waiting?”
“I assume so,” Eldredge shrugged. “But she can wait just a moment more, no?” He looked at the envelope with a longing gaze. “You mentioned a code ….?”
Tuohay sighed. “As you will.”
Eldredge opened the envelope with care and unfolded the document, scanning it quickly. The paper was as black as night on both sides, the script in flowing silver. A white border contained two winged serpents beautifully drawn in gold. The creatures were in circuitous pursuit of each other, bending around opposite corners of the border with fangs bared.
“Rag paper,” Eldredge commented, rubbing the material between his thumb and forefinger. “Soaked with ink, it would seem.” It was soft to the touch, but left no trace of ink on his fingers.
AN INVITATION TO THE CHASE
February, 1896
Dear Mr. Jack Tuohay,
I hope you will allow this unforeseen intrusion on your time. This correspondence is presented with humility and no intention to mislead. It is, plainly stated, an INVITATION.
You of course have heard of the Star of Bethlehem, otherwise known as the Templar Diamond.
I, the writer of this correspondence, am at fault for the recent dramatic theft of the diamond. As I am sure will come to light, there was a company of three individuals responsible for its disappearance. I was one.
You should be receiving this invitation almost six years after the crime. I am certain the diamond will not yet have surfaced. Thus, this letter is the cue that the chase to recover the great Star has begun.
To explain, I am dying. The entire enterprise of stealing the diamond was an elaborate confidence trick that even my two partners were not aware of. For that reason, I alone now know the location of the diamond.
Because of my failing health, I have decided to change the rules of the game and share the diamond’s whereabouts to anyone clever enough to properly listen. I am enclosing information to that effect. For me, it has always been about the chase, and not the prize. Therefore I am honored to now share that experience with you.
However, know this. You are not the only recipient of an invitation, for what measure of game would that make?
And be aware—the other beneficiaries may be out for more than just riches. They may be out for blood.
Your information is as follows:
A man named Kip Crippen will sail for Boston, America, in late February of 1902. He will be searching for the diamond.
Do with this information as you please, but I implore you to seriously consider it.
You were chosen for a reason.
I welcome you, in advance, to the chase.
Your Friend in Sympathy
Eldredge folded it up, following the original creases. “I have never seen anything quite like it. You are sure it is authentic and not a hoax?”
“That is my inclination, but truth be told, I am in the process of figuring that out right now, old boy.”
“Who has analyzed the letter so far?”
“Inspectors at the RIC in Belfast, who I shared it with. And a copy was furnished for Scotland Yard by the RIC.”
“Is there consensus on the existence of a code?”
“No. Simply a hunch on my part.”
Eldredge swelled with a look of importance. “I will take a closer look at it tonight. Is this why you are in search of Kip Crippen?”
“The primary reason, but we will speak of the details later,” said Tuohay. “For now, let’s focus on the interview.” He peered up an adjacent staircase. “Eliza’s telegram said to meet Miss Conall in the loft. That would be upstairs, I presume.”
“Ten years as a constable in Belfast has taught you much,” Eldredge said with a sidelong glance at Tuohay.
“District Inspector, 2 nd class, to be specific,” Tuohay corrected.
“You could have been a doctor and avoided all of this, you know.”
“Yes, but medical school was not for me, as you should recall. And so here I am. To the top, then?” He motioned for Eldredge to lead the way.
The pine steps groaned as the men began their
“I assume so,” Eldredge shrugged. “But she can wait just a moment more, no?” He looked at the envelope with a longing gaze. “You mentioned a code ….?”
Tuohay sighed. “As you will.”
Eldredge opened the envelope with care and unfolded the document, scanning it quickly. The paper was as black as night on both sides, the script in flowing silver. A white border contained two winged serpents beautifully drawn in gold. The creatures were in circuitous pursuit of each other, bending around opposite corners of the border with fangs bared.
“Rag paper,” Eldredge commented, rubbing the material between his thumb and forefinger. “Soaked with ink, it would seem.” It was soft to the touch, but left no trace of ink on his fingers.
AN INVITATION TO THE CHASE
February, 1896
Dear Mr. Jack Tuohay,
I hope you will allow this unforeseen intrusion on your time. This correspondence is presented with humility and no intention to mislead. It is, plainly stated, an INVITATION.
You of course have heard of the Star of Bethlehem, otherwise known as the Templar Diamond.
I, the writer of this correspondence, am at fault for the recent dramatic theft of the diamond. As I am sure will come to light, there was a company of three individuals responsible for its disappearance. I was one.
You should be receiving this invitation almost six years after the crime. I am certain the diamond will not yet have surfaced. Thus, this letter is the cue that the chase to recover the great Star has begun.
To explain, I am dying. The entire enterprise of stealing the diamond was an elaborate confidence trick that even my two partners were not aware of. For that reason, I alone now know the location of the diamond.
Because of my failing health, I have decided to change the rules of the game and share the diamond’s whereabouts to anyone clever enough to properly listen. I am enclosing information to that effect. For me, it has always been about the chase, and not the prize. Therefore I am honored to now share that experience with you.
However, know this. You are not the only recipient of an invitation, for what measure of game would that make?
And be aware—the other beneficiaries may be out for more than just riches. They may be out for blood.
Your information is as follows:
A man named Kip Crippen will sail for Boston, America, in late February of 1902. He will be searching for the diamond.
Do with this information as you please, but I implore you to seriously consider it.
You were chosen for a reason.
I welcome you, in advance, to the chase.
Your Friend in Sympathy
Eldredge folded it up, following the original creases. “I have never seen anything quite like it. You are sure it is authentic and not a hoax?”
“That is my inclination, but truth be told, I am in the process of figuring that out right now, old boy.”
“Who has analyzed the letter so far?”
“Inspectors at the RIC in Belfast, who I shared it with. And a copy was furnished for Scotland Yard by the RIC.”
“Is there consensus on the existence of a code?”
“No. Simply a hunch on my part.”
Eldredge swelled with a look of importance. “I will take a closer look at it tonight. Is this why you are in search of Kip Crippen?”
“The primary reason, but we will speak of the details later,” said Tuohay. “For now, let’s focus on the interview.” He peered up an adjacent staircase. “Eliza’s telegram said to meet Miss Conall in the loft. That would be upstairs, I presume.”
“Ten years as a constable in Belfast has taught you much,” Eldredge said with a sidelong glance at Tuohay.
“District Inspector, 2 nd class, to be specific,” Tuohay corrected.
“You could have been a doctor and avoided all of this, you know.”
“Yes, but medical school was not for me, as you should recall. And so here I am. To the top, then?” He motioned for Eldredge to lead the way.
The pine steps groaned as the men began their
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