Book excerpt: It's the most notorious rant in the history of conspiracy theories. Consists of hundreds of letters hand written in many segments over a number of years by Bruce Roberts, the creator of synthetic rubies. According to Gemstone: Hughes Aircraft stole Roberts' rubies in 1960 for use in laser weapons research. His subsequent investigation of the theft inspired Roberts to write the Gemstone letters, tracking the secret history of the international mob and industrial espionage, and their role in political intrigue. In 1975, a 24 page chronology known as the Skeleton Key to The Gemstone File began to circulate and has now become a legendary classic of conspiracy literature.