Elizabeth: Part X

(Story begins here.)

Anton looked at the card that fell in amazement. It wasn't actually something that he was expecting, but it did seem to support his theory that the journals were out of order because some searching had been done on them, otherwise why would there be such an out-of-place object among the antiquated-looking journals? Anton slowly squatted down and picked up the card with his free hand. The card itself felt rough, like it was cheap stationery, unlike any of the much more elegant papers and cards that were available in the study itself. The side that Anton was looking at was plain, not quite white, but more ivory in colour. He wasn't sure if the slight even yellowing of the card was due to age or due to the material in which it was made of, but it wasn't that important. He impatiently flipped the card over.

There were two lines written in neat cursive on the new side that was revealed to Anton using a fountain pen. It was impossible to say who had written it for sure as it wasn't dated in any way, but the words that were on it sent a chill down Anton's spine.

``Beware of Elizabeth! The housekeeper lies. Search not for details on her. The truth will imprison you. You are forewarned.''

Anton stared blankly at the two lines on the card, dumbfounded, the ominous words ringing throughout his mind like a resonance. Was this meant to be a joke? Could it be something that Mr Higgins and his father alike have set up to hide some kind of deep secret, or was it something even more sinister? Why was the note so insistent in tone about forgetting about the matter while simultaneously asking one to be wary of Elizabeth? How would the truth imprison one? Who WAS Elizabeth?

Anton slowly stood up, one hand holding on to the journal, the other holding on to the card. He walked quietly to the empire desk and set both down as he dropped himself into the high-backed chair, slumping. He was at a dilemma. It was clear now that the card confirmed his theory, that the other masters before him had gone roughly the same route as he had thus far. That the journals were kept out of order meant that each new master had probably gone a little further than the previous one had, and each had tried to leave behind some kind of sign for his successor that something was amiss, and to warn the unknown successor of the folly that had befallen them when they dismissed all the warnings and wandered down the same path, which suggested that he ought to abandon his quest there and then. Yet somehow it seemed like he had a slightly better chance than his predecessors at figuring out the problem of Elizabeth and more importantly, learn of ways to escape from her grasp, whoever she may be, given that he now had the combine knowledge of all his predecessors, which meant that he could possibly solve the mystery once and for all, thus prompting him to redouble his efforts.

The two competing ideas bounced about in Anton's head for roughly an hour before he made his decision.

(Story continues here.)