Midnight Jewels

glass doors was furnished like an old-world private library. There were small reading lamps with green glass shades, overstuffed arm chairs and polished wooden tables. The only thing missing were the books. In the middle of one wall a large, walk-in vault had been built. The door was made of heavy steel and there was a sophisticated locking mechanism on it. Croft eyed the mechanism with interest.
    Light and air-conditioned air spilled from the open door of the vault. Erasmus Gladstone was inside, waiting. When Croft and Mercy stepped over the high threshold they found themselves in a book-lined room. Ranks of leather bound volumes filled the floor-to-ceiling shelves. It didn't take an expert to realize at once that most, if not all, of the books were very old and extremely valuable. Mercy was immediately enthralled. Croft watched her move over to a row of books and read the titles and authors on the spines.
    "Boethius, Chaucer, Marlowe." She breathed the great names reverently, her fingertips hovering just above the leather as if she didn't dare touch the books. "I've never seen anything like this outside of a museum, Erasmus."
    He chuckled. "One must acquire a handful of items printed before 1500, of course, if one is to have a respectable library. I confess I'm still working on that portion of my collection."
    "But to have so many fine examples," Mercy said with a slight shake of her head. "It's mind boggling."
    "Money overcomes many obstacles in the auction rooms, my dear. Personally, I'm more pleased with my first edition of Darwin's
On the Origin of Species
than I am with my Chaucer. It was very difficult to find the Darwin, you know, even though it was printed in 1859 and is therefore relatively new." He crossed the room to another shelf. "Over here I have some rather interesting Henry Fielding, including an original 1749 set of the six volumes of
Tom Jones
. I was also lucky enough recently to pick up the first two volumes of Richardson's
Pamela
. They're dated 1741."
    "I'd kill to get my hands on either the Fielding or the Richardson."
    Gladstone smiled approvingly. "I like a bookseller with enthusiasm. We will come down here again before you leave and discuss which of the books you would like to take back with you as part of the price of
Valley
."
    "You're much too generous." Mercy was obviously shocked. "I couldn't possibly take any of these. Not in addition to what you've already paid me."
    "In the world of book collecting everything is relative.
Valley
was almost unobtainable and I wanted it very badly. I have been chasing it for some time. I'm feeling generous because you have given me something I might not otherwise have been able to locate."
    Mercy's smile was a little shaky. "I'm overwhelmed."
    "Let's put
Valley
in its proper place. I keep my collection of erotica over here." Gladstone went to the far end of the room where a small row of volumes was set apart from the rest. They appeared to be in more tattered shape than their more respectable comrades. "I thank you, Mercy Pennington, for enabling me to add Burleigh's fascinating work to my library. This is a very satisfying moment for me." He eased the book carefully onto the shelf. He stood looking at it for a long moment. When he turned around, Gladstone was smiling broadly, his unusual blue eyes alive with pleasure. Something about him radiated that pleasure outward, involving others to join in his happiness.
    The man definitely had a charismatic charm, Croft thought wryly. From all reports, so had Egan Graves.
    "We should return to our drinks, Erasmus." Isobel spoke quietly from the doorway. "Lance has dinner scheduled for seven."
    "By all means." Gladstone moved forward, graciously taking Mercy's arm. "Don't worry, my dear. You will have ample opportunity to spend time in my library while you're here. But now I believe Isobel is right. We had best go back upstairs. This is going to be a lively few days for us. Has Isobel mentioned the small party we're giving tomorrow night in honor of my success in finding
Valley
?"
    Croft was thinking that he needed more time in the vault to study its contents. The quick scan he'd just gotten wasn't sufficient. He caught Gladstone's question just as he stepped through the vault door. "A party? Here?"
    "We entertain very little. As you can imagine, it's rather complicated," Gladstone said genially as he escorted Mercy through the door and turned to seal the vault. "It requires much planning. But I'm afraid I