The Chaos Code by Justin Richards Page B

escaped, and took with them the literary treasures of Constantinople as well as an unspecified amount of more traditional treasure.
    â€˜What happened to this treasure afterwards is surprisingly well documented, though still we have no inventory – which is ironic given how Sir Robert came to acquire it in the first place. In 1291, when Acre was lost and the Knights Hospitallers were forced to move their headquarters to Limassol in Cyprus, the treasure went with them. It is listed in their records as “Numerous items of value and wisdom acquired by Robert de Lisle et al.” It is noted that three carts were set aside for transporting the treasure.
    â€˜In 1309, when the Hospitallers again moved, this time to Rhodes, there is no explicit mention of the treasure. But there is a “collection of items” that againtook three carts to transport, and which is the only set of goods that is not otherwise accounted for from previous inventories or known acquisitions.
    â€˜However, there the trail ends. Or almost. There is one last tantalising mention of Sir Robert’s treasure. In 1523 the Hospitallers were expelled from Rhodes by the Turks. In the process of leaving they were forced to abandon much – and there is mention in the journal written by one of the knights, one Edward Duboeuf, that another knight – Henri Sivel – had been forced to surrender “that which should never have been returned” to the Turks and which Henri subsequently vowed to retrieve.
    â€˜That was what intrigued your father, Matt. He thought this was a loose end of the trail he could follow up. And, I have to tell you, he was making considerable progress. Before he disappeared …’
    There was silence when Harper had finished. Eventually, Aunt Jane spoke.
    â€˜What do you mean, disappeared?’
    â€˜Hasn’t young Matt told you?’ Harper said.
    â€˜Well, yes. But if I know Arnie, he’s just wandered off on some expedition and forgotten to mention it.’
    Harper smiled thinly. ‘Yes, he is a bit like that, isn’t he? But I’m afraid it isn’t that simple.’
    â€˜Perhaps you’d like to explain,’ Venture told him.
    â€˜Yes,’ Matt said. ‘Perhaps you would.’ He had been caught up in Harper’s tale, but now he felt numb, wondering what the point of it really was – how it related to Dad.
    â€˜The Treasure of St John has never attracted much real attention, except as a sort of academic amusement,’ Harper said. ‘But it has always struck me that its worth is far greater than diamonds or gold. Think of it …’ He leaned forward, his blue-grey eyes suddenly coming alive as they caught the light. ‘Think of it, the knowledge and wisdom of the ancients, codified and collected. Oh yes, there might be precious stones and metals and trinkets and relics. But think what we could discover.’ He leaned back again, hands out in front of him as if begging his audience to share in his excitement. ‘They say the writings include the secret of alchemy, which of course they won’t. They say they include notes on the knowledge held secret by the ancients. How the pyramids were built, the heavens mapped, the purpose of Stonehenge … Perhaps even a clue to the location of …’
    Harper paused, staring past Matt into the distance. Then he blinked, and was suddenly once more in the present. ‘Of who knows what …’ he said. ‘But we can be sure that whatever is written in those books and on those parchments will fundamentally change the way we see the ancient world and our place in the modern one.’
    â€˜What about Matt’s dad?’ Robin said levelly.
    â€˜I’m sorry? Of course. What am I thinking of?’ Harper stood up. He clasped his hands behind his back and paced to and fro in front of Venture’s desk. ‘I engaged Doctor Stribling to find me the Treasure. I knew