The Treasure of Netherstrand

Chapter 44

Hannover and Timothy formed a good plan. They would wait until it was completely dark, when everyone else was sure to be asleep. Then they would take a lantern and have a close look at the tapestry.

The day seemed terribly long, but finally the hours of night came upon them. They snuck down the eerie, shadowy halls, tingling with excitement and fear. Hannover's hand was almost shaking as he held onto the lantern.

You really must calm yourself! he kept thinking. This is ridiculous and paranoid. You keep thinking you hear noises when it is clear that we are the only two persons awake! It is, after all, twelve-thirty! Even that annoying butler of mine is not awake; we crept to his door moments ago, and I am nearly sure I heard him snoring in his room. The man is ancient, and I hear the elderly are more prone to heavy slumber!

At last, they reached the tapestry. Hannover studied its details. Then he pulled back one corner and looked at the opposite side.

"I hear these tapestries have not been cleaned for generations," he whispered, choking on dust as he moved the wall hanging around. "It was Lady Denzell's rule, and I suspect she had a good reason for it. Out of respect and nostalgia, her family left them in place to gather centuries of dust! Look, Timothy! Here is something odd!" He directed the little boy's eyes to a line of words embroidered on the back of the tapestry. Hannover squinted his eyes in the dim light, straining to read it.

"It taketh all thy will to stand firm against temptation. It taketh all thine heart to serve the King of thy salvation. Now it will take all thine strength to press on upon thine journey. May the path lead thee to a benefit and not a destructive end. Beware of the stones which lie in thy path, both physical and spiritual." Hannover eyed the stone wall behind him.

"It will take all thy strength to press on upon your journey, eh? Hmm...pressing on...." He had an idea. And even though it was a farfetched one, he knew it couldn't hurt to try. Putting his hands against the stones of the wall, he began to push one and then another. Suddenly something moved. For just one instant, there was a grinding noise, and a long, black crack showed itself in the wall. Hannover jumped back in surprise. With a loud sound, the stones joined seamlessly, and the crack disappeared.

"Blimey!" Tim whispered, shaking. He grabbed onto Hannover's coattail and hid behind the man's back. "What was that, sir?"

Hannover grinned in building jubilance. "Fear not, my coward! This is the door to success!" he laughed. "Now give me some room." He shoved the child just a little further away and then threw his shoulder against the wall. Pushing until his face turned red, part of the wall moved inward on slow, rusty hinges. At last, he found himself holding a secret door open, and Timothy slipped into a dark corridor with him.

"I dare not let this door shut," Hannover panted. "Goodness knows how we would open it from the inside. There is no handle!" He sent Timothy searching for something to prop the door open. In a minute, the boy returned with a coal scuttle from another room. The tapestry hid the entrance from view, and at last, Hannover was free to explore the secret chamber.

They were standing in a short, narrow passageway. At one point in time, he could tell that it had been frequently used. A short distance ahead, there was a staircase, and on one of the steps he saw an old box. As giddy as a child, the man ran forward and set his lantern down. Then, together, he and Timothy's fumbling hands opened the little container and found a note inside.

"Read it, Mr. Hannover! Read it!" Tim cried, jittery with excitement. His master unfolded the paper in a hurry and glanced over the words.

"Thou hast seen that Christ is the only way: the lighted path to Heaven. Thou hast known the sinfulness of thine own heart and hast seen thy need for a savior. Thou hast been shown the well of life, and I hope greatly thou art full and overflowing with the Spirit of God. Thou hast known the fire of zeal and love which burneth within a new Christian's heart, and I pray thy fire is not quenched. I have warned thee to guard thine heart against sin and the deceitfulness of riches. I have tried to teach thee to be a wise and generous master over this house. I pray, with an earnest heart, that thy soul is right with God, and that thou wilt live to glorify thy Creator. Now go up and receive thy earthly inheritance, remembering that it is naught compared to the inheritance Christ giveth to those who love and obey him."