“Is he not a poet or a writer or something?”

John smiled, “Yes. He is a friend of Alfred Tennyson, and runs around with those circles. But he was also my trusted right hand during the wars. He is a good shot. Quite strong, too. I’ll need both for this adventure you have asked me to undertake for you!”

He pursed his lips and then told Edward, “But, on another subject, I should tell you that I am in the midst of moving to New York, to pursue some opportunities there, at least for the next two years. And so the time pressure to complete this comes from that, also. It will seem odd to my friends and associates if I do not keep to my schedule to depart for New York. Given the sensitivity of this enterprise, I dare not rouse anyone’s suspicions about my affairs, of course.”

“Why move to that wild place, though? To further build on your fortune?” Edward asked. “What will you do there?”

“Yes,” John answered. “New York is riotous and unlike London now. But I have made plans to invest in railways, banking, and other things in America. New York is the place to base myself for all of that. Yes, it is an extremely exciting place, but I will continue to keep some interests going here in England. For example, I’ve put in already with a man here who has an interesting idea that he is preparing to patent later this year – he calls it a process for steelmaking. I think it is the future. And if it works, America will need lots of it, not just England.”

“You have a better mind than most, John,” Edward permitted himself a smile. “If you can see that far into the future. But, regarding the task at hand: perhaps the shipment of your things to New York will be a good cover to hide that gold, then. Keep it safe with you there while I figure out how to unravel this matter?”

John nodded, “Maybe. But let me ask one more thing … you think it important to mark the bullion with the numbers so that it will be easier to distinguish them?”

“Yes … because I assumed you will desire anonymity in all this. Am I correct?” Edward asked.