Cecil held out his glass to Sithens to be topped up. “I wish I could say otherwise, but, my dear friend, if I were to publish a novel under your name, I’m afraid you would find yourself severely shunned by most of your class. Not to mention scaring off potential brides. And I do not say thatlightly.”
Sithens returned with thewhiskey.
“And then there is how that might affect our publishing house. Not only would reviewers refuse to review my books, but I might well lose some of my most prestigiousauthors.”
“Then let me publish under an assumed name,” Robertsuggested.
“I wish it were that easy, old friend. But if we were to publish under an unknown name, hardly any reviewers would look at the book, and the sales would be so small as to be almost negligible. And I am sure you do not wantthat.”
Robert began pacing again and took anotherwhiskey.
“But certainly you do take on new unknown authors from time to time. Is that nottrue?”
“That is true, but often they have created a reputation by being published in magazines and journals and by giving public lectures and readings. They have a following long before we publishthem.”
Robert went to his desk and picked up his manuscript, bringing it over to where Cecil was stillseated.
“At least take a look at it… please. Perhaps if you like it enough, you might figure out a way to get around this absurdimpediment.”
Cecil sighed as he took themanuscript.
“Very well, I will take a read of it… for the sake of ourfriendship.”
* * *
Robert had takenthe train to London and was in the palatial offices ofHancock and Puntley House Publisherstwo weeks after his meeting with Cecil atBalfour.
Just yesterday he’d received a letter fromCecil.
My Dearest Friend,Robert,
I have had the opportunity to review your manuscriptThe Adventures of & etc. And I am very pleased to say that I find it to be a most extraordinary work, and am most anxious to discuss publishing possibilities with you at your earliestconvenience.
Drop by my office when you are next in London and we can explore several ideas I have as to how we might surmount your particularproblem.
Most SincerelyYours,
Sir Cecil HancockOBE
“Sir Cecil will see you now,”his secretary said as she stood and led Robert into hisoffice.
“My, that was a prompt response to my letter,” Sir Cecil said, as he stood up from his desk and came to greetRobert.
“I did not want to waste any time. You know how anxious I am to see my book published and I wanted to hear your suggestions as to how we might get around my particulardifficulty.”
“Of course.” Cecil indicated a chair by his desk where Robert stood but did not sit down immediately. He was far too anxious to sit justyet.
“So you are pleased with my literary effort?” Robertasked.
“I am, indeed. Very fine. Gripping and touching. I think there is a real possibility for a bestseller.”
Robert beamed as he clutched his hat to his chest. “Then how might we do this—considering your previousreservations?”
Cecil seemed not to want to sit while Robert was standing. He held out his hand indicating Robert should sit, which he finallydid.
“I have spoken to Puntley about your situation and we have come up with what might be a possible solution foryou.”
“I am eager tohear.”
