Buffalo Mesa Mummy

Chapter 11

Charlie came clambering up the stairs calling Peter, “I hope you have a Plan B, because this one isn’t working out too well.”

When Peter didn’t answer he checked all the rooms, but did not find his friend. He looked under all the beds, figuring Peter must be hiding from him. At the top of the stairs Charlie spotted the armoire as Maria joined him on the second floor.

“Where’s….” Before she could finish Charlie put his finger to his lips and pointed to the end of the hall where the wardrobe stood. 

Quietly they moved down the hall, staying along the edge of the wall to keep the old boards from squeaking.

Charlie took the handle and very slowly turned it and then looking at Maria he mouthed one, two, three, and jerked the door open.

“Got you!” They both yelled at the same time, but then looked at each other, puzzled that Peter was not inside.

“Got who?” Maria screamed and Charlie jumped a foot off the floor when Peter spoke behind them. They both spun around and saw him standing half way up the stairs, sporting a big smile.

“How did you get down there? We were in the room right by the stairs the whole time.” Maria asked, her heart still beating fast.

“There is no way you could have come down the stairs without us seeing or hearing you.” Charlie said, and then began to grin. “You found a secret passage didn’t you?”

“Well, actually I did.” Peter said and then joined them at the top of the stairs.

“Where is it?” Maria asked.

“You were looking at it just now.” Peter said, walking over to the armoire. The door was still open and Peter motioned with his hand for them to look inside.

Charlie and Maria stepped closer and looked inside the empty cabinet. Both of them did all the pushing and pulling that Peter had done before with the same useless results.

Maria looked at Peter who winked at her and then, when Charlie was not looking, whispered in her ear. Then he handed her something which she stored in her pocket.

“Ok, I give up.” Charlie announced and stepped back from the opening.

With a bow Peter motioned for Maria to step inside the armoire, and when she did he closed the door behind her.

“For my next trick I present the disappearing girl!” Peter said in a loud voice and then slapped the closed door three times with the flat of his hand.

Peter stepped back and motioned for Charlie to open the door. When he did Charlie was greeted by an empty space where Maria had been standing before. Once again he pushed and pulled on the various surfaces, as well pounding on the back wall with his fist.

“Where did she go?” Charlie asked.

“Right here!” Maria called as she ran up the stairs smiling.

“Would you two let me in on the trick?” Charlie pleaded.

Peter gave an exaggerated sigh and stepped inside the armoire and said, “Charlie, close the door please.”

When the door was closed Peter’s muffled voice called out, “Open please.”

Charlie tried to pull the door open but it would not budge. “It won’t open.”

“Ok, try it now.” Peter ordered.

This time when Charlie tugged on the handle the door opened easily, but Peter wasn’t inside. Before Charlie could say anything the back panel swung open and Peter stepped out.

“Whoever built this contraption was quite the engineer.” Peter explained. “If the door is open the back door can’t be opened except from the other side. So no one would know there to be a secret door unless they were standing inside with the door shut and then pushed on the back of the cabinet. You have to push on the top corner only or it won’t even open then.”

“How in the world did you figure that out?” Charlie asked in amazement.

“With help from the wind.” Peter answered with a smile.

“Huh?” Charlie asked.

“Well, you see, I was standing inside pushing and stuff just like you and Maria did. A gust of wind came through that broken window on the other end of the hall and the door slammed shut. It pushed me against the back and I just happened to put my hand on the top corner of the door to catch myself. Next thing I knew I was on the other side of the hidden door, and let me tell you it was pitch dark. Luckily I had the keys to the Mule in my pocket because there is one of those tiny LED lights on the key ring. I could see a ladder going down to the first floor and when I climbed down I found…” Peter stopped and pushed Charlie inside the armoire. Peter held his hand out to Maria and she handed him the key ring; the same one he had given her when he had told her how to open the secret door. 

After handing Charlie the key ring he said, “It will be easier for you to see for yourself than try to explain.”

Peter shut the door and called through to Charlie, “Maria and I will see you downstairs.”

Charlie emerged a moment later, into a closet behind the hotel reservation desk, to see Peter and Maria standing in the doorway smiling at him.

“That panel behind you operates the same way as the one upstairs does, and I am betting the ladder goes right down to a room below where we are standing.” Peter said.

“Let’s go and take a look.” Maria suggested, and headed to their stuff to get her flashlight.

The two boys followed Maria into the main room and Peter got two flashlights and extra batteries. Then he pulled a headlight on. It was very bright and elastic bands held it in place, leaving his hands free.

 “You really have a thing about flashlights, Peter.” Maria laughed.

“Yea, but you have to admit it does make it easy to buy him a birthday or Christmas present.” Charlie said and then imitated Peter’s voice, “Oh, wow! Thanks! A flashlight! Just what I needed! I only have a hundred others.”

“You can laugh, but if you ever got in a situation like I did you would think flashlights were a wonderful thing.” Peter answered as he pulled a headlight into place and tested it by putting his hand in front of his face and turning the switch on.

Maria walked over and sat on the table next to where Peter was standing. She looked at him and asked seriously, “What happened?”