Chapter 241: Treasure Hunt

One day, The Pack was widening the road that ran alongside Thomas's branch line. Alfie was busy digging when he noticed a strange group of men working in a field across the street. They were digging very carefully, as if they were looking for something. Curious, he turned to Oliver.

"What're those men over there doing?"

When Oliver saw where Alfie was pointing, he couldn't help but laugh.

"They're archeologists on a dig. From what I've heard, they're digging for some valuable artifacts for the museum. Treasure, you might call it."

Alfie's eyes went wide with excitement.

"Treasure?!"

"Don't get any ideas. They have their job, and you have yours. Now come on, I can see Max heading over this way."

Alfie knew Oliver was right, and soon got back to digging. A while later, break was called and he decided to go over and talk to them. They were very friendly, and happy to talk about their research.

"According to our research, ancient sudrians buried valuable pottery and other pieces of art to protect them from being destroyed by Viking raiders. Our map is old, but we're certain they're somewhere in this field."

"Neat! Have you guys had any luck?"

"Well...no, not really...but we're getting close, I can feel it!"

Just then, the horn sounded to signal the end of Alfie's lunch break.

"Oh, I better get back to work. By Leonard, good luck with the dig!"

"Thanks Alfie, good luck with yours!"

A while later, Alfie was digging a trench along the side of the site. It was dirty work, but he loved it.

"Ah, Mud Glorious Mud!"

Just then, his bucket hit something hard. Confused, he gently scraped away the dirt to reveal something glimmering. This got Alfie excited.

"Oliver, come look! I think I found something!"

Curious, Oliver came running. When he saw what Alfie had unearthed, he couldn't help but get excited too.

"You'd better get those scientists over here. They'll want to see this!"

Carefully, the archeologists, Alfie, and Oliver scraped the rest of the dirt away. Sure enough, there, underneath the Earth was a treasure trove of pottery! The museum curator came out to sort things out.

"Well Alex, are they real?"

"Oh, they're real alright! I can't believe it, what an incredible find! Good work, you lot."

"Well, it was Alfie who discovered it. We just did most of the digging."

"Well, good work Alfie! Who have our sincerest thanks."

Alfie beamed proudly. But there was something Leonard couldn't understand.

"I don't get it. The map said this lot was in that field over there. How could it be wrong?"

"Let me see that."

When Alex saw the map he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Oh my, I'm afraid you fell for the oldest trick in the book! This map is a fake, no truth to it whatsoever! The Sudrians made plenty of these to throw off any wannabe grave robbers and treasure thieves."

Leonard and his team blushed in embarrassment, while everyone else had a good laugh. All except Alfie, who just smiled.