The Hidden Man: A Phineas Starblower Adventure (Phineas Starblower Adventures) Read Online Free PDF

have drunk with me. Hold a moment in your obviously rehearsed diatribe while I order a fresh round.” Jerard caught Daisy’s eye and signaled for two gins before turning back to coldly study the man sitting across the table from him.
    It was obvious that Lovelace was of the over-bread London minor nobility, the weak chin, watery eyes, beak of a nose and pasty skin clearly marked him so. Jerard immediately hated him all the more for it. Paper pushers had become the very bane of Jerard’s existence and he decided that to play with this puppet might be amusing. After all, weren’t we all just puppets, playthings of authority? He turned his head and, in a most un-gentlemanly gesture, spat on the floor in disgust.
    Daisy deposited the mugs on the table and looked expectantly at Lovelace. Oh good girl! Jerard silently applauded and managed a wink at her when Lovelace finally realized what she was waiting for. Nonplussed, Lovelace fished a shilling out of his pocket and dropped it into the waiting girl’s hand. Daisy returned Jerard’s wink and flounced off.
    “Bottom’s up my new, old, friend!” Jerard declared as he toasted Lovelace and downed the brew in one swift motion; his hazel eyes never leaving the finicky solicitor/undertaker sitting across from him.
    Recognizing the challenge, Lovelace picked up the mug and attempted to imitate Jerard’s gesture but instead wound up sputtering and coughing and nearly spilling the awful contents of the mug. It was obvious to Jerard that all of Lovelace’s training had not prepared him for the Piston’s unholy gin.
    Lovelace narrowed his eyes and regained his determined expression. “Now then Mr. Phillips,” Lovelace’s voice was strong despite the beating his throat had taken. “I bring to you a proposition.”
    “Really now?” Jerard rudely interrupted.
    “Yes really Sir, if you would just take a moment to listen I believe that this will benefit you greatly.”
    “And why, Mr. Lovelace, should I listen to you? And furthermore why should I care? I only have your word that this would benefit me, it’s more the like that it will benefit
you
. You still have not made clear as to whether or not you are a solicitor or an undertaker or something far more nefarious. I must warn you now that I am not my father’s heir and therefore I have no money to invest in any scheme, additionally I am not about to die and I am NOT a criminal, I may be a bit down on my luck at the moment but that does not mean that I am willing to stoop to base perfidy.”
    Lovelace leaped to his feet. “Now see here Sirrah! You go too far! I am William Bennett Lovelace of Lovelace, Binder and Morcombe, London Solicitors. I would
never
have thought to attend
this
establishment seeking investors much less involve
my
valued clients in “schemes”. And Sirrah, I know of
your
past. I can only surmise that
your
lack of recognition of my name and the name of my firm is the result of
your
being far too occupied with being cashiered out of Her Majesty’s service. You don’t seem to be able to notice anything aside from yourself and your own ‘above board’ behavior!”
    This last was said quite loudly and with so much acid that heads turned from several tables over to stare at the two men. In fact the entire room had grown quite quiet; so much so that a little snap could be heard when Lovelace whipped out a white card from the breast pocket of his coat.
    “My card Sir, should you ever gain the status of a reasonable man!” The solicitor flung the card at Phillips and turned on his heel. The crowd parted quietly to let the enraged man through.
    Jerard broke the silence and the stares by lifting the gin mug to his lips. He listened carefully as the conversation volume slowly rose from whispers to outright laughter and gossip. So glad that I have amused you he thought bitterly.
    “Sir?” Daisy inquired tentatively waving Lovelace’s card.
    “Yes?”
    “Well Sir, this is a nice bit of card here. I was