Chapter 6

Summary

• The chapter opens with Sylvia visiting a man named Gabe to ask Mrs. Ling, one of his staff, to translate a recipe.
• Sylvia also discusses the character Daisy, who is revealed to be from a posh family and potentially linked to the Sidwell family, as she learnt that the family descendant still lives in the area of Wiltshire.
• After some brief discussion about their previous meeting and the people present, Gabe orders a car to be prepared for a trip to the countryside. They decide to go without any other companions.
• Gabe also reveals that he was roped into having dinner with Ivy’s family, and that Ivy's mother was thrilled about having Lady Stanhope involved.
• Gabe comforts Sylvia when she worries about him potentially being in danger, asserting that he can take care of himself.
• They take a pleasant trip to the countryside, though upon arrival at the Sidwell estate they find it in disrepair. While they can't find any people in the house, Sylvia thinks she sees something moving inside. They soon meet Lazarus Sidwell, the only occupant of the house, who thought they were there to buy the house from him.
• After making it clear they only want information about a book collection owned by his ancestor, Sir Andrew Sidwell, Lazarus invites them in and they all share a friendly conversation about Daisy.
• Lazarus shows them his library filled with old books, both from Sir Andrew’s time and more recent additions. Gabe and Sylvia explain their dilemma regarding a book with strange symbols which they cannot read.
• The three search for some kind of records of these books, finding only a ledger with an account of Sir Andrew purchasing 185 books from Dr. Thomas Adams, to clear a debt the man owed him. The collection may have included the Doctor’s medical instruments too.
• They continue to go through the documents but don't find any more useful information. Lazarus volunteers to continue the search and conduct them once he finishes.
• The chapter ends with Lazarus apologizing to Sylvia and her departure with Gabe to return home.

• The story follows two characters who had earlier visited Sir Andrew's collection, presumably of artifacts and items of historical significance.
• Men believe that more items other than the Medici Manuscript might be missing from the collection. They discuss potentially finding a catalog that belonged to Dr. Adams, who may have acquired the Medici Manuscript. The origins of the manuscript are of great interest.
• They briefly discuss the magic of the silver clasps on the manuscript, a secret they keep to themselves.
• The two individuals, Gabe and the narrator, leave Sir Andrew's house with expressed interest in the variety of curiosities it holds, and they drive to a meadow for a picnic.
• During their picnic, they discuss their shared observation that people seem more eccentric after the war. They also talk about people showing their true selves more openly now.
• Gabe thanks the narrator for showing him that some positives came out of the war. There is mention of Gabe's upcoming wedding and future children, which temporarily dampens his mood.
• They share a comfortable silence before they discuss their feelings of disorientation and confusion after major life changes, comparing it to walking through fog.
• The narrator thanks Gabe for helping lift that 'fog' through their investigative work together. Their friendship seems to deepen as they share this intimate conversation.
• Gabe abruptly ends their picnic, citing that there's something else he needs to attend to. They pack up their picnic and the narrator seems left wanting for more from their relationship.