«I’d rather say that I know of him, sir, since we haven’t met each other in person. The only thing I know about him is that he is a magician and works as a lawyer. A very expensive one, by the way».

«I got a phone call from the Magistrate.Mr. Iron Starr would like to meet me, you and the Master. We are to be there at two o’clock».

«No problem, sir! Which Master exactly?»

«Ah, yes. The Third Master. In his office».

«All right. Then at twenty to two p.m. I shall be in your office».

«Shall we be on time?»

«Certainly. We’ll use my portal».

«Fine».

Exactly at the hour previously agreed upon Ted was coming into Mr. Merlegg’s office.

«Are you ready, sir?»

«Yes, I am. But where is the portal?»

«Here you are, sir. This signet-ring on my finger is the portal, sir,» – Ted showed. «But in order to apply it we must leave the building of the Museum».

«Then let’s go».

They stepped outside.

«Grab me by my hand, Mr. Merlegg,» – said Ted and, seeing his boss’ hesitancy, added, «Don’t you worry, this is completely safe and will take not more than a few seconds».

Mr. Merlegg took Ted by his hand and the young man pressed his signet-ring gem. Several seconds afterwards they «portalanded» nearby the Magistrate.

«Here we are. How are you?»

«Normal. Quite unusual feelings. But very convenient, on the other hand».

«That’s right. Nonetheless, I prefer to walk to work. A morning stroll is useful to one’s health,» – Ted smiled.

«So, is it the Magistrate? I haven’t been here yet,» – Mr. Merlegg looked at the building admiringly.

«Let’s get in».

At the entrance they were met by a security guard.

«Hi, what is the purpose of your visit?»

«Hello,» – answered Ted. «Alan Merlegg and Ted Spencer from the British Museum. We have an appointment with the Third Master».

«Come in. You need to…»

«Yes, thank you. I know where it is».

«Have a good day then!»

At two o’clock Ted and Mr. Merlegg were in the Third Master’s office. Starr, the lawyer was already sitting at table.

«Hello,» – the Master greeted them cordially and hospitably. «Come in, have a seat. Do you know Mr. Starr, the lawyer?»

«We did not have the honor. Pleased to meet you, sir,» – Ted tackled the issue pro-actively. He noticed that Mr. Merlegg had lost his nerve being surrounded by the most powerful representatives of the magic society.

«Our lawyer Mr. Starr, please meet Mr. Alan Merlegg, Deputy-Director of the British Museum and Head of the Magic Department, and Mr. Ted Spencer, a treasurer, curator and tour-guide of the Magic Department,» – the Third Master introduced them.

The men shook each other’s hands.

«I am also very pleased to meet you, gentlemen,» – the lawyer replied. «Furthermore, this is quite a novelty in our world, I mean, the Magic Department in the Museum which discloses our mysteries and our life to non-magicians. I am thankful to the Third Master for his valuable time. I am here on business, unfortunately, for a sad cause».

«What happened, counsellor? You haven’t touched upon any sad reason in our telephone conversation,» – asked the Master.

«Five days ago a magician Meryl Greenfield passed away».

«Really!» – exclaimed the Master. «I wasn’t updated on that! What a loss! What an irretrievable loss!»

The Master groaned and shook his head.

«Yes, unfortunately,» – confirmed the lawyer and turned to Ted. «I hope that this name is familiar to you, Mr. Spencer?»

«Oh, certainly! What a pity! She used to be a famous magician. Besides, she was a writer, a traveler and a collector of magic books».

«Right. I am her solicitor and executor. She bequeathed all her books and traveler’s notes to the British Museum».

«Really!» – Mr. Merlegg exclaimed. «Quite unexpectedly and a huge donation to our Museum».

«Yes, but there is a tiny condition. A letter in some ancient and unknown language has been attached to the will. Allow me to read the will to you, rather the part that concerns you».

«Please, begin».

The lawyer started to read.

«Within my life I have been to many a country and gathered a substantial collection of magic books, scrolls and rarities. I would like to bequeath all of them to the British Museum. For my collection to be useful and not to absorb dust in the archives, I hereby attach a letter which comprises my last wishes. In order to make sure that my decision was correct, I compiled this letter in a language, other than English. Given that within a year’s time my letter is not deciphered and my instructions are not put into effect, the collection will be ruined. In a year Mr. Iron Starr shall obtain an English translation of the letter in question and make sure that it is identical with the original version, likewise that the Museum staff have begun fulfilling my instructions. In the event they have decoded the text and started to comply with the aforesaid instructions, Mr. Iron Starr or someone of his subordinates shall verify whether or not my wishes are performed, on an annual basis. Please find attached the list of books and papers». That is about all, gentlemen».

«Weird, as it may seem… Why was it necessary to puzzle it so?»

«The magician was very smart and loved to communicate with the same bright people. She was willing to pass her valuable legacy to worthy people who do deserve it. Here you are, – a copy of the will, a letter, a key and the address».

Mr. Merlegg took the items mentioned above.

«I am happy for the British Museum,» – said the Master.

«So am I,» – uttered the lawyer. «But you must excuse me, since I have another appointment».

«Yes, sure».

Mr. Starr left.

«Well, well, well…» – commented Mr. Merlegg. «You, the magicians, tend to complicate things, unlike rank-and-file people! Why was it that necessary to complicate the whole thing? Others would be flattered if their books were kept in the Museum, and without any riddles! Oh, I am sorry, Master!»

«Everything is fine. You are right. Magicians are inclined to tangle. I have no idea, what is in this letter, but you will definitely have to decrypt it. It will be very distressing if the magician Meryl’s collection is damaged».

«May I take a look at the letter?»

«Absolutely. I am also curious».

Mister Merlegg opened the envelope and extracted the letter. Looking at it, he shook his head and handed it to the Master. The latter glimpsed at the letter and gave it to Ted.

«Such epistolary opuses are unknown to me. Maybe you are more in the know, Mr. Spencer?»

Ted, in his turn, began scrutinizing the letter.

«The letters aren’t familiar to me. But I have spent some time in the library. Apart from that, I may apply for help to a professor from the school of ancient magic linguistics. Back at school we weren’t exposed to such a language, but I cherish the thought that he is knowledgeable of it».

Ted returned the letter to Mr. Merlegg.

«Good luck, Mr. Spencer! As far as I can judge, you have immediately come up with the action plan,» – said the Master. «In case you need my assistance, you may easily rely on me».

«Thank you, Master!»

The meeting came to its end. Ted and Mr. Merlegg left the Magistrate and transported themselves to the premises of the Museum.

«Ted, you may want to make up a new schedule for yourself? After all, from now on you will have to work on decrypting this rebus, in addition to the excursions and your routine work in the archives».

«No, I don’t think so, Mr. Merlegg. As soon as I need to be absent, I will sure warn you. I may sit and decode this mystery in my study-room».

«O.K., Ted. Wish you good luck in this undertaking of yours! If you need money, please tell me, and I will send a quote to the cashbox at once».

«Thanks».

It was four o’clock when Ted entered the Department. One more hour was left before he could call it a day and return home.

«Ted,» – somebody called to him. It was Tom, his co-worker in the Department.

«Yes, Tom?»

«Some girl was looking for you here, a pretty one. She was very disappointed, when she found out that you were absent».

«Really? Thanks, Tom!»

Alice! This will made him completely forget about her! She came to see him after the examination! Did she pass it, I wonder? Did she come here to share her joy with him or to complain, crying on his shoulder? I wish I were at home as soon as possible to call her up!

Once Ted stepped over the threshold of his flat, first and foremost, he called Alice. Surprisingly for him, she answered quickly, so Ted had an impression that Alice had been waiting for his phone call.

«Alice, dear, how are you doing? How was your exam?»

«Ted, I am so glad you have called! I dropped in at your Museum, but you were out».

«Yeah, I know. Tom told me. I had a couple of urgent issues to address. So, how’s your exam?»

«No idea. I’ve got the feeling that I failed it».

«Why?»

«Well, it’s not easy to speak about it on the phone».

«Let’s meet then. I’d like to invite you to dinner and then to the cinema. Would you like?»

«With pleasure! I must take a time-out after all this cramming».

«Then at seven o’clock. Where would you like to go?»

«Let’s go to the same „The Three Magicians“ place. Let’s meet there».

«All right. I’ll be waiting for you near the restaurant».

Ted dialed Jeffrey afterwards, but no one answered. It worried him very much: where could that guy be? As soon as Ted hung up he heard a doorbell ring. «Maybe, Jeffrey?» – thought Ted hopefully and was not mistaken.

«Jeffrey, I have just called you!»

«Hi, Ted. Are you alone?»

«Sure. Who else can be here except myself?»

«Well, I thought you were with Alice».

«No, I shall meet her at seven, but if you need me…»

«No, no, everything’s fine. I feel lonely».

«I see, Jeff. Would you like a cup of coffee? I invited Alice to dinner, but I have just come back from work and wouldn’t mind having a bite».

«With pleasure».

Ted made sandwiches, coffee and the friends began to eat.

«I feel guilty, Jeff».

«What are you to blame?»

«I spend less time with you».

«Rubbish! You work and you have a girl-friend. It’s me who idles away his time and doesn’t know what to do. Wish my parents were back! However…»

«What?»

«I may have to leave England».

«But your departure won’t last long, will it? Besides, we’ll keep staying in touch, write to each other and call each other».

«Sure,» – Jeffrey smiled.

The friends were sitting and talking, recalling the olden times, until Jeff suddenly remembered something.

«It’s half past six already. Time flies at a spanking pace, unless you are alone! I shan’t bother you».

«No way! You aren’t bothering me. Hold on: I’m going to change my clothes and we’ll go downstairs together».

Ted went to his bedroom and put on an elegant shirt and a pair of trousers. Once he returned to the living room, Jeffrey nodded approvingly.

«You’re as handsome as always!»

«Are you kidding’?»

«Of course, I’m not! Let’s go downstairs, lest your pretty companion await you».

They went downstairs and parted.

«Go for it, Ted, be the first one to „portaland“!»

«Why me?»

«That’s how I shan’t be able to detain you with my talks, buddie».

«O.K., Jeff. But tomorrow I’m going to come to your place and we’ll chat the entire evening. Shall we?»

«No questions asked, bro,» – Jeffrey smiled. «Gladly. Bye for now, Ted, enjoy yourselves!»

«Thanks. See you!»

The friends hugged one another. Ted transported himself to one of London outskirts, took out his magic wand, opened the dimensions gate and went to the restaurant «At the Three Magicians’». The moment he disappeared, Jeffrey, in his turn, pressed his signet-ring gem, but he miscalculated a little bit and found himself standing on a sidewalk across the street from his house.