The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games)
CHAPTER 66
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnThe protagonist enters a chapel early in the morning, bathed in colorful light from stained-glass windows, searching for a hidden clue. After meticulously examining the pews and finding nothing, they turn their attention to the marble altar, which holds a candelabra, a golden Bible, and a silver cross. An inscribed biblical quote—2 Corinthians 4:18—catches their eye, hinting at a deeper mystery. The verse’s emphasis on the “unseen” sparks their curiosity, leading them to suspect the altar may conceal more than meets the eye.
Kneeling to inspect the altar, the protagonist discovers a series of raised circles hidden beneath it, arranged in three rows of six. Connecting the dots between the biblical reference and the 18 circles, they theorize the numbers 4, 1, and 8 might hold the key. Realizing the circles correspond to Braille numerals, they press the correct sequence, triggering a mechanism that unlocks a hidden compartment in the altar. The discovery confirms their suspicion that the altar is hollow, possibly designed to conceal a body.
With the help of Oren, the protagonist slides open the heavy marble slab, revealing an empty space inside the altar. Instead of remains, they find a shroud and defaced marble with Toby’s handwriting—a chilling message accusing Tobias Hawthorne of wrongdoing. The words “I KNOW WHAT YOU DID, FATHER” suggest a dark secret tied to the Hawthorne family’s past. The protagonist speculates about Toby’s motivations and what else he might have uncovered in this hidden tomb.
The chapter culminates with the protagonist finding a USB drive inside the altar, hinting at further revelations about the Hawthorne family’s secrets. The discovery raises questions about Tobias Hawthorne’s true intentions and the role of the chapel as more than a religious space. The protagonist’s methodical investigation and the cryptic clues left behind by Toby set the stage for uncovering long-buried truths, leaving the reader eager to learn what the USB drive might reveal.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 4:18 in the context of the chapter, and how does the protagonist interpret it?
Answer:
The Bible verse “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” serves as a critical clue for the protagonist. Initially, it seems like a spiritual reference, but the protagonist realizes it holds a practical meaning related to Tobias Hawthorne’s puzzle. The verse suggests focusing on what cannot be seen visually—in this case, the Braille numbers hidden beneath the altar. By interpreting “unseen” as tactile rather than visual, the protagonist deciphers the code (4-1-8) to unlock the altar’s secret compartment, revealing Toby’s message and the USB drive.2. Analyze the symbolism of the chapel’s altar and its connection to Will Blake. How does this reveal Tobias Hawthorne’s motives?
Answer:
The altar, made of pure white marble and hollowed out, symbolizes a hidden tomb—likely intended for Will Blake’s remains. This reflects Tobias Hawthorne’s complex relationship with his mentor; while he built a chapel instead of a mausoleum (perhaps to avoid suspicion), the altar’s design suggests he still honored Blake in a concealed way. The protagonist notes its size could fit a body, hinting at Hawthorne’s guilt or unresolved feelings. The defaced marble with Toby’s angry message (“I KNOW WHAT YOU DID, FATHER”) further implies Hawthorne’s dark secrets, possibly involving Blake’s death, which Toby discovered and rebelled against.3. How does the protagonist’s method of solving the puzzle demonstrate critical thinking and attention to detail?
Answer:
The protagonist systematically examines every element of the chapel—stained glass, pews, and altar—before focusing on the inscription. By researching the Bible verse and connecting it to Tobias Hawthorne’s penchant for puzzles (like Blake’s lock combination), they deduce the verse is a clue. Noticing the “unseen” Braille numbers under the altar requires tactile exploration and knowledge of Braille numbering. This step-by-step approach, combining research, observation, and lateral thinking, showcases their ability to synthesize disparate clues (the verse, the altar’s structure, and Toby’s past actions) into a coherent solution.4. What might Toby’s message (“I KNOW WHAT YOU DID, FATHER”) imply about his relationship with Tobias Hawthorne, and how does this discovery advance the story’s mystery?
Answer:
Toby’s carved message suggests he uncovered a dark secret about his father’s actions, likely related to Will Blake’s death or another morally questionable act. The anger in the wording implies betrayal, which may explain Toby’s decision to run away. This discovery deepens the mystery by confirming Toby’s active role in uncovering Hawthorne’s past and hints at a potential motive for his disappearance. The USB drive found alongside the message may contain further evidence, setting up the next phase of the protagonist’s investigation into the Hawthorne family’s hidden history.5. Why might the author have chosen to include Braille as part of the puzzle, and what thematic purpose does it serve?
Answer:
The use of Braille reinforces the theme of “seeing the unseen”—a literal and metaphorical challenge. Tactile clues align with the Bible verse’s emphasis on perceiving beyond the visible, mirroring the protagonist’s journey to uncover hidden truths. Braille also symbolizes accessibility to secrets for those who know how to “look” differently, reflecting Toby’s (and now the protagonist’s) ability to decode Hawthorne’s games. Thematically, it underscores that truth often requires unconventional methods to reveal, tying into the novel’s broader exploration of deception, legacy, and perception.
Quotes
1. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
This biblical quote (2 Corinthians 4:18) inscribed on the altar serves as both a literal clue and a thematic guide for the protagonist’s search. It encapsulates the chapter’s central puzzle-solving approach - looking beyond surface appearances to uncover hidden truths.
2. “I KNOW WHAT YOU DID, FATHER.”
Toby’s carved message reveals the deep family conflict at the heart of the mystery. This accusatory statement hints at a dark secret Tobias Hawthorne may have been hiding, serving as a pivotal discovery that changes the protagonist’s understanding of the Hawthorne family dynamics.
3. “What did it mean to fix your eyes on something that was unseen? I had no way of looking at the raised circles. I couldn’t see them. I’d had to feel them.”
This moment of realization demonstrates the protagonist’s critical thinking breakthrough. It shows how the literal interpretation of the biblical quote leads to the practical solution of using Braille, blending thematic depth with puzzle-solving ingenuity.
4. “The inside of the altar had been hollowed out. There was a space big enough for a body.”
This discovery confirms the protagonist’s suspicions about the altar’s true purpose as a hidden tomb. The physical revelation parallels the narrative’s unfolding secrets, representing both a literal and metaphorical uncovering of buried truths.