"Oh wow, Professor! This really is fantastic!"

Hershel Layton nodded in agreement to Luke's comment. His young apprentice was standing at the bow of the ship as it left port, going down the English Channel. The day couldn't have been more perfect; it was warm and sunny, without a cloud in the sky. Professor Layton sat on a bench on the deck of the ship, holding onto his top hat so the wind wouldn't blow it overboard. Flora sat next to him with a notebook and pen, trying to think of ingredients she would need for her next recipe. Not many other people were on the deck of the ferry, because most everyone was looking for their rooms or already in it. Professor Layton was about to suggest that they find their rooms when yelling erupted elsewhere on the deck.

"Bloody little rat! Cap'n, we've got a stowaway 'ere!"

"What? A stowaway on my ship?"

"Let me go, let me go! I swear, I have a—ouch! That hurts!"

Layton ran to the source of the yelling, with Luke and Flora close behind. They ran to the helm of the ship to see one large man in a captain's hat and uniform looking as furious as a swarm of bees, and an even larger man holding a young boy, the boy's arms folded behind his own back so he couldn't move. The boy looked like he was about twelve years old and a little taller than Luke. He had large brown eyes, and only a few strands of blonde hair were visible underneath an enormous newsboy hat. His worn out trousers and dirty button shirt didn't look like something that a passenger of this ship would be wearing.

"Excuse me, fine gentlemen, but may you explain why you are inflicting harm on this boy?" The two men looked up at Professor Layton, looking almost shocked at his polite tone of voice. Behind the professor, Flora looked surprised and uncomfortable, while Luke looked infuriated.

The captain of the ship turned on Layton, his handlebar mustache rising and falling as he yelled. "This little brat stowed away on the ship! So unless he's traveling with you, get lost!"

The young boy looked up at the captain, still wriggling in the crewmember's grip. "I'm not a stowaway, I just dropped my ticket! Please believe me!" The large crewmember kicked the back of the boy's heel, causing him to give a small yelp.

"Hey, leave him alone!" Luke started to rush forward, but Professor Layton clutched his shoulder to hold him back.

"I do not approve of you abusing this child," Professor Layton stated, trying to keep calm. "Let him go, and we can talk this out."

The crewmember looked at the captain with confusion, and the captain grumbled. "Fine, let the brat go. I've wasted my time. But stay here with him." The captain turned and walked below deck, grumbling to himself. The crewmember looked down at the boy with disgust, and then let go of him. The boy fell to the ground, adjusting his oversized hat before rushing over to the other three. He had a slight limp from the blow he had received to his foot.

"I-I'm so sorry if I'm causing you trouble; I dropped my ticket, and because I'm so poor they thought I was a stowaway. But I'm not, please believe me!"

Professor Layton nodded, putting his hand on the boy's shoulder. He was surprised at how slim the boy's shoulder was, but shrugged it off. "I understand. Now please, tell us your name."

The boy looked into the professor's eyes for a moment, and then averted his gaze. "It's Nathan," he said.

The professor smiled. "Alright, Nathan. Tell me, why are you on this ferry?"

Nathan brought his arm up to his ear, as if he were nervous. Then he let out a small breath. "I want to get away from London. I managed to save up enough money to buy a ticket, but I accidentally dropped it overboard. I'm alone, so…"

Flora tapped Professor Layton on the arm. "What should we do now?"

The professor smiled, taking his hand off of Nathan's shoulder and walking toward the large crewmember. "Excuse me, but where on the ship did you find this boy?"

The large man crossed his arms. "Starboard, near the railing. Why?"

Professor Layton chuckled. "You must have seen the boy right after he dropped his ticket overboard."

The crewmember's face twisted in rage. "Whad'ya mean by that?"

"If he really was a stowaway, he would do a much better job at hiding. Wouldn't you agree?"

With this, the crewmember walked right up to Layton, towering over him. "Fine, you win this one. But if I see this rat causin' any more trouble, I'm throwin' 'im overboard, ya hear?"

Professor Layton smiled, staying perfectly calm. "I promise you that this boy will not cause any further trouble."

The man stormed off, and Layton turned to the three children. Luke was still looking rather angry and Flora looked both relieved and nervous. Nathan, on the other hand, had shoved his hands in his pockets, his head cast downward so you could only see the top of his enormous hat. Although nobody could see it, a large purple bruise was forming on the back of Nathan's right foot, where the crewmember had kicked him.

Professor Layton walked up to Nathan, placing a hand on the boy's large newsboy hat. Nathan looked up at him, his brown eyes looking larger than before. "You will probably have to room with us, Nathan. Are you alright with that?"

"But, you don't even know me…"

Layton tipped his hat. "My, I nearly forgot. A gentleman should never forget to introduce himself. My name is Hershel Layton."

Luke stepped forward, a large smile of pride on his face as he spoke. "And I'm his apprentice, Luke Triton!"

Flora was much more modest with her introduction. "My name is Flora Reinhold."

Nathan looked at each of them with a look of confusion. "You'll let me…stay with you?"

"Of course." Professor Layton adjusted his top hat. "That is what a gentleman does."

Nathan looked up at the professor, and then looked at his shoes. "Th-thank you…"

"Now, do you have any luggage?"

Nathan shook his head, and then followed the other three below deck to room 209. When they got there, Luke and Nathan were amazed at the fancy furnishing. Luke jumped onto a red couch with excitement, while Nathan sat on a red armchair with an expression of awe. He must be really poor, if he's never even sat in a proper armchair, Luke thought.

"We'll be arriving at port tomorrow at nine," Layton said as he sat down next to Luke with a cup of tea. Luke was munching on a cookie, and Flora had seated herself in a rocking chair, continuing on with her recipe. Nathan had been rather uncomfortable, realizing just how out of place he was on this ship.

Luke turned to Professor Layton, half of a cookie still in his hands. "Professor, I understand why you helped Nathan, but why did you invite him to stay with us?"

Professor Layton tipped his hat, putting his cup of tea down on the small coffee table. "A gentleman always helps a lady in need, my boy."

Nathan, who had been listening in on the conversation, looked up in shock. Luke had an equally surprised expression. "What do you mean by that, Professor?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Layton stood up and turned to Nathan, who was looking at the professor with wide eyes. "The reason is unknown to me, but it seems that Nathan is not your real identity, is it?"

Flora and Luke were shocked at this, and Nathan stood up. "I'm not sure how you figured it out, but…" Nathan pulled off the enormous hat, and locks of blonde hair came down to the middle of her back. "You're correct."