The Earth Signs

The Williams family’s limousine pulled into the gravel driveway of the Stargazer’s Rest.

The old country inn looked remarkably like the photographs Link had found. Its brick walls were weathered, the timber framing dark with age, and a small observatory dome still stood above the eastern wing.

Jack studied the building through the window.

“That’s it.”

Chas looked at him.

“You’re sure?”

“Ninety-five percent.”

“Wonderful. I suppose the other five percent is my money.”

Jasmine laughed.

“Dad, you haven’t spent anything yet.”

“Give your brother time.”

The family climbed out of the limousine.

An elderly gentleman stood near the entrance, watching them approach.

He was perhaps seventy, with thinning white hair and the comfortable appearance of a man who had spent most of his life running a country inn.

“Mr. Williams?”

Chas extended his hand.

“That’s me. You must be Mr. Bennett.”

“Arthur Bennett. Welcome to the Stargazer’s Rest.”

“Thank you for agreeing to see us.”

“Your message was rather unusual, Mr. Williams. You mentioned an interest in some of our old woodwork.”

“My son has an interest in it, actually.”

Arthur looked at Jack.

“And what might your interest be, young man?”

Jack smiled.

“I think there’s something hidden behind your fireplace.”

Arthur’s expression changed slightly.

“Do you, now?”

“Yes, sir.”

Arthur studied him for a moment.

“Well, perhaps you’d better come inside.”

⸻

The main lounge was comfortable and inviting.

A large fireplace occupied one wall, with several leather chairs arranged around it. The ceiling beams were dark oak, and sunlight streamed through tall windows overlooking the gardens.

Above the fireplace was the wooden solar system.

Jack stopped almost immediately.

“There it is.”

The carving was larger than he had expected, perhaps six feet across, with the sun at its center and the planets arranged along their orbital paths.

The craftsmanship was extraordinary.

Jasmine walked closer.

“That’s beautiful.”

“It certainly is,” Vicky agreed.

Arthur smiled.

“My grandfather was rather proud of that piece. It’s been here since before the First World War.”

“Do you know who made it?” Jack asked.

“An old craftsman from the village, I believe. His name has been lost, I’m afraid.”

Jack studied the Earth.

It projected slightly farther from the panel than the other planets.

Exactly as it had in the photographs.

Chas noticed his son’s interest.

“Don’t touch anything yet, Jack.”

“I wasn’t going to.”

“That’s what worries me.”

Arthur chuckled.

“Perhaps we should sit down and discuss what you’ve come for.”

They gathered around a large oak table near the windows.

A waitress brought tea and coffee.

Arthur waited until everyone was comfortable.

“Now then, Mr. Williams, your message suggested you wished to examine the woodwork for a hidden compartment.”

“That’s correct.”

“And you believe something valuable may be inside?”

“Possibly.”

“What sort of thing?”

Chas glanced at Jack.

“We’re not entirely sure.”

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

“That’s rather an unusual reason to come all the way from America.”

“We were in Poland,” Jack explained. “We found something there that led us here.”

“Poland?”

“Kraków.”

Arthur slowly put down his teacup.

“Kraków,” he repeated.

“Yes, sir.”

For several seconds, the old man said nothing.

Then he looked toward the fireplace.

“Well, that’s interesting.”

Chas leaned forward.

“Does Kraków mean something to you?”

Arthur considered his answer.

“Perhaps. My father mentioned Poland once or twice. But that was a very long time ago.”

“Was he involved in the war?” Vicky asked.

“Yes. Though he was a young man when it began. He served in the Royal Air Force.”

Arthur smiled faintly.

“He didn’t talk much about those years.”

Jack leaned forward.

“Did he ever mention something hidden in this building?”

Arthur looked directly at him.

“Now that’s a very interesting question.”

He paused.

“As a matter of fact, he did.”

The table grew quiet.

Arthur folded his hands.

“When I was about twenty, my father took me into this very room. He showed me the carving above the fireplace and told me something rather peculiar.”

“What did he say?” Jack asked.

“He told me that the carving held a secret.”

Jack exchanged a glance with Chas.

Arthur continued.

“Naturally, I wanted to know what it was. But he wouldn’t tell me.”

“Why not?” Jasmine asked.

“He said it wasn’t his secret to give away.”

Vicky smiled slightly.

“That’s an interesting distinction.”

“Yes, I suppose it is.”

Arthur looked back toward the fireplace.

“He told me that someday someone might come looking for something hidden here. He said I was not to interfere if they were the rightful people.”

Chas frowned.

“How were you supposed to know who the rightful people were?”

“That’s exactly what I asked him.”

Arthur paused.

“And he gave me an answer I’ve never forgotten.”

Everyone waited.

“He said, ‘The people who own what’s hidden will know the secret. If they know the secret, then what’s hidden belongs to them.’”

Jack sat very still.

Arthur continued.

“But he also warned me about people who might simply be looking for treasure.”

“What did he say about them?” Chas asked.

“He said I should be careful. Anyone could claim there was something hidden in an old building. And if I allowed every treasure hunter to tear the place apart, I wouldn’t have much of an inn left.”

Chas laughed.

“That sounds reasonable.”

“So my father gave me a second instruction.”

Arthur looked directly at Chas.

“If someone comes looking but cannot demonstrate that they know the secret, they must take responsibility for any damage they cause while searching.”

Chas nodded.

“I can agree to that.”

Arthur looked surprised.

“Just like that?”

“Certainly. If my son is wrong, I don’t see why you should have to pay for his mistake.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Jack said.

“You’re welcome, son.”

Arthur smiled.

“Well, that seems fair enough.”

“There’s one other thing,” Chas added.

“Yes?”

“I’d prefer to put our agreement in writing.”

“Of course.”

“Something simple. If Jack can demonstrate knowledge of the secret and recover whatever was hidden, the contents belong to us. If he cannot, I pay for any damage caused by our search, including restoring the woodwork to its original condition.”

Arthur considered that.

“And if you discover nothing?”

“Then I pay for the repairs, apologize for wasting your time, and buy everyone dinner.”

Jasmine grinned.

“At an expensive restaurant.”

“Naturally.”

Arthur laughed.

“I think we can agree to that.”

“One more condition,” Vicky said.

Everyone looked at her.

“If the carving has to be disturbed, we should have a professional conservator present. It’s a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, and it deserves to be protected.”

Arthur nodded approvingly.

“An excellent suggestion, Mrs. Williams.”

Chas turned to Jack.

“See? Your mother is already finding ways to make this more expensive.”

Vicky smiled.

“Someone has to protect the furniture from your children.”

“OUR CHILDREN,” Chas corrected.

“Of course, dear.”

⸻

Arthur returned a few minutes later with a sheet of hotel stationery.

He had written out a short agreement.

Chas read it carefully.

It stated that the Williams family would be permitted to examine the wooden solar system and any concealed space associated with it.

If they demonstrated knowledge of the secret mechanism and recovered its contents, Arthur would recognize their claim to the objects and make no claim of his own, subject to any applicable laws or superior ownership rights.

If their search proved unsuccessful, Chas would pay for all damage and restoration resulting from the examination.

Chas signed.

Arthur signed beneath him.

“There,” Arthur said. “I believe that satisfies my father’s instructions.”

He looked toward the fireplace.

“Though I must confess, I never really expected anyone to come.”

Jack smiled.

“Why not?”

“Because my father died nearly forty years ago. And he had waited most of his life for someone to ask about that carving.”

“Did he ever try to open it himself?” Jack asked.

Arthur shook his head.

“Not that I know of. He always said it wasn’t his to open.”

“Did he know what was inside?”

“I believe he did.”

“Why?”

“Because whenever I asked him, he would smile and say that some things were worth more than money.”

Vicky looked toward the fireplace.

“Perhaps he was protecting something important.”

“Perhaps,” Arthur replied.

He stood.

“Well, young man, you’ve come a long way. Shall we see whether you know this famous secret?”

Jack stood immediately.

“I’d like that.”

They crossed the room together.

Arthur stopped a few feet from the fireplace.

“Now, before you begin, I should warn you that this carving is quite old. I’d prefer that you didn’t pull it off the wall.”

Jack smiled.

“I don’t intend to.”

“Then what exactly do you intend to do?”

Jack pointed toward the wooden Earth.

“That.”

Arthur looked at the small wooden sphere.

“The Earth?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Why the Earth?”

Jack hesitated.

“Because the message said the Earth alone shall open the way.”

Arthur stared at him.

For a moment, the old man’s expression was unreadable.

Then he slowly sat down in the nearest chair.

“Good heavens.”

Chas looked concerned.

“Are you all right?”

Arthur nodded.

“Yes. Quite all right.”

He looked at Jack.

“My father said something else that day.”

“What?”

Arthur’s voice had grown quieter.

“He told me that if the right people ever came, they would know which planet to move.”

Nobody spoke.

Arthur looked back at the carving.

“And he told me that I would know they were the right people when they did.”

Jack smiled.

“Then I think we’ve found the right place.”

Arthur nodded slowly.

“Yes, young man. I believe you have.”

He stood and stepped aside.

“Well, then.”

He gestured toward the fireplace.

“Move the Earth.”