6.30 am
Forby House
Not long after dawn, Forby awakes. After a quick breakfast, he asks the companions to accompany him to the quarry. Before they leave, he asks Bates to go to the village and fetch Dr. Jeffries.
“I fully intend to tell Jeffries exactly what happened” he tells the companions. “He’s long been a confidant of this family, and I’m sure that he’ll believe our testimonies, despite our fantastic tale.”
They set out towards the quarry. As usual, the day is already hot, but the heat seems less oppressive somehow. As they walk through the spinney, Forby calls out to Meddler, as his brother-in-law did not return to the house last night. However, there is no sight or sound of the cavalryman.
Forby has more vigour than at any time the companions have seen him. He ate a hearty, if rushed breakfast, and the colour is coming back to his cheeks. He walks and talks with more authority than before.
Reaching the quarry, Forby grabs the rope which is still attached to the boulder and gingerly walks to the quarry edge.
“Watch your step, and hold tight!” he warns the investigators.
Peering over, they can see that the water is calm and unbroken. Of the statue Icarus, there is no sign.
“He’s gone. I’m sure of it. But his secret has gone too, the treasure.”
Forby straightens up.
“However, the real treasure is that now my family are safe. The curse has been lifted. If that really was Christopher Lehman, he will trouble us no more. Words cannot describe the depth of gratitude I feel to you all. You have saved my family, and you can always count me as a friend and ally.”