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“Context,” Nigel said, “is everything. It might help to know where they originated, and when they were written, especially regarding any word that might have a dual meaning. Like that last one which could be rock or hill.”
Remi returned the list to Sam, who said, “They were found on an old map that we believe dates from 1696. But the original wording was probably transcribed from something written around the time of King John’s death.”
Nigel’s brows went up. “You’re saying this list is a key to the missing treasure? That it’s here in King’s Lynn?”
“That, I don’t know. It’s taken from a coded message that’s not completely deciphered.”
Nigel held out his hand. “May I have another look?”
Sam handed the list to him.
He studied it as the waitress brought their drinks. When she left, he said, “When it comes right down to it, any one of these words could be describing a hiding place. The problem arises in narrowing down a location—assuming they’ve been properly translated.”
“Anything around here fit?” Remi asked.
“Yes. But there’s nothing around here that hasn’t been searched a million times by others looking for the same thing.”
“Maybe so,” Sam said. “But they’re not us. So what’s your take on locations?”
“Hole or well could be a description of King John’s Hole. That’s about halfway between here and Long Sutton. And, if true, buried beneath about thirty feet of silt. Except—”
“Except what?” Sam asked when Nigel didn’t continue.
“Except why have these other indicators with it? Castle and hill, for instance? Maybe a well in a castle? Or a castle hill? There are plenty of those about.”
“Anything dating from that era in the general vicinity?”
“Castle Rising.”
“Looks like we have a bit of exploring to do in the morning.”
Remi raised her glass in a toast. “Here’s to good hunting.”
Forty-one
The following morning, Sam and Remi decided against Castle Acre, which didn’t seem to have any connection to King John or the treasure, and settled on Castle Rising. It was the closest out of the three sites Nigel had suggested and had a connection to Queen Isabella. She’d lived there—or was banished there—after her son, Edward III, deposed Isabella and her lover, Roger Mortimer, who had taken control of the throne after Edward’s father abdicated. There was even a rumor of a hidden tunnel that Isabella used during her banishment to get in and out of the castle unseen. That, Sam and Remi decided, was definitely worth looking into.
When they called Lazlo and Selma to discuss the possible options, Lazlo felt it was premature to visit anywhere since he hadn’t finished with the deciphering of the passage from the map. “I’m working at a disadvantage—what, with the poor photo quality and the worn symbols on the cipher wheel.”
“We can’t wait forever,” Sam said.
“And,” Remi added, “we need to stay ahead of Charles Avery.”
“Forget them,” Lazlo said. “Do you know how many castle ruins there are in Great Britain? You’ll be old and gray by the time you finish searching each one.”
“Remi’s right,” Sam said. “Avery and Fisk stole Nigel’s notebook with the Old English translations, which means they’re looking at the same things we are.”
“This area,” Remi said, “was where the treasure was last seen. And it does mention something about a castle, so why not there? Maybe we’ll find that key piece of information that points us in the right direction.”
“I suppose it can’t hurt to look,” Lazlo replied. “I’ll keep working and let you know if anything changes.”
He put Selma back on the line, and Sam turned off the speaker, then gave the phone to Remi, who wanted to ask about Bree. When she finished the call, she seemed happy.
“Good news?” Sam asked.
“I think so. No further issues, and Bree seems to be doing well. Selma thinks Bree should stay with them until this is over.”
“Probably a good idea. I wouldn’t put it past Avery to try to use her and her cousin again.”