"What will you do when you get to Canada?" Henry asked, interrupting Robert's story.
Robert and Rachel exchanged a look. "We haven't decided yet," Robert said with a sad smile. "We've heard there are good opportunities there."
Henry considered this for a moment, his eyes meeting Rachel's intense gaze.
"I am interested in the liquor and cigar trade," he said slowly. "But I don't have time to pursue it at the moment."
"You and Rachel will go to Canada. Rest, recover. When you arrive, send me a letter. When I am ready to begin my own operation, I will contact you for your assistance."
"And when that time comes," he added, his voice firm, "you will not have to worry about Senator Smith. I will persuade him."
"What do you say, Mr. Robert?"
Robert was overjoyed. "If I can be of any help to you, it would be my honor."
Henry pushed the wooden box of gold back across the table. "I'll accept this, but I want you to hold onto it for now. We will use it as seed money when the time comes."
Robert hesitated, but then he took the box.
"Miss Rachel," Henry said, turning to her, "have you studied mathematics?"
"I have," she said confidently. "I was quite good at it."
"Excellent," Henry said with an approving nod. "A good head for numbers will serve you well. When you arrive in Canada, you can reach me by telegram or by letter at the Frisco Sheriff's Department in Denver."
Rachel blushed under his intense gaze and looked away. "Alright," she said softly.
"Then it is settled," Henry said, turning back to her father. "I wish you a safe journey."
An hour later, Henry arrived at the Vanderbilt estate on Long Island, a massive, French-style castle surrounded by a sprawling, 150-acre park.
Consuelo herself came out to greet him, a vision in a pure white lace gown and a Boucheron diamond and pearl tiara.
"Happy birthday," Henry said, and presented her with a small, exquisite jewelry box.
She opened it to reveal a delicate, glittering diamond bracelet.
"It's beautiful," she said, her eyes shining. "I love it."
It was one of the pieces he had taken from the Whyos. He had inspected it carefully; it had no identifying marks.
"The honor is all mine," he said with a polite smile.
She took him on a tour of the magnificent gardens, where the other guests were already gathered. He saw Mark, Dylan, Kaylee, Amanda, and Edith by a large fountain. He exchanged a look with Edith, a silent greeting, and then joined the others.
The party was in full swing. It was a grand affair, with circus performers, magicians, and musicians. After an hour of dazzling acrobatics and illusions, a boxing ring was set up. The underground champions, John L. Sullivan and Paddy Ryan, were to fight an exhibition match.
Henry watched the two bare-knuckle brawlers trade heavy, brutal blows. They were masters of their craft, he noted, their skill level comparable to his own LV 4 Boxing.
"What do you think of them, Luca?" a gruff voice asked from nearby.
"Not bad," a second, rasping voice replied. "But boxing is just for show. A real fight is won with a sword or a gun."
Henry glanced over and saw an old, portly man and a hawk-nosed man in his thirties, a rapier hanging at his hip. William Vanderbilt was standing with them. The tycoon saw Henry looking and gave him a slight, knowing smile.
Henry returned the smile and turned his attention back to the fight. He found that Consuelo had come to stand on his right, and Edith on his left.
Twenty minutes later, the boxing match ended, and it was time for the fencing exhibition.