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A large steel strongbox sat on a thick carpet in the center of the room. It looked old. Late seventeenth
century, Delbridge decided, the era of Sylvester Jones, founder of the Arcane Society. Had the Third
Circle managed to obtain an artifact connected to Sylvester? Excitement sparked through him, driving out
some of the apprehension. The founder s secrets were the stuff of myth and legend within the Society.
Lamplight flickered on the gold foil that covered the curved top of the strongbox. Words and symbols
were inscribed on the gold. Delbridge recognized some of the symbols as alchemical and some of the
words as a mix of Latin and Greek but could not decipher their meanings. A private code, he thought.
The old alchemists were notoriously secretive.
There was no lock on the strongbox and no visible line to mark the lid. In the center there was a deep
indentation lined with some dark, glassy substance.
The leader looked at Delbridge. I can see from the expression on your face that you have some notion
of the value of this ancient strongbox.
Did it belong to Sylvester Jones? Delbridge asked, awed in spite of himself. A while back there were
rumors about a burglary at Arcane House.
This was not stolen from Arcane House, the leader said.
Delbridge s sense of intense anticipation dimmed. I see.
The leader gave him a mysterious smile. It did not belong to the founder, he said softly. It was,
instead, the property of someone who was privy to his greatest secrets. We believe those secrets are
locked inside.
Delbridge frowned. One of Sylvester s rivals?
His greatest rival, Sybil the Virgin Sorceress.
Thunderstruck, Delbridge stared at the strongbox. I thought Sybil was just another Arcane Society
legend. Are you saying that she actually existed?
Oh, yes. The leader indicated the ancient book he held. She existed. This is one of her notebooks. I
searched for it for years before I finally located it in the library of an aging member of the Arcane Society.
Upon his death, I was able to acquire it.
The death of the former owner had probably not been of natural causes, Delbridge thought.
The entire notebook is written in the Sorceress s private code, of course, the leader continued. I have
devoted the past decade of my life to deciphering it. I succeeded, and the contents led me to the location
of the strongbox.
What is inside? Delbridge asked, hardly daring to hope. A copy of the founder s formula, by any
chance?
Yes, one of the other cowled figures said impatiently. According to the notebook, Sybil did, indeed,
steal the formula and conceal it in that strongbox.
I don t understand, Delbridge said, searching the masked faces around him. Haven t you looked?
Unfortunately, that has not been possible until now. The leader s hand tightened on the journal. The
strongbox is sealed with a most unusual locking device. According to the warning written on the gold foil,
any attempt to force the chest open will result in the destruction of the secrets inside.
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Delbridge frowned. How will you get into it?
The leader held up the velvet pouch. Sybil s warning makes it clear that the aurora stone is the key.
Another thrill shot through Delbridge. At last he comprehended the enormity of the gift he had provided
to the Third Circle. No wonder he had been promised a seat at the table in the other room if he brought
them the stone. He had given these men the key to something they valued above all else, something they
had not been able to obtain for themselves. He felt his own aura shift and pulse more strongly. Power fed
on power.
The leader handed the notebook to one of the other robed figures. Then he held up the aurora stone. For
a moment they all stared at the dull, colorless crystal.
With great precision, the leader lowered the stone into the black glass depression set in the top of the
strongbox. There was an audible click. It fit perfectly, as if it had been made to sit there.
Delbridge held his breath. He sensed the others, including the leader, doing the same.
Nothing happened.
There was a short, tense silence. Perspiration broke out on Delbridge s brow.
It isn t working, someone muttered.
Everyone looked at Delbridge. Raw fear briefly paralyzed him. But with an effort of will, he managed to
pull himself together.
This is the stone you demanded, he said as coolly as possible. I can feel its power, even if you cannot.
It s not my fault it isn t opening the strongbox.
The leader wrapped one hand around the aurora stone. He concentrated intently for a moment. I think
you are correct. I can feel the resonating power of the stone. It is stronger now that it is in contact with
the strongbox. But the energy is murky and unfocused. It appears that the last words of Sybil s warning
are true, after all. I had hoped they were intended merely to discourage any attempt to open the box.
What does the warning say? Delbridge demanded.
Only she who can command the aurora stone may open this strongbox, the leader quoted.
That is the answer, then, one of the others whispered excitedly. The energy in the crystal must be
properly channeled and directed in order to unlock the strongbox.
The leader straightened and contemplated Delbridge with a basilisk gaze. You have brought us the
aurora stone, but it is useless to us unless we can find someone with a talent for working the crystal.
For the first time in several minutes, Delbridge relaxed. He gave the leader a cold smile. You should
have mentioned that earlier when you set me the task of delivering the crystal. I ll be happy to bring you a
woman who can work the aurora stone. Will that satisfy you?
Bring us a female who can unlock this strongbox and the sixth seat at the table of the Third Circle is
yours, the leader vowed.
33
HER NAME WAS Molly Stubton, Thaddeus said. "No one has seen her since the night of Delbridge s
party. I got a description from one of her rivals today. I m certain she was the dead woman Leona and I
found in the gallery.
It was late in the afternoon. They had gathered once again in the library to share the information they had
collected. Thaddeus was impatient for the arrival of night. He had plans for the evening.
I realize that Miss Stubton did not move in society, Victoria said. Nevertheless, I find it astonishing
that her murder has gone unnoticed in the press.
That is because no body has been found, according to my associate at Scotland Yard, Thaddeus said.
But among her acquaintances in the world of high-class prostitutes, there are rumors circulating.
Leona looked at him. What do her friends and rivals believe happened to her?
The current theory is that Delbridge murdered her in a jealous rage and got rid of the body that night.
Thaddeus went to stand at the window. There is some support for that possibility.
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What support? Leona asked.
It was widely known within her own social circles that Molly Stubton had other lovers. But given the
manner of her death and the presence of the rouge pot, I think it more likely that the Midnight Monster
killed her.
Victoria frowned. I agree. I have met Delbridge on a number of occasions. He strikes me as a rather
fastidious man. I cannot imagine him wanting to commit such a gruesome murder. The killer no doubt
would have been splashed with the victim s blood.
Thaddeus propped himself against the side of his desk and folded his arms. I agree with you. And, as it
happens, there is some other evidence that supports our theory. Although Miss Stubton s associates all
agreed that she took other wealthy lovers, some of them believe that she did so to please Delbridge.
Leona s hand stilled on Fog s head. Why would a gentleman want his mistress to form a liaison with
another man?
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