Into the Lion's Den Read Online Free PDF

that landscape and two-thousand more for several drawings of ballerinas, you're good.
    “ How much did you pay? Are you out of your mind?”
    “She's a good dealer and the husband didn't want to sell. Had to pay, but it's nothing. My wife adored those girls and put them in her studio and I made some points at home, if you get my meaning. Cheaper than going to Tiffany's or Harry Winston's,” Oblomov retorted with an irked voice at his judgement being so loudly and rudely challenged.
    “This is too much. I'm going home.”
    “No, you're going nowhere. Calm down, he will not touch a single hair from you, unless you want. Have lunch with him and the marchand, visit his gallery, and then, if he makes any move or insinuates anything, tell him clearly ‘no’.”
    “Do you think?”
    “Of course. Now, show me what you gave the boss. Perhaps I could convince him to sell me something more for my wife. She ordered me to bring her more, this time for her Aunt Maria Ingratievna.”
    “Do you have a picture of your wife with you?” Guntram asked, surprising Oblomov.
    “Yes, one with her wedding dress and another with her and my son when he was seven.”
    “If you want to give me a copy, I can try to make her portrait from them in pencil and ink. Free of charge, of course. I already feel very bad that someone charged you so much money.”
    “We are leaving in three days.”
    “More than enough time. Do you have some white paper so I could make a preliminary sketch?”

“Where is the boy now?”
    “On the terrace. I left him there with paper and two pencils,” Oblomov answered innocently.
    “Why is he there?”
    “He was very nervous after I explained him a few truths. Now he knows what you're expecting from him.
    Told him that if he doesn't want, you still want to be friends with him. You'll have to play dove boss, if you want to catch this one.”
    “Remind me to kill you if something goes wrong.”
    “Why? If you play fair with this one, you'll save a lot of troubles and achieve results faster. He's a nice kid, totally innocent and naïve. He offered to paint my wife's portrait for free because he feels bad that I paid so much for his things.”
    “You look very happy about it.”
    “Of course. I've just saved twenty-five-thousand dollars, boss.”
    “Only twenty-five-thousand? Do you still wonder why Tatiana is furious with you? A mistress makes more in a week than she!” Constantin chuckled. “My cousin’s patience has a limit and the minute she goes to a lawyer, you're literally dead. Perhaps that portrait will make you save much more than twenty-five grand.”
    “Yes, boss.”
    “One thing more. Guntram is off limits for any of you. Is that understood? No one but me touches a single hair from him or says a word out of place.”
    “Very clear, boss. I'll tell the men.”

Constantin stood for a long time at the terrace entrance looking at the boy absorbed in his work, only taking brief glances at the two small photos placed on the table in front of him. The midday sun made his hair lighter than it was and his frown and deep concentration made him look younger.
    The butler took him out of his reverie by announcing that the Arts dealer had arrived and was waiting in the library. Sighing, and still unnoticed by Guntram, he took the portfolio from the coffee table and went to speak with the man.

Guntram was more than fed up with the art dealer's haughty ways, informing everyone what they should do as if the Russians were ignorant. As it was not his fight, he decided to keep quiet and eat his dish because no one had ever asked him anything.
    “I'm still intrigued by these drawings you showed me. Do you say the artist is Argentinean? The landscapes can only be from la Pampa and many of the birds you showed me are from here, but his style is more continental.”
    “He was born in France if I'm correct but I could be mistaken. All his production was locally made. It was quite a surprise to discover him. Do you