Chapter 28 Chapter Twelve

Tilkemeler's apartment is located in the Kanocat District, the most famous black smoke street in the old city, which is what the nobles called it in the past.The house adjoins John Nock's mansion.The windows of the mansion were often left open, which made it easier for the Scottish reformer, John Noke, to address crowds towards the middle of the 17th century.Father Tilkemeler was naturally very happy to be next to such a colleague.Obviously, he didn't preach from the window. In fact, the windows of his room in the apartment did not face the street.From the back, you can have a bird's-eye view of the canyon to the north, where the railway lines criss-cross, and it has now become a park.From the other side, the windows are on the fourth floor. On the side facing the canyon, there are windows on the ninth floor due to the difference in terrain.How can a sermon be heard from such a height?

All in all, it was a bleak and uncomfortable house, not unlike a brothel here: surrounded by small alleys, filthy.Much of the old downtown area of ​​Canocat was like that too.It was historically known as Holyhead Castle or Edinburgh Castle, and whatever it is called, it has always been one of the four great strongholds in Scotland. On the second day, June 26, Antifel and Zambugo, accompanied by Joule, came to the door of this house.The big bell of the nearby church is striking 8 times.Bob Omar was not invited, since it was the first time we were dealing with each other, it didn't matter if he came or not.As a result, Savuk could not participate in the visit, so he had to be in a hurry.If the priest handed over the latitude, he would not be there, and it would be impossible to know the situation, so that he would not be able to go to the third island first.

As for the captain of the barge, he stayed at the hotel, awaiting the return of the visitors, admiring the view of the Rue du Prince and Walter Scott's stately buildings.Jewell had to accompany his uncle; at least, he was indispensable as an interpreter.Besides, one can imagine how anxious he was to know where the new island was!The whimsical governor will send them to the New World Ocean to fail. It should be noted that Savuk was furious at being excluded.As usual, he was furious with the notary again.After the legal heir leaves, the hapless Omar suffers again, with insults, profanity and dire threats raining down on him:

"Yes, it's all your fault," cried Savuk, making a mess of the room's furniture, tables, chairs, etc., "I'll beat you up! You stupid fellow!" "My lord, I have done my best." "No, you didn't! You have to pester that stinky sailor and declare to him that you must be there. If you were there, at least you could get some information and tell me the location of the new island... I might be able to reach the island first!  … ...should Allah strangle you! My plan failed again and again, the first time in Muscat, the second time in Mayumba, and it seems that this third time will fail again...why? At this point, it's all you, too wooden, standing there motionless, like a stuffed crane..."

"Forgive me, my lord..." "If I fail, I'll tell you, I'll take your skin off!" So the quarrel went on, and grew so violent that it alarmed the captain of the barge, who made his way to their chambers.Luckily for him, Savuk lost his temper in Egyptian.If he cursed Bo Omar in French, Gilda Tregoman would know about his evil intentions. However, although he could not understand, he was already taken aback.How an intern can be so rude to his master is enough to confirm that Jewell's suspicions are not unreasonable. After Antifil, Zambugo and Joule stepped into the door of the priest's house, they began to step up the wooden stairs, holding on to the greasy rope hanging on the wall.Although the captain of the barge claimed to be skin and bones, he could not even try to climb such a dark, narrow, spiral staircase.

The visitor walks to the end of the stairs on the 4th floor, which is the last floor on this side of the building.On a pointed arch carved in a semicircle, in the Gothic style, it is written: Abbe Tilkemeler. Antiphere breathed a sigh of relief, and then he knocked on the door. I didn't hear an answer for a long time.Isn't the priest at home... not up... no way! ...The family brought millions of dollars of wealth... He knocked a little harder on the door a second time. This time, there was a soft sound in the room, and the small window on the door opened, with Tirkemeler's name written on it.

A small head protruded from the small square hole. Wearing a tall hat, one could tell at a glance that it was the head of a priest. "What's your business?" asked Tirkemeler, in a tone that showed that he didn't like being disturbed. "We want to talk to you," Jewell replied in English. "What's up?" "An important thing..." "Important, unimportant, I don't have any." "Ah! What? Do you want to open the door, priest?" Antiphere, tired of this, exclaimed. But when the priest had listened to him, he answered in French, which he spoke as if he were native:

"Are you French?" "Yes, the French..." replied Joule. In a gesture of friendliness, he added: "It was the Frenchman who heard you yesterday..." "You Frenchmen, are you going to convert to my teachings..." the priest retorted violently. "It is possible, priest..." "On the contrary, he will change his faith and believe in our doctrine!" muttered Antiphere: "Besides, if he is willing to give up his share..." The door opened, and the Frenchmen stood before Father Tilkemeler. A ray of light came in from the window that looked out on the North Canyon.An iron bed was placed in one corner of the room, covered with straw mats, and only a quilt was placed on it.In another corner, there is a table and some toiletries.I sat on a small stool, and there was a closed closet, probably for putting clothes.On one shelf were several books, including a traditional Bible, hardcover, with frayed corners.In addition, there are various documents, some pens, stationery boxes, etc.There were no curtains or other curtains or anything like that.The whitewashed walls were bare, nothing hung on them.On the bedside table, there is a recessed lamp with a low shade.The priest dined at a neighboring restaurant, certainly not a fashionable hotel.

Father Tilkemeler was dressed in black, with a thin, pleated robe that hung tightly around his body.The top edge of the white tie peeked out from the collar.He took off his hat when the foreigners walked in.He didn't give up his seat because he could only offer a seat on a small stool. Did the millions of fortunes that fell from the sky fall into the hut of a hermit who was not worth more than 30? Master Antifel and the banker Zambugo looked at each other, how could they launch an offensive?Since the co-inheritor could speak French, there was no need for Joule to intervene in the conversation, and it was better to be a spectator.He would rather.But curiosity also drove him to watch the battle.Who will be the winner? ... He probably can't foresee it yet, maybe his uncle will win? ...

In the beginning, things were more difficult than expected.When Antiffel learned that the priest was a stubborn guy and his views on wealth, he thought that he had to use clever techniques, appropriate methods, restraint in speaking, and a little bit of temptation to slowly guide the priest to surrender him. letter in hand. Needless to say, the letter bears new latitude numbers—hopefully the last ones. Zambugo also agrees.For this matter, he blamed his future brother-in-law more than once.But can the cannon-tempered Saint-Malo people restrain themselves?In this state of mind, does he fly into a rage at the slightest obstacle, causing things to go wrong?

In any case, he was not the first to speak.When the three visitors stood together, crowded into the room, Father Tilkemeler stood facing them in a missionary manner.He was convinced that these visitors had bowed down before his theories, and he thought about explaining those theories to them again. "Brothers," he said, clasping his hands in a gesture of gratitude, "I thank the Creator for giving me the gift of persuasion, to move your hearts, to hate riches, and to accept from the bottom of your heart the theory that throws earthly riches away for nothing... ..." Hearing this opening remark, look at the faces of the two heirs! "Brothers," continued the priest, "destroy the riches you have..." "Destroy our unacquired wealth!" cried Jewell's uncle. "...you will set an example to all who will follow you who place material life above spiritual life..." Maestro Antiphere's jaw suddenly moved, and a small stone rolled from one cheek to the other.Zambogo whispered to him: "Aren't you going to explain to this garrulous guy why we're here?" The St. Malo man nodded yes, and said to himself: "No, I can't let this guy recite to us what he recited yesterday." Father Tilkemeler opened his arms, as if to welcome the villain who had learned the maxim "The sea of ​​suffering is boundless, but the shore is the same," and said affectionately: "My brethren, I would like to ask for your names, so that..." "Are you asking our surnames, Mr. Thierkemeler," Antifil interrupted him, "I, Maestro Antifil, Pierre Servan Marlowe, retired offshore Captain of the voyage; Joule Antifel, my nephew, captain of the voyage; Monsieur Zambugo, the Tunisian banker..." The priest went to the table to register his name, and said: "There is no doubt that you have brought me property to give up, to destroy... millions of francs?" "Mr. Tilkemeler, there are really several million! After you get your share, if you are willing to destroy it, you can destroy it... But, don't worry about what we do..." look!This time Antiphere went astray again.The priest's face changed suddenly.He frowned, turned his eyes to one side, and drew his arms back to his chest, as if closing a safe. "What is it all about? Gentlemen!" he asked, taking a step back. "What's the matter?" Antiphere asked back. "Well, Jewel, you tell him, because I can't say it right!" Jewele spoke briskly.He related all that was known about Governor Camilque; the good deeds of his grandfather Thomas Antifel; his relations with Zambugo the banker, and Bob the Notary-Executor of Alexandria. Omar's visit to Saint-Malo, a trip to the Gulf of Oman, where the islet No. 1 is located; followed by a trip to the Gulf of Mayumba, where the islet No. 2 is located, where the discovery of Document No. 2 compelled the two heirs to come Find the 3rd heir.This third heir is none other than you, Father Tilkemeler of Edinburgh!Jewell said so. The abbot listened as Geulele narrated, without moving a muscle, with a calmness in his eyes, a nerve in his nerves, and a poise better than a marble statue.After the young captain had finished speaking, he asked Father Tilkemeler if he had any relationship with Governor Kamilk. "None of that," replied the priest. "What about your father?" "Maybe!" "Possibilities don't count as answers!" said Jeweler, pointing this out, and trying to calm his uncle again; the old man turned around as if he had been bitten by something. "I can only answer like this, I have nothing else to say..." The priest retorted coldly. "Mr. Jewell, keep an eye on him and ask, keep asking..." the banker said hastily. "Mr. Zambugo, I will do my best..." Jewell replied. So he asked the priest again, but the priest was very firm and insisted on keeping silent. "May I ask you one more question?" Jewell asked. "Of course...just like I don't have to answer you." "As far as you know, did your father ever go to Egypt?" "No." "Never been to Egypt, good! Have you been to Aleppo, Syria?" It will be recalled that Governor Kamilk lived in Cairo for several years before returning to Cairo. Priest Tilkemel hesitated for a moment, and confessed that his father had lived in Aleppo and had contacts with Governor Kamilk.It goes without saying, therefore, that Father Tilkemeler's father had also been the benefactor of Governor Camilque. "I would also like to ask you," continued Jewell, "whether your father has received a letter from Governor Camilque..." "I have." "Does the letter contain the location of the small island where a fortune is buried?" "yes." "Does that letter contain the latitude of the island?" "yes." "The letter also said that a gentleman named Antiphere and a gentleman named Zambugo would one day visit Tirkemeler for this purpose, didn't they?" "yes." These "yes" of the priest are like the sound of a hammer, and the hammer hits harder and harder. "That's good," said Jewell again, "Master Antifel and Zambugo the banker are in front of you, if you can tell them the content of the governor's letter, they can start their journey as soon as they understand the situation." Go and fulfill the wish of the testator. You and them, the three of you are the legal heirs of the estate." When Jewell spoke, Antiphere tried his best to be patient and stayed where he was.However, when the blood rushed to his head, his face flushed; when the blood flowed back to his heart, his face turned pale again. After a while, the priest finally said sullenly: "What are you going to do when you get to the place where the treasure is buried?" "Damn it! Dig it up!" cried Antiphere. "What happens after it's dug out?" "Split it into thirds!" "What are you going to do with your share..." "Mr. Priest, do whatever you want with it!" Once the St. Malo man has spoken, the four horses are hard to follow. His eyes glowed, and he retorted: "Gentlemen! You want to use that wealth to live a life of luxury and debauchery, to satisfy your various selfish desires, in other words, to increase the injustice in the world!  …" "I'm sorry, let me talk!" Zambugo said, interrupting him. "No... I won't let you go on! I want you to answer this question: If the wealth comes into your hands, will you promise to destroy it?" "Anyone who wants to destroy his own share..." retorted the banker falteringly. Pierre Servan Marlowe's lungs exploded. "That's not the point," he cried, "you don't know the value of that treasure, do you?" "It doesn't matter to me!" "It's worth 100 million francs... 100 million... a third of which, 33 million, is yours..." The priest shrugged. "You know, monsieur abbe," continued Maester Antiphere, "that the testator has asked you to tell us the latitude, and you refuse to do it, which is impossible!" "real!" "One has no right to leave a hundred million francs there for nothing, and someone will steal it, you know?" "I don't see it that way." "I tell you, if you insist on refusing to do that," roared Maester Antiphere, who couldn't bear it anymore, "we will not hesitate to send you to court and accuse you of being a dishonorable heir and a villain..." "A scoundrel!" repeated the priest, unable to contain his anger. "As a matter of fact, gentlemen, you are more foolish than courageous! You think I will agree to scoop up millions of francs, and add another hundred million francs to the dead; you think I am duplicity in my teachings, Have the Free Church of Scotland throw billions of francs in my face?" Look, Father Tilkemeler is really talented, full of talents!Jeweler couldn't help admiring the madman.His uncle, however, was furious, and was about to throw himself upon the priest. "Will you hand it over?" the Saint-Malo man shouted, clenching his fists and rushing forward, "will you give it, will you give us the governor's letter?" "No!" Antiphere's mouth was full of foam. "No?" he repeated. "No!" "Ah! Scoundrel! . . . I'll make you hand over the letter!" Jewell had to intercede to prevent his uncle from doing the killing.The Saint-Malo man pushed him away at once... He really wanted to strangle the priest, but the priest remained calm... He wanted to search the whole room, the wardrobe and the papers... But he was caught by Tirkemeler's Short, decisive replies stopped. "Looking for nothing..." "Then why?" asked Zambogo the banker. "Because the letter no longer exists..." "Where did you get it?" "I burned it." "Burn it...he burned the letter!" Antiphale yelled loudly, "poor!...a secret letter worth hundreds of millions of francs...will never be solved!" This is true.No doubt he had burned the letter for several years to keep it out of possession. "Now...you go out!" He said to the visitor, pointing to the door. The files are destroyed... the island can never be found again... Maestro Antifel has been hit in the head.So did the banker, who wept like a child whose toy has just been snatched from him. Jewell had to push the two heirs to the estate first up the stairs and then down the street.So, the three of them walked to the Imperial Hotel. After the guests left, Father Tilkemeler opened his arms and faced the sky, thanking God for entrusting him to stop the spread of vices. How many sins a hundred million francs will bring to the world!