Chapter 39 - The Locked Drawer
Back at Catherine Hale's underground gallery, the group gathered around the old oak desk once more.
Arthur slowly walked to a drawer no one had previously noticed.
He placed his palm against the wood.
"I locked this myself."
Michael looked puzzled.
"I searched every inch of this room."
"You searched for locks."
Arthur smiled.
"This one doesn't have one."
He pressed gently against the left corner.
A hidden mechanism clicked.
The drawer slowly slid open.
Inside rested only three objects.
A fountain pen.
A leather notebook.
A brass compass.
Nothing appeared valuable.
Until Harold picked up the compass.
"This belonged to Daniel."
Samuel's eyes widened.
"The founder?"
Harold nodded.
"We believed it disappeared with him."
Arthur carefully opened the notebook.
Most pages were blank.
But several contained short observations written over many years.
No names.
Only descriptions.
> Some seek recognition.
> Some seek influence.
> A few seek truth.
Near the final page appeared a single sentence written in noticeably darker ink.
> When the Ninth Promise awakens, do not ask who deserves it. Ask who refuses it.
Elena quietly copied the sentence into her notebook.
Harold remained unusually thoughtful.
Arthur noticed.
"You're remembering something."
Harold looked down at the compass.
May you like
"I'm remembering someone."
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