Inferno by Julian Stockwin Read Free Book Online Page A

interest will cease.’
    Kydd tried to detect the feeling of the Dunlochry Treasure Company but saw only set, worried looks. ‘Short of a fifty per centum interest in the venture you will not move.’
    â€˜That is so.’
    Stirk gave Kydd an almost imperceptible nod.
    â€˜Very well. Shall we now see the apparatus?’
    â€˜Certainly. This way, if you please.’
    The diving engine was in a substantial outhouse, with piles of junk, rope and fittings. It was enormous and encrusted with the dust of ages.
    Kydd moved across to take a closer look. Propped up against the wall, like a long straight-tapered barrel, with strange elephant trunk appendages, forged iron bands and two opaque glass eyes, it was mainly of wooden construction, like a ship’s cask, but inspection revealed the timber had shrunk and twisted, with gaping fissures everywhere. The trunks appeared to be arm extensions and were made of leather, but theywere withered and hard. If this device had ever seen sunken treasure, it would never do so again. ‘I’m sorry, Mr Meares, but this contrivance is too far decayed for us to risk using it. It will not meet our purpose.’
    The man smiled indulgently. ‘Of course it is, considering its age. Yet you will have no doubt noticed its construction is intended to be maintained by those unskilled in the diving arts. Even your ordinary cooper might be relied upon to restore it – after all, he labours to make a cask hold water in without seepage, who better placed to achieve the converse?’
    â€˜And you will be saying a glover or some such artisan can be trusted with this leather?’
    Meares contented himself with another smile.
    â€˜Then is this apparatus complete? That is, are all the requisites for its operation in place, sir?’
    â€˜You may satisfy yourself, Mr Paine.’ Meares went to a chest, opened it and gestured that Kydd inspect the contents.
    There was a mass of equipment: pincers, claw dogs, sieves, bellows – and a small canvas packet.
    â€˜Take it – look inside.’
    Kydd flicked through a collection of dog-eared papers; lists, diagrams, numbered instructions, accounts slips.
    â€˜There you will find guidance and directions for Wrackman’s crew.’
    The chest also yielded muster lists of equipment and a check-list of operations.
    â€˜I see. Then it would appear we have a possible means to go forward. Now you—’
    â€˜Mr Paine. You’ve now satisfied yourself of the apparatus. I would think it fair, sir, for you to satisfy me with your prospects.’
    â€˜Laddie,’ Kydd ordered.
    McFadden fumbled in his pocket for the coin.
    â€˜An Armada gold doubloon,’ Kydd said. ‘An earnest of what will follow.’
    Meares took it with reverence, holding it up to the light as if to catch its full refulgence. ‘And this—’
    â€˜Yes. We’ve located the wreck and are ready to recover same. Do we have an arrangement, sir?’
    The man’s eyes were agleam. ‘Ah, there’s much to discuss. Perhaps you and I …?’
    McFadden began to protest but Stirk intervened, deftly retrieved the gold coin, then said, ‘Go wi’ him, Mr Paine. Settle it.’
    They sat together in a small office, the elderly clerk instructed to take himself elsewhere.
    Kydd opened: ‘My principals will be happy to allow me to represent their interests but I have no function or shares in this venture beyond that of advising.’
    â€˜I quite understand. Then shall we to business?’
    It didn’t take long. The diving engine would be provided by Meares, the boats and wreck location by the other shareholders. Undoubtedly there would be costs, these to be borne equally in proportion to claims on the treasure.
    â€˜Shall we review our outgoings?’ Kydd suggested. He was not going to leave his friends to continue alone.
    The list grew. First there was outlay for refurbishing the