The Emperor's Gift Summary

Gutman has decided to comply with Spade's request for information on the falcon and tells the story of the icon's importance. The falcon was made by the Knights of the Templar as a gift for the King of Spain in the year 1530 in exchange for land he provided for their use. The knights were a very wealthy organization and fashioned the falcon out of gold with encrusted jewels.

The falcon never reached the king, and over the years the falcon has been coated with black enamel to protect it from thieves. Eventually the black bird surfaced in Paris and was purchased by a Russian man named Kemidov who lives in Constantinople. Gutman's life purpose is to own the falcon, and he was thrilled to finally know its whereabouts.

Gutman tried to buy the falcon from Kemidov, who would not...