why?”

      “He told me that you are in no hurry to sell it, but wish the money for its upkeep to come from somewhere other than Mr. Slade’s estate.”

      “Mr. Upton does not have a massive intellect, Signor Alfieri, but he shows houses very well, and his memory is excellent. What he told you is perfectly true. What, then, makes you think that we are prepared to sell the house, at this time—to you or any other speculator?”

      “Because the sale of the house—for cash—which I am prepared to pay, Mr. Chadwick—would both relieve you of the burden of responsibility for it and enrich Mr. Slade’s estate considerably. And surely a man as careful as yourself would welcome the opportunity to save time, as well as money.”

      “You are being presumptuous, signore, which is unbecoming to a so-called gentleman. And have you any idea of what the property would fetch if it were for sale?”

      “I have a vague idea, Mr. Chadwick. I saw the house today. I have a few properties in Europe—a town house in London, an apartment in Paris, a country place outside of Florence. I would wish to buy Mr. Slade’s house as it is, by the way. Completely intact,” he says pleasantly. “Just as it was during Mr. Slade’s lifetime.”

      “As an investment?”

      “As a place to live. I will be here for more than a year.”

      “And what do you wish me to say to you, signore? Surely you do not expect me to quote you a price here and now?”

      “Hardly that, Mr. Chadwick. I merely wish you to tell me if the house is for sale, and, if it is, whether or not you will see my attorney if I send him to you.”

      There is another pause in the darkness; then: “I will see your attorney, Signor Alfieri.”

      “Thank you. I am grateful to you.”

      “I have not said that the house is for sale, signore. Merely that I will see your attorney.”

      “But you have not said that it is not for sale, Mr. Chadwick, and I am an incurable optimist.”

      “Then I will take my leave now,” Chadwick says, with another bow.

      “Forgive me, Mr. Chadwick,” Alfieri says as the attorney turns to go. “There is one more thing I must ask you.”

      “Yes? What is it?”

      “I met Miss Adler today.”

      There is a brief silence. “That is not a question, signore.”

      “No, Mr. Chadwick, it is not.”

      “Would you care to tell me the circumstances of your meeting?”

      “Gladly. Miss Adler was feeling better than usual this morning, or so she told me. She thought that a walk, to build up her strength, would do her good. You know, of course, that she will not go outside—not even into the garden—for fear that someone will see her unfortunate hair. She decided, instead, to walk in what she calls the ‘shut-up’ part of the house. I fear that she is not so well as she tries to be, Mr. Chadwick. She became tired and could go no further, entered the music room and fell asleep. And that was where I found her.”

      “You would make an excellent trial witness, signore. You are succinct and very clear. Did you speak with Miss Adler?”

      “We had tea, Mr. Chadwick, and spoke, yes.”

      “In her room?”

      “In her sitting room.”

      “Of course. And just what is it you wish to ask me about Miss Adler?”

      “Just this: I am prepared to make over one whole wing of the house for her exclusive use, and to provide her with a staff and a companion—a duenna, or chaperone, if you will—so that she need not leave the home she is accustomed to. She told me that you have made arrangements to have her moved elsewhere once she is strong enough to leave. She is frightened, Mr. Chadwick, and very much alone, and she does not wish to go. She is not of age, and you are her late guardian’s attorney, and so I appeal to you. Will you permit me to do this?”

      “Signor Alfieri, if your attorney comes to see me, and we find that the house is in fact for sale, and we discuss terms, and you are able, somehow, to meet those terms, and you buy the house, then you may do whatever it is you wish to do with it, including pulling it СКАЧАТЬ