The Emerald Key - By Christopher Dinsdale Page 0,38
end up with loving families.”
“Amen,” said Beth, not looking up.
“I normally take travellers such as yourselves to the church hall for dinner, but I would very much like to talk to you, Jamie, in private. Why don’t I serve up some of the bean soup and bread I have in my kitchen for Beth and Colin so that the two of us can talk in here?”
Jamie translated for the children. Beth and Colin jumped to their feet. “Yes, please!”
Monsignor Baillargeon led them through a small doorway and into a simple kitchen. On top of a small wood stove sat a pot of bubbling soup. The priest scooped some of the savoury-smelling broth into four wooden bowls, then placed two of them on a small table along with a piece of bread and mugs of sweetened tea. After the priest had blessed the meal, the children dug in hungrily. Jamie and Monsignor Baillargeon took their bowls of soup and tea to the study, making themselves comfortable in front of the fireplace.
The priest pointed his spoon at the young man. “So you are a member of the Brotherhood? I have only heard of the Irish Brotherhood through quiet conversation. Is it true, then? There is a group protecting the ancient knowledge of our early Christian brothers in Ireland?”
Jamie nodded. “Much must remain secret, but yes, the ancient knowledge has been kept safe for almost a thousand years.”
Monsignor Baillargeon took a sip of the hot soup and shook his head. “How is it possible for such secrecy? A thousand years! And the knowledge being kept secret is all the more impressive considering your people have had to suffer through countless invasions. That is a tremendous accomplishment. So what brings a member of the Brotherhood to my humble abode in Quebec?”
Jamie put down his bowl. “There has been a terrible accident. My brother Ryan, who is also a member of the Brotherhood, was attacked by British troops near Cork. He was then shipped off, unconscious, to Montreal. To make matters worse, he also had with him a priceless document that the Brotherhood desperately needs to retrieve. I’m here to track him down and bring them both back home.”
The monsignor thought for a moment. “Are you sure he survived the crossing?”
“At this point …” Jamie paused, “I’m not sure of anything.”
He put a hand on Jamie’s shoulder. “Try not to worry, my friend. We will do whatever we can to help you find your brother.”
Chapter 10
After a hearty breakfast of ham and eggs, Jamie, Beth, and Colin were led down the cobblestone streets by Monsignor Baillargeon to the Port of Quebec. Three ocean-going sailing ships and two steamships were moored to the largest quay. Even at this early hour, wooden crates and pallets of timber were being loaded by crane onto two of the sailing ships, preparing them for their return voyage to Europe. The bishop led them to the smaller of the two steamships. It actually looked more like a schooner than a steamship with its long, low hull and typical two-mast sailing rig. A huge single paddlewheel was attached to its side and a black smokestack rose up between the two masts. A young man about Jamie’s age was busy securing the hatches when the bishop called up to him.
“Young man, is Captain Nadeau aboard?”
The young man stood up and waved to the priest. “He’s in the wheelhouse preparing to depart, Monsignor. I will go and fetch him for you.”
“Merci beaucoup.”
He turned to the children and smiled. “Captain Nadeau is a personal friend of mine. We went to school together.”
A grey-haired man with a patch over one eye appeared on deck and strode to the railing.
“Maurice! What are you doing down here on the docks? Do you need passage to Montreal?”
“Yes, but not for myself. It’s my young friends who would greatly appreciate such an offer.”
“Irish orphans?” he asked suspiciously. “I’ve already lost my engineer to typhoid. I can’t afford to lose anyone else.”
“They are all healthy. You have my word. They are trying to track down a lost brother who has recently arrived in Montreal. It’s important that they find him quickly. The church has the desire to do what it can in order to help them in their search. Can you give them passage, Benoit?”
“Well, since the church supports their important quest,” sighed Nadeau to his friend, “who am I to stand in the way? You have permission to come aboard, children, but you’ll be put to work. This isn’t a