Mystery Of The Maharajah's Tomb Chapter 5

Mystery of The Maharajah's Tomb

Chapter 5

I turned back to Taran who just watched me, grinning. I'm taking an awful risk, telling you about this Justin. I fear your life may be more in danger now than it was before. You must promise me you won't reveal this hiding place. At least until we know we can trust Raj's uncle's associate. Or if the chancellor decides to go to the authorities.

I nodded. Of course, I said. I won't tell anyone where it is—for now.

We suddenly heard a noise from the other side of the tapestry, like a low murmuring of voices.

Shh! Taran hissed, dousing the flashlight. Someone's there. They must have followed us!

We waited hardly daring to breathe. Would we be discovered? The voices continued but they were muffled. Then there was another noise. Like a scraping noise. Something heavy was being moved. But what?

The scraping continued and seemed to get closer then it stopped. The voices receded then were gone. Whoever was in the other chamber had left. Or was someone still behind—waiting for us?

Taran flicked on his flashlight and moved towards the hole in the wall, covered by the tapestry. He reached to move the tapestry aside—very slowly.

No! he hissed.

What's wrong?

Something is blocking the way, he muttered, turning to me.

That must be the scraping noise we heard. Someone's put something in front of the hole.

Can we push it back? I asked.

Taran pocketed the flashlight and got down on his knees and I knelt down beside him. We pushed on the heavy object but it wouldn't budge. Because of our position in the hole in the wall we couldn't get a good position on the object, we could only push from the bottom half. It appeared to be some sort of cabinet or storage cupboard. I lay down on my back and tried slamming the cabinet. Taran joined me but it still would not move.

Taran jumped to his feet. This is crazy, man! He muttered. We're trapped.

You mentioned another way—the way that the chancellor blocked up, I suggested. Where is that?

Taran retrieved his flashlight and shone it on the opposite wall where there was a cement block wall. One section looked newer that the other section.

He had it bricked up, Taran muttered. It was only by chance that I found this hole in the wall, and it was considerably smaller when I found it. I chipped away to make it larger.

I nodded, feeling as frustrated as Taran, but tried not to panic. I pulled out my cell phone but because of our distance underground we couldn't find a signal. He tried his cell phone but the same results.

Maybe there’s another way out of here, I said, scanning the other walls and ceiling which was made of the fibreboard tiles.

Here, boost me up, I said to Taran who scooped his hands together against the wall nearest the hole. Holding on to his shoulder for balance, I launched myself up. I pushed up on the tile and moved it aside. I see light, I remarked, jumping down. Above it looks like wooden flooring with cracks in it and a faint light. If we could get something to stand on we might be able to get high enough to go up that way.

Not wanting to use the tomb to stand on, we found some wooden boxes but it wasn’t high enough. Taran’s flashlight was getting weaker and would soon be out of battery so we had to move fast. I spotted a large cabinet in the corner of the room, covered in old blankets. We pulled them off quickly and dragged the cabinet over into the middle of the room. We climbed on top and just as I pulled Taran up his flashlight winked out.

We were in total darkness.

I felt around with my hands the ceiling tile and moved it aside. A faint glow came from above and we could see a cracked wooden floor about 7 feet above our heads—just out of reach.

This time, you can boost me up there, Taran said. I’m lighter than you.

Very well, I said with a sigh. I scooped my fingers and Taran boosted himself up. He reached the wooden planking and banged it with his fist. Part of is splintered away.

OK, my turn, I said as his sneaker started to slip out of my hand. He jumped down and then proceeded to boost me up. We took turns boosting each other until a sizable hole was in the floor above. A faint light came from a ways away, but there was enough light to see what we were doing.

Taran went first, I boosted him and gave a push so he could grab the splintered wood and hoist himself up into the room above.

Just a minute, Justin, he said. I’ll see if I can find some rope.

He returned a few minutes later with a large sheet. He bunched it up and lowered it down. I grabbed hold of it and climbed up as he held on. My fingers grabbed the splintered wood but my hand slipped.

Ahhh! I cried out, as a piece of splintered wood shoved into my index finger. I held on and Taran grabbed my arm to pull me up.

Got a boo-boo, I said with a pout to which Taran just shook his head and rolled his eyes.

What is this place? I asked looking around in the dim light, the source was a street light outside a large window. The room we were in looked like an abandoned store room. Boxes lined the far wall. I checked inside and found that they were full of books.

We headed in the opposite direction and found a door. Thankfully it was open. We peered out into a darkened corridor but saw a light at the far end.

I followed Taran as we walked along the corridor to the source of light which was coming from under a doorway just around the corner. Taran grabbed the knob and turned it slowly and opened it a crack and peered out.

Come on, he hissed, opening the door further. We seemed to be in some sort of back kitchen. There was a small coffee shop on the ground floor of the library and this must be the back section. It was closed for the night, a bright bulb hanging from the ceiling cast a washed out look to the surroundings.

We made our way around to a swinging door and out into the front of the coffee shop. A few students were seated at the small tables drinking from a vending machine which I saw along one wall. They gave us curious looks as we passed but no one stopped us.

We went out into the library and to the front entrance. I pulled out my cell and called Raj who was still upstairs in the study room.

You left me here with all these girls, he complained. I can’t get Saniya to stop staring at me!

OK, I’ll come rescue you, buddy, I said with a grin. We have quite a story to tell you.

Taran followed me to the upper level where the twins were seated with Raj. Nalina had left.

Raj looked relieved to see us. He scooped up his books and the girls followed suit.

Where did you guys go? Aaliyah said, annoyed.

It’s a long story, Taran said, glancing at me. Come on, it’s getting late. We have to go.

I nodded. I wanted to get back to the apartment and call Fuad and tell him about finding the tomb. Raj followed me and the others came behind him.

Outside the library it was now dark. After Taran and I exchanged cell phone numbers, we went our separate ways, Raj and I heading off campus to our apartment on Manipada Road. While still on the campus grounds we passed by a curious statue of three monkeys that reminded me of the “Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” saying.

On the way I told Raj that Taran had shown me the tomb of the maharajah Singh, and his coffin and that we needed to tell his Uncle Fuad once we were back at the apartment. Raj looked hurt that he hadn't been there.

Sorry, buddy, I said. Taran trusted me enough to tell me where it was and show me. It wasn't that he didn't trust you, but he needed you to stay and keep the girls company.

Raj shrugged. Whatever, but I wish I had seen it.

It was dark when we arrived at our apartment building. It had been along day. I couldn't believe we had found the tomb on the first day. It was a lucky break running into Taran.

At the door to the apartment, I pulled the key from my pocket and inserted it in the lock. I opened the door and gasped. The place was trashed!

Oh, no, Raj muttered. We haven't even been here yet and already we've been robbed. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called his uncle who said he would have Qasim drive him over immediately.

He arrived about half an hour later. In the meantime we had straightened up the apartment and found our luggage. It had been rifled through but nothing appeared to be missing.

This is terrible—just terrible, he muttered surveying the damage. I'm calling the authorities.

It's up to you, I said, but nothing appears to have been taken.

You are sure you locked up the apartment when you brought their things, he asked Qasim who assured us that he had indeed locked up.

I don't understand it, Fuad said. It doesn't appear that anyone has broken in.

Who else would have a key? I asked.

I have one at home, Fuad said and the one I gave Qasim and the extra one we gave to you.

Qasim pulled his copy of the key from his pocket.

I will check my key at home, he said. OK, we won't tell the authorities—yet. If my key is missing then we know how the culprit gained access. But the question is why?

We were silent for a moment. You located the tomb already?, Fuad said changing the subject. That is great work. I will tell my associate tomorrow. Now, how can I get my hands on the tomb?

That might be a problem, I said. The young man who showed it to me doesn't trust anyone enough to tell them where it is.

Except you, Fuad said, eyes narrowing. You must tell me where it is, Justin.

I can't, I said. I promised Taran I wouldn't tell anyone unless he gave me permission. It was on condition of his telling me in the first place.

But you must tell me, Fuad said, getting agitated.

Uncle Fuad, Raj said. Why are you getting so upset. You asked Justin and me to confirm that the tomb was on the campus and we—well Justin's done that.

I can have a talk with the youth who found the tomb, but he is very skittish about revealing the location, I went on. He only told me because he trusts that I don't have any reason to betray him or reveal the location. Someone trapped us in the chamber, I said. Someone else knows about the location of the tomb, I'm sure of it now. We have to find out why it is to valuable.

Fuad nodded. You are right, he said finally. I did not expect you to reveal the location if you have promised not to.

Who is this associate? The one who wants to know about the tomb? I asked. Can you trust him?

Fuad was silent for a moment. It's a her—actually, he said. And no I don't trust her fully. I do not know her very well—she just contacted me a few weeks ago. I believe they thought I could use Zayd to find the tomb for me—but he refused when I asked him. I thought of you, he added looking at Raj. You mentioned in your e-mails about becoming friends with Justin and how his father is a private investigator back in Canada. That is why I enlisted your help.

And now we've confirmed that the tomb is there—hidden on campus. Someone trapped us there and now has trashed our apartment looking for something—I don't know what? I am going to contact Taran and arrange a meeting with you, Fuad. We can talk about what to do next.

Fuad nodded. OK. Maybe we can meet tomorrow. It is Saturday and there are no classes.

Just then my cell phone beeped with an incoming call.

It's Taran, I said. I'll ask him about arranging meeting. I answered the phone. A strange voice came over the line. A female voice.

Is this Justin Macdonald?

Yes.

I have your friend Taran with me. He will not be harmed if you will reveal to us the location of the maharajah's tomb. Meet us at the university entrance in half an hour!