Ben flushed slightly. “I think some common sense might be called for as well, Mr. Meeks.”
“A purchase such as the one you propose to make, Mr. Holiday, requires least of all common sense. If common sense were the basis of the sale, neither one of us would be having this conversation, would we?” The old man’s smile was cold. “Let us be candid, as you suggest. You are a man seeking something that is not available to you in the world you know. You are a man who is tired of his life and all of its trappings. If you were not, you would not be here. I am a man who specializes in selling specialty items — items that are bizarre, that appeal to a limited market, that are invariably difficult to merchandise. I am a man who cannot afford to jeopardize his reputation by selling something that is in any way counterfeit. If I did so, I would not have lasted long in this business. I play no games with you, and I sense that you play none with me.
“Nevertheless, there are certain things that both of us must accept on faith. I must accept you as a potential ruler of Landover basically on faith, knowing little of your real character, but only so much as I have surmised from our short interview. And you must accept much of what I tell you of Landover on faith as well, because there is no meaningful way to show it to you. You must experience it, Mr. Holiday. You must go there and learn of it for yourself.”
“In ten days, Mr. Meeks?”
“Time enough, believe me, Mr. Holiday. If you find otherwise, simply use the key provided you to return.”
There was a long silence. “Does this mean that you have decided to offer me the purchase?” Ben asked.
Meeks nodded. “I have. I think you are eminently qualified. What do you say to that, Mr. Holiday?”
Ben looked down at the contract. “I’d like to think about it a bit.”
Meeks chuckled dryly. “The caution of a lawyer — well and good. I can give you twenty-four hours before the item becomes available to the open market once more, Mr. Holiday. My next appointment is scheduled at one o’clock tomorrow. Take longer if you wish, but I can promise nothing after one day’s time.”
Ben nodded. “Twenty-four hours should be enough.”
He reached for the contract, but Meeks slipped it quickly back. “My policy — and the store’s — is not to allow copies of our contracts out of the office prior to signing. You may, of course, examine it again tomorrow at your convenience if you decide to buy.”
Ben climbed to his feet and Meeks rose with him, tall and stooped. “You should make the purchase, Mr. Holiday,” the old man’s whispered voice encouraged. “You are the man for the job, I think.”
Ben pursed his lips. “Maybe.”
“If you decide to make the purchase, the contract will be waiting for you at the receptionist’s desk. Thirty days will be allowed to complete arrangements for payment of the list price. Upon receiving payment in full, I will make available to you instructions for undertaking the journey to Landover and assuming the throne.”
He walked Ben to the office door and opened it. “Do yourself a favor. Make the purchase, Mr. Holiday.”
The door swung closed again, and Ben stood alone.
He walked back to the Waldorf through the noonday rush, had a leisurely lunch and retired to the lounge just off the lobby. With a yellow pad and pen in hand, he began to make notes about his interview with Meeks.
A number of things still troubled him. One of them was Meeks himself. There was something odd about that old man — something that went beyond his rough appearance. He had the instincts of a seasoned trial lawyer-hard-nosed and predatory. He was pleasant enough, but beneath the surface was a shell of armor two inches thick. The bits and pieces of conversation Ben had overheard in the reception areas and the looks he had seen in the receptionists’ faces suggested that Meeks was not the easiest man to work with.