Page 51 (1/2)
"What's next?" Slayde de dejectedly on the library settee
"Morland" Julian spat out the word as if it were poison "It's time to tear my father's home apart, bit by bit Since the key was concealed at Pebox—or at least a hint of its whereabouts—is hidden at Morland 'Twould be just like our great-grandfathers to divide the clues between the two estates It would ensure that both families were needed to locate the chest"
"But you've already searched Morland several times over," Aurora protested "Surely you of all people would have spotted a strongbox that looks identical to your great-grandfather's"
"If it were visible, yes But it's possible I overlooked Geoffrey's hiding place Certainly I ht have overlooked a clue, if that's what's concealed at Morland rather than the box itself Remember, Rory, at the ti specific Now I am"
"Julian," Courtney suggested from her propped position in an ar you in the wrong direction?"
"How so?"
"Let's presubox exists, and that the key to Jaes unlocks it It'
s still possible that no clue of the chest's whereabouts can be found at either Peood reason Has it occurred to you that James used the chest not to house a clue, but to house the black diamond when he hid it?"
Julian raked a hand through his hair "I considered that possibility However, given the nature of James and Geoffrey's partnership, I think not If Geoffrey used his strongbox to convey a piece of this puzzle, I' to bet James did the same What's more, I don't believe Ja a key that would unlock so as valuable as the black diamond out in the open for all to see—even if the chances were slim that someone would realize its dual purpose"
"Even if soe, they wouldn't knohere to find that strongbox," Slayde pointed out "Which is the very dileree with Julian Why would our great-grandfathers provide us with the key to their greatest treasures without also providing us with the means to find those treasures? They wouldn't Thus, if another strongbox exists, I believe it exists to convey additional information to make our search a plausible one"
"Oh, it exists," Julian stated flatly "I know it Clearly James and Geoffrey wanted us to realize that, which is why they made the two keys look so sibox? Into its discovery lies either here or at Morland"
"Then let's go" Aurora bolted to her feet, snatching Julian's hand and heading toward the door "We're wasting time It's only an hour's drive to Morland Courtney and Slayde can continue exploring Peh Morland, stone by stone"
An hour and a quarter later, Aurora and Julian's carriage passed through Morland's iron gates and rounded the drive to the ht of the cold, austere dwelling, uglyher mind as the house loomed closer
"Aurora?" Feeling his wife tense beside hi her obvious fervent reaction "Are you all right?"
"I'd forgotten how ed a bit"