Once Robert had made an announcement that he believed he knew what the “2K168” meant, everyone on the porch sat waiting in anticipation of the answer.
Robert finally spoke, “All my life, at least since I was a small lad old enough to know, I have always thought grandfather’s Bible was important. I did not know why, but today sitting here among you it has all come back to me. Father must have told me about the 2K168, the black feather, and the big Bible when I was young. I must have been so young that I forgot what he said. The key to the mystery must be in Pappy’s old Bible.”
Everyone moved from the porch into the large area of the parlor. Robert requests the Bible and they all crowd around the table. Under the light from a couple of kerosene lamps, Robert opens the big book. Looking at those standing around him he asks, “Now think about the “2K168,” does anyone have any idea what that could mean?”
Little Lizzie, barely able to squeeze up to the table says, “Father could ‘2K’ mean the Second Book of Kings and the other numbers are the Chapter and Verse?”
Robert looks at Lizzie and grins, “From the mouth of babes!”
Robert begins flipping through the Old Testament looking for the Book of Second Kings, “Come on children, you all had to remember the books of the Bible in Sunday School.”
The children start reciting, “Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1st Samuel, 2nd Samuel, 1st Kings, 2nd Kings...”
“Stop that’s it, okay here’s 2nd Samuel, 1st Kings yes...yes...2nd Kings. Now, Chapter 16, yeah here it is,” scanning down the page with his index finger, “Verse 8:
‘And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent it for a present...’
Mattie Ann was the first to speak, “What does all that mean? Do you understand Father?”
“I don’t know girl, but it is certainly a mystery. I suggest we all go to bed, get a good night’s sleep and maybe with our minds rested and refreshed we might solve this riddle tomorrow.”