Page 256 of Hidden Depths

Grandpa had engraved all five of our initials into the back.

We all remembered him doing this.

My vision blurred.

"He carried us with him."

Thomas smiled.

"Every voyage."

He pointed toward the compass.

"Open it."

I frowned.

"It opens?"

Grandpa had carried this compass my entire life.

I never knew.

Thomas nodded.

"James made it himself."

I pressed gently on the tiny brass hinge.

The back plate popped open.

Hidden inside...

Was a tightly folded piece of paper.

Ben leaned forward.

"There's something inside?"

Thomas smiled.

"James always believed..."

"...the safest place to hide a secret..."

"...was somewhere everyone had already seen."

I unfolded the tiny paper.

It wasn't a map.

It wasn't a confession.

It contained only one sentence.

Written in Grandpa's familiar handwriting.

The sea keeps many secrets. Trust the tide...never the man who controls the harbor.