It has, according to the victim of a burglary in California, all the makings of a "west coast Watergate". When Gerald Nicosia, a respected author and historian, returned to his home in the town of Corte Madera on March 25, it became clear that he had been the victim of an unusual break-in. Doors were ajar and there was evidence of a hurried departure, but no valuables had been taken: a Canon camera was still lying on the kitchen table. The only items missing, Mr Nicosia realised, were three box files of politically-charged documents. They looked unexceptional but were filled...