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[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] few hours. Perhaps I'll check back later in the day." When he had cradled the receiver, Adam sat back thoughtfully in his chair. So. The two telephone calls had gained him a great deal of useful information, but only so far as it pertained to getting him in to see Gillian Talbot. Unfortunately, he was not likely to learn anything else of use until and unless he could examine the girl - and hopefully, reestablish communication with that part of the soul that once had been Michael Scot. Whether or not he could accomplish that would depend, at least partially, on luck. If the damage had been great, re-integrating the soul's present personality might be a long and tedious process. There was another aspect of a trip to London that might not depend so much on luck, however. As Adam folded away his maps and stashed the jeweller's loupe in its drawer again, it occurred to him that if his own line of investigation proved in vain, perhaps Peregrine's burgeoning talents might provide an alternative avenue a a T T n n s s F F f f o o D D r r P P m m Y Y e e Y Y r r B B 2 2 . . B B A A Click here to buy Click here to buy w w m m w w o o w w c c . . . . A A Y Y B B Y Y B B r r of approach. Of more immediate urgency than repairing the damage that might have been done by Scot's tormentors was the thwarting of their intentions concerning Scot's book of spells and his gold. To do that, Adam and his colleagues needed to know where the perpetrators were headed - and that information might well yield to more conventional methods of investigation, especially if augmented by Peregrine's increasing ability to see on many levels. The artist already was as deeply involved in this affair as either McLeod or himself - not least because Michael Scot had singled him out as the recipient of information he hoped would enable his rescuers to bring his summoners to justice. And, Adam reminded himself, however inexperienced Peregrine might be in his present life, his soul was still that of a trained occultist. Once an Initiate, always an Initiate, he thought, and put his lingering doubts behind him. He stood up and stretched, then glanced at his watch. He and Peregrine were about to have another busy day. Though it was just approaching eight o'clock, he knew Humphrey would be up by now - probably in the kitchen already, dealing with breakfast. He picked up the in-house telephone and rang there first. Humphrey answered on the second ring. "Mr. Lovat and I need to go down to London today," he informed Humphrey, settling briskly down to business after exchanging good mornings. "I'd be obliged if you'd ring the airport as soon as the reservation desk is open and book seats on one of the midday flights. Route us into Heathrow, if you can, and notify me as soon as you have the details." "Certainly, sir." Humphrey's voice was imperturbable as ever. "Will you be staying overnight?" "I think so," Adam said. "You'd better pack a bag for me, just in case. And book us rooms at the Caledonian Club, if you can get us in. If not, one of my other clubs will do." "Very good, sir. Shall I arrange for a car and driver?" "No, we'll make do with taxis this time, I think." Peregrine entered the breakfast room just before nine o'clock, wearing grey flannels and his navy blazer, for Humphrey had already alerted him regarding the impending flight to London. He found his mentor already seated at the table, dressed for the city in a navy three-piece suit, riffling through his morning's mail. He had a stack of books at his elbow. "Good morning," Adam said, with one of his wry smiles. "I hope you're feeling fit for active duty." "Never better," Peregrine said. He seated himself opposite Adam and pretended casual interest in unfurling his napkin. "Humphrey tells me he's booked us seats on the noon flight to Heathrow. He also said I ought to bring along at least one change of clothes." "That's correct," Adam said. "I've been able to locate the precise whereabouts of Gillian Talbot." "Have you?" Astonishment and relief mixed in Peregrine's expressive eyes. "Where is she, then?" "She's a patient at Charing Cross Hospital, in Hammersmith," Adam replied. "I rang there just a few minutes ago. There seems little doubt that she is, indeed, the a a T T n n s s F F f f o o D D r r P P m m Y Y e e Y Y r r B B 2 2 . . B B A A Click here to buy Click here to buy w w m m w w o o w w c c . . . . A A Y Y B B Y Y B B r r child we're looking for." "That's amazing!" Peregrine declared, his expression then changing to one of concern. "But - why is she still in hospital? I thought you said she'd be all right, once Scot got back." "I had hoped she would be," Adam replied. "Unfortunately, the news in that regard is mixed. As you rightly surmised, she was in a coma for a time. She was brought in as an emergency case yesterday morning. She regained consciousness yesterday afternoon - you can guess at about what time - but she appears to be completely out of touch with her surroundings. I know the name of her doctor now, and what tests have been ordered - not that they'll tell anyone much. It's my plan to go to the hospital and try to see her, try to get a few minutes alone with her without arousing unwanted curiosity." "You don't want me there, then," Peregrine said. "I don't know anything about hospitals. I've never even been a patient." "No, I've got a separate commission for you in another part of London," Adam agreed. "How's your Latin?" Peregrine gave him a quizzical look. "Rusty, I'm afraid. It's been a few years." "You may be surprised at how quickly it comes back. Here." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |