by R D Hathaway
Hearing a rumbling sound, he looked through the shelves and saw Mort pushing an empty storage cart across the room. “Hi Mort,” he called out.
The cart stopped. Mort bent down to see him. “Oh hello, sir,” came a flat reply.
“It looks like you have nothing new for us today.”
“No, sir, we were winding down a bit just before you came, and it might be a few days to get the next shipment. It goes like that.”
Mort shrugged his shoulders and moved the cart to a shelf in the back row. He picked two relics off the shelves, checked their inventory tags, and placed them carefully on the cart.
Matthias stuck his hands in his pockets and strolled into the hallway. He checked his watch and saw it was nearly noon. He wondered what he would do for the hour before he had lunch with the Archbishop. He noticed the elevator. Returning to the work room, he asked Mort if he could use it to access the storage area.
“Yes, sir, just take the lift to the LL level. The lights are on. I was just there.”
“Great,” Matthias said as he headed for the lift. “Oxyrhynchus here I come.”
As he stepped from the elevator doorway into the storage area, Matthias rubbed his hands together with delight. He began his expedition through the maze of documents, large boxes, and stone sculptures. He ventured far from the elevators without concern for where he was. Occasionally, he would stop at a shelf and pick up an item or open and review a document. He felt compelled to touch nearly everything he passed by. He looked again at his pocket watch. It was nearly one o’clock.
Reaching the end of the aisle, he realized he was lost. He took a few steps in one direction, then stopped and went the other way. Everything looked the same. He hurried down another aisle. As he turned a corner, something jumped past his leg and screeched. Matthias leaped backward and shouted.
He laughed when he realized it was the cat he had seen during his visit to the area with Mr. Warrington.
“Hey, Tobias,” he called. He crouched and made a clicking sound with his tongue. “Come here, buddy.”
Hearing a sound behind him and, still kneeling, Matthias turned and looked directly at a man’s legs and boots. A large knife hung down the side of one leg. He shouted again as he jumped away. Looking up, he realized it was Mort.
“Is there something wrong, sir? I heard you yell.”
“Oh my gosh, Mort, you startled me. No, everything is fine. I was surprised with that cat. It jumped past me.”
Matthias got up and brushed off his trousers. “Mort, do you happen to know where the Oxyrhynchus documents are? I thought I’d take a look at them.”
“They’re over here, near the lift.”
The men walked around one section of shelving and down a few more rows. As they walked, Matthias took a deep breath to calm down. He noticed that occasionally, Mort rested his muscular hand on the handle of the long knife strapped to his belt. They stopped.
“Here it is, sir, and over there is the lift.”
“Thank you, Mort. I appreciate your assistance.”
Mort just stood and looked at the Professor. “May I say something, sir?”
“Of course.”
“Well, I’m not sure how to put this.”
Mort flexed his hairy arms. “I guess sir, I’d just like to mention that I think Miss Shefford is a lady.”
Matthias nodded. “I agree.”
“I think she’s a lady and, it’s hard for a lady to be in a man’s world. They can be influenced in bad ways, sir. I wouldn’t want to see Miss Shefford influenced, if you know what I mean, sir.”
“Mort, I couldn’t agree with you more. I think Miss Shefford is one of the treasures of this Museum.”
“So do I, sir.”
For a moment, they stood almost toe to toe. Mort turned and walked into the soft light of the storage area.
Matthias relaxed and checked his pocket watch. As he took a few steps toward the elevator, he noticed a wooden box on a shelf. He stopped and lifted it up. Although this was in the Egyptian section of storage, the box design and markings did not appear to fit that cultural style. It was about a foot square and six inches deep.
Unlatching and raising the lid revealed a variety of personal jewelry items in a shallow tray. Setting aside the tray, he found beneath it another section with jewelry, a comb, and a small, leather bag. In the bag were three coins.
Matthias’ eyes grew large and he looked around for a light to examine the markings on the coins. He noticed a small reading desk at the end of the row with a lamp on it. He checked the time. It was ten minutes after one. He placed everything back where it had been and hurried upstairs.
London, UK
The British Museum
III - 3
Professor! You are here!”
A shock hit Matthias.
“I was concerned with your absence,” Worthy exclaimed as he seemed to come at Matthias. He looked hungry.
“I’m sorry. I went downstairs to see if I could find something. I hope I have not kept you waiting.”
“Not at all. It gave me another chance to visit with Priscilla. Brilliant, isn’t she?”
Matthias looked over the Archbishop’s shoulder into the work room. He felt like going in to see if the woman was alright. “Yes, she is very sharp. I wonder if I should let her know that I am leaving.”
“Well professor, you know Priscilla. She works no matter what goes on around her.”
Worthy swung his arm through that of Matthias. “Let’s go old boy, we must not be late for lunch.”
As the man whisked him down the hall, Matthias glanced again to see if he could see Miss Shefford through the doorway. But they moved too quickly.
The dull-faced guard at the entry hardly moved his head as they went out the front doors.
Reverend Worthy stopped on the top step and squinted at the street. Waving his hand above his head, he hurried down the steps and yelled, “Let’s go, Professor!”
Matthias held back, perplexed. Worthy joyfully signaled for him to join him at the street. Matthias jogged down the stairs. A long, black automobile with sparkling chrome accents came to a stop in front of the two men.
Matthias was amazed with the size of the vehicle. A uniformed man got out of the open cab area. His dark blue coat had gold buttons and the bill of his cap looked like a black mirror.
“What is this?” Matthias asked.
The Archbishop breathed heavily through his mouth. His small eyes turned to Matthias. “This, Professor, is our carriage and our company.”
He grabbed at the door handle, startling the chauffeur. With a quick twist, he opened the door and gestured inside, offering a modest bow. “Professor, after you.”
Matthias hesitated, then jumped into the large compartment. As he landed on the deep, cushioned leather, he realized he was sitting across from Lady Sotterfeld-Gris.
Her white face, red lips and golden hair appeared to hover in the midst of the black leather upholstery. Her black satin dress and jacket, and the black ebony buttons on her white silk blouse beckoned the eyes of a breathless young man. He suddenly realized where he was looking.
Reverend Worthy climbed into the cabin with a heavy bump against Matthias that allowed a polite moment of distraction.
“Well then,” Worthy seemed to shout, “isn’t this fun?” He looked quickly at his two companions.
Lady Jane’s confident gaze softened into a smile. “Professor, I am so pleased that you could join us today.” She looked at the Archbishop, who was panting with an occasional, soft hiss as air passed over his lower lip.
He patted Matthias on the leg and said, “This is going to be fun. Any moments with Lady Jane are special!”
Matthias grinned. “I don’t know what to say, but I am delighted to be with you both. These first days have been a bit overwhelming. I would lik
e to say again that I am most grateful for this privilege to be at the Museum. It is an honor.”
As the limousine eased into London traffic, Reverend Worthy softly hissed in a more relaxed rhythm. The attention of Lady Jane discreetly shifted to the passing street scenes but often returned to Matthias. He nervously looked out the window. The fragrances of the woman and the leather, his lack of food thus far, and his uncertainties made him feel a little faint. He hoped they would soon arrive at their destination, and he was eager to get out of the car when it finally stopped.
“Ah, here we are!” Worthy suddenly exclaimed.
He seized the door handle and quickly pushed his way out of the vehicle. Matthias looked at the Lady and she nodded to the door. He moved through the opening and onto the street. Worthy reached up to take her hand, as she glided from the car to the ground.
Matthias looked around, somewhat confused. He saw no restaurant.
“What’s wrong, old boy?” Worthy asked. “We are here.”
Worthy offered his arm to the Lady, and placing hers through his, they walked up a few marble steps to a building with four levels of classic façade. It appeared to be a residence.
Inside, Lady Jane removed a long, silver pin from her black hat and gave them to an awaiting young woman in a starched, light blue uniform. Reverend Worthy strode into a room of luxury. Crystal vases held fresh flower arrangements, the red fabrics of cushioned couches and chairs were contained by ornately carved and highly polished walnut, and oil paintings were suspended in heavy, gold frames.
Matthias placed his hand against the entryway molding to steady himself.
“Professor, please come in,” offered Lady Jane. “Robert thought it might be more comfortable if we ate here rather than in some distracting old restaurant.”
With that invitation, she went into a dining area, in which an elegant table awaited them.
As Matthias followed into the dining area, he shook his head in disbelief. “My Lady, I simply do not know what to say. This is quite overwhelming.” He began to laugh as he spoke. “You and Reverend Worthy have been more than kind, and this is well beyond what I am accustomed to!”
She strolled to the head of a long mahogany table, lined with four chairs on each side, and a higher-backed chair on each end. The table was covered with a bright white cloth inlaid with lace. On it were tiny crystal vases each holding a fresh rose. The dishes displayed a pearl-like finish.
“Professor, please come and sit, over here. Let’s get to know one another. Robert and I are both eager to hear about your journey here, what it is like in America, and much more. I hope it was acceptable that we came to my home for lunch.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Matthias said as he sat where she gestured at the table. “Your home is simply wonderful. I have never seen anything like it. Royalty is not very common where I am from.”
He looked into the eyes of Lady Jane for the first time. She seemed to enjoy the moment.
“What’s that you were saying?” Worthy asked as he entered the dining room.
“I said that this is a wonderful home, and you all are most gracious.”
Worthy stuck his hands to his hips and looked at Lady Jane with a broad smile. “Yes, she is, most gracious. I think we will all get along famously. Don’t you think?”
His eyes darted at each of them.
“Robert, is there anyone with whom you do not get along?” she asked.
“Ha!” he said, picking up a fork in his left hand and setting its end upright on the table. “I try, my Lady, I try!”
He looked at the small layering of plates in front of him as if his stare could create food.
Matthias began to relax and leaned into the back of his chair. He noticed Lady Jane’s left hand as it lay on the crisp tablecloth. Her skin was a creamy white. The index finger lightly and almost imperceptibly stroked the sculpted end of the heavy, silver fork handle. On that finger she wore a gold ring, delicate in size and texture, with an embossed coat of arms, accented with a sapphire at each side. It was the only ring on the hand.
As household help moved in and out of the room, presenting the meal, Matthias felt compelled to initiate conversation.
“I didn’t know that you lived near the Museum,” he offered.
Worthy laughed. “This is only our Lady’s town home. Her home is in Hampstead. But one needs a place in the city.”
He eagerly began to eat his salad.
“It is a convenient location,” she said lightly. “The city demands so much, and yet offers so much, that one must really have a place to rest or change.”
After a brief silence, Reverend Worthy laid down his fork and knife. He looked across the table at the young American. “Professor,” he blurted out, “do you consider yourself to be a man of faith first or a man of science?”
Lady Jane’s delicate application of fork to food continued. She discreetly looked at each of the men, and then sipped some water.
Matthias paused from eating and sat back for a moment. “That’s an interesting question. I don’t know if I’ve thought about it. I’m not sure one needs to be in conflict with the other. As with yourself, we are guided through this world according to some inner compass. Those of us who are blessed with faith have the challenge of applying the gifts God has given us in ways that would please Him.”
Matthias peered at the Archbishop. “You honor me with the idea that I’m a man of science. I have an interest in certain things that bore most people. Thus, they call it a science.”
“Professor,” Lady Jane added, “you are too modest about your skills. Your credentials indicated you have obviously applied yourself to a noble effort and succeeded handsomely.”
“Thank you, ma’am, I find real delight in unlocking ancient texts. Language and how people have chosen to express their thinking through it has always been fascinating to me.”
Matthias tilted forward and placed his elbows on the table, resting his chin on his folded hands. “When we consider the great minds and the great people of the ancient world, reading their words can at times unlock one of the thousand little doors that contain our spirit. Insight is, I think, a hint of the step from this world in the other; through that door and into the realm of the divine.”
He sat back. “I’m sorry. I just rambled on and in the company of people whose learning has certainly far exceeded me in all ways. It is dangerous to ask a small college professor an open-ended question.”
Lady Jane sat quietly, listening and observing. “Professor, I think the depth of your skills may have been much disguised. You need not be modest. During this short time you will be with us, we look forward to your enlightening us on the wisdom you have gleaned from the ancient world.”
Worthy observed his companions. “Professor, if I may, I remain curious as to where faith enters into your understanding of things. Wisdom or insight come to us in rare moments, and we may all agree that for me, the timing is indeed rare.”
Everyone chuckled.
“I can only place such new awareness in the structure of what I already know. How then can I become acquainted with God if He is not an Anglican?”
Lady Jane looked at him with a shrewd smile. “Perhaps Robert,” she said slowly, “that is precisely why your insights are so rare!”
Now, everyone laughed, with Worthy’s being the loudest.
“Well done, my Lady; well done!” he responded.
“If I may Reverend,” Matthias interjected, “your point is well taken. How do we, as people of faith, come to know anything as truth if it is not within a framework of what we consider to be externally given wisdom? Then, how do we allow that truth, which we may attribute to God, to be used to serve Him without being constrained by that very structure in which our learning came to us?”
“Professor, I believe it is my duty to weigh in on God’s behalf for His people the church
, on the relative merits of what men say is truth. One way the church is cared for is to decide for it what is truth. Is that not how you see it?”
Worthy’s demeanor grew more serious.
Matthias studied one of the flowers on the table then looked at Lady Jane. Her eyes flickered with intensity.
“Well sir, you have touched upon yet another of the great challenges of our understanding of God. Can we come to know what He has to say to us if the church does not tell us? A few hundred years ago, devout men argued that the church may actually get in the way of such truth.”
Worthy’s his face became red.
Matthias sipped from the crystal water glass. “Truth, of course, may be more relevant to knowledge than to faith, which is more like the channel down which truth may plummet. While many yearn for faith, not everyone hopes for truth. Truth can be quite unwelcome to some.”
He felt satisfaction with his comments.
“Bravo Professor,” Lady Jane declared. “It is not often that our dear archbishop is left on the periphery of an argument.”
She raised her water glass and tilted it in the direction of Matthias. Reverend Worthy’s eyes darted at her and held fixed. She sipped from the crystal glass and placed it on the table with confident grace.
“Professor,” Reverend Worthy said slowly, “holy Scripture calls us to come to God as children, innocent and without guile. Children need to know little other than they are to trust and obey their parents. Truth is of no use to them. Thus, the Church, as the shepherd of the flock holds the true authority. Truth is secondary to that. Above all else, we must protect the Church and remove these arguments over truth.”
“Reverend Worthy, I would not debate with you about matters of faith or the church. It is interesting, though, that for one to grow in faith, which is certainly a hope of the Church, a person must challenge what they believe and know. In that way, they question what they consider to be the truth that has been given to them by the Church, and hopefully, enrich that knowledge.”
