Page 90 of Cross & Crown

“How about you skip to the end, huh?” Nick demanded.

Julian glared for a moment, then he shook himself and

nodded. “Fine. There is a theory that the payroll supposedly

stolen from the Continentals at the beginning of the American

Revolution was actually not a payroll at al , but rather a small trove of Masonic belongings, including one golden cross.”

“Masons,” Nick said, gritting his teeth. “You’re coming at

us with Masons?”

“No.”

“Wait, what does this cross have to do with the Irish

family jewels?” Kelly asked.

“Crownjewels,” Nick grunted.

“If you would let me finish before you get your knickers in

a twist, this would be easier.”

Nick held up both hands and sat with a huff, gesturing for

Julian to go on.

“The Masons were actually an offshoot of a much older

society called the Rosicrucians,” Julian continued. Nick felt

Kelly’s eyes on him, and he glanced at his lover questioningly.

Julian continued, oblivious to their silent communication.

“They inspired the Masonic Order of the Golden and Rosy

Cross. It’s part of the Scottish Rites, extremely secretive

stuff. Many believe there was anactualgolden and rosy cross created by the Rosicrucians in the early part of the seventeenth century that was handed down into Masonic hands.”

91

“And people believe it was part of the Continental

treasure?” Nick asked.

“Some, yes.”

“What’s so important about this cross?” Kelly asked.

“Besides being really old?”

“It was quite large, purported to have been wrapped in

hundreds of layers of gold foil, and encrusted in rare pink

---