“I can wait.” Caleb sat down. “I wouldn’t think of inconveniencing you. Particularly since I’m going to have to beg you to lend me an exorbitant amount of cash when you get around to paying attention to me.”

“Beg?” He smiled. “I like the sound of that.”

“You always do. That’s why I thought I’d drop in and make your day.”

“You have your own money. Why are you trying to borrow from me?” His smile had a catlike malice. “Or have you been foolish and blown all that inheritance? I’d have to disapprove, I’m afraid. Perhaps I should have a talk with Jane since I wouldn’t want her to become a virtual pauper. After all, I’m head of the family.”

“Debatable. And Jane wouldn’t give a damn, as you know.”

“I’m afraid you’re right. But I can always hope. Proceed with your begging.”

“You’re sure you have time for it?”

“I’m curious.”

“I still have plenty of cash, but the problem is with quality, not quantity,” Caleb said. “I need you to pay a visit to the bank where you deposited your treasure and take out enough of it so that it would not only look substantial but be able to convince anyone that it was actually part of another Cira treasure.”

MacDuff gave a low whistle and then started to laugh. “What are you up to? Of course, I’ve heard the stories that there might be another Cira chest hidden somewhere in the hills. I even searched for it at one time. But I didn’t find it, and I decided that Cira had given me enough and I shouldn’t be greedy. Have you heard something?”

“No, just rumors. But Jane and I thought perhaps Cira might want to have any treasure she still has out there to be used to punish the people who had caused her family to suffer. What do you think?”

“Bohdan,” he murmured. “You’re going after the son of a bitch. You have a plan? You should really leave it in my hands. I’m much better able to handle it.”

“I don’t believe you can. You’re being greedy again.”

“You’re the one who is begging me. Do you realize what a risk I’d be taking? Just the insurance alone is going to cost me a fortune.”