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Book set to spark treasure hunt

London: A puzzle book containing clues leading to jewels worth £1 million is set to spark an international treasure-hunt craze not seen since the publication of Masquerade in 1979. That book caused a frenzy of digging in search of a golden hare in the U.K. Secrets of the Alchemist Dar, by millionaire author Michael Stadther, will incorporate riddles leading to 100 gems hidden around the world.

A single jewel described as "one of the most precious stones on earth" is worth £530,000. Claiming that someone in one country has the same chance of finding them as someone on the other side of the world, Mr. Stadther is secretive about what form the hunt will take. "It might be physical; it might not. People might have to get in cars or on planes; they might not," he said. But he did give one hint: "I have found the power of the Internet — it's vast." In 2004, Mr. Stadther published A Treasure's Trove, sending thousands of "trovers" looking for 18-carat gold coins that he and his wife had scattered around parks across the country.

Secrets of the Alchemist Dar is due for international release in September. — © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

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