Five Pipes

Napoleon Bonaparte lost at Waterloo, June 1815. In his haste to retreat he left behind a coach of gold destined to pay mercenaries. Found abandoned by the English General Cornelius Ferguson the gold was temporarily hidden in a Flanders well, but in the turmoil of war the clues to its whereabouts were lost. The village of Tromelles, Somme valley, France 1916. The gold accidentally resurfaces, albeit briefly, found by Australian infantry force sappers - tunnellers - on one of the decisive battlefields of the Great War. But the bullion disappears a second time, lost to the savagery of war once more. Hobart, Australia, 2014. A chance purchase of World War One souvenirs at an antique auction has restaurant chef and amateur historian Jameson and partner Elspeth on a wild hunt for the lost gold. But in their enthusiasm they unwittingly stir up a hornet's nest of violent criminals with their own plans for the treasure.