The Inheritance Games, #4
The Brothers Hawthorne
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
CHAPTER 68: JAMESON
Overview
Jameson and Avery test the fireplace clue while Duchess Zella watches, forcing them to reveal the next step of the game under competitive pressure. By burning Jameson’s shirt instead of the logs, they avoid violating the rules and uncover the hidden instruction “DIAL 216.”
Zella’s presence turns the discovery into a race, but Avery quickly redirects the clue from an obvious phone interpretation to the sundial in the stone garden. The chapter shifts the hunt out of the room and deepens the urgency around the remaining key.
Summary
Jameson and Avery find matches in the kitchen and hurry back to the room with the table, aware that the other competitors are searching for the same prize. Avery arrives first and finds Duchess Zella already there, inspecting the opened, empty compartment and implying she knows Branford has found one key and Jameson and Avery have found another.
Zella notices the matches and connects them to the fireplace and the clue “No rest for the wicked.” Jameson realizes that lighting the fireplace in front of Zella will give her the same information, but waiting could let Branford or Katharine gain ground. Avery makes Zella agree that if a key appears, it belongs to them.
Before lighting anything, Avery worries that burning the logs could violate the instruction to leave everything as they found it. Jameson agrees they need another fuel source, so Jameson removes his shirt, puts his waistcoat back on over his bare chest, and throws the shirt into the fireplace.
The burning shirt heats the fireplace stones, revealing a hidden message written in heat-activated invisible ink: “DIAL 216.” Zella thanks Jameson and immediately leaves, presumably following the clue.
Jameson and Avery consider whether the clue points to a phone, but Avery realizes the relevant “dial” is likely the sundial in the stone garden, tying the message to the earlier instruction to leave no stone unturned. Their next move is to return to the garden before Zella or the others can use the clue first.
Who Appears
- Jameson HawthorneCompetes in the key hunt, burns his shirt to reveal a hidden fireplace clue.
- Avery GrambsHelps Jameson interpret the clue and realizes “DIAL 216” points to the sundial.
- Duchess ZellaObserves Jameson and Avery’s discovery, then leaves to pursue the revealed clue.
- BranfordAbsent competitor whose earlier key discovery raises the pressure on the hunt.
- RohanGame’s Factotum, whose clue design and possible history with Zella are implied.
- KatharineAbsent competitor whose unknown progress adds urgency to Jameson and Avery’s decision.