Chapters 52-57 Summary

Rankin greets Isobel warmly. She tells him about the shipwreck and he tells her that they reached the treasure vault. Most of the staff were sent home because of the weather and they are functioning on battery power. They try the Radmeter and it indicates the presence of radiation, and Isobel tells him it's from St. Michael's Sword. Rankin agrees and says it explains the illnesses and the problems with the equipment.

Neidelman is still in the pit as Chapter Fifty-Three opens. Neidelman stands in the vault dazzled by the wealth. The sword casket is elaborately decorated and he caresses it. He has dreamed of this day for years. Asking for a torch, he prepares to open the casket. It dawns on him that the casket has never been opened by Ockham or anyone else. He will be the first.

In...