The
capital of Saxe-Bearstein was not unknown to Paul Ehrgeiziger, but it
had been several years since he’d visited the city. However it
didn’t take long to locate the university, and the college porter
guided him to the Great Hall.
Paul
had chosen his moment well, for the midday meal at High Table had
finished some little time before. The faculty were in the process of
dispersing about their afternoon schedule, and the porter approached
the Chancellor with a bow. “Baron Ehrgeiziger to see you sir.”
The
Chancellor, a full-fleshed man with a sumptuous full-bottomed wig
squinted at the porter then Paul through a pince-nez. Paul and he
exchanged bows. “Welcome to our university, dear baron,” the
Chancellor said. He looked rather vague. “Forgive me, but I was not
aware you were due to call upon me..?”
“You
must forgive my not making a proper appointment, sir. I had occasion
to be in your fine city and took the opportunity to visit you. I had
a friend here, Professor Knappenburger.”
The
Chancellor looked grave. “A bad business, dear baron, A bad
business indeed.”
Paul
nodded. “I am indeed aware of my poor friend’s untimely demise. I
am also aware that his servant decamped with some of his
possessions.”
“Ah,
yes. His fellow Pietro seemed trustworthy and few here had anything
bad to say of him – up to the time he vanished.” He scowled. “It
reflected poorly on the rest of the servants.”
“I’m
sure it did, and without foundation for blame. Would you describe
this Pietro, and say from whence he came?”
The
Chancellor rubbed his chin, dewlaps wobbling. “Of average height,
dark, swarthy, somewhat of a gypsyish look.” He touched the left
side of his neck. “He had a white puckered scare just visible here.
I saw it once when he had his collar undone on a hot day. As for his
origin, I believe he claimed to come from Padua.”
“I
see.” Paul nodded. Just as I thought! “Well, sir, this man
is known to me by reputation. He’s a rapscallion of the first water
by the name of Bartolomeo Gundaker. He’s wanted in several states
for espionage, theft – and murder.”
The
Chancellor looked pale. Paul took him by the elbow and drew him
aside, out of earshot of others of the faculty bustling nearby.
“Naturally I can trust your discretion. A matter of great weight
hangs upon Professor Knappenburger’s last works, dear Chancellor.
It concerns a young lady’s fortune and future happiness.”
The
Chancellor frowned and nodded. “Do go on.”
“Professor
Knappenburger sent a document to this young woman, which we are sure
was forged. I detected the hand of the wretched Gundaker in the
work.”
The
Chancellor’s flaccid features turned red. “Such infamy!”
“Indeed.
I seek to rectify the damage inflicted upon the good lady, but to do
so requires your assistance.”
“Name
it, sir, and if it’s within our powers it shall be done. I wish to remove any stain that may besmirch our good name.” He shuddered. "To think we harbored such a reptile in our bosom!"
“I
must view any and all documents remaining from Professor
Knappenburger’s papers.”
The
Chancellor looked troubled. “I would be happy to oblige, dear
baron, but before I can allow you to view these papers I would
require some means to verify your identity.”
Paul
produced his warrant from the Margravate security bureau, along with
a covering letter from Ursula. “I need not point out the young
lady’s name must not be spoken of in connection with this matter.”
The
Chancellor examined the letter. “Just so. These seem to be in
order. If you’ll accompany me, we shall go to the late Professor’s
chambers directly. I had them locked and sealed after his death, but
it seems he has little in the way of family. It’s proving hard to
locate a person who can claim his effects, and frankly, the
university could use his chambers...”
“The
next stop on my itinerary brings me close to Hetzenberg. I’ll see
what I can do for you.”
“I’d
appreciate it.”
The
Chancellor led the way into the faculty chambers of residence and up
a flight of stairs. Once they reached the late professor’s door on
the top landing he wheezed to such an extent Paul feared he would
expire on the spot. The Chancellor mopped his brow with a lace
kerchief and grimaced. “I’m not accustomed to such exertion these
days, alas.”
Paul bowed. “Pray
take your time, sir.”
Eventually
the Chancellor produced a set of keys and tried them in the lock. “I
keep them with me at all times. Security, you know. Ah, here we are.”
He
let them into the chamber.
Paul looked around at the comfortable
disorder that to his mind went hand-in-glove with academics and
sighed inwardly. “I can see this will take some time...”