Isherwood added milk to his tea. He was dressed for the country in tweeds and wool, and his long gray locks appeared to have been recently trimmed, a sure sign he was involved with a new woman. Gabriel couldn’t help but smile. He had always been amazed by Isherwood’s capacity for love. It was matched only by his desire to find and acquire paintings.

“They say there’s a lost land out there somewhere,” Isherwood said, nodding toward the window. “Apparently, it stretches from here to the Isles of Scilly. They say that when the wind is right you can hear the tolling of church bells.”

“It’s known as Lyonesse, the City of Lions, and it’s nothing but a local legend.”

“Like the one about an archangel living atop the cliffs of Gunwalloe Cove?”

“Let’s not get carried away with the biblical allusions, Julian.”

“I’m a dealer of Italian and Dutch Old Master art. Biblical allusions are my stock-in-trade. Besides, it’s hard not to get carried away in a place like this. It’s all a bit isolated for my taste, but I can understand why you’ve always been drawn to it.” Isherwood loosened the buttons of his overcoat. “I remember that lovely cottage you had over in Port Navas. And that dreadful little toad who used to watch over it when you weren’t around. Remind me of the lad’s name.”

“Peel,” said Gabriel.

“Ah, yes, young Master Peel. He was like you. A natural spy, that one. Gave me a devil of a time when I came looking for that painting I’d placed in your care.” Isherwood made a show of thought. “Vecellio, wasn’t it?”

Gabriel nodded. “Adoration of the Shepherds.”

“Gorgeous picture,” said Isherwood, his eyes glistening. “My business was hanging by the thinnest of threads. That Vecellio was the coup that was going to keep me in clover for a few more years, and you were supposed to be restoring it. But you’d disappeared from the face of the earth, hadn’t you? Vanished without a trace.” Isherwood frowned. “I was a fool to ever throw in my lot with you and your friends from Tel Aviv. You use people like me. And when you’re done, you throw us to the wolves.”