Spirits Bay Part 1: Rashuras Treasure
This will be a more special episode. The episode will have 3 parts. And it's all going to get a little bigger. So have fun reading!
The Mystery Trio were well dressed at a will opening, they were mentioned in a will and now have to listen to the will of the notary. They came into the building in Bonesborough and saw two men waiting in front of the notary's office.
Rob: So, I'm curious! Uh, is my tie sitting?
Matt: Hey! Hey, wait! James!
James: Huh?
Matt: There are already two men waiting in the hallway.
Rob: Yeah!
James: That clears up right away, Matt. Come on, come! (clears himself) Good day! Um, are you two waiting for Mister Shreber's will to be opened?
Miles Dumpster: Who are you? What are you looking for here?
James: I`m James Jones.
Matt: Matt Jones
Rob: And Rob Jones.
James: We have been invited by the notary.
Miles: Why? What do you have to do with my father-in-law? Go away!
Matt: Wait...
James: Excuse me? We have an appointment here and intend to attend it. I'm sorry if you don't like it, but we...
The office door was opened and a young woman stood there with fiery red hair.
Carla Fantom: Jones Family?
Mystery Trio: Yeah!
Carla: Mister Dumpster?
Miles: Yes!
Carla: And Mister Mason?
Fred Mason: Yep!
Carla: Good day! My name is Carla Fantom. Please come in.
Matt: Thanks!
Miles: How? You invited these boys? What the Titan is being played here?
Carla: These boys were explicitly named Mister Dumpster in your father-in-law's will. Please come in. Everything will be clarified.
Matt: Thank you very much!
Rob: Thanks!
Everyone went to the office, in front of the notary's desk were five chairs. The woman sat down at her desk and took a letter in her hand.
Carla: Please sit down. (Everyone is sitting down.) I welcome you to the opening of the will of the late Mister Harry Shreber.
James: Mhm!
Carla: They were all listed by name in The Will of Mister Shreber. I now read the will in its exact wording.
Rob: Alright.
Carla: (reads already) Me, Harry Shreber, have this in full possession of my spiritual powers: I bequeath to my secretary Fred Mason a thousand snails in gratitude for his faithful services, which are to be paid to him in cash at the opening of the will and which I enclose with this envelope. Thank you for your help Fred!
Fred: Hm.
Carla: (read on) My house and all my remaining cash assets, because it has to be damn it, I be behest to my son-in-law Miles Dumpster,... who has to manage the Snails decently until my grandson reaches the age of majority. (Miles Dumpster laughs) In addition, he gets all the furniture of the house and all the junk that I have collected in the last few days. Have fun decluttering Miles! Maybe my secretary Fred Mason is ready to help you with the organization. He's a genius in things like that.
Miles: Pah!
Carla: (read on) James Jones, Matt Jones and Rob Jones...
James: Oh!
Carla: (read on) ... from the Investigation office, Mystery Trio...
Rob: Yeah?
Carla: (read on) ... from Bonesborough I be beg the contents of the enclosed envelope.
Miles: Investigation Office? (laughs) What nonsense is that? And what is this envelope? I want to see what's in there.
Carla: Definitely not! If the boys want to show you the content, that's another matter, but it's not one of the things you can dispose of.
Miles: We'll see. I'll tell you one thing, girl (stands up) I'm used to enforcing my will, is that clear?
Carla: Mister Dumpster I am a notary and not your girl. And your will only interests me when it is your last. Do you accept the inheritance or not?
Miles: I have to if it's for the boy. (Sits down again) Yeah, alright alright Uh, you there! Mason! You get the order to sell all the stuff out of the house. Have you heard?
Fred: For them Mister Mason Dumpster! I was your father-in-law's secretary. That doesn't make me your servant.
Miles: But that... This is... it's enough for me now!
Miles Dumpster got up and quickly left the room, very angry.
Rob: Yes, that was a really a nice guy.
Carla: So, here's your envelope.
James: Oh! (Matt laughs)
Rob: Alright! I'm curious.
Matt: Me too!
James: Thank you! (Envelope opens)
Matt: Hurry up! Well, James? Have we inherited a million snail? (laughs)
James: (groans) No! Not millions...
Rob: Oh!
James: ... but a riddle.
Matt: A riddle?
James: Yes! Listen! (reads already) Dear Mystery Trio! Probably, despite your undeniable celebrity, you are not often invited to the opening of wills of strangers, but I have heard a lot of good things about you from my friend Ben Peck, who is your grandfather, and I believe that you are the right people to make up for a mistake that was made many years ago. However, it will not be easy. To confuse my enemies, I hide my clues in this riddle.
Matt: Ha, 'n riddle! Can I read it?
James: Uh, yes! (Paper crackles)
Matt: Thank you! Uh... (reads already) The beginning is what once flew, but unfortunately a lot of lies were made.
James: Hm.
Matt: (read on) John Fisher passed it away carelessly, but it is still in the village. Maruthers, to my sorrow, gives them back to you not without a number.
Rob: What?
Matt: (read on) The second code, it is ready, in the case under time. Once you have discovered the object, take what is hidden in it. Uh Rob, read on.
Rob: Yes! (Paper crackles; Rob purses himself and reads on) Ask Ishmael about Moby Dick and go the way he sends you.
Matt: Hm!
Rob: (read on) I blame you for the inheritance so that I do not die completely dishonorable. But I warn you wisely, beware of Rashura. And then it says, uh, something... Numbers: (reads already) One, colon, ninety-eight, stroke, seventy-seven, stroke, seventy-four.
Matt: Uh, goes even further?
Rob: Yeah, here!
Matt: Ah, there! (read on) I very much hope that you can solve it. If you don't understand something, don't hesitate to turn to Fred Mason, who has my full confidence. I know you will do the right thing. Thank you! Harry Shreber.
James: Oh man!
Matt: Great! Once again, I don't understand anything at all. (laughs) Those are the best conditions again, aren't they?
Fred: You are really detectives?
James: Exactly! Here Mister Mason, our card!
Fred: Aha! (reads already) The three detectives, We take over every case. Mystery Trio. First detective: James Jones. Second Detective: Matt Jones. Research and Archive: Rob Jones.
Carla: Interesting! Why exactly the name? Mystery Trio?
James: This is our trademark. Mystery is the universal word of the unknown. It stands for riddles, unsolved questions and mysteries that we investigate. And we have already solved a lot mysteries.
Carla: And you think you can also solve the riddle that Mister Shreber left you?
Rob: Yeah, we will definitely try.
James: Can you think of anything that could help us, Mr. Mason? As Mr. Shreber's secretary, you should know a lot about him.
Fred: Well, maybe I really know something, but how about we discuss this at a Fairy Ice Cream?
Matt: Oh yeah!
Fred: I invite you, guys. (Matt laughs) After all, I just made an inheritance. (laughs)
Matt: Thats right!
Carla: Have fun!
XXX
The Mystery Trio and Fred Mason sat at a table in a Fairy Ice Cream shop in Bonesborough. They all ate a large portion of Fairy Ice Cream
James: (eating) Say Mister Mason,…
Rob: Oh, spilled!
James: ... do you know the names from the riddle? Fisher, Maruthers and Rashura?
Fred: Mh... (swallows) No, I don't think so! Fisher is, of course, a common name, but I don't know any acquaintance of Mister Shreber who is called that.
James: Mhm!
Fred: And I've never heard the other two names.
James: Hm! Can you tell us something about Mr. Shreber, since he commissioned us, well, posthumously?
Rob: Yes! For example, what kind of person he was? So far we only know that he played Witches Hold'em with our grandpa every Wednesday,…
Matt: Yeah.
Rob: ... uh, what else do we know, he had mysterious enemies, we know that too, and he could not like his son-in-law.
Fred: Well, in his youth Harry Shreber was a fighter pilot with the Emperor's Coven.
James: Oh!
Fred: He traveled a lot to Spellstorm, for example. And after the Wichtes War, he married a Healing Covenist.
Rob: Oh really?
Fred: Yes, they settled here in Waterside and had a daughter. Veronika.
James: And then?
Fred: Well, Mr. Shreber continued to work for the Coven. Shortly after his retirement, an accident happened. His wife and daughter were killed in an accident.
James: Oh...
Fred: Yes, that was very hard for him.
Matt: Yeah, yeah...
Fred: He withdrew completely into his house and... and stuffed it with all kinds of things. He never threw anything away. Maybe because he couldn't stand the loss anymore. I had actually hoped that I would not have to deal with the house after his death.
Matt: That... you... you can refuse it. You might refuse to help Mr. Dumpster. So I would do that after you were so insulted earlier.
Fred: Well, but I'm the only one who knows the house.
Rob: Aha! Is it really that big?
Fred: Yes, big and full.
James: And who are his enemies?
Fred: I don`t know.
James: Humph! Then we are not much smarter than before.
Fred: Mh! Mh! There is something.
James: Yeah?
Fred: Yes! At the Riddle line... (quoted) "The beginning is what once flew" I came up with something that might fit. But I'd rather show you that directly otherwise you probably won't believe me at all. Yes! How about coming to Mister Shreber's house tomorrow morning?
Matt: Yes! Sure, why not?
James: Yeah!
Fred: Ok! Then I write down the address here. (Writing noises) Ok! Here is the address.
James: Thanks!
Fred: Unfortunately, I have to go now. I still have an appointment. Eat your fairy ice cream in peace, I'll pay for it.
Rob: Oh, mh, thats nice.
Matt: Thank you!
James: Thank you again for the invitation!
Fred: No problem!
James: Uh, and if you decide to support Mr. Dumpster in decluttering, I know an excellent junk dealer who could take some things from you.
Fred: Thank you! That sounds good! So then, see you tomorrow!
Matt: Yes until tomorrow!
James: Bye!
Rob: Good bye!
Fred left the store and left the three boys alone at the table.
James: Hm, guys?
Matt: Yeah?
James: This is probably the first time that we have been commissioned by a dead witch.
Rob: Mhm!
James: He has hidden something, is afraid of someone named Rashura and wants to make up for a mistake. I'm curious to see what we find out.
XXX
The house where the late Mister Shreber had lived was located outside the city in the forest. When the three detectives arrived in front of the property with the wild garden, Mister Mason was already standing at the front door.
James: Good morning!
Matt: Morning!
Rob: Hello!
Fred: Hey, guys! So, then come in!
Matt: Yeah.
Rob: Sure.
The three boys went in and were amazed by the house. The whole house was completely filled with some boxes and other stuff.
Fred: Yes, you're amazed, right?
Matt: Yes! You said yesterday that Mr. Shreber's house was full, but that was probably a bit of an understatement. Here... you can hardly get through here.
James: Really tight. Yes, a... a warehouse without borders.
Rob: Here electrical appliances, and then... Books. All full of books.
Matt: Oh yeah!
Rob: Mannequins... (James laughs) and... Dishes, masses of crockery... (Matt laughs) and, and, and... crazy!
Fred: And, and, and, and, and... That's just the hallway. (Matt laughs)
Rob: No!
They went further into the house, in the living room. There it was even worse everything was full, you had to squeeze through.
Matt: Oh my Titan!
James: Does it look like this in the whole house?
Fred: Yes, unfortunately!
Rob: And, uh, uh, uh, he beecame all this to his son-in-law? (laughs) He must have really hated him.
Fred: Yep!
Matt: Uh, are you going to help Mister Dumpster to declutter everything here?
Fred: Well, I... yes, I think so.
Matt: Mhm!
Fred: Mr. Dumpster called me this morning. He wants to sell the house as soon as possible. I will probably actually turn to this junk dealer you spoke of yesterday James.
James: Hm, the junk dealer is our father.
Matt: Yes!
Fred: Oh!
Rob: And he will offer you a good price.
Fred: Well, I hope so. (everyone laughs)
Matt: Uh, what is it that you wanted to show us?
Rob: Yeah!
Fred: Right! Come with me to the garden!
James: Alright!
Fred led the three of them outside into the garden. And in the garden everything was overgrown and overgrown it looked like in a jungle.
Matt: I can't believe it! Did we end up here in the jungle? Palm trees, cacti, o... Orchids and... yes, and everything is overgrown. Willow would love it here.
Fred: Yes, Mister Shreber was a real plant lover.
Fred now picked up a machete from a table.
Rob: Wait a minute! What do you want to do with the machete?
Fred: Well, what? I will have to cut us a path through the jungle. There is no other way we can get through here.
Rob: A path?
Fred: A path! (Hits plants with machete)
Matt: Well, then go for it!
Fred continued to hit the plants with his machete. And made a way.
Fred: It's done right away. So! There it is!
Rob: What's that?
James: Huh?
Matt: A plane!
Rob: Oh man!
The plane was almost twelve meters long, an almost completely rusted lump of abomination metal overgrown by ivy and hibiscus. The curved glass roof of the cockpit was broken in places and tendrils wrapped around the propeller blades. The plane reminded Matt of the last creepy case they had.
Matt: Wow!
James: (quoted) What once flew. You might be right in your guess, Mr. Mason.
Rob: Yeah!
Fred: Maybe!
James: Can we take a closer look?
Fred: Sure!
James: Lift me up guys!
Rob: Oh not again!
Matt and Rob made a ladder with their hands and James went up there. He looked into the plane.
James: (groans) So, up here I don't see anything special. (strained sounds) It is closed! You can let me down again.
Matt and Rob let James down again.
James: Um, is there a key for the door Mister Mason?
Fred: Well, definitely! Somewhere in the house maybe.
Matt: Somewhere in the house? That doesn't sound very encouraging.
James: Did Mr. Dumpster actually tell them what he was going to do with the plane when he called?
Fred: Well, he wants to sell it as soon as possible. By the way, he was almost friendly. He said yesterday that the nerves had probably gone through with him.
Rob: Aha!
Fred: Well, and then I agreed to help him.
James: Hm.
Fred: And now I have the plane on my neck. Who on Titan buys such a bunch of junk?
James: We!
Fred: What?
Rob: What? (Matt laughs)
James: Yeah!
Matt: Yes! He would like to drive our mother crazy, Mr. Mason.
Fred: (laugh) Oh!
Rob: Uh, James! Seriously? You don't want to take this thing to the junkyard?
James: Yes, where else?
Rob: But...
Matt: But what does our father say?
James: Such a plane is first of all a good customer catch and secondly, you can still resell it.
Rob: The plane there?
Fred: Well... yes, there is a buyer for everything. I thought, for example, of an Coven airplane museum or something.
James: Me too, but only when we have examined it thoroughly.
Matt: Yes, but how are we supposed to transport it?
Rob: Yeah!
Matt: On the... in any case, this does not fit on the car from dad.
Fred: Yes, I can help you. I'm going to call someone who can pull the thing out of the garden. And then I'll deliver it to you, uh, where to?
James: To our home. With us on the scrap yard there is enough space. Say, why did Mr. Shreber put the plane in his garden in the first place? And... and where did he get it from?
Fred: Nostalgia! Shortly after his retirement, some of the planes he and his comrades were on were decommissioned. He looked for his old machine, bought it and set it up here.
James: Humph! Did he ever mention a specific number in connection with the plane?
Rob: Yes, exactly! (Paper crackles) Um, here in the riddle it says yes. (reads already) "Maruthers, to my sorrow, does not give it back to you without a number."
Fred: No, not that I know. Well, maybe our conclusion with the plane is wrong.
James: No no no no! I think the plane is our first real clue. We will investigate it, find that number, do the right thing and solve the case.
Matt: Hm!
Fred: Well, it would be nice!
Matt: Yes, I like your optimism. How can you do the right thing if you don't even know what the wrong thing is?
Suddenly, the four heard a strange noise from the house.
Fred: Have you heard that? That came out of the house.
Rob: Yes, come on!
The four ran back to the house inside, they saw how a shelf has tipped over.
James: There! The shelf is overturned.
Fred: (angry) God fucking damn it! Um, um, I'm sorry. But it sucks
James: Yeah, yeah no problem.
Fred: Is it not possible to leave a window open for even five minutes?
James: Apparently not!
Fred: (sighs) Just look at the chaos.
James: The thief knew exactly what he wanted.
Matt: How do you come up with that, James?
Rob: Yeah!
James: Earlier there was a huge box full of model planes. And now it`s gone.
Matt: But that could be a coincidence.
James: Ah, I don't believe in coincidences Matt. Mister Mason! Unfortunately, we now have to say goodbye to you. Please let us know if something unusual happens again. Uh, you have our card.
Fred: Yes, I will. You can rely on that.
XXX
Four days later, the Utility Center was enriched by an achievement. Now that the plane was standing in the yard freed from the plants, it seemed even bigger and bulkier and, um, scrappy. The three boys stood in front of the plane and looked at it.
Matt: Well, it does, uh, look splendid. (laughs)
James: Yeah!
Rob: What a monster!
James: Hm!
Rob: What do you think, how old is this thing?
Matt: Well, I'd say at least thirty years.
Rob: Yep!
Matt: And, uh, what should we look for now?
James: According to the riddle after a number.
Rob: Hm!
James: Here! Let's try to open the side door with this screwdriver.
Matt: OK, give it to me!
Matt took the screwdriver and climbed up onto the plane. He tried to open the door. After five minutes he managed it and went inside.
Rob And? Is there something?
Matt: Mh, nope! Nah, there's nothing here! Wait, wait a minute!
Rob: What?
Matt: There... there on the side wall, there... there's something stuck behind the pipe.
James: And what exactly?
Matt: Something... something white.
Rob: White? Whats that?
Matt: An Envelope. Move aside! I jump now, yes?
James: Okay!
Matt jumped down to his two brothers, in his hand was an envelope.
James: Let me see!
Matt: Yes, here!
James: Come on! We go to the headquarters guys.
The mystery trio went into their camping trailer, James sat down in the chair in front of the writing table as usual, and Matt sat down on the couch with Rob.
Matt: And, what is it?
Rob: Does it say anything?
James: No, here guys.
Rob: An old black and white photo.
James: Yeah!
Rob: Nothing else?
James: Nope.
Rob: Show me! What's that? Aha! Three men and a black-haired woman playing cards.
Matt: Yes! The men, they... they wear Coven Guards suits.
Rob: What an exotic beauty. (laughs)
Matt: Yeah…
James: There! There's something on the back.
Matt: Yes!
James: Hm! (reads aloud) Choc... uh, pf... Coch... Coch... Cochin...Cochin Big Blind, Nineteen Hundred Seventy-two.
Rob: Let's see if I can find anything on the internet about Cochin Big Blind.
Matt: Yes! C, O, C, H, I, N.
Rob: (searchs on Crystal Ball) C, O, C, H, I, N.
James: And?
Rob: Hm. So, no results for the combination Cochin Big Blind, but Cochin alone...
Matt: Yes?
Rob: This is a city in Spellstorm. That's interesting. (reads mumbling) But it was renamed...
James: Aha…
Rob: ...and is now called Cochi.
Matt: So if the word combination doesn't do you any good Rob, if the words don't hang together... ...then... then maybe I know what it means.
Rob: Yeah?
Matt: Yes! You know how to play Hexes Hold'em James, don't you?
James: What do you mean Matt?
Matt: Well, the four people in the photo are playing cards
Rob: Yeah, yeah.
Matt: It could be Hexes Hold'em
Rob: Aha!
Matt: Big blind in Hexes Hold'em is the highest possible bet that you place without knowing the cards.
James: Yeah! Your right!
Rob: Ah, wait a minute! So then these four people played nineteen hundred and seventy-two in, uh, Cochin Hexes Hold'em?
Matt: It could be!
Rob: I see. Yes, but then what do these languages in this picture mean? Well, and why didn't Mister Shreber just put the photo in the, uh, will?
James: Let's give Mr. Mason a call. Maybe he knows something about this photo.
Rob: Great idea!
James: Wait!
Matt: But turn on the amp, okay?
James called Mr. Mason.
Fred: (talking through the scroll) Fred Mason speaking.
James: (sighs) Hello, uh, Mr. Mason! This is James Jones.
Fred: Ah, James! Have you found out anything yet?
James: Uh, we found something, but what it means we don't know yet.
James: It's a photo with three men and a woman and the words "Cochin Big Blind, Nineteen Hundred Seventy-Two." Do you know anything about it, perhaps?
Fred: Hm, that's strange.
Matt: What?
Fred: Where did you find it?
James: It was in an envelope on the plane. Mister Shreber must have left it there.
Fred: Yes! Yes, I know this picture.
James: Aha.
Fred: Uh, pictures to be exact. In the last two years, Mister Shreber has received them in the mail again and again. Always without sender and always the same picture.
James: Oh! And what did he say to that?
Fred: At first nothing. But one day I found one of them on the floor. It had probably fallen down accidentally.
James: And then?
Fred: Well, I picked it up and gave it to him. There upon he became furious.
James: Oh!
Fred: Yes, yes, I remember exactly. He yelled at me not to pry into his private affairs. After that he was very irritable and nervous, forgot all sorts of things and... and finally threw me out.
James: He…he fired you?
Fred: No, no, no! He just didn't want to see me for the rest of the day. The next day, he was his usual self. Uh, he never talked about that photo again.
James: Hm!
Fred: But, yes, I remember. After he died, I found at least ten of them in his desk drawer.
James: Do you still have the photos?
Fred: No! No, unfortunately not! Uh, I threw them away.
James: Oh, darn! Um, do you remember anything about the envelopes? Were they postage paid?
Fred: Äh…
James: Did they smell strange? Was there anything on them?
Fred: Yes, I just remember that they were postage paid...
James: Yeah?
Fred: ...uh, with the Spellstorm stamps I think.
Rob: Aha!
Fred: Except for Mister Shreber's name and address, there was nothing on it, so no return address.
James: Hm, good! (sighs) Too bad you don't have the photos anymore. Thanks anyway!
Fred: Well, you're welcome. I hope you can do something with it. (Rob sighs) See you soon!
James: Hm, see you soon! (Call is hung up; James and Matt sigh).
Rob: Well…
James: That's so typical! The whole house is full of stuff and junk and Mr. Mason disposes of the only thing that would have been interesting for us.
Matt: So stupid!
XXX
Rob went to the Bonesborough library to research more about this photo. When he returned to headquarters, you could see by his face that he was unsuccessful.
James: Well? Did you find something Rob?
Rob: Oh, stop it!
James: Any research results yet?
Rob: No, unfortunately not!
Matt: Oh!
James: All right! Let's take another look at the plane. After all, the envelope was attached in such a way that we had to see it immediately.
Matt and Rob: Yes!
James: But maybe Mister Shreber left some more clues.
Matt: Hm, could be, yes!
The Crystal Ball rang. James answered it.
James:
James: Uh, wait a minute! (call is picked up) Yes? James Jones Myst..
Fred: (talks through the scroll; interrupts pressed and strained) James! Here... here... this is Fred Mason, the former secretary of Mister Shreber.
James: Hello Mr. Mason! Did you think of anything else or can we help you with anything?
Fred: Well, you told me to call you if anything unusual happened. How unusual do you think it is that I'm sitting here in Mr. Shreber's living room on top of a burglar?
Matt: What?!
Fred: Yes!
James: Uh, d... d... we find that remarkable in any case.
Rob: Yeah!
Fred: Y..yeah!
James: Hold him down, we'll be right there! Have you call the Emperor's Coven…
Fred: (interrupts) No, no, no, no, no! No... no... no coven! I... I wanted to tell you something... Oh! Good Titan! There's another one. I c... can't talk... Come quickly! HELP!
The three boys heard in the call how Mister Mason moaned and that something very loud fell down.
James: Mister Mason! We're coming! Mr. Mason? Mister Mason! Hello? Hello!
The call hung up and just beeped.
Matt: James! James, something terrible has happened.
James: Come on brothers! Hopefully it is not too late.
The Mystery Trio ran out of the junkyard, into Matt's Abomination car. They drove to the house of Mister Shreber, they got out and it was quiet.
Rob: (calls) Mr. Mason!
Matt: (calls) Mr. Mason!
They went to the door and rang the bell but no one opened.
Matt: Mr. Mason? Hello!
Rob: Be quiet friends! Quietly! I'll listen at the door.
James: And?
Rob: (quiet) Be quiet! Nothing! Everything quiet.
James: Let's try it through the garden. Come on!
Rob: Yes, come! To the terrace door.
The three boys walked through the Jungle Garden to the terrace door.
James: Crap, locked! (calls) Mister Mason! Can you hear me? Open up!
Rob: The guys must have knocked over the shelves.
Matt: Maybe Mister Mason is underneath.
Rob: What do we do now?
James: We have to get in there somehow.
Matt: Yes, I... I grab the machete.
James: What are you up to, Matt?
Matt: Oh, Go away! (pressed) Go away!
Matt slammed the power against the window, it shattered with a loud bang.
Matt: Ok! I'll climb through the window and open the door for you.
Rob: Yes, but watch out! Don't cut yourself!
Matt: Yeah, yeah!
Matt climbed through the window and disappeared into the house.
Rob: And? Matt?
James: Come on, come on, come on! What does it take so long?
Matt came to the terrace door and opened the door.
Rob: There he is again. What is it now? Is Mason there?
Matt: Yes! But we can't get him out of there.
Rob: What? Why not?
Matt: Everything collapsed above him. I think... I think we should call the coven as soon as possible.
Rob: Oh no!
XXX
Shortly thereafter, three Abomination Coven Cars and the Healing Coven stood in front of Mister Shreber's house. James, Matt and Rob told Hunter the Golden Guard what happened.
Hunter: Hm! And you haven't seen or heard anyone?
Matt: No!
James: No, Hunter!
Hunter: (sighs) It won't be fun to look for traces in this chaos.
Rob: There, look!
James: Hm!
Rob: They take Mr. Mason on a stretcher.
Matt: Yes!
Hunter: It's good that you called immediately. (sighs) I am now going back to the office. And before you come up with any clever ideas: The house is sealed. This is the case of the coven so...
James: We understand. (quietly) Come on guys!
Hunter: Bye…
Rob: (quiet) Uh James, tell me...
Matt: (quietly) Tell me, is everything okay? Since when did you become so tame?
James: Well…
Matt: (quietly) Do you really want to leave the case to the Coven?
James: I will, of course, leave the investigation of the dastardly robbery of Mister Mason to the Emperor's Coven.
Rob: What?
James: But I have a feeling that the two break-ins at Shreber's house have something to do with each other.
Rob: Aha…
James: The only thing is that we can't explain this conclusively to Hunter at the moment.
Rob: Well, the main thing is that Mister Mason will be better soon.
Matt: Yeah!
James: I wonder...
Matt: What?
James: Why didn't he call the Coven first but us?
Rob: Maybe because you asked him to.
James: That makes no sense! When you busted a burglar, you don't call three junior detectives, you call the Coven. He must have had some reason.
Matt: Hm, and now?
James: We should take another look at the plane.
Matt: Alright.
James: We can't get to the junk in the house for now.
Rob: So, let's go back to the junkyard.
XXX
When the Mystery Trio arrived back at the junkyard, they climbed up and stood in front of the plane, looking at it clueless.
Rob: What are we supposed to be looking for on the plane now? For the mysterious number from the riddle?
Matt: Maybe... maybe there is a treasure after all. Mister Shreber won an insane amount of snails playing Hexes Hold'em and hid it somewhere in the plane.
James: He didn't just leave it to his heirs like he should have? No! I don't think it's about snails. Oh, if we only knew who or what Rashura is.
Matt: Yeah!
The Mystery Trio saw a man flying into the junkyard with a blue bird as his palismen. He got out and went to the boys. He had green hair and green eyes, and was in a red suit.
Rob: Hey!
James: Huh?
Rob: Wait! Who are you?
Ishmael: I saw you earlier in front of old Shreber's house in the forest. You have been talking to the Golden Guard.
Rob: Yeah?
Matt: And?
Ishmael: What was going on in that house?
James: I'm sure it'll be in tomorrow's Boiling Isles News. Why are you asking us?
Ishmael: I knew Mister Shreber. He dies and immediately strange things happens and three well-known junior detectives stick their noses into things that are none of their business. Besides, you have the plane.
Rob: Well, that can't be overlooked. And?
Ishmael: You are now looking for something in it.
Matt: Who the heck are you?
Ishmael: Call me Ishmael. I want to make a deal with you. I know what you are looking for.
James: Oh, yeah? And what exactly?
Ishmael: Harry Shreber told me shortly before he died that he had hidden a clue to a treasure on the plane.
Matt: So i was right! With the treasure theory!
Ishmael: Yes! And I can tell you what that clue is. What you are looking for is a small piece of paper.
Rob: Paper?
Ishmael: Here! My Scroll number.
James: Thanks?
Ishmael: Byeeeee!
Ishmael went on his palismen and flew away.
Rob: ...uh, uh, but... Wait a minute! What the heck?
Matt: Do you think he really knows something?
James: That's what we're going to find out. A small sheet of paper. Oh, that can be anywhere or not. I climb into the cockpit again.
Rob: Okay. But wait! I`m gonna help you!
James: Alright! Come here!
Matt: (quiet) Wait! Someone is coming again.
Rob: What's going on here today? Hey, he looks weird. A boy with pilot glasses.
Gerro: Hey! The plane. So you have it.
Matt: Yes! Do you have a problem?
James: You know the plane?
Gerro: Yeah! Everyone in Bonesborough knows it. This is a Dougo Skyrainaition, an Emperor's Coven warplane from Blight Industries. This one is year of construction nineteen hundred and fifty-seven. This made it one of the last to be built. But it was still in use until nineteen hundred and seventy-two. After that, she is...
Rob: (interrupts) Yes, that's all insanely interesting, but much more interesting is,, uh, who are you? And, uh, what do you want here?
Gerro: My name is Gerro I go on the Glandus. Uh, the people in the city say you're detectives. Is that true?
James: Yes that's true! How did you know the plane was here?
Gerro: Everyone knows it.
Matt: And what do you want from us now?
Gerro: Well, I just want to look and maybe help if you do something wrong.
Rob: Help?
Gerro: Uh, I can warn you if you destroy something.
Matt: Warn? (laughs) So, with the destroying we already notice ourselves, yes? Thank you very much!
James: Tell me Gerro, how would you remove the pilot's seat without blowing it out?
Gerro: (laughs) Very easy! There is a safety lever at the back under the seat.
Rob: Aha!
Gerro: If you push it to the left, the seat can be easily removed.
James climb into the plane and went in.
James: Humph! Yes, here is a lever. (strained sounds) But it`s stuck.
Gerro: Uh, shall I help you?
James: (strained) No, I can do it. (Click) Ha! Hey! Here... something is stuck underneath here. A piece of paper.
Matt: What?
Rob: So this... this Ishmael was right.
Matt: Yes!
Rob: What is it James?
James: Looks like an old receipt. Just a few numbers. Wait, I'll climb down.
James jumped down from the plane. And went to the three boys.
James: Here! Check this out guys!
Gerro: Give it to me!
Gerro grabbed James' note and turned it into a magic wand from his palismen that now came out of his jacket, an eagle. He climbed onto the wand and flew away with the note.
Rob: No!
James: Hey!
Matt: Hey! He has the note. (strained sounds) Oh, we don't catch up with the guy anymore.
Rob: Och! He's gone!
XXX
The Mystery Trio sat in the headquarters, Bounty chirped happily as usual, but the three boys looked in gloomily.
Matt: Hm! Let's make an ad.
Rob: Mhm..
Matt: Famous detective trio is looking for some treasure of whom they do not know what it is. Informed is all of Bonesborough and the Boiling Isles about its progress every day between nineteen and twenty o'clock. (James sighs)
Rob: To achieve this, we must first make progress. So far, we have nothing but a, uh, cryptic riddle, incomprehensible circumstantial evidence and a stolen piece of paper.
James: It was an old receipt with a number. A combination of letters and numbers.
Matt: Yes! Probably the number we are talking about in the riddle.
James: Oh, darn it! If only I had had one second more time.
Rob: Yeah!
James: There was also a name on the receipt. Something with... with Ma, Man, Manmam, Marthas, uh, no...
Matt: James! We must... we just have to find Gerro again and take the note from him.
Rob: Yes, and what about the photo?
James: The photo and the receipt are probably related. They are part of the riddle. Yes, and that's why we have only one option at the moment.
Rob: Oh!
Matt: And that would be?
James: We now drive to the Healing Coven clinic and ask Mister Mason for a treasure. Come on, guys!
Rob: Okay!
XXX
At the Bonesborough Clinic, they were greeted by a visibly battered Mister Mason. He had bruises and abrasions on his face. He was lying in a bed.
Fred: I still have to thank you. You got me out of there.
Rob: Well! So actually, uh, we just called the Healing Coven.
Matt: Yeah.
James: Can you tell us what exactly happened and what the two burglars looked like?
Fred: So... I, uh... uh, I went into the house... because I wanted to get out some old files of Mister Shreber.
Rob: Yeah?
Fred: And I surprised a young man who was just trying to break open his desk.
Rob: And then?
Fred: Well, and then we fought with each other and I knocked him over. I held him and called you, but then a second man came down, I think from the upper floor.
The door opened and a female healing covenist came in, she had blonde hair. In her hand she had a small potion.
Healing Covenist: So! Here comes your medicine Mister Mason. You now have to drink out the cup.
Fred: But I have already taken my painkillers potion.
Healing Covenist: Instruction from the Healing Covenist Chief! Please drink this now.
Fred: Alright.
Fred drank the potion completely and looked disgusted.
Fred: Bah.
Healing Covenist: Good! It's already over. I'll look for you again later.
The Healing Covenist left the room.
Fred: Yes, yes, yes, yes! So, where had I stopped? Uh, oh yes, here, here. I had no chance against both burglars together. They pushed me against a shelf and the thing collapsed above me. There, but... then I heard someone shouting something.
James: And what?
Fred: Uh...
Rob: Yeah?
Fred: Uh... it sounded like "Greetings from Rashura".
James: Hm!
Fred: Yes! And after that, everything turned black.
Matt: Greetings from Rashura?
Fred: Yes! Believe me, I don't like that either.
James: What did the two witches look like?
Fred: (stammers) Whites, about in their early or mid-thirties. They wore black clothes.
James: Hm!
Fred: (more and more quieter) And there was something else. I don't know what it was.
Rob: Uh...Mister Mason!
Fred: (quieter) I can't remember. I'm feeling weird.
Matt: Mister Mason?
Rob: Hello?
James: Mister... (stammers)
Rob: Mister Mason! What's going on? Are you okay?
Matt: His head is tilted to the side!
Rob: He doesn't react at all.
Matt: He is unconscious. I get help!
James: Yeah! Mister Mason!
Matt ran outside in a healing covenist.
Matt: (calls) Uh, fast! In room seventeen something is wrong. Mister Mason needs help.
Healing Covenist 1: I`m coming!
The woman ran to Mr Mason and felt his pulse.
Healing Covenist 1: Oh no!
James: what...whats wrong with him? Say something!
Another Healing Covenist came in this time a man.
Healing Covenist 2: Heather! Whats wrong?
Healing Covenist 1: Apnoea! He has to go to the intensive care unit immediately.
Healing Covenist 2: Oh Titan! Wait, I'll take the bed. (strained sounds) Make room boys!
Healing Covenist 1: I get the elevator!
One of them ran outside with the bed.
Rob: He was fine all the time until this... until this weird Healing Covenist gave him this potion.
James: Yeah!
Rob: And I dumbass still wondered why the... why she wore gloves.
James: We have to tell the Healing Covenist that he was poisoned. Come on!
The three boys also ran outside and ran into a female healing covenist.
Healing Covenist 3: Stop! Who are you? Where do you want to go?
James: Uh, ge... A patient has just been taken out of here to the intensive care unit. Fred Mason. He has been poisoned!
Matt: A fake Healing Covenist gave him something to drink...
Rob: Yeah!
Matt: ... while we were there.
Rob: Yes, he was fine before, but then he suddenly lost consciousness.
Healing Covenist 3: Oh my Titan!
Matt: Hopefully it's not too late...
XXX
Immediately Mister Mason's stomach was pumped out. Now he was still unconscious, but fortunately he was no longer in mortal danger. The Mystery Trio drove back to the headquarters where James purposefully reached for the scroll.
Ishmael: (talks through the scroll) Yes?
James: Uh, Mister Ishmael?
Ishmael: Yeah?
James: Here's James Jones talking and, uh...
Ishmael: (interrupts) So you found the note with the number?
James: Exactly! And we have a few questions about that.
Ishmael: Why? If you have the note, then you know what you have to do.
James: The thing is complicated Mr. Ishmael. Do you know a boy named Gerro? He stole the receipt from us.
Ishmael: Well, that's your problem.
James: But...(Ishmael hungs up)
James looked at his scroll in disbelief.
Rob: Huh!
Matt: What the heck?
James: He hung up!
Rob: Such a prick!
James: I have absolutly no clue, whats going on!
XXX
The next afternoon, the three detectives were busy de-rusting the plane when an Abomination Emperor's Coven Car drove into the junkyard.
Matt: Hey! Guys! Look!
James: What?
Matt: A coven guard comes to us, but he doesn't have a mask on.
Rob: Huh?
The young man walked up to the three boys, wearing his coven uniform.
Taylor: Rob Jones, James Jones and Matt Jones?
James: Uh…
Rob: Yeah?
James: Yes? What can we do for you sir?
Taylor: Taylor from the Emperor's Coven, Bonesborough. Here, my badge.
James: Aha.
Taylor: I must ask you to give me all the documents from the house of Mister Shreber that have to do with an organization called "Rashura".
James: Why?
Taylor: Well, there are suspicions that this organization is responsible for the poisoning of Fred Mason. Withholding circumstantial evidence is a serious crime and can result in up to confor…
James: (interrupts) Wa... Wait a minute! We're not holding anything back.
Matt: I'll, uh... I'll gonna get it, Mr. Taylor.
James: Uh, wait Matt! I'll take care of it. I'll be right back.
James ran off in the direction of the headquarters.
Rob: Um, uh, tell me, um, Mr. Taylor? How is Mr. Mason doing in the meantime?
Taylor: Ah, good, under the circumstances.
Matt: Has he regained consciousness?
Taylor: I'm sorry, I can't give you any information about that.
Matt: Okay.
Taylor: Uh, tell me, what's taking your friend so long?
Matt: Uh, long? He... he's just left.
Rob: Oh, look! He's coming!
James ran back to his brothers and to the Coven Guard, in his hand he had some documents from Mister Shreber's house.
James: (sighs) Here! Here's everything we've got. (paper rustles) We checked the envelope for fingerprints, but there were only...
Taylor:
Taylor: (interrupts) Uh, thanks! Uh, we're already looking into that ourselves. Have a nice day!
Taylor got into the coven car and drove away. The three boys watched the car strangely drive away.
Rob: Say, what was that? He's in a hurry.
Matt: (laughs) Yeah!
James: Strange! How does the coven know about Rashura? We didn't tell Hunter anything about that.
Rob: Well, the Coven has more contacts than we do.
James: At least now we know that Rashura is an organization and not a single person.
Rob: Yeah!
Matt: (discovering sound) What is that?
James: (quiet) Whats wrong, Matt?
Matt: (quiet) There! There at the entrance, Gerro watches us!
Rob: (quiet) Come on, let's go! Let's get him.
Matt: (quiet) This time he won't get away from us. Listen guys!
Rob: Yeah?
Matt: (quiet) I slip unobtrusively through the back exit.
Rob: Okay?
Matt: You'd best stay here.
James: Alright.
Matt: (quiet) Then I sneak up behind him and grab him.
James: Yes, alright. Go!
Matt: Yeah!
Matt ran inconspicuously towards the back exit. Gerro does not seem to have aroused any suspicion.
Rob: (quiet)And, uh, uh, James we just keep talking like nothing had happened, yes?
James: (quiet) Yeah, alright.
Rob: Okay.
James: (loud again) Man, I'm in the mood for a huge piece of Fairy Pie. You also Rob?
Rob: (quiet) Huh? What? Fairy Pie?
James: (sighs) Words Rob, just words!
Rob: Oh, oh, yes. Sure, uh, Fairy Pie. (loud again) Yes, Fairy Pie. Yes, I also want Fairy Pie now.
James: Hm, yes!
Rob: (quiet) Gerro is still looking at us. Hopefully our Matt can do it.
James and Rob saw Matt grab Gerro from behind and put his arm around his neck. Since Matt is the sportiest and biggest of the three boys, Gerro had no chance.
James: There! Matt has him. Quick Rob! To him!
Rob: Yeah!
Rob and James ran to the gate to Gerro and Matt.
Matt: (strained) Now be reasonable Gerro.
Gerro: You tricked me!
James: That's right! We want the note!
Suddenly, Matt's scroll rang.
Matt: Oh, such crap! Right now. Be careful that Gerro does not peel of!
Rob: Yes, don't worry Matt.
Matt went to his scroll.
Matt: Uh, Matt Jones from the Mystery Trio.
Hunter: (talks through the scroll) Hi Matt! Uh, Hunter here!
Matt: Oh hey!
Hunter: Uh, do you happen to be nearby and can you go to The Coven Station with your brothers?
Matt: Uh, right now we're dealing with a problem. What's it all about?
Hunter: Mh, to an Abomination Coven Car that stopped earlier in front of the grounds of your Utility Center. Have you seen it?
Matt: Yes, of course! The Coven Guards wanted to go to us.
Hunter: What? Oh really?
Matt: Uh...
Hunter: What... what... what... what did they want?
Matt: The documents of Mister Shreber. It was about the poison attack on Mister Mason. Rashura has him...
Hunter: (interrupts) Hey, wait! Wait, wait, wait, not so fast! Shreber, Mason, Rashura.
Matt: Mhm!
Hunter: Well, now I have it! Uh, tell me, did the Coven Guards say which region they came from?
Matt: We only spoke to one. The other stayed in the car. They came from Bonesborough because that's where the clinic is where Mr. Mason is located.
Hunter: I see yes! Uh, good, thank you! Uh, do you happen to know the name too?
Matt: Taylor! But how... why... w...
Hunter: (interrupts) Yes wait a moment! Can you describe this Taylor?
Matt: Yes, I... I think so. So, uh, early thirties, slim, dark hair, um, uh, dimples on the chin. But... but why? Uh, is anything wrong?
Hunter: Tz! That's what you could call it. The Coven Car was stolen this morning. Taylor was a fraud.
Matt: What?
Hunter: Well! I'll get back to you. (hungs up)
Rob: Matt! Who... who was that?
Matt: Uh, I'd better tell you that later.
Rob: Okay!
James: Good! Now to you Gerro. You stole something from us and we want it back.
Gerro: I didn't steal anything from you at all. The note belonged to me.
Rob: (laughs) Oh really! And why?
Gerro: Because Harry Shreber was my grandfather.
James: Oh!
Gerro: The house and all the junk, the plane and the note now belong to my father and thus also to me.
Rob: Yes, but if you knew about the note on the plane, why didn't you get it out long ago?
Gerro: (sighs) Grandpa has always claimed that he has found a treasure and now some secret organization is after him. And he said that the key to this is on the plane. So I was looking for a real key. I had no idea he meant this stupid paper.
James: Hm! And why didn't you just tell us this whole story when you came to our junkyard?
Gerro: (sighs) I was angry that Grandpa gave you the order to search for the treasure and not me.
Rob: Mhm!
James: (clears himself) Does the name Ishmael tell you anything?
Gerro: No! I only know him from the book "Moby Dick".
James: He gave us the tip with the note.
Gerro: Ah, well then.
James: Do you know the name Rashura?
Gerro: No, never heard. Who is that?
James: Unimportant! To come back to the note. Give it to us, we write down what it says and then you can have it back.
Gerro: (sighs) I don't have that anymore. Some such a crap guy took it from me.
Matt: Oh!
Rob: What?
Matt: Where and... and... And when?
Gerro: Yesterday, after I had stolen it from you..., I mean, uh, got it. So, after that I went home. Uh, suddenly a car stopped next to me, a man got out, took the note from me and drove away again.
Rob: What did he look like?
Gerro: Uh, I don't know! It went so fast. He gave me a proper violet. Look at my eye.
James: Hm, yes! I see you also have a scratch on your cheek.
Gerro: Yes, that came from the stupid ring. It burned like fire.
Matt: And the abomination car?
Gerro: Oh, some car, but I don't know which brand. Probaly Blight.
James: Hm! Did you at least remember what was on the note?
Gerro: Not much. It... it was a receipt from a pawnbroker here in Bonesborough. Uh, Maruthers.
James: Maruthers!
Rob: Maruthers? Yes, of course! Maruthers! (quoted) "Maruthers, to my sorrow, does not give it back to you without a number".
Gerro: Uh, what?
James: Well, that's good! Gerro! Do you remember the number that was on the receipt?
Gerro: Um, seventy-four, um, zero, eight, something like that.
Matt: Mhm! And, uh, where is the pawnshop?
Gerro: Somewhere on the main street, but the shop no longer exists.
James: Hm! Leave that to us and take care of your black eye. Come brothers! We will have a look around there.
Matt: Yeah!
Rob: Okay!
Matt: Yes! And on the way there I will tell you what Hunter just told me. That was very interesting.
XXX
In one of the long-established shops on the main street of Bonesborough, the pawnbroker Maruthers was still remembered. An elderly saleswoman was even able to tell the three detectives where he and his wife had lived. Shortly afterwards, the boys rang the doorbell of a homely little house. A little woman opened the door.
Misses Maruthers: Yes? What do you want?
James: Hello Madam! Are you Misses Maruthers?
Misses Maruthers: Mh, that's me!
James: We only have a little question. It is about an ancient receipt from the year nineteen hundred and seventy-four and...
Misses Maruthers: Oh man! Someone asked about this just yesterday.
James: A... what? Who was that? Uh, did he give his name?
Misses Maruthers: Hm, the man's name was Taylor.
Rob: Taylor!
James: The false Coven Guard. Um, did he want to pledge a certain item to you?
Misses Maruthers: Yes, thats right! But I had to disappoint him. After my husband passed away, I closed his pawn shop and sold all the items that were not pledged again by the customers.
James: Aha!
Misses Maruthers: Also the watch.
Matt: Uh, wa... what... what... what kind of watch was that?
Misses Maruthers: A pilot's wristwatch.
Matt: Aha!
Misses Maruthers: But I sold it to a collector a few years ago. But what is so special about it that everyone suddenly wants it?
James: We don't know yet, but it's strange that Mister Shreber brought a pilot's watch to the pawnshop. Financially, he was actually quite well...
Misses Maruthers: (interrupts) How did you come up with Mister Shreber?
James: Uh...
Misses Maruthers: No! The customer's name was Fisher.
Rob: Fisher, Fisher, Fisher...
Misses Maruthers: Uh, are we even talking about the same clock?
James: Uh, if the receipt started with the number seventy-four, zero, eight?
Misses Maruthers: Seventy-four, zero, eight, sixty-three,…
James: Ah!
Misses Maruthers: Yes that's right! But what does Mr. Shreber have to do with it?
James: He owned the receipt.
Misses Maruthers: Mh!
James: Tell me Madam, did you give this Taylor, who was with you yesterday, the address of the collector?
Misses Maruthers: (buzzing) Yes! Do you want to have it too? I think you better discuss this matter with Mr. Sapchevsky personally. Says, uh... Do you smoke?
Matt: Uh...
Rob: No! Why?
Misses Maruthers: Because Mister Sapchevsky lives up in the mountains.
James: Aha.
Misses Maruthers: The side on the knee where it is completely dry.
Rob: Yeah?
Misses Maruthers: A burning cigarette butt is enough to set everything on fire. Just now came another warning in the Crystal Ball.
Rob: Yes, uh, no, no! Don't worry! We gave up smoking many years ago.
Misses Maruthers: (laughs) How reassuring.
Rob: Yeah!
Misses Maruthers: Yes, then I will write down his address for you now.
James: Thank you Madam!
Matt: Thanks!
Misses Maruthers: Yes, that's good! But remember: Don't make a fire in the mountains.
Rob: Yes!
Misses Maruthers: The slightest spark can trigger a terrible inferno there.
XXX
In the evening, the Mystery Trio went to Mr. Sapchevsky's house in the mountains and rang the bell, a fat little man opened.
Mr. Sapchevsky: Yeah?
James: Uh, Mr. Sapchevsky?
Mr. Sapchevsky: Yes! And who are you?
James: We are detectives. Um, here's our card.
Rob: Yes!
James: We are interested in an old pilot's watch, which you bought a few years ago from the estate of the pawnbroker Maruthers. Misses Maruthers gave us your address.
Mr. Sapchevsky: (angry) This old hack! How do you get to give out my address? Why am I a private collector? So that all of Boiling Isles marches in here and... and.. and steal of me?
Rob: Wait a minute! You have been robbed?
Mr. Sapchevsky: Yes! Come in and look at this mess.
Mr. Sapchevsky let the three boys in and they saw an empty broken display case on the wall.
Mr. Sapchevsky: There we are! Look at the broken display cases.
Rob: Oh no!
Mr. Sapchevsky: That's where my watch collection was until tonight. All gone!
Rob: Oh man!
James: What kind of watches was it?
Mr. Sapchevsky: Brand watches, wristwatches. I... I love watches and can't have enough of them. But... but why are you interested in this particular watch?
James: We suspect that a clue to solving a riddle is hidden in it.
Matt: Yep!
Mr. Sapchevsky: Aha! And that tonight's break-in also has something to do with the riddle?
Matt: Uh, yes, yes! That's what we suspect. Too stupid that we can no longer examine the watch.
Mr. Sapchevsky: (sighs) But maybe this will help you here.
Rob: What's that?
Mr. Sapchevsky: These are, uh, photo printouts of the stolen watches. You can take them with you.
Rob: Interesting.
James: Thank you, sir!
Mr. Sapchevsky: Solve your riddle and then you come here and tell me what it was about, alright?
Matt: Mhm!
Rob: Uh, we will do our best sir.
James: In... (taps on photo) in this photo you can see on the back of the watch a... an engraving.
Rob: Aha!
James: (reads already) Lieutenant John Fisher. Emperor's Coven". Um, do you happen to have a photo of the case?
Mr. Sapchevsky: No, it's not. But the case and the papers, which are in the safe. Wait!
The man went to the safe and took the papers. He came back and gave it to James.
Mr. Sapchevsky: Here!
James: Ah, thank you! Under the felt is a piece of paper.
Rob: What?
James: (reads already) Moby Dick, two: fifty-five, forty-three, eighty-nine.
Matt: This must be the code in which riddle is mentioned. But, what is Moby Dick supposed to mean?
James: Uh, Moby Dick? This is the white whale that Captain Ahab hunts in the novel by Herman Melville.
Matt: What?
James: Human book.
Matt: Aha, okay.
James: And the code follows the same scheme as the code that Mr. Shreber described to us in his riddle.
Matt: Yes, but... but if the note is still here doesn't that mean that the burglars will come back tonight?
Mr. Sapchevsky: (sighs) For Titan's sake!
Rob: Yeah!
James: Good consideration Matt! We should stay here and lie in wait.
Mr. Sapchevsky: That is out of the question! I call the Emperor's Coven.
Rob: The coven?
Mr. Sapchevsky: They should expect the gang and take them with them. And you, you go home!
Matt: The coven will catch just a part of the gang.
Rob: Yes!
Matt: The others...
Mr. Sapchevsky: (interrupts) They will betray their accomplices as soon as they sit in the Conformatiorium. (James sighs) It's best to go now. It's already dark. (James sighs)
Matt: Mister Sapchevsky...
James: (interrupts) We're leaving! But we don't drive far. We hide near the house.
Mr. Sapchevsky: (sighs) Then do what you can't leave.
Rob: Goodbye!
Matt: Have a nice evening!
James: Yes!
Mr. Sapchevsky took the boys outside and closed the door.
Rob: Uh, James? Why are you so sure that Rashura even knows that this Moby Dick note exists? Maybe these people are already satisfied with the watch and the engraved name.
Matt: Yeah...
James: That could be. If they don't come, we think of something new. But in any case, we will stay here.
The three detectives got into Matt's Abomination Car and drove a short distance. By now it had become so dark that they could hardly see each other anymore. They hurriedly called at home and told them that they were camping in the mountains. Then they looked for a hiding place behind a scrub and waited anxiously for what would happen. Hour after hour elapsed.
Rob: Ouch! I can't sit anymore.
Matt: What do we do if no one comes? I don't feel like here nor the whole...
Suddenly, the three boys saw an abomination car stopping near the house.
Rob: (interrupts) Pscht! Be quiet! That's a Coven Abomination Car, isn't it?
James: Yeah!
Matt: A Coven Guard gets out. He goes to the house.
Rob: Oh my Titan!
Matt: Now he rings.
James: Guys! That's Taylor, the fake coven guard.
Mr. Sapchevsky opened the front door and Taylor greeted him.
Taylor: Good evening Mr. Sapchevsky!
Mr. Sapchevsky: There you are again.
Taylor: I just wanted to let them know that we caught the witch gang and, uh, yes, we also secured several watches. I would now like to ask you to come along and identify them.
Mr. Sapchevsky: Now? Doesn't that have time until tomorrow?
Taylor: Unfortunately not! It is a very dangerous organization operating in the Boiling Isles and unfortunately every minute counts.
Mr. Sapchevsky: Ok then! (calls) Hey, you three detectives! I know you're hiding somewhere. You can get out.
Rob: (quiet)Oh, what does he do? Is he stupid?
Taylor: Detectives?
Mr. Sapchevsky: Oh, just three teenagers playing Sherlock Holmes.
Taylor: Aha.
Mr. Sapchevsky: (calls) Guys! You can go home.
Matt: (quiet) Oh, he's crazy!
Taylor: Maybe they are not here anymore. Can you now come?
Mr. Sapchevsky: Yes, of course! I only get my jacket. Wait.
Rob: (quiet) Hey guys! There's someone else.
Matt: What?
Rob: (quiet) Somewhere behind the Abomination Car. Do you see him?
James: I can't see anything.
Matt: Me neither!
James: But we will not stand idly by as they take Mister Sapchevsky with them. Here!
Matt: Hm?
James: We need to attach this direction finder to their car, now! I still have the direction finder from the Grey case.
Matt: Well, give it to me! See you soon!
Matt run off to the car.
James: We need a distraction.
Rob: Yeah!
James: Taylor and the driver in the car are not allowed to see him.
Rob: Yes, Okay, Okay! Um, I'll do that.
Mr. Sapchevsky came out of the house with his jacket and went to Taylor.
Mr. Sapchevsky: So, there I am! We can drive. Did you hear that? What was that?
Taylor: Hm, probably an animal. Come now!
Mr. Sapchevsky: That was too close to the house for me. And no monster or animal makes such a noise. Let's see!
Taylor: Here are only a few lumps of clay. And now come!
Taylor and Sapchevsky got into the car and drove off. Rob came back to James.
Rob: James! James, I'm here!
James: Rob!
Rob: Yeah?
James: Where is Matt?
Rob: I don't know. I don`t know. (calls quietly) Matt! Matt! Oh damn, where can he be?
James: Here Rob! Take the receiver for the direction finder.
Rob: Okay! Thanks!
James: Run to Matt's car, drive inconspicuously behind and find out where the gang has its shelter. After that you come back and pick us up.
Rob: I should drive?
James: Just do it!
Rob: Um, okay! And what do... what do you do now?
James: (sighs) The question is not serious, is it? Searching Matt what else!
Rob: Yes, all right! Well, uh, I'm already gone. Good luck!
Rob ran to the car and drove off with it.
James: Yes! Oh damn! Something is wrong here. (calls) Matt! Matt! (sighs; sniffs) What is this smell? It seems to me like... like...
Suddenly, a gruesome figure appeared in front of James. His face was ugly and distorted a tongue looked out. Two horns were on his head.
James: Who are you?!
The figure grabbed James and stunned him with a blue potion. James fell to the ground and everything turned black around his eyes.
END OF PART 1!
Oh oh cliffhanger! What will happen in the second part? The three boys are separated from each other! Until next time! Write me a review! And I can tell you now that the Bad Girl Coven also plays a role in this big story. One thing I can tell you! This is just the beginning.