May the Best Thief Win

Starting the quest
This quest will automaticly start upon completion of Finding the Thieves Guild. Armand Christophe will describe the entry requirements for the guild. Along with Amusei and Methredel, you will be given a compitition to steal the Diary of Amantius Allectus from his house.

Finding the House
Amusei is not a threat, as he seems to have no idea how to find the diary. Methredel, on the other hand, begins to race off to the proper location immediately. If you speak with a begger, they will tell you where Amantius Allectus lives for a small sum of five coins. On the other hand, you could find it yourself-he lives in the Temple District. You can also attempt to follow Methredel to the house, although she is fast and you might lose her.

From Amantius
If you reach the house in time, and pick the lock to enter (you must pick the lock, even if Methredel beats you to the house), you will find the diary in Amantius's desk.

From Methredel
If Methredel beats you to the diary, you can steal it back from her, either by pickpocketing her while she has it or picking the lock on her house and stealing it.

Speaking to Armand
You can find Armand in the Garden of Deraloth from around midnight to about three or four in the morning. If you found the diary, he will grant you entry. If not, Methredel will be granted entry, and Armand will give you (but not Amusei) a second chance.