Dear Remo.
Sorry about the disappearing act yesterday. But the current finally pulled me and the surfboard back to shore and I wanted to get the board back to the rental place before they charged me overtime. Anyway, I know you're a good swimmer so I knew you were safe. But I still feel bad about leaving you without a word, so to make up for it, I'd like to invite you to a party. It's a kind of family reunion that my people are having. It starts at two this afternoon at the Woburn estate on the northern tip of the island. Please bring Chiun along too. I've told everyone so much about you two and the family is very anxious to meet you both. There'll be a special surprise.
Love, Kim
Chiun padded out of the bedroom and saw Remo in the doorway reading the note.
"Are you finished reading my mail?" Chiun asked.
"What makes you think it's for you?"
"Who would write anything to you?" Chiun said. He snatched the note from Remo's hands and read it slowly.
"It's from Kim," Remo said. "An invitation to a party."
"I can see that for myself. I remember you took me to a party once and people kept trying to get me to eat vile things that were piled up on crackers and buy plastic bowls with lids on them. Do you think this will be that kind of a party?"
"I don't think so," Remo said.
"Wait. Hold. A special surprise, she says," said Chiun.
"Right."
"What is that?" Chiun asked.
"I don't know. If I knew, it wouldn't be a surprise," Remo said.
"It's Barbra Streisand," Chiun said. "I know it. This Kim person has been feeling guilty because she has been keeping you away from your training and now she is going to present me with Barbra Streisand to make amends."
"I don't think any party you're likely to go to is going to make you a gift of Barbra Streisand," Remo said.
"We are going," Chiun said with finality. "I will wear my new robes. Do you want one of my old robes to wear?"
"No, thank you."
"What are you going to wear?"
"A black T-shirt and black pants," Remo said. "Casual, yet restrained. A perfect complement for every occasion."
"You have no imagination," Chiun said.
"Yes I do," Remo said. "Today I'm thinking about wearing socks."
"I'm sure all will be impressed," Chiun said.
"Nothing's too good for Barbra Streisand," Remo said.
They left to walk to the party but were only a few yards along the beach when the telephone back in their condo rang.
"I'll get it," Remo said, turning back toward the front door.
"Get what?"
"The phone," Remo called back.
"Just don't bring it back with you," Chiun said. "I hate those things."
Smith was on the other end of the line. "I have it," he told Remo. "The whole inscription."
"What is it?" Remo said.
"The first part seems to be a listing of weapons. It talks about using spears and fire and the sea and finally it says to use time. It talks about a special killer. Does that mean anything to you?"
"No, but maybe to Chiun. Anything else?"
"But the rest of it, that missing section?"
"Yes?" Remo said.
"The missing word is 'cleaved.' "
"Cleaved?" said Remo.
"Right. Split. Broken. The inscription reads: 'The two plums, cleaved, are bereft.'" He sounded proud.
"What does it mean though?" Remo asked. "It sounds like some whiny housewife's note to a grocery store. 'The two plums, cleaved, are bereft.' Who cares about broken plums?"
"I don't know," Smith said. "I thought you would."
"Thanks, Smitty. I'll tell Chiun."
When he told Chiun of Smith's report, the old Korean seemed more interested in the listing of weapons.
"You say the last one on the list was time?" Chiun asked.
"That's what Smith said. What kind of a weapon is time?" Remo asked.
"The most dangerous of all," Chiun said.
"How's that?"
"If one waits long enough, his enemy will think he has forgotten and relax his guard."
"So you think this was really from the seventh stone of Prince Wo?" asked Remo.
Chiun nodded silently.