Chapter 4

"Have a seat." Millie said and gestured to the round hardwood table behind her. Tintin took her offer and sat down. Millie busied herself by filling the kettle with water and pulling out a few china mugs. The kitchen was silent aside from the occasional clinking of mugs and spoons, or the upbeat musical tune Millie was humming. Tintin found himself just watching her, and he was content to stay like that but realized he should probably strike up a conversation.

"I see you like musicals." He said.

Millie turned around and beamed at him, "I love them." She gushed.

Tintin laughed at her reaction. He leaned back in his chair "I can't say I've seen any. I interviewed the lead in a musical once though."

Millie stopped what she was doing completely. The look on her face was that of shock and she was staring at him right in his eyes. Tintin felt his face go hot and he shifted in his chair, uncomfortable.

"What!" he said, flustered.

"I just can't believe you've never seen a musical! There's so many! I thought everyone had seen at least one." She said surprised and she turned back to the kitchen counter.

She returned with two mugs of hot tea. She slid one across the table to Tintin, who thanked her. She blew on her tea to cool it down. "You have to promise me you'll go see one?" she said quite serious.

"Well I don't-"

"I'm the type of girl who doesn't take 'no' for an answer, Tintin!" She giggled. "The look on your face, you look so confused." She said trying to stifle breaking out in full laughter.

Tintin raised his eye brows and smiled a bit. Millie rested her head in her hand.

"So. What were you going to tell me about this evidence you found?"

"Right! Well..." Tintin pulled out a few photos and some newspaper clippings that he had gotten from the library. He also had the article from the morning's paper about the treasures of Hatshepsut opening at the museum.

"See these two men here?" He pointed at the two photographs picturing one burly looking man with a fat neck and a big bushy moustache, which made him look like a walrus in Millie's opinion. The other was a seedy looking man, a fedora perched on the top of his head and a tooth pick hanging out his mouth.

"Yeah, what about them?" Millie asked.

"These two are the criminals that robbed the theatre earlier this month and now they're also the two that robbed the bank." Tintin said pushing forward two news paper headlines about the robberies. Tintin smiled a bit "Are you catching on yet?"

"Not quite yet. Go on." Millie answered.

He handed her the article from the morning paper. "This was this morning's head line."

Millie took the clipping and read it over, skimming the article. She jumped suddenly "Oh my! You think they're going to try and rob the museum!" she cried.

"Exactly!" Tintin exclaimed, pushing himself up from his chair in excitement. "It fits completely with that poem we found!"

Nodding hastily Millie read out a sentence from the article. "The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences is proud to hold an opening VIP gala this Friday, March 24, 1950. Hatshepsut's treasures will be out in the open for all to see."

Millie looked up from the paper astounded. "You think that they'll try and target it at the gala when it's out in the open!"

Slightly smug, Tintin sat back down on his chair "right you are again!" he said, fixing the collar on his coat and smirking.

Millie raised her eyebrows and leaned back in her chair "Alright, I'm quite impressed that you figured that out. If I had my hat on I'd tip it to you."

"Why, thank you." Tintin chuckled and he nodded.

"Now, do you think you could use the help of a little crime photographer from France?" Millie asked making a little pose and blinking.

Tintin laughed again "I think I perhaps could."

"There's nothing I like more than catching some baddies in my spare time! You can count on me!" and Millie winked.

"Alright, I think I can get us into the gala, just make sure you look the part, I'm almost sure this will be a black tie affair."

"I'll break out my good shoes."

Tintin collected his papers and photos, stuffing them back into his coat and stood up. Millie stood up as well and the two walked back to the door.

"Thanks for the tea and I'll see you at the gala then?" Tintin asked turning around once he stepped out the door.

"Precisely Tintin! See you then!" She said waving as she closed the door behind her.

Millie smiled to herself. Two weeks in Brussels and she was already getting herself into something exciting! She did not regret the move one bit and Tintin, he was just too interesting for her not to ignore. She turned her radio on and sat down on the couch, still smiling to herself.

Tintin hung his coat on the coat hanger in the lobby of Marlinspike Hall. He found the Captain by the fire lounging in an arm chair with a glass of whiskey in his hand. He greeted Tintin with a shake of his glass.

"Captain, I hope you've got a good suit around."

The captain narrowed his eyes. "Why would I need a suit Tintin?"

"Because we're going to a gala at the Royal Belgian Insatiate of Natural Sciences." Tintin said

"What?"

"For Hatshepsut's treasures!"

"Lad, do you mind telling me what's going on in that crazy ginger head of yours?" Said the captain after taking a big swig from his glass.

"With pleasure Captain." And Tintin sat down in the arm chair across from Captain Haddock with a smile on his face.

Huzzah! Chapter 4 is done! Sorry I took forever to update! And sorry it's sort of on the short side! but stay tuned for the next chapter! :)