Mystery Of The Maharajah's Tomb Chapter 4

Mystery Of The Maharajah's Tomb

Chapter 4

Raj and I exchanged glances. I wasn’t expecting this development.

Who are you guys? He repeated, looking between Raj and me.

Exchange students, like we told you, I said. But we heard about the tomb and are curious.

Taran shook his head. There’s no way you could have heard about it. Only a few people know about it. Just a few people on campus and even fewer off campus.  Come on, are you cops or something?

No, I said. Look, can we trust you? You seem like a decent guy.

He nodded. Yes, he said. Come on, we can’t talk here.

We grabbed our books and headed upstairs where it was quieter. There were study rooms lined up against the far wall. Taran headed to one. Once we were inside he flicked on the light and closed the door.

OK, sit, he said gruffly. Raj and I sat on plush desk chairs that surrounded a small table. There was a window as downstairs, showing the same scene of the small lake.

We have been asked by Raj's uncle Fuad Mistry to find the maharajah's tomb and coffin, I said, deciding not to beat around the bush. I was taking a chance trusting Taran, but I got a good feeling he was on the up and up.

He nodded. OK, with you so far. But why?

I explained about Uncle Fuad's request from an unknown business associate who had requested that Fuad verify existence and location of the tomb and coffin.

Any idea why? Taran remarked, a worried expression on his face.

No, I said. I'm sorry we don't know more. Raj and I were tasked with coming here and finding out anything we could about the tomb. I played a hunch that you were someone who had connections on campus and could either tell us about the tomb or would know who could.

Taran nodded, taking it all in. Finally he spoke. Well the tomb is definitely here on campus, not far from here actually. But I can't tell you where it is—not right now, anyway. I don't know if I can trust you or this mysterious businessman.

Why is the tomb so important? Raj spoke up. It was originally stolen about 100 years ago, wasn’t' it?

Yes, Taran said. In 1920. From it's original burial place on the island of Gharapuri. I don't know why it's important, but a lot of people are looking for this tomb. More people that I thought even knew about it. I've been approached more than once by people asking if I know about it. That's why I was so shocked when you mentioned it downstairs.

When did you discover it? I asked.

A few months ago, he remarked. I confess I was in a restricted area of the campus—I was looking for a place to smoke—and found a tunnel under the—oh wait. He remarked. I found it by accident. I didn't know what it was at first but it was a strange place for a tomb. I told the chancellor of the university, Mr. Avninder, and he kept it quiet. The news didn't even report it. You said a business associate of your uncle told him about it? He added, looking at Raj.

Yes, Raj said. My uncle is a very honest businessman here in Mumbai.

Of course you will say that, Taran remarked. But I don't trust anyone.

What's going to happen to it now? I asked

Taran shrugged. I have no idea. The chancellor has sealed off the tunnel. Only I and a few other students know about it. But I know another secret way to get there.

What about Zayd Mistry? Do you know him?

Taran nodded. Yeah, I know Zayd. Is he your cousin? He asked Raj

Yes.

He's one of the students who knows, Taran noted. He was a friend of a friend. Actually he's a friend of Jag's—the one who brought you over to our table.

Hmmm, I said. I wonder if Zayd was in contact with Jag and was told to watch for us?

Or was he asked to stick closely to Taran to keep an eye out for when he revealed the location of the tomb?

Zayd has issues, Raj said simply. My cousin is not the nicest person—in fact he hates me because of his brother.

He's upset at you for what happened to Balan, isn't he? You and Balan were friends and when your brother died—

He wished that I had been killed in that accident instead of his brother, Raj said quietly, looking at me.

Zayd Mistry is a loose cannon, Taran said. There are a few people who know about the tomb who I wish didn't know—and he's one of them. This has gotten out of control now. No telling how many people he's told. I think someone is after the tomb, but I have no idea why?

We have to find Jag and find out what he knows and if Zayd talked to him, I said. We're meeting Aaliyah and Saniya for a study session after getting some dinner, I said, glancing at Taran. She told you already?

Yes, he said flatly. Of course. She tells me everything.

Dude, no reason to be jealous of us, Raj said. We have no interest in the girls.

What! Taran blurted. What's wrong with Saniya?

N-nothing, Raj said. I—just—.

Never mind, I'm just kidding with you, my friend, he said with a smile. He then got serious. Not a word of this to anyone, though. I'll see what I can find out about the tomb and you guys see Jag and confront him. I'd like to get to the bottom of this as much as you. And I'll have to think about whether to reveal the location to you guys, he added.

Thanks, Taran. That's all we can ask for.

We me the Jain sisters promptly at 7. Taran was there already sipping on an iced tea. The girls had ordered spring water with lime. Raj and I got colas and then ordered our food.

Did you boys have your little talk?, Aaliyah said when the waiter cleared our plates.

Our what? Taran blurted, then became quiet. Oh, yeah, that, he said glancing at us. Sure I straightened these guys out, he added with a wink.

Good, Saniya said, looking at Raj. I pick Raj as my study partner. Taran took Aaliyah's hand. I guess I'm odd man out, I said.

Hi Justin, a female voice said from behind me. It was Nalina Gulati from our English Lit class.

Oh, hi, Nalina, I said looking up at her. Want to join us? We were just leaving though, heading to the library to study.

Oh, that's great, she said, beaming. I was just finished my meal and came to say hi. I need to study my English Lit though. Thanks for asking me.

We paid our tab then the six of us left the restaurant and headed back to the library, Taran leading the way. He pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it up, Aaliyah quickly taking it out of his mouth. That's a nasty habit, Taran, she said. He just shrugged and kept walking.

As we were entering the library I caught sight of Jag who was talking to two other guys, it looked like students, just away from the entrance to the library. He didn't notice us and a moment later his two companions left. He turned to face us and was startled to see us.

Oh, Taran. Aaliyah. Saniya. And our two new friends. Studying?

Yes, Taran said. Why else would we go to the library? You always were the brainy one of our group, he added with a chuckle, but Jag didn't look impressed with the joke.

Yeah, well just making conversation, Taran. See you guys in class tomorrow.

Wait, Jag, I said as he turned to move away.

Yeah? He asked, not looking impressed with behind held up. Can we talk for a minute?

Sure, he said.

I nodded to the others to go ahead, then moved off with Jag. I just wanted to ask you if you were friends with Zayd Mistry?

The question caught him off guard. I know Zayd, why?

Just curious. He's a friend of a friend and someone mentioned a Jag. I was just wondering if it was you.

Yeah, it's me. Anything else?

No, that's all. I was just curious. Sorry to keep you.

No problem, he said, grinning suddenly. Take care, see you in class.

He left and headed off into the now darkened campus. It was after 9 pm and I was getting tired, but I needed to catch up on some reading and Professor Atwal had given us an essay question regarding Great Expectations.

I found the group in an empty study room on the second floor—different from the one we were in a few hours before—and got out my books. Saniya sat next to Raj while Taran and Aaliyah sat at the end of the table. I sat down next to Nalina and opened my notebook.

I pulled out my battered copy of Great Expectations and began to read. It was quiet for about half an hour, the only sound was the scraping of pen on paper, Raj was writing furiously in his notebook, Saniya peeking over his shoulder.

Suddenly Taran was standing beside me, he tapped me on the shoulder, startling me. Come with me, he said in a whisper. I need to show you something.

We left the others and went out into the main library. There's something I need to tell you, he said as we walked toward the stairwell. Or rather something I need to show you.

We descended to the first floor but kept going into the basement. A door at the bottom said “Restricted” then another word in what I guessed was Hindi and most likely meant the same thing.

Taran opened the door and we were hit with a blast of warm air and a loud noise. This is the maintenance section, he said, raising his voice above the racket. We followed a corridor into another large room with pipes along the wall and overhead. Another 100 meters ahead we came to another door. I used to sneak into here and smoke—only cigarettes, he added, looking at me for a reaction.

It's none of my business, man, I said.

He nodded. You're cool, I like you—and your friend Raj, he said then turned back to walking along the narrow corridor. Paint peeled on the walls and the noise slowly diminished. We made a few turns, one to the right then two to the left, past doors and more pipes, some thick some thin copper pipes.

At last a door at the end of the corridor. No markings and no doorknob.

Taran pulled a pocketknife from his shorts pocket and inserted it in the crack of the door and wrenched it back until the door swung open. Darkness lay beyond. It was quiet as a—well a tomb. Was this the hiding place for the maharajah's tomb?

Once inside he pulled a miniature flashlight from the other pocket of his Bermuda shorts. He flicked it on to reveal a kind of storage room. Long abandoned tables and props from old plays that the drama department put on around the turn of the last century. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling. I felt a slight chill.

I sure hoped I could trust Taran. I could always turn back, but my heart was pounding. Was he about to reveal the maharajah's tomb?

Come, he mumbled moving forward, swinging his flashlight ahead and moving around boxes and the props. Along the far wall hung an ancient tapestry, depicting an Indian battle from the middle ages. Taran pulled it back and we coughed on the deluge of dust that flew at our faces. Behind the tapestry there was a hole in the wall, large enough for a man to just walk through if he ducked down.

Taran ducked and went through the hole. I followed. When I stood up in the room beyond I gasped.

Ahead against the wall there was a large stone box. I discovered this room like I said, a few months, he remarked. I was alone down here. When I found this I had no idea what it was—until I looked at the inscription.

Take a look, he offered, giving me the flashlight.

I took it from him and approached the box. There was a top made of stone with an inscription I guessed was in Hindi.

That's his name, Taran remarked. Maharajah Nipendra Singh.

My hands were trembling. With one hand holding the flashlight I used the other to move the top of the stone slab, sliding it over to the side. I shone the light inside and gasped once again. A coffin lay beneath. The same one I had seen in the photo Uncle Fuad had shown me back at the house.

I had found the maharajah's tomb.