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He entered the bank through the revolving doors, and quickly tried to get his bearings. Ahead of him, an escalator led up to the banking hall. He made his way up to a large, glass-roofed room with a long counter ru
"How much do you require, sir?" the teller asked.
"Five hundred pounds," said Da
The teller checked the name and number on his computer, and hesitated. "Would you be kind enough to wait for one moment, Sir Nicholas?" he asked. Da
"Sir Nicholas?" he ventured.
"Yes," said Da
"My name is Mr. Watson. I'm the manager. It's a pleasure to meet you after all this time." Da
"Certainly, Mr. Watson," said Da
Mr. Watson began speaking even before Da
"That's correct," said Da
"Perhaps you have been abroad?"
"No, but in future I will be a more regular customer. That is, if you have been handling my account with care while I've been away."
"I hope you will think so, Sir Nicholas," responded the manager. "We have been paying interest at three percent per a
Da
The manager glanced at the screen. "Seven thousand, two hundred and twelve pounds." Da
The manager nodded. "I'll just check, sir," he said, before pressing some keys on his computer. He shook his head. "It seems that your father's account was closed two months ago, and all his assets were transferred to the Clydesdale Bank in Edinburgh."
"Ah, yes," said Da
"Hugo Moncrieff was indeed the recipient," confirmed the manager.
"Just as I thought," said Da
"Is there anything else I can do for you, Sir Nicholas?"
"Yes, I'll need a credit card."
"Of course," said Watson. "If you fill in this form," he added, pushing a questio
Da
"There's one other thing," said Da
The manager looked at the envelope carefully. "Stanley Gibbons," he replied without hesitation. "They are leaders in the field, and they have an international reputation."
"Where would I find them?"
"They have a branch just up the road. I would recommend that you have a word with Mr. Prendergast."
"I'm lucky that you're so well informed," said Da
"Well, they have banked with us for almost a hundred and fifty years."
Da
"Another fifty yards on your left," he replied.
Da
"Mr. Prendergast?" asked Da
"Yes," he said. "How may I help you?"
Da
"I'll do my best," said Mr. Prendergast, picking up a magnifying glass from under the counter. He studied the envelope for some time before he ventured an opinion. "The stamp is a first-edition five-franc imperial, issued to mark the founding of the modern Olympic Games. The stamp itself is of little value, no more than a few hundred pounds. But there are two other factors that could possibly add to its importance."
"And what are they?" asked Da
"The postmark is dated April sixth 1896."
"And why is that of any significance?" asked Da
"That was the date of the opening ceremony of the first modern Olympic Games."
"And the second factor?" asked Da
"The person the envelope is addressed to," said Prendergast, sounding rather pleased with himself.
"Baron de Coubertin," said Da
"Correct," said the dealer. "It was the baron who founded the modern Olympics, and that is what makes your envelope a collector's item."
"Are you able to place a value on it?" asked Da
"That's not easy, sir, as the item is unique. But I would be willing to offer you two thousand pounds for it."
"Thank you, but I'd like a little time to think about it," replied Da
"Two thousand two hundred?" said the dealer as Da
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
DANNY SPENT THE next few days settling into The Boltons, not that he thought he'd ever really feel at home in Kensington. That was until he met Molly.
Molly Murphy hailed from County Cork and it was some time before Da
Da
By the end of the second week, Molly had started making his supper as well as washing and ironing his clothes. By the third week he wondered how he had ever survived without her.
Molly's enterprise allowed Da