“What payment are you asking for them?”
Magistrate Caiaphas answered, “That you tell me what they mean.”
“The Mathematics? To explain it?” That was not what I’d expected.
And it wasn’t what he’d meant. “Not that! Tell me their meaning!”
Then I did understand. “They don’t have great value. Everything in them is known and published. They’re twenty years old.”
“Then why were they sent to me?” He was angry.
“Why did you bring them to me?” I asked. “Why not to a great Mathematician?”
“I was told you were to be great.”
It had been a test. But it was beyond him to comprehend if I’d passed. And he would never have understood the one page I’d kept for myself.
“I’ve been nominated for the Physics Chair,” I said.
“I know you have.” He nodded, less angry. So he was satisfied enough with me.
“I want the Physics Chair, Magistrate Caiaphas.”
“Yes,” Gustavus said, a deep rumble to Caiaphas’s crackle and tearing. “It is what I told you.”
“I already knew it,” the Magistrate said. “Why have you come to me? What are you asking me?”
“Why have I come?” I said. “Because Master Johann came to you, and Master Gottlieb, and Master Desiderius, and now Master Daniel. All of them came. I have, too.”
“Why would you say they came?”
“They believed you had it in your power to give them their Chairs.”
“And you also believe that?”
“I also do.”
“Then you must also believe that Master Daniel has already been given the Chair of Physics.”
“I am more able than he is,” I said. “And he’s ruing the gift. He’d give it up if he could. He’s asked me how to renege on a bargain even when he’s given his word on it.”
“What is that to me?” His voice was still cracked and cracking, but like parched ground that was eager for water.
“I will offer you more than he does.”
“And what has he offered me?”
“He doesn’t know,” I said. “Only to repay you whatever you say.”
“And you would take a blind bargain?”
“I wouldn’t be blind. I know what you want. And I know I can offer more than he can.”
Magistrate Caiaphas stood, and I was in his shadow. “What can you offer?”
I looked up into his knifelike face. “All the renown and all the fame of the greatest Mathematician who will ever live.”
“That is what you believe of yourself?” he asked.
“I could be,” I said. “I need the chance of this Chair to make my start.”
He was still standing over me and he seemed to grow as a covering. “And what use is that to me? You’re offering me your fame?”
“I am.”
“Then who do you take me for? What would your fame be for me?”
“It’s what you want.”
“Why would I want it?”
“To give Basel to France.”
He backed away, or receded, and he was sitting again. “Basel to France?”
“You plan for Basel to leave its independence and come into France. You want the University to lead and pull and force the city. The University has that power in Basel.”
“Why do you believe this?”
“That was how Strasbourg was brought into France.”
He waited a long time before answering. He was still and I waited with him. “So, for the Physics Chair,” he said, “you would do this. Betray your city?”
“It wouldn’t be a betrayal.”
“And the promise already made to Master Daniel?”
“He regrets having made the bargain.”
“You say he does.”
“And he doesn’t want the Chair. He only wants to offend Master Johann. He’ll give it up once he has it.”
“You speak for him? I won’t believe you.”
“I would still be more valuable to you than he would as the Chair.”
“Daniel is a persuasive man in this City. But you would be greater?”
“Yes. Before many years, I would be.”
“And you mean me to choose between you?” He was silent again, and for a very long time. I couldn’t see his face at all. “Then this is how I will decide. I will let you decide.”
“Me? How?”
“Daniel has this Chair. It is his. But it will be yours if he doesn’t take it.”
“That would be his decision,” I said, “not mine.”
“Then he will win the Chair.”
Then I understood. “I must keep him from taking it.”
“If he doesn’t take it, it will be yours.”