Mystery of the Pirate's Map by Charles Tang Read Free Book Online Page B

what’s on that third piece. I’ll be glad to tell you about it. I saw Benny’s picture in the paper while I was at my home in upstate New York. I’m glad that someone else has a chance to find that treasure.”
    Tom took out the drawing that Violet had made of the three pieces of the map and laid it on the table. The missing part was in the lower left-hand corner.
    With pencil in hand, Jack slowly and carefully began adding the final images. There were some more trees, a few rocks, and, strangely, a bird sitting on its nest. He drew six of these, all of equal size.
    â€œIs that a . . . a nesting bird?” Jessie asked.
    â€œYes. I was surprised by that, too. I’m not sure what it means. Birds nest all over the world,” said Jack.
    â€œThis is probably the first time anyone’s seen this map in its complete form in two hundred years,” Tom said almost in a whisper.

    â€œCan you tell where the treasure is, Mr. Harrison?” asked Henry.
    Tom scratched his head. “No, not yet. I guess it would be safe to say this is the ocean over here,” he said, pointing to the squiggly lines. “And these trees . . . well, they could be any trees. Same with the rocks. But the birds . . . why do they seem familiar?”
    He walked around the room, stroking his chin while the others kept studying the map. He stopped at the window and stared into the backyard. There were some birds fluttering around the feeder he had hung from one of the trees. He watched them for a moment, hoping they would help him remember. But nothing happened.
    And then it hit him.
    â€œThe nature trail!”
    Everyone turned at once. “Huh?” Henry grunted.
    â€œThere’s a nature trail over near the bicycle path. I used to go there with my students. About a mile down, there’s a bird sanctuary. The Department of Environmental Protection declared the area a protected nesting site so no one could build on it. Birds have been nesting there for hundreds of years!” Tom rushed over and looked at the completed map again. “That has to be it. It has to be. And this part here, where the X is . . .” He tapped the spot with his fingers. “That must be the little grove of pine trees. They’re very, very old. That has to be it,” he said again, softly to himself. “It has to be. . . .”

CHAPTER 8
The Final Offer
    â€œO kay, so do we have it all figured out?” Tom asked, rubbing his eyes and yawning. It was nearly ten o’clock now.
    Jack Ford had been gone for about two hours. Before he left, he wished them all good luck. He had shown no interest in finding the treasure.
    Henry nodded. “I think so. We all get up before sunrise. You and I go to the shed in the backyard and get the shovels. Then we load them into Grandfather’s station wagon, which is parked around the corner.”
    â€œRight” Tom said.
    â€œWhile we’re doing that, everyone else can gather up some food and something to drink,” Henry said. “And then we all sneak out to the car and head for the nature trail.”
    â€œNow, what happens if we don’t—” Jessie began, then was abruptly cut off.
    â€œWell, isn’t this nice?” said a deep, powerful voice. All heads jerked up, and there in the doorway stood Winston Walker.
    â€œHow did you—” Tom began.
    â€œThe front door was open, so I let myself in,” Walker replied.
    â€œWhat do you want?” asked Grandfather.
    Walker folded his arms and smiled. “I think you all know why I’m here. You have something that I want.”
    â€œThe last piece of the map,” Henry said.
    â€œExactly right. I’m guessing the reason you didn’t take my latest offer was because it was too low. I should’ve known. Two thousand dollars doesn’t buy much these days. So, I’m prepared to make it three thousand.”
    Walker let his offer linger for a