“I'm not surprised. Basque separatists are still setting off bombs in Spain. Lord knows what would happen if they got their hands on po- tent symbols like this.”

“Do you remember anything else about Aguirrez?” “Not off the top of my head. I'll dig around in my books when I aet home.” Perlmutter owned one of the world's finest marine li- braries. “I'll be back in Georgetown in a few days, after a stop-off in Milan.”

“You've been a great help as usual. We'll talk again. Buon ap- petito.”

"Grazier Perlmutter said, clicking off his phone. He turned his

attention back to the table. He was about to dig in to a plate of marinated artichoke hearts when his host, who owned the villa and the surrounding vineyards, came in with the bottle of wine he had gone for.

Shock registered on the man's face. “You're not touching your food. Are you ill?”

“Oh no, Signor Nocci. I was distracted by a telephone call re- garding a question of a historical nature.”

The silver-haired Italian nodded. “Perhaps a taste of the chingali, the wild boar, will help your memory. The sauce was made from truffles found in my woods.”

“A splendid suggestion, my friend.” With the dam breached, Perl- mutter dug into the food with his usual gusto. Nocci politely held his curiosity at bay while his guest devoured the repast. But when Perl- mutter dabbed his small mouth and set his napkin aside, Nocci said, I am an amateur historian. It is impossible not to be when one lives in a country surrounded by the remnants of countless civilizations. Perhaps I can help you with your question."

Perlmutter poured himself another glass of 1997 Chianti and re- counted his conversation with Austin. The Italian cocked his head.

"I know nothing about this Basque, but your story brings to mind something I came across while doing some research in the Biblioteca Laurenziana.f)

“I visited the Laurentian Library many years ago. I was fascinated by the manuscripts.”

“More than ten thousand masterpieces,” Nocci said, nodding his head. “As you know, the library was founded by the Medici family to house their priceless collection of papers. I have been writing a paper on Lorenzo the Magnificent which I hope to publish some day, although I doubt if anyone will read it.”