"Wilhelm, you don't look too good."
"Fery funny, Vyatt: It's been vat, sefen years? Honeschtly, all zis searchink unt vee haffn't found eefen a little hint of zee magic railvay."
"Maybe," suggested Wyatt, "we've been looking in the wrong place. It's too bad our disguise didn't fool anybody at the police station."
"I vouldn't say zat," said Wilhelm. "More likely zan not, vee juscht tried to fool zee vronk person: superfisors know full vell vat zee people zey employ look like."
"Zat's not zee only sink zat vent vronk," said Commander Haus, entering the room. "Someone else nearly found it."
"Vye do we keep searchink? It's ohfer," snorted the man who was called Trevor. "Germany lost zee var. Unt zare vas zee Versailles humiliation."
"Don't brink zat up, Morschtein!" snapped the man who went by Brad. "I'll lose mein mind if I hear about zat vun more time."
Wyatt watched them argue, before chuckling a bit and showing them something.
"Vare did you get zat map?"
"Beat someone up to get it. The point is, it shows something that will interest you," said Wyatt. On it was the island of Lasigar, marked with an X.
"An X, huh? Perhaps ZAT is vare vee need to look," said Commander Haus.
"Vare is zee exact location? I'm not goink to look around zee hole island," snorted Morschtein.
The commander grabbed him by the neck and lifted him.
"If vee neet to look around zee hole island, vee look around zee hole island," he said.
"Nein. I vant to return to Germany quickly!" snapped Morschtein. "Unt so does Hermann. Our families are starfink."
"Actually, I don't mind beink here," said Hermann. "I quite like it in zis country."
"You like it here?! YOU FUCKINK TRAITOR!" Morschtein shouted, releasing himself from Commander Haus's grip and charging towards him. The commander grabbed him again and began beating him up.
"I'm sick of you two alvays fightink," he snarled. "Vun more, unt I'll make sure you never see Germany again. Do I make myself clear?"
"Ja, mein kommandant."
The commander kicked him in the head, then walked away.
"Take us, Herr Vyatt. Lead zee vay."
Elsewhere, the Lasigar bridge was mended. A test for heavy engines to pass was being made, by having Ian take a very heavy train through it. He didn't like the idea.
"Does it have to be me?" he asked.
"Nobody else is available to do so," said the stationmaster.
"What if this test fails? How deep is the sea over here?"
"Deep enough to waddle to the other end from Sodor," chuckled the stationmaster. "Go on. You can travel tender first if you need to."
Ian gulped and set off for Lasigar.
He needn't have worried: the tests were successful. Small mainline engines could easily pass over the steel trestle connecting the two islands.
Ian felt relieved. All the same, it was decided heavy mainline engines weren't suitable for regular use: while able to hold his weight, the bridge did show signs of breaking when he travelled over it.
The day after the test was finished, the Fat Director and Lord Harwick made their return, having finally completed negotiations with the LMS. The engines were delighted when they learned they would not become part of the LMS, though there were mixed feelings about moving to Tidmouth. Olive herself didn't like the idea of the Ferry Trains being reduced from daily to twice a week. She prided herself on her position on those trains.
Some weeks later, in mid October, Gordon made his first journey all the way from Tidmouth to Barrow, making record time as he did. However, he found himself disappointed when he met the engine he would be changing with: it was one of Edward's siblings.
"What's an old iron like you doing here?" he snorted. "You're way too small to make the whole journey to London."
"I was the only engine able to take over," the engine responded. "I'm honoured to have this train. My class is on its way out."
"Pooh!" snorted Gordon. "I could make this run without relying on you to take over: you'll most likely lose time."
"Try telling that to the stationmaster," said the engine. "He won't agree with you."
And indeed he didn't: he made it absolutely clear Gordon was not to go beyond Barrow. This left the A0 no choice but to uncouple from the train.
Some minutes later, Edward entered the station with a goods train. His eyes watered when he saw the engine at the head of the train.
"Never did I expect to see you again, dear sister," he said, as the train departed.
Edward stubbornly refused to move the rest of the day. His crew was confused.
"What's gotten into you, Edward?" they asked. "You like working!"
"If I move now," snorted Edward, "I'll miss seeing my sister. I can't allow that!"
His crew kept trying to make him move, but he only released his brakes when the train returned.
"Polly! So nice to see you again!"
"You can't be Edward. Can you?"
"It most certainly is!" chuckled Edward. "I must say, it sure has been a long time."
"A long time indeed," said a voice, but it wasn't Polly: the Fat Director was on the platform and wasn't happy. "Honestly, Edward, I understand you haven't seen your sister for a while, but you shouldn't bunk off work just to wait for her."
"I accept punishment, sir," said Edward sadly.
"As you should: since you spent so long here, there's been a backlog at Wellsworth. Luoc had to be called from Cregwir to help out with the passenger trains. Tomorrow, you will be back on building duty. Your duties at Wellsworth will be taken over by Lily until the line is finished."
"Sir. Can I request something? Once my class is no longer operating, purchase me," Polly put in.
"We shall see," said the Fat Director.
Unknown to them, a new problem was brewing on board a family saloon.
Those coaches were built by the NWR based on the royal saloons of the Great Western. Wealthy families could rent them out, and in this case, rouge Germans in disguise.
"Are zare any sreats on zee island?" asked Commander Haus.
"Apart from a stupid legend, no," said Wyatt. "Something about a reptile that prowls, I don't really know."
"Haff your guns ready. Zare may be usser people after our prize."
All they saw at first were fishermen singing "Ninety nine bottles of beer" in Sudric. In all honesty, it was rather annoying, and the group immediately decided to try elsewhere.
The first place they dug up was a private yard. The owner returned just in time to catch them red handed. The man kept a pistol on his coat, and shot Wyatt on the chest without warning. Fortunately, it wasn't in his heart. That said, the men had a hard time getting the bullet out when they managed to get far enough away, and ended up having to go to a doctor who lived on the island for help.
"That hurt…" snarked Wyatt. "Thank god you got the bullet out."
"Wasn't easy," admitted the doctor. "And you're lucky you and I are old friends, Wyatt, otherwise, I'd be reporting all for you to the authorities."
"So, vat's zee charge?" asked Commander Haus.
"On the house," the doctor replied. "Like I said, Wyatt and I are old friends. Now you best stay out of private yards for a long time."
After leaving the doctor, the five agreed to take his advice. Instead, they went to the north of the island, where nobody really lived. Unfortunately for them, diggable land was scarce there. After chipping away at rocks for around two hours, the group gave up and went to a pub to take a drink.
Commander Haus, eager for a chance to relax, decided to try some booze. However, straight after his first sip, he spit it back out.
"Ekelhaft!" he snapped. "How can anybody enjoy zis refoltink drink?!"
"Ah, nobody likes it at first," said Wyatt, "but eventually, it grows on you."
"I hope you're right, freund," said Commander Haus. "But for now, I'll juscht take some vater."
At this moment, a drunk patron wearing a raccoon hat began ranting.
"You ain't worth two shits, the whole damn lot of ya! Ain't worth one tree... not one elk... one German. I shot nineteen of them, once. Elk, not Germans. Dunno how many Germans I killed... but... they deserved it."
"You better vatch vat you say," warned Wilhelm.
"Oh, lookie here, we got a tough guy," snarked the drunk. "Think you're so tough because you…you…peed in your penis!"
"Vat?! Zat makes no sense!" Wilhelm pointed out.
"I'll show you something that makes no sense!" snarled the drunk, and he punched Wilhelm. Before long, a fist-fight broke out between both of them. It was Wilhelm who won, mainly because the drunk wasn't aiming properly. After knocking him to the ground, Wilhelm took the hat and put it on his head.
"Vat can I say? I haff a sink for headvear," he said.
Haus and Wyatt gave a little chuckle: Morschtein had gone upstairs with a girl, while Hermann hadn't noticed: he was busy playing a game of poker.
"It's odd," said Commander Haus. "Of all zee patrons in zis bar, zat vun vas zee only vun who schowed any disdain tovards Germans."
"You mean Ralph?" asked the bartender. "He fought in the war, the only resident of this town who did: most of us weren't qualified to do so. By the way, that hat, I'm not asking you to return it, but I am warning you to be careful: he's very proud of it for some unknown reason he won't tell. He sees you wearing it, he'll lose it for sure."
At the poker table, Hermann had gotten into a rather interesting discussion.
"What brings you down to this town?" one of them asked.
"Treasure," answered Hermann. "Vun of my friends fount a treasure map vis an x on zis island."
"You must be referrin' to the HMS Maura-Liath," said another player, raising the pot. "Crashed somewhere on the southern end of the island, rumour 'as it that ship's loaded with gold. At least that's what grandpa told me."
"Not just your grandpa, Trish," said a third player, calling. "My pa told me about it too. Seems to be a common legend around these parts."
"Tell me more about zis HMS Maura," said Hermann.
"Maura-Liath is said to 'ave sunk after 'i'in' some rocks near Calliba Cove," said Trish. "While on a mission for the Royal Navy too. Over the years, many people tell of a bunch of gold stored on that ship which remains there to this day, but no proof's ever been found."
"Vell, sanks for zee info," said Hermann. "Now, allow me to call your bluff."
The group went to a hotel after they decided they had enough with the bar, where they would rethink their plans with what Hermann had learned.
"Callibar's Cofe, on zee fery-souz tip of zee island," said Haus. "Question is, how do vee get zare visout beink seen?"
"Our best bet is to take a boat," said Wyatt. "That said, there are two problems: for starters, I don't think any of us have the money to rent one."
"Unt efen if vee did," said Wilhelm, "it vould moscht likely be a cheap canoe, vich von't do at all if vee get schpotted."
"Let's just schteal a boat," said Hermann. "Mug zee owner, tie him up, zen put him in a trunk until vee return. After zat, vee force him to keep quiet."
Haus was about to reply, when the door was smashed open, by none other than Ralph, who began running towards Wilhelm.
"You son of a bitch!" he shouted. "Come here!" Before long, they had gotten into another fistfight. Wilhelm got some of his teeth knocked out when Ralph hit him with a chair. Recovering, Wilhelm decided he was done playing fair and drew a knife. He then tripped Ralph and stabbed him in the leg.
"I'm going to ask you some questions and your answer vill determine vesser I keep zis knife in," he warned. "Now, do you haff a boat?"
"No. And fuck you!" he then kicked him hard on the groin. He then ran away, only to be knocked out by Morschtein, who had just arrived at the doorway.
"Sorry I'm late," he said. "Zare vas an issue vis payment, it's been resolfed now."
"Payment?"
"Zare's a reason I'm not vearink pants," said Morschtein, walking into full view, revealing a pair of underwear. "Ja: ZAT vas zee payment vee agreed on."
"I have a feeling her services weren't worth it if you had to lose your pants," said Wyatt.
"My eyes! Get some fuckink pants on!" shouted Hermann
"Unt how am I supposed to do zat? I didn't really brink a suitcase vis me, nutjob!"
"I don't know vat exactly," said Haus, "but I sink it's time vee schtarted to try and get jobs in zis country: I see now vee need Britisch money."
"Nein! Vee are proud Germans!" shouted Hermann.
"Proud or not, Haus is right," said Wilhelm. "If vee don't get Britisch money, vee'll haff a repeat of Morschtein loosink his pants."
"Besides, even I can't pay for all of you," Wyatt pointed out. "As loyal as I am to you, Haus, even I am getting stripped for cash."
"Vat do vee do vis zis limey?" asked Morschtein.
"Seems I need to remind you," said Wyatt, "without me, you'd have been stranded on Sodor after your Zeppelin crashed."
"Unt grateful for your help is vat vee are," said Haus. "Srow zee soldier to zee sea. Vyatt, if you haff any idea on how vee can get income, let me know."
"The treasure of the HMS Maura-Liath that Hermann overheard. I don't know if that tale is true, but right now, I don't see any other options," said Wyatt. "Only problem is I currently don't have my fishing boat with me, and if we leave now, somebody else could grab it first."
"Our objectiff is zee magic railvay," said Hermann. "Not a treasure from a sunken schip."
"All zee same," said Commander Haus, "vee do need zat money. And who knows? Maybe zat fessel vill also haff a clue to zee Magic Railvay. I say vee take a chance unt go for it."
Unfortunately for them, a writer for the Sudrian Times had also been on that bar, and the next morning, Conan was helping unload the mail when it arrived at Wellsworth. Then, he saw an article. talking about a sunken ship containing treasure inside.
"Treasure… If it's real… that would be worth a lot of money… and that money would help to pay the cost of raising my son…Oh what am I getting at? There's never any real treasure, that's all made up for those stories!"
"What stories are you talking about?" asked Rolf.
"Some article talking about a sunken ship containing treasure," said Conan. "I tell you: it's all made up."
"Are you sure it's made up?" Rolf asked. "Might want to check with your brother, maybe he can determine whether or not the story is genuine."
So he did. Noah came over and took a look at the newspaper article.
"Interesting…," he said. "I think I remember hearing a similar story about this from our dad. Something about a ship running aground during a storm. I know the ship's real, I did see her once, but never did I consider she'd be holding a treasure. That said, this is an opportunity of a lifetime, little brother: we can't miss this!"
"Ok, Noah, I got a few questions," Jewelie said, entering the scene. "For starters, how exactly will you get there? Neither of you can bunk off work you know. Also, do either of you have the money to rent out a boat?"
"I owned a boat prior to the war. And… Yeah. We technically can't bunk off work… But this is a treasure hunt! Surely you like the idea of becoming rich, Jewelie!"
"There are better ways to become rich than to go on a treasure hunt that could lead to nothing," Jewelie pointed out. "Besides, as long as I have my Connie, I don't need to become rich. I'm happy where I am."
"Well, I don't have anybody, I lost my dear Henrietta," said Noah sadly. "So I have a reason. If you two want to stay behind, that's fine. But me, I'm going off. Come to Norramby if either of you change your mind." And with that, Noah walked away.
Conan and Jewelie debated it for some time.
"Jewels… It's for our child. We aren't that well off. We may be happy, but pay isn't all that good."
"And what makes you think getting that treasure will be easy?" Jewelie asked. "As far as I know, somebody else could have already gotten it: from what it seems, this article spread fast."
"That is true, but…the cash will be worth it," argued Conan.
"And what makes you think there actually is cash? I mean, it is only a legend, right?"
"I don't know…I just want to provide for our son."
"The best way to provide is to keep working as a driver," said Jewelie. "This treasure could be a trap, it may be somebody spreading false rumours to lead you into their grasp and kill you. If that happens, I don't know if I'll be able to raise our son."
Conan teared up a bit. His own father had quit on life after his mom died. Jewelie was right: he shouldn't do the same.
"At least, I must check on my brother… I will still focus on my work, but… I'm worried for him."
"I know, Connie, I know."
Next morning, the Owens brothers met up at Norramby.
"You're here to check on me, or you come to join me on the hunt?"
"Bit of both… Look, brother… I don't want my kid to grow up alone…Remember what happened with our dad?"
"I do," admitted Noah. "Even so, why should I pass up this chance?"
"You shouldn't. I'm just saying that… Wait, you didn't know I'm going to be a dad?"
Noah was quick to change the subject.
"If we can find this treasure, all problems we may have in the future will be solved before they begin," he said. "I accept being called greedy if it means solving all problems."
"And what problems would those be?" asked Conan.
"Well, lack of money, for example," said Noah. "Say Jewelie gets sick: we can afford to get a doctor for your wife. You can get expensive things for her. And don't forget Rebecca: her family still holds leverage against Grandpa I believe. That money will be useful for defusing a lawsuit from them, or hiring a lawyer."
"Fine. Let's do this. But if this becomes too dangerous, I'm out, is that clear?"
"Deal," said Noah. "Now help me find Captain."
"Captain" was an old sailing yacht. It had once belonged to Christopher Owens, the father of the brothers. He was a good fisherman, until his death. Ever since then, Captain had been stored in Norramby Harbour, gathering dust. Now, it was time for it to sail again.
There was a problem, however. Years of neglect left the old boat in a decrepit state: the hull was starting to rot and had holes. If anything, both brothers were lucky it was still afloat!
"No problem," said Noah. "All we need is duct tape."
"What?"
"Duct tape: it fixes everything."
"And what makes you think duct tape will keep her afloat?"
"You got any better ideas?" Noah asked. Conan didn't. "That's what I thought, now come on: we got lots of holes to tape over."
After some minutes, the ship was as ready as it ever would be, and the boys climbed into her.
"You row, Conan," said Noah. "I don't think her sail will hold anymore."
"You gotta help row too, then," said Conan. "A ship this large takes more than one man to row."
"You really think Captain's small?" asked Noah.
"Well, she's not a canoe, that's for sure," Conan pointed out.
The boys set sail to the cove, unaware of who else was going there. However, the rest, as some say, is another story.