Fimbus looks taken aback. "Is that so? The Archaeologists? I must admit, I've never heard of any such organization. Thieves, you say? Hmm... perhaps the authorities would know more. I'll contact them right away in the morning!
And this James Urton fellow. Fallon is a large city, it'll be like finding a diamond in a coal mine, but lucky for you, you're dealing with a gnome who has plenty of experience with finding diamonds in unlikely places." He winks, and you recall from stories on the road that Fimble's father is a gemcutter.
"For now, you're tired. This has waited for decades, it can wait another night. Get some sleep, you're welcome here if you can find a comfortable place, or I'll call on my friends upstairs about a nice place to sleep, my treat."
Sleeping arrangements are dealt with, and the night passes uneventfully.
---
The next day, again you gather in the Gimmons' tiny living room. Today, Mrs. Gimmons joins you. She greets you happily, and you settle down for business.
"Right then. I spoke with the authorities this morning. Seems James Urton came here from Orussus some time ago because of some troubles he had with the law. He settled in quite nicely here, then was involved in a scandal bribing an authority for access to the Fallon sewer systems. He again dropped off the map, but his old house was searched and they found coded papers that were never deciphered. If you go to the Guard's clerical office, you can see them yourself.
As for the Archaeologists, they're quite invisible here, if they're here at all. I spoke with my scholarly friends, as well as dropping the name to a few of my... ah... less scholarly friends. Nobody has heard of them. If you want, you might check out the library at the Wizard's College, it's one of the vastest this side of the Northern Mountains. I have to work today, I have a few wedding bands to set, so I'll be in my shop. Fimble knows where it is." Fimbus tussles his son's hair affectionately.
"Thanks Dad. Any questions?"
