The Emerald Key - By Christopher Dinsdale Page 0,77

the conduit problem he had been working on. Martin was intrigued by my engineering insight. He paid for me to move up to an empty room in first class so that we could continue our discussions.

“Before long, we were mentally tearing down models of the canal system and rebuilding it to see if we could solve the many dilemmas facing the project. You see, they wanted to use the water of the canal to help power the machinery in factories that were to be built along the base of the escarpment. Their original designs were all wrong for what they wanted to do, but after a week of problem solving, we had re-engineered the conduits properly so that they could carry enough water to power the machinery.”

Jamie held up his hands. “Okay. I understand you wanting to pass the time with mathematics and engineering, but once in Montreal, why didn’t you simply jump on the next ship back to Ireland? Why did you come all the way out here to St. Catharines?”

Ryan’s face flushed red with embarrassment. He patted the book in his hand. “This is the reason. I had lost the Book of Galway, our ancestors’ ancient text. I lost it, and by doing so, I lost the key to our people’s treasure. How could I face you or the Brotherhood again after such an act of selfishness and stupidity?

“As we approached the Port of Montreal, Martin informed me that he was too weak to make the next leg of the journey to St. Catharines, so he asked me to go to the construction site in his place. He sent me on with a note of explanation that was addressed to a Mr. Thomas Montgomery … so here I am. For three weeks, I’ve been helping Thomas re-engineer the conduits to his canal.”

Jamie suddenly stared at his brother with a tinge of anger. “Were you going to let me go on thinking that you were dead? I was devastated when I saw your death certificate in Montreal.”

Ryan looked down. “I know. And I’m sorry. I would have contacted you, very soon, in fact. I swear. I didn’t think you would have found out so soon. I had no idea the Brotherhood would have sent you out after me. After I came to grips with the loss of the book, I was going to write the letter.”

Jamie grabbed him by the shoulders. “But now we have the book back! Don’t you see? You can return home with me, back to Ireland!”

“Yes, I know,” said Ryan defensively. “It’s truly a miracle that you were able to rescue the book. But now it’s my turn to ask you a question. After recovering the book, however did you track me down? You thought I was dead.”

Jamie reached into his pocket, unfolded a sheet of paper, and passed it to Ryan.

“I found this.”

“This is one of the sketches of the lock system I made for Martin! Wherever did you find it? I left all those drawings with him when I left the ship.”

“It was hidden in the back of the Book of Galway. And look at the date.”

Ryan smiled. “June 17th, 1847.”

“Days after the date written on your death certificate.”

“Brilliant! You knew then that I hadn’t died!”

“Wrong. I didn’t know you were alive for sure, but at least there was a chance you were still alive, and now I had a reason to keep on looking.”

“And the drawing led you here?”

Jamie nodded. “Mr. Kessler, a friend I met in Montreal, a bookseller, helped me figure out that it was likely a diagram of the Welland Canal, so I made my way down here as quickly as possible.”

Jamie then told him about the adventures on the Flying Dutchman, and Ryan hooted with laughter.

“Serves the Western Star Shipping Line right for what they did to us and the book. Well done! So I’ve lost count of how many people you have saved since leaving Ireland. Are you aiming to beat Moses’ record?”

Jamie shook his head. “Forget any record. Forget everything else. All I want, Ryan, is for you to come home with me.”

Ryan tried to speak, but turned away.

“What is it?” asked Jamie.

“Jamie, you have to understand, I was tormented by the fact that I had lost the book, lost you, and betrayed the Brotherhood. You have now released me from all of that guilt by finding me and showing me the book. I’ll never be able to thank you enough. And I’ll never forget this