Free H.J. Gaudreau - Betrayal in the Louvre by H.J. Gaudreau

desktop and Eve laid out the cloth.  Jim slid the tube from within the cardboard onto the cloth.  Then he removed a paper clip from his pocket, straightened it and opened one end of the tube as he’d been shown the night before.  He then removed the leather scroll, placed the tube to the side and unrolled the Patent on the cloth. 
    Bill removed a large magnifying glass from his desk and said, “I’m impressed, you handled the document exactly as a museum curator would.  Who showed you?”
    “David Shilling, over at the antique auction.  He said it would keep our skin oils off the leather,” Jim replied.
    Rousseau bent over the document and began to glass various portraits.  “He’s correct, very important to preserve this if its authentic,” he muttered, obviously deep in thought.
    Several silent minutes passed.  Rousseau occasionally muttered an approving comment, but largely stayed silent.  After several minutes he walked to the bookcase across from his desk, searched for a moment, then removed two books. 
    Returning to his desk he put the books to one side, sat down and said, “First, let me say thank you for allowing me to examine such a wonderful find.”  Then, glancing at both Jim and Eve and sweeping his hand over the vellum document and tube he said, “Unfortunately, I am not the man that can authenticate these items.”  Jim could feel his shoulders sag.  Before he could ask the obvious question Bill continued.  “I would guess there is only one person that could properly do that in North America, maybe three or four in France.  These pieces are truly extraordinary.” 
    Jim and Eve glanced at each other.  “Well, why is it so hard?” she asked.  “I thought you’d just do, I don’t know, maybe carbon 14 dating or something like that to establish the age, then maybe a comparison with similar works of the time and that would be that.”    
    Bill looked at her and smiled.  “That’s actually very good.  How did you come up with it?” 
    She smiled back.  “I teach science, 7th grade.  You’ve now got me at my limit of scientific expertise.” 
    “I’d bet not,” Bill said. “You’re wrong, but not by much.  We can’t use carbon-14 dating.  That process is helpful, but it will only put us in the general time period; probably within fifty to a hundred years.  Its not nearly precise enough for this project.  We do have a process somewhat similar to carbon-14 dating which will be helpful.  And, we’ll have to ensure this is not a contemporary forgery.” 
    Bill paused and began to examine the Patent again.  Almost as an afterthought he added, “No, for this project a chemical and dye analysis will have to be done on the ink and paint.  That will give us the composition.  The actual text and the paintings are also very important.  The text will be examined for correct phrasing.  The paintings will be examined to ensure they’re identifying the correct people.  The material itself will be examined using radioisotope analysis and other methods.  Additionally, the tube will be examined; its age can be determined fairly closely by the ivory.  The real trick will be doing this without harming the object.” 
    “You said you can’t do all that analysis correct?” asked Jim.
    “Correct, I don’t have the expertise for some of the testing.  And, the royal family tree is not my forte.  No, I would have to refer you to a colleague at the University of Montreal, Dr. Jean-Michelle Somme.”
    He then reached for the two books he’d previously retrieved.  “Would you like a little context for these things?  I may be able to add to your mystery, or take some of the mystery away, I’m not quite sure.”  He smiled and studied their faces.
    “Yes!” “Certainly!” they both exclaimed. 
    “Well, first let me show you this picture.  It’s a rarely seen view of the royal seating area of the tribune royale.”
    Jim clearly looked confused.  Bill said,