CHAP – 3 - THE LULLABY

With each day that passed, Tintin was getting better. And later that week, he was able to breathe on his own.

Meanwhile, Haddock, always brought to him, things from home, like books, new pajamas and when nobody was looking, he brought Milou for a visit, hidden in a picnic basket.

'' Captain, need not come here every day, I appreciate your company, but I think Madame Haddock, should be longing for you.'' advised Tintin

'' nonsense, Tintin, Bianca can take care of herself and besides, I regretted marrying her, she talks nonstop'' groaned the captain, making the reporter laugh.

'' I'm sure, that she just wants to please you, captain.'' responds Tintin

'' Well, if you say ... now, buddy, if you do not mind, what really happened at the Cathedral of St. Salvatore?'' said Haddock

'' Well, to tell you the truth, I just went up to Brugge, to take a week resting'' he said

'' A week of rest?''

'' Yes. But when I got there, I was intrigued by the story of the statues of San Salvatore, because the people were saying, that they blinked their eyes.'' Said Tintin

'' seems scary.'' commented the captain

''And was. But also it was all a hoax. The statues were doors to secret passages that Rastapopulos was using to hide his smuggled material'' explained Tintin

'' and the minefield, how a minefield, has been appearing in the middle of a cathedral?'' said the other man

'' I think it was already there, disabled since the war ended. The cathedral was built over a former battlefield. One of the Rastapopulos henchmen threw me onto the site of the bomb.'' Explained

'' When I get my hands on that spirit of pig, I'll kill him.'' growled Haddock

'' I do not want to remember that anymore, Captain. I'm finished, I'll never get what I was looking for, at least not anymore'' sighed Tintin

'' and what you're looking for, my boy?''

'' Well ... once my mom told me that my father had disappeared in the war. Disappeared, but do not know if he died. So, since I turned 18-years old, I started traveling the world, looking for him. He also called Archibald, captain, like you.'' Smiled the boy

'' do not lose hope, Tintin, maybe one day, you find it.'' smiled Haddock

'' Ok, Captain, thank you. But now, if you'll excuse me, I'll take a nap'' Tintin replied, turning back to sleep. When All of a sudden, he heard an calm and familiar melody '' Captain, I'm 22-years need not singing me to sleep'' he said

'' oh, sorry, Tintin, I thought you'd like it.'' said Haddock

'' Thank you for your kindness, but do not need to sing. Anyway ¸ where you heard this song?'' Asked the reporter

'' was my first wife, she used to sing this song for our son to sleep. Why? You already know this song?'' Haddock replied darkly.

'' Yes , it was the same song that my mother sang for me to sleep when I was little. I did not know that you had a son''

'' He's dead, Tintin, two years after I go to the War.'' the captain whined.

Soon after they recovered the treasure]] Sir Francis. Haddock, had told Tintin , that his first wife had died while he fought in the War, but the reporter never knew that his friend had lost a son too.

'' I'm sorry, Captain.'' whispered Tintin

'' Need not, boy. Go rest. Later, I see if I can bring Milou, to see you '' replied the captain leaving.