Page 33 of A Treacherous Treasure

“We found it!” Benjamin said.

“We did, we found something!” Caroline said, breathless.

“For heaven’s sake, keep your voices down,” Thomas said.

“We found this little notation on the back of the letter.” Caroline showed them some tiny writing.

“What does it say? You know I can’t read that,” Mrs. Westbrook said.

“It says ‘E P H three twenty,’” Caroline said.

“For you non-clergy, that is Ephesians chapter three, verse twenty.” Benjamin was carrying the large tome that Rebecca had last seen in the breakfast room.

“You found the Bible, then.”

“Yes, but it was not where you said you last saw it,” Benjamin said. “Forgive us, but we found it in what I believe was your mother-in-law’s bedroom.”

Rebecca lost her breath. They had invaded Arthur’s mother’s room?

“What were you thinking?” Thomas said quietly, but in a harsh tone. “Did any of the servants see you?”

“We were very careful,” Caroline said.

“Careful? You’re carrying around an enormous Bible,” Thomas said.

“Don’t you want to know what we found?” Benjamin glared at his brother.

“Inside the Bible, in Ephesians chapter three, we found this. It’s another map.” Caroline used the desk to spread out a piece of paper, about the same size as the other map.

As she and Thomas leaned down, their heads nearly collided.

Another “X” was drawn on this map, and it was between what appeared to be a drawing of a tree and a strange shape, more round than square.

“What is it?” Caroline asked.

Everyone seemed to be waiting for Thomas to speak.

“Does this mean there are two treasures?” Caroline asked.

“Or perhaps it’s showing a closer view of where to find the treasure,” Rebecca suggested.

“I think you are correct,” Thomas said, glancing up at her.

“But a tree? There are so many trees behind the house,” Rebecca said.

“We have to find this.” He pointed to the rounded object.

“I think it’s a rock,” Benjamin said.

“That is my guess as well,” Thomas said. “Do you recall seeing a large rock with this shape somewhere?”

Rebecca tried to think. “There are several rocks, and little rocky hills, beyond the house, if I remember correctly. I rarely go out there. Arthur told me there were many badgers living among the rocks, so I never went walking there, and I am not much for riding.”

“Badgers aren’t dangerous,” Benjamin said. “We can scare them away.”

“I can retrieve my gun from the carriage,” Thomas said, “if it would make everyone feel safer.”

They were still gazing at Rebecca.