Page 47 of A Treacherous Treasure

“I hope you don’t mind, Mrs. Heywood,” he said, looking at Rebecca, “but I enlisted my friend Andrew Lisle to go with me, in case there was trouble. Andrew Lisle is a friend and was a fellow lieutenant in the Peninsular War, and I trust him. He tells no tales.”

“I’m glad you had someone there with you. I was worried for your safety.”

Everyone seemed to be looking sharply at her, especially Benjamin, as they realized she was the only person there who knew where he’d gone that morning.

“Lisle and I did not exactly intimidate them into confessing to any wrongdoing, even when I said I saw Fogg with my own eyes digging on your property. He adamantly denied it and said it must have been someone who looked like him. But they did tell us something interesting.”

She could only imagine how much courage it must have taken to confront a murderer.

“They said that your cousin, Gilbert Heywood, wanted to purchase the estate from you and would be making you an offer soon.”

Rebecca stared at him. “That is strange.”

“That’s the man who called on us today,” Margaret said.

“Yes, but he did not make me an offer, nor did he even mention that he wished to buy the estate.”

“Fogg and Strader were insinuating that Arthur’s cousin, Gilbert Heywood, was the man who was trying to get at whatever was buried on the estate, if indeed there is anything.”

Mother looked aghast, her mouth open and her hand over her chest.

“He did behave a bit strangely, as if he wanted to say something but changed his mind. But I wouldn’t have imagined he was a thief or a murderer.”

“And he very well may not be,” Thomas said. “Fogg is the culprit, and I believe Strader is also an accomplice, and possibly Pursglove the coroner as well. Gilbert Heywood may also be a partner, but if so, that is a large number of men amongst whom to divide the treasure.”

It was a large number of men to be wanting to take something from her. They’d already taken her sense of safety.

“The treasure rightfully belongs to the man’s descendants, I should think,” Rebecca said, thinking aloud.

“I would think the treasure belongs to you,” Benjamin said, looking at her. “You are the owner of the property where it is buried. The person who buried it never claimed it, so it is rightfully yours.”

“It is possible the authorities would decide to give the treasure to Captain Heywood’s descendants, but not if the descendants are willing to commit murder to obtain it.” Thomas’s gaze shifted to Rebecca’s mother. “I don’t wish to frighten anyone. We will be vigilant, now that we know there are ruthless men about, trying to steal what doesn’t belong to them. And we will also be more likely to find the treasure, since we are the ones who possess the maps, and they are obviously digging in the wrong place.”

“What else did the Justice of the Peace and the constable say?” Rebecca asked.

“Nothing of consequence, and I was careful not to reveal anything. I downplayed the existence of the treasure, saying it probably had been dug up long ago, if it had ever been buried at all. Hopefully they will begin to doubt its existence and stop searching for it.”

“Where and how did they even hear of it?” Rebecca was again musing aloud.

“I believe I know.” Thomas’s lips twisted in an ironical way. “The JP, Strader, has a grandfather by the name of Pipken.”

“The solicitor.”

“Yes. Captain Heywood might have told him of the treasure’s existence, even if he was never able to send the letter explaining how to find it.”

“And Pipken would have told his son or grandson.”

“Exactly.”

Benjamin and Caroline discussed the possibility that Gilbert Heywood was involved, and that he only wanted the estate so that he could find the treasure.

“Keep in mind,” Thomas interjected, “Gilbert Heywood may have no idea about the treasure. He may only want to keep the estate in the family. Don’t condemn a man before any evidence has been found against him.”

Caroline and Benjamin were both quiet.

“It is all very upsetting. Rebecca,” Mother said, “I think you must come back to London with us before something terrible happens.”

But her mother’s suggestion made her spirit sink inside her.