The previously unexplored easel beside the window entrance to the studio/workshop in the Hotel California Trail contained what looked like the beginning of drawing of two figures and behind it a stack of blank drawing paper.

“This unfinished drawing is typical of an art student's just begun drawing of studio models, but Ted was not art school trained," Caydance observed to Mei. "Perhaps it is the work of an artist, who used the studio after Ted was called up, but just as he began drawing, that artist himself enlisted and left hastily. That would explain why it is so unfinished.”

"Might there be another drawing beneath this one?" Mei asked.

Caydance removed the drawing pad from the easel. There were no other drawings, but surprisingly glued to the back of the pad, a polished wood flat box -- that rattled dully when she shook it –- appeared. The box was unlocked. Inside on a black velvet lining lay a gold key; but the box contained nothing else. Jack will be interested in this, she thought to herself.