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Stitchawl · 02-03-2011, 06:43 AM

I was thinking of the wonderful book, "A Key to Rebeca" by (I think it was ) Ken Follet!

Anyway.. here's another little mystery. I think this one will prove a LOT harder than the last...

The Case of the Mona Lisa

Bertie Tilford, the international get-rich-quick man from England, poured himself some of Dr. Haledjian's best brandy. As he did this, Haledjian got ready to listen to the latest of Bertie's schemes for making money.
"It is true," began Bertie, "that in the past I have asked you for money for schemes which were-I say it myself -not quite proper. But now I've got the chance of something big- da Vinci's Mona Lisa!"
"I thought the painting was in Paris," said the sleuth. "Ha! So does the rest of the world'" exclaiined Bertie. "You will remember that it was stolen in 1911. The painting which was recovered then was really a forgery by the superb Japanese counterfeiter, Yakki Yakameko. "The real Mona Lisa," said Bertie, "was hidden in Tokyo till a buyer was found. Now it is coming to Texas, rolled up in some silk that is being brought here on a ship belonging to one of Japan's finest companies.
"I would never get involved in anything criminal," Bertie explained. "I have, however, a contact who is sure that he can get to the silk and recover the painting. He needs only $30,000 to payoff the men who guard it. The French will pay $1,000,000 reward for its recovery, I'm sure.
If you could lend me the $30,000," concluded Bertie, I can personally promise you half the reward!"
"Sorry," said the detective, "this one is a forgery too!"

How did he know?

Stitchawl

02-03-2011, 06:43 AM	#707
Stitchawl Opsimath Posts: 12,344 Karma: 187123287 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand Device: Sony PRS-650, iPhone 5, Kobo Glo, Sony PRS-350, iPad, Samsung Galaxy	I was thinking of the wonderful book, "A Key to Rebeca" by (I think it was ) Ken Follet! Anyway.. here's another little mystery. I think this one will prove a LOT harder than the last... The Case of the Mona Lisa Bertie Tilford, the international get-rich-quick man from England, poured himself some of Dr. Haledjian's best brandy. As he did this, Haledjian got ready to listen to the latest of Bertie's schemes for making money. "It is true," began Bertie, "that in the past I have asked you for money for schemes which were-I say it myself -not quite proper. But now I've got the chance of something big- da Vinci's Mona Lisa!" "I thought the painting was in Paris," said the sleuth. "Ha! So does the rest of the world'" exclaiined Bertie. "You will remember that it was stolen in 1911. The painting which was recovered then was really a forgery by the superb Japanese counterfeiter, Yakki Yakameko. "The real Mona Lisa," said Bertie, "was hidden in Tokyo till a buyer was found. Now it is coming to Texas, rolled up in some silk that is being brought here on a ship belonging to one of Japan's finest companies. "I would never get involved in anything criminal," Bertie explained. "I have, however, a contact who is sure that he can get to the silk and recover the painting. He needs only $30,000 to payoff the men who guard it. The French will pay $1,000,000 reward for its recovery, I'm sure. If you could lend me the $30,000," concluded Bertie, I can personally promise you half the reward!" "Sorry," said the detective, "this one is a forgery too!" How did he know? Stitchawl Last edited by Stitchawl; 02-03-2011 at 07:06 AM.