Guest Post by Hugh Muppets

THE MYSTERIOUS COBALT

This happened a few years ago in the city where I used to live. For many months the local police had been baffled by the activities of a master jewel thief named “Cobalt”. All the police knew about him was his name for the reason that, every time he blagged a jewellers or stately home, the only clue he left behind was a business card bearing one word – “Cobalt.”

The police became particularly concerned when the city museum borrowed, for a short time, one of India’s most priceless rubies. The cops were sure Cobalt would plan to steal it, for no other reason than to prove he could. So, precautions were taken. The main display room of the museum was patrolled by a ring of uniformed guards day and night. In the centre of the room itself was a display protected by bulletproof glass and laser beams linked to a state-of-the-art alarm system. Occupying pride of place within the display was the huge ruby and curled around it was a live snake, a prime example of one of the world’s most deadly cobras.

Then one night an unexpected disturbance somewhere in the museum distracted the guards for a few moments. When they returned to the main display room they noted that Cobalt had been and gone, finding a way past the laser beams before making a hasty departure. They knew this because, although the display was intact, he’d placed one of his calling cards beneath the bulletproof glass. He'd also left them in no doubt that he had a sense of humour. The ruby was still there but he’d stolen the snake.