Buying Truffles from Monsieur X Summary and Analysis

Peter's friend, Frank, calls him from London. He seems worried and on edge as he fears that he has missed truffle season. Since it is the end of March, Peter agrees that the truffles could all be gone. Frank is dismayed but Peter offers some hope. He knows of one man who still may have some truffles. Frank, a wealthy businessman, wants two kilos of the delicacy, which will cost him, even in a direct purchase, at least one thousand pounds.

The world of truffle business is a murky one. Inferior Italian truffles are often passed off as the French delicacy. Some truffles have been sold full of buckshot and mud to make them heavier and thereby more expensive. Peter vows to do what he can to get Frank his truffles. Peter contacts...