The Geographer's Library

The Geographer’ s Library
“How did you—”
Voskresenyov waved the question away and pulled a briefcase onto the
table. He opened it and held it toward Hewley. “One hundred thousand
pounds. Count it if you like. And more important than the money are these
letters”—he pulled out several envelopes from his jacket and placed them on
top of the money—“guaranteed to placate any inquisitive customs inspectors
in either of our countries. You’ll want to keep those safe, even after you
return to England. And more important than that, you have my word, as a
friend of your father’s, that should the letters fail, I will see that you return
safely to London. With all your money and all your limbs. Now, if you
would . . .” Voskresenyov’s eyes lit up, and his very features seemed to
sharpen as he leaned across the table toward Hewley.
Hewley reached into the inside pocket of his coat and withdrew a lacquer
box, about the size of a pack of cigarettes. He pulled on a pair of white cloth
gloves, opened the box, and carefully withdrew a deck of playing cards.
Voskresenyov clapped his hands together. “Ah. This is the first time I have
seen these cards. The first time, I believe, that they have traveled out of
England. And, judging from their extraordinary condition, one of the few
times they have been touched since the late eighteenth century. Could I ask
you, please, to place the four queens faceup on the table?” Hewley laid a
maroon chamois on the table. He leafed through the cards, laying each queen
as he found it on the cloth on the table. “Thank you. That is all I wished to
see. Please, if you would be more comfortable, put the cards back in the box
and set the box between us on the table. I promise you, again, no harm will
come to it or you.”
“So how should we do this, then? One-two-three go? I give you the
cards, you pass me the satchel?”
“Certainly, if you wish. As I said, I do not intend to rob you, and, given
Timur’s presence and the unfamiliarity of your surroundings, you are unable
to rob me, so however you wish to exchange the goods.”
Hewley drummed his fingers on the table and looked straight at the other
two men. “I could have done, though. Robbed you. Anywhere else.”
Voskresenyov laughed. “I know. Your reputation did precede you. You
descended from the best.”
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