Archivist’s Journal: Entry No. 8
Date: Friday, May 12, 2024
Hypothesis: A Poorly Kept Secret
I discovered an intriguing story concerning Michel Poisat. It is said that he discovered the formula that makes it possible to isolate the gold contained in silver coins, in a building constructed by Racle for the canon of Pont-de-Vaux.
Poisat is said to have used this formula and made a fortune within a few years. Then, for reasons unknown to me, he allegedly sold it…
What remains for me to discover now is to whom—and why?
I rewrote an excerpt from the letter that Poisat is said to have sent to various individuals:
“November 24, 1822
While carrying out some work in the house my parents have just purchased, one of the workers came to see me in possession of a box. He explained that he had found it inside one of the walls of the Racle house. This box contains a treasure… an unsuspected treasure, written on a simple scrap of paper.”
“December 9, 1868
I regret having sold this formula to the…”
Note: The remainder is illegible.