Tintin and the Will of Hartley Manor

by crayonsruletheworld

Tintin is given a new assignment - the will of Mr. Hartley. His money and estate was supposed to have gone almost entirely to charity, but distant cousins are now the sole inheritants. Is there a later will? Why are there men tailing Tintin? And what does the beautiful girl who just moved in across the hall have to do with this?

2. Chapter 2

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Chapter Two – The Assignment

At the newspaper office, Tintin said his good mornings as he passed the desks of other journalists. Heading straight towards the editor's office, he knocked decisively.

"Is that you, Tintin?" A gruff voice called. "Come in."

Tintin pushed the door open to reveal not only Mr. Crawford the editor, but Thompson and Thompson standing around the editor's desk. Closing the door behind him, he asked "What seems to be the problem?"

"Well, you see, Tintin," Thompson started, "that Mr. Hartley has died."

"Mr. Hartley?" Tintin asked, immediately interested.

"Yes. A wealthy fellow who had given a certain orphanage his word that almost all of his money would go to them." The other Thompson continued. "However, when his will was looked over after his death, it would appear that all his money and his estate are going to distant cousins that have popped up from nowhere."

"Curious," Tintin commented.

"Exactly," Thompson added, "We suspect foul play, though everything in the will seems to be in order."

"Any marks on the body that would indicate murder?" Tintin asked.

"Surprisingly, no." Thompson replied. "It would seem he died in his sleep.

"Yes, it's quite mysterious," Mr. Crawford said with interest. "And Tintin, you're just the man to get the story. Have it on my desk Friday morning, alright?"

"Excellent, Mr. Crawford." Tintin nodded, already feeling his brain start analyzing the story as he exited the office.

"Yes, we'll be seeing you Mr. Crawford!" Thompson added, as the two men in bowler hats followed Tintin out.

"Now Tintin," Thompson addressed the journalist, taking him from his thoughts, "Here's the address of the orphanage and Mr. Hartley's manor, where these cousins of Mr. Hartley's are staying at."

Tintin took the paper Thompson offered him as they reached the street. "Thank you both," he nodded to the two men, "but before I start asking questions, I have to visit the Captain."

"Quite right, Tintin," Thompson replied. "We're in the middle of doing background checks on these cousins, so we ought to be going as well."

"Look me up when you've finished that," Tintin smiled in a slightly distracted way as they parted ways. "I wonder who these cousins really are, Snowy." He questioned aloud as his white terrier barked his agreement. "Why would they just appear out of nowhere like that? And was Mr. Hartley really murdered?"

About twenty minutes later, Tintin found himself at the docks by Captain Haddock's ship. I wonder if Haddock could help, he wondered. After all, Marlinspike Hall is quite close to the Hartley manor. Spying one of the members of Haddock's crew, he approached him.

"Excuse me sir, but where would I find Captain Haddock?"

"He ain't here today, Mr. Tintin," the sailor replied.

"Well, do you know where he would be?" Tintin asked, a sudden thought occurring to him.

"No, sir. We've been wondering that ourselves."

"Thank you for your time. Now, if you'll excuse me –" Tintin quickly turned and jogged towards the city streets. I need a cab. He thought anxiously. What if Hartley was murdered, and Captain Haddock is next?