Includes bibliographical references (pages 271-279).
Contents
Part I: The field//theft -- Black diamond bandits -- Death in the grove -- Part II: The laboratory//secrecy -- The peasant's golden secret -- A scientific mystery -- Part III: The forest//sabotage -- Disappearance of the dogs -- Poison -- Part IV: The market//deceit -- Middlemen -- Detectives and fraudsters -- The king's ascent -- The king's betrayal -- Part V: The plate//seduction -- Demanded, delivered, prepared -- Shaved.