Raisins and almonds - Poisoned Pen Press (UK)

Chapter Twelve
Water: This is the first Element…the most
Ancient principles, and the Mother of all
things amongst Visibles. Without the mediation
of this, Earth can receive no blessing
at all, for the moysture is the proper cause
of mixture and Fusion…The Common
Element of Water is not altogether contemptible,
for there are hidden treasures in it.
—Thomas Vaughan, Magia Adamica
‘All right,’ said Simon, as Phryne started the engine and the
Hispano-Suiza purred into life. ‘The chemistry I sort of understand.
The argument about Zion, that has been going on for
a long time. At least since Bar Kochba. But the shoes, Phryne
darling, I should understand the shoes?’
‘I thought of it when I walked on the bits of that cup you
smashed in the heat of discussion. Broken china sticks in the
soles. Someone invaded the house of a Mrs. Katz today, and
searched it for “the paper”. In the process they shattered a very
old and distinctive plate. There was no trace of it in your friends’
shoes, though Yossi left before I could examine his. Therefore
those present did not break into Mrs. Katz’s house.’