The Clue Of The Stone Seat by Andrew G Paul (2024)
Chapter 15: The Stone Seat’s Secret Revealed!
“…and so you see, Mr Rogers,” Kannika explained, “the Stone Seat of Mahakala was never the hiding place of the treasure. That was the Temple of Nargarjuna, twenty miles from here. If you knew your Siamese history, you would know King Sanphet I transferred the jewels there in 1568, shortly before his death. You have been digging in the wrong place!”
Rogers glared the Chailai Academy sixth former, inwardly fuming at the girl detective’s precocious arrogance. “Don’t patronise me, young lady.” he said sourly. “The Pakrett Scrolls clearly identify the Seat of Mahakala as the hiding place. Sanphet was bluffing!” Kannika shook her head solemnly. “The university have already been to the Temple and retrieved the artefacts.” she told the exasperated man. “Your attempt to steal this vital part of my country’s heritage is over! The Antiques Division of the Bangkok police department wish to speak to you - especially after seeing the evidence of your wrong doing I sent them this morning.” The schoolgirl sleuth stood up then. “I suggest you confess your crimes to me, sir. It will go easier for you if you do.” The crooked archaeologist stared at the young woman, resentment blazing from his eyes. “Curse you, you interfering little wench!” he blurted out bitterly.
***
A broken man, Rogers confessed everything to Kannika, implicating not only himself but also the crooked dealers and researchers who had aided his theft attempt. After he had finished, the girl tied Rogers’ wrists together securely behind him with the length of rope she had brought for that very purpose, and then sat him down on the Stone of Mahakala. As the sound of wailing sirens drew closer, the Chailai Academy Detective folded her arms and looked down on her unhappy bound captive, who remained in miserable silence, staring at the ground. “This is as close as you will ever get to Sanphet’s treasure, Mr Rogers.” she told the captured man, a note of proud satisfaction in her voice.
Source: Pinterest; captions and book cover mock up mine.