The Mammoth Book Of Vampire Stories Written By Women

"Your family has traded in spices for a long time, haven't they, Count? The indication here is that your account with the spice traders in Arabia is an old one. And the entries from Egypt are of long standing," commented John Henry as he allowed himself to be drawn back into the haven of numbers.

"Yes," said Ragoczy. He inspected the pages closely and in silence for several minutes, and then looked over at John Henry. "I gather that the senior clerk was a Mr Boulton for many years."

"I've heard that," said John Henry, cautiously.

"And Mr Boulton was a relative of sorts of the founder?" asked Ragoczy.

"Yes, that is my understanding," said John Henry, his confidence again increasing. "He died more than twenty years ago; at least that's what I've been told."

"Yes," said Ragoczy. "And the uncle of Mr Tubbs took his place. A Mr Harbridge. This looks to be the place where the trouble starts."

"So you think that Mr Tubbs is aware of what is going on?" asked John Henry, doing his best not to be shocked by this suspicion.

"It is possible. He certainly was not eager to have me review these accounts, as you will recall, which, under the circumstances, is significant," said Ragoczy. "How long has he been senior clerk?"

"Mr Tubbs? About four years, I think. Four or five." He looked around the office as if he expected to be overheard. "He was given quick advancement through the graces of his uncle, or so two of the clerks say." He cleared his throat, and continued. "He was already the senior when I was taken on here."

"Perhaps the partners expected him to protect their interests, and perhaps his uncle advanced him in order to conceal his thefts," said Ragoczy, his face growing sombre. "Whatever the case, I will have to put a stop to this, I fear."

"Certainly you must," said John Henry, astonished that Ragoczy could sound so reluctant to protect himself from theft. "It cannot be overlooked or allowed to continue. If they have stolen from you, it may be that there are others who have been so lamentably"

"Yes," said Ragoczy, cutting him short. "No doubt you are right." He looked at the figures one last time. "Would you be willing to make a copy of these two pages for me? I will send my manservant to get them from you tomorrow, if that would suit you. He will also return the key to Mr Tubbs, with my apology for keeping it so long." There was a quality to his words that disturbed John Henry.

"I will do as you like, Count," he said, a chill tracing itself up his spine.

"That is very good of you," said Ragoczy. "All in all, it has been most interesting to meet you, Mr Brodribb."

"Thank you," John Henry said, and suppressed a shudder. Then, before he could master himself, he blurted out, "Are you Doctor Faustus?" Beginning to realize he had actually spoken his apprehension aloud, he stepped back, the enormity of what he had done coming over him; he could think of nothing to say that would be a sufficient apology.

Ragoczy looked faintly amused. "No, Mr Brodribb, I am not. Nor am I ' going to and fro in the earth and walking up in down in it' , as Mephistopheles is said to do." He looked John Henry over carefully. "You will probably succeed very well at your chosen profession; you have a keen eye and an insightful nature, which should take you far."

"I did not mean it was" John Henry faltered.

"Do not fear," said Ragoczy with an ironic chuckle. "In my time I have heard worse."

"How old are you?" John Henry demanded, convinced that he was in too deep to attempt to escape now.

"If I told you," said Ragoczy at his most urbane, "you would not believe me."

"Oh, I would," said John Henry, too caught up to be frightened. He knew the terror would come later, when he was safe in bed and his imagination would have free rein.

"I think not," said Ragoczy, closing the subject.

"Are you going to demand anything of me now? Order me to silence or face a terrible fate?"

Ragoczy cocked his head. "This is not a performance. You are not playing a role now, Mr Brodribb. I rely on your discretion and good sense to keep your various speculations to yourself."

"Or I will suffer for it?" John Henry knew he had gone too far again, and for a second time could not arrive at an adequate apology.

"No," said Ragoczy quietly but beyond any dispute. "You have nothing to fear from me: my word on it." He walked away from John Henry towards the fire, then stopped and turned back to him, asking in a different voice, "Tell me: how much would you need to put your acting plans into motion? Have you arrived at a figure for that in all your calculations?"