Scandal and Betrayal

Book excerpt: In 1907, coinciding with the visit of Edward VII to Ireland, an extraordinary discovery was made--the Irish Crown jewels had disappeared from Dublin Castle. Scotland Yard uncovered a complicated web of mystery, intrigue and scandal. The custodian of the jewels, Sir Arthur Vicars and his staff, including his co-tenant Frank Shackleton, brother of the explorer, came under intense scrutiny. The investigation revealed the existence of a homosexual circle within the Castle, including Vicars himself, Shackleton, Lord Haddo--the sun of the Kind's Viceroy in Ireland--and the King's brother-in-law, the Duke of Argyll. A spectacular Irish burglary suddenly threatened to become an international scandal...