The bell above the door tinkled.
Karl Terenz Engelond walked into the art gallery. Ramrod straight; black cashmere overcoat; a homburg fedora and a brown, calfskin attache under his arm. His massive head rotated 180 degrees. Paintings hung on three walls; several displayed throughout the room on carved, mahogany easels. In the center of the room, towards the back, sat a large intricately carved antique desk. Directly behind the desk stood a lone easel with a painting covered in linen.
"Ah! Mr. Engelond." Simon hobbled out from the back, supported by an antique cane. He plopped down into the leather chair behind the desk. Neither man offered their hand.
"Herr Jones, there is a problem with your leg, no?"
Simon presented him with a cold smile. "Problem with the leg, yes. Unfortunately, the doctors have no idea what is wrong."
"That is too bad. My sympathies." There was no sympathy in Engelond's voice. "May I?"
"Of course." Simon pointed to the painting behind him.
Engelond softly placed the attache upon the desk; walked over and uncovered the painting. He took great pains to examine it up close; then backed away to observe it from across the room. Something in his face changed. Engelond's look was almost beatific. After several minutes he crossed the room and stood before the desk.
"Ausgezeichnet!" Magnificent. He pointed to the attache. "Thirty million additional dollars, as we agreed. Bearer bonds, of course."
Simon had arrived in Switzerland a week ago. Upon arriving at the shop he unpacked the package from Christie's Auction House. An antique cane, coral in color with a long shafted curved handle made in 1872. 'This will do just fine,' he thought.
The following day the crates arrived from America. Simon spent the better part of the next couple days unpacking and setting them on display. With the chores out of the way he called Engelond and set up an appointment for today.
"Very good. Mr. Engelond, what would you prefer? Take the Van Gogh with you or, if you prefer, I can deliver to your home."
Engelond gave the appearance of considering the question. "If you would be so kind, please bring it to my home tomorrow evening. Shall we say 10:00pm?"