CHAPTER THREE

That night was a tortuous one, with a bag strapped to my back and an invaluable map in my pocket, my heart was racing. I crouched in wait under a little bridge, a few poles from the inn. I knew I had to meet the doctor that same night but the invaders were on the road. I could still hear the voice dishing out orders and uttering curses and swear words. Despite the frigidity of the night, I was perspiring profusely, then something happened, several horses rode past me heading for the inn, they looked like officers of the law.

I rose from my crouching position to peep at the inn and I noticed that a fight had ensued, swords were drawn and bullets were fired. The man whom had been giving orders was shot and he let out a loud cry, his boys scampered to safety and the hurried shuffling of racing feet drew nearer, I crouched again while in the still dark night, they ran past me. The din died down and I could hear another voice asking the boys to find me, it was Dr.Tom's voice.

Here sir, I called out coming out of hiding.

I walked towards the party, it was dark and I couldn't see the doctor but his voice depicted pleasure.

Fine lad, where did you hide? He asked.

Under the bridge, I answered.

From the silence of the men, I noticed they were all obsequious.

I need a light, Dr.Tom ordered

Someone gave him a lamp.

He shone it in my face, then he put it off and ordered that I be mounted on a horse.

The men were boisterous, the doctor maintained a placid indifference to their chatter, his mind seemed fixed on something that overwhelmed him, for once I seemed to like the man. We rode in the darkness till we saw a glint of light ahead of us, we stopped in front of an old building, probably a product of 15th century architecture, we dismounted the horses and someone led the horses to a stable behind the building. Dr.Tom produced a giant key from the overcoat he wore, he inserted it in a keyhole on the wooden door and turned on the door latch, the door gave a creaking sound but gave way and we all went in. He came in after us and bolted the door, then he turned on a light and I saw the room now, it was a small, cramped up, passè apartment, an antique bed lay defiantly in a conspicuous corner in the room, there were a clutter of books in the room, most of them dog-eared, an old reading lamp stood on an old table that had peeled off and the floor was everything but clean.

Make yourselves comfortable, the doctor said in a light tone.

Five or six weather-beaten men huddled up together in a corner, I stood aloof.

My good man, the doctor said looking at me and easing himself into a chair

Sir, I answered.

I told you we have got unfinished business, so let me hear your story, he asked

I told him from first to last.

He nodded quietly and looked unruffled by my story. When I was done, he said, we will set sail, we are going in search of this treasure. I think there's some foul play concerning this treasure.

Sir, by the powers, I know nothing about treasure, I chirped in

Whose your father? He asked

I was startled

Whose your father? He asked in an even graver tone.

He was Wilson O'Neal, I answered

Goodness gracious! He exclaimed rising to his feet.

I was taken aback.

He looked at me and said;my good man, your father was a gentleman of fortune, one of the most elusive criminals in the nation's history, he was finally hanged.

Yes, he was, I added sadly.

The treasure here is a fortune, the doctor added excitedly, we shall set sail.

Do you still have any other relations? He asked

Yes, I have a mother, I answered

You shall set sail with us, he said, but you'll see your mother first and bid her goodbye.

I sure will, I quipped.

Get some sleep now, tomorrow we shall go and see your mother, he ordered.

I turned to leave his presence and lie on the floor when he called me back

The map? He asked stretching forth his hand

I will keep it sir, I said

Well then, please yourself, he smiled.