"It will seem very strange for you to receive so long a letter in so unusual a way from an old man you have never seen. But if you are as sensible and steady as I hear, you will soon realize, I hope, why this comes to you in this way. I understand that you were fourteen years of age when your father gave his life for his country, so I think you are old enough to know that life is going to be very difficult for your mother in the future. Your mother is my only niece, and for a number of reasons it is many years since we met. But your mother has never been too busy to remember a lonely old man, and almost since you were a baby she has found the time, several times a year, to write me happy, friendly letters that have told me about you and of her own plans and hopes. And this, my boy, is a gift which is very rare - a gift in which the young make the old feel that they are not forgotten.

"Your mother wrote to me when your father was killed. I wished very much to do something to help her - and, indeed, to help you and your cousin through her - but the only thing which I had was the Gay Dolphin, and that I have sadly mismanaged for many years because my main interest in life has been the study of the past, and of my own beloved town of Rye in particular. I decided, therefore, to ask your mother to take over the management of the Gay Dolphin for me and that you should all come and make this place your home. A few days after I had made this decision, and before I had told your mother of it, several important things happened. Firstly, I was taken ill, which was not surprising, considering my age; and secondly, I was persuaded that an operation would save me much pain and probably prolong my life. This letter is being written to you, together with a few others, before I go into hospital, and the fact that you read it now will tell you that at least I have been saved much pain. You will know by now, too, that I have left your mother the Gay Dolphin and all that is in it. I want you to make it your home, not only because it was my home or because you have Sussex blood in your veins, but because I believe that somewhere within its walls there may be treasure trove which will help to make your mother's life much easier."

Jon sighed and turned to the next neatly written page.