The Time Travelers of Cratchit Castle

Chapters 5 & 6

 Chapter Five

Manor of Secrets

"What in the world do you mean?" Michael demanded. He took the paper from Albert and inspected it under the light. 

Nate and Bert leaned in too.

The map was a hand-drawn sketch of an estate with many rooms and corridors. It showed doors and windows, stairs and closets, even the fireplaces.

Charlotte peered at it. "Albert, how do you know it's our house?"

"I can read a little, Miss," Albert replied. "There, at the bottom, it says 555 Wembley Street."

Michael pointed. "Yes, look! There are our bedrooms, the kitchen, the garden, and carriage house."

Fan asked, "What makes you think it's a treasure map?"

Nettie smiled and pointed to a red X on the page.

"That room is the empty upstairs parlor!" Michael exclaimed.

"There's more," said Albert. "I overheard Whittock talking to his nephew."

The boy lowered his eyes. "It's somethin' very grim about your house."

"Go on," urged Michael.

Albert wrung his hands. "Whittock says that a long time ago, Mr. Scrooge took your house from a Welsh family who owed him a debt. Whittock heard a rumor that pirates' gold was hidden there by a soldier during the Barbary War."

Fan gasped. "So there really is a treasure?"

Albert nodded. "After the Welsh family left, Whittock snuck into the manor and searched for it. He found the map, but not the gold. So he convinced Scrooge to sell him the house. Scrooge agreed. But after Scrooge had a change of heart, he gave the house to the Cratchits instead. Old Whittock never got his hands on the gold."

Charlotte's eyes widened. "Gracious! Mr. Whittock must have been furious."

Albert replied, "Yes, Miss. He thinks Scrooge cheated 'im in that business deal and he vowed to take revenge. Whittock says the manor ain't rightfully yours. He plans to seize Cratchit Castle for 'imself!"

Michael's face flushed with anger. "Not rightfully ours?"

Charlotte looked appalled. "How dare he say such a thing!"

Nate wanted to comfort Charlotte. He reached out his hand, then dropped it, hoping Bert hadn't seen. 

At that moment, there was a sound from outside the storage room, and the door opened. They heard Mr. Fezziwig. "Nettie, are you back there, my dear?"

"I must go," whispered Albert. "Please keep what I told you a secret, or Whittock will burn me in a chimney too!"

The boy scurried like a mouse through the rear exit. Michael was left holding the map. As Mr. Fezziwig approached, he tucked it behind his back.

Mr. Fezziwig smiled and folded his hands in front of his rotund stomach. "Oh, children. I couldn't find you. Nettie, I'm sure your friends are expected home by suppertime. I suggest you all meet Mr. Periwinkle at the carriage."

"Father," Nettie asked sweetly, "May I stay with my friends at Cratchit Castle for two days?"

"We're going skating on Ferster's Lake and Nettie can help us prepare for the Christmas party," said Charlotte. "We'd love for her to join us."