"Well, there it is, old man!" Rory said, slapping Hannover's mail down on the table with a perky smile.

"You're sure this is all of it?" his master asked with his usual snide severity.

"Every piece, sir! Except for the letter Sebastian took. Now ain't that an odd fing! Sebastian gettin' letters! Did ya ever imagine it? The old man's such a crow he ain't got a soul who's ever cared t' write 'im afore! Can't fink who would start now."

"I am sure it is none of my business and none of my concern. But do you know what is?" Hannover said with a disgruntled huff. "You have crumpled and soiled my letters! What do you do to them? Crush them in your hands while you are dawdling in town? Drop them in the mud?" He clicked his tongue in a scolding way and shook his head. "I will be glad to have Timothy back. He was ten times more efficient than you are, Rory Bristol! Even so, thank you."

"Some fanks that is!" Rory laughed. "But yer welcome all the same. An' 'ow's the little chap, Timothy, this mornin'?"

Hannover's studying face brightened, and for a moment, he forgot everything about business. "Quite well," he answered. "I believe he should be well enough to leave his room presently. And do you know, I think I shan't stay in this stuffy hotel much longer! I am tired of business. And every time I see the ocean, it...it makes me recall things I wish I could forget. I am going on a holiday!"

Hannover liked his decision. He knew that, if he had wanted to, he could have shut down his hotel and his inn without fear. He had enough money to spend the rest of his days going from one scenic place to another on a sightseeing adventure. But somehow, that seemed too selfish, too vain. He shied away from frivolous spending. He tried not to even think about how wealthy he had suddenly become. When he felt tempted to admire his treasure, he made an effort to give his money back into God's hands and to set his affections on things above instead.

But a holiday wouldn't be completely selfish. It was more for Timothy's sake than his own. The joy Hannover would find in the excursion would come from watching Tim explore and discover the world. It was a delight to build those dreams. And for once, he really had no fear of his hopes fading. The fatherless boy was his to take, his to love, raise, and teach. Who else was there to claim him?

A knock on the door interrupted Hannover's pleasant thoughts. Then, at his invitation, someone stepped into his office. He looked up from his paperwork and a cloud shadowed Hannover's sunny dreams. Arthur's face brought a multitude of feelings to the man. Some of them were favorable, but not all. There was something he felt each time he saw Arthur which could only be called jealousy.

Bah! Really, you are unbearable, Charles! he scolded himself. The man is perfectly amiable. And he deserves your gratitude. After all, he was the only one good enough to help me find and rescue Timothy. And... He struggled with pride and envy. ...And he stayed by the child while he was ill too. There is no doubt about it, Dr. Lansbury has been both proficient and admirable. I wonder what I owe him for his service?

He stared at Arthur expectantly. With a gentlemanly air, calm and pleasant, Dr. Lansbury approached his desk.

"Mr. Hannover, I know I could have left this at the main desk, but I thought it was more appropriate to give it to you personally, especially since I wanted to tell you goodbye."

His friendly tone broke the ice in Hannover's heart as the young man handed him a cheque. "Then you are leaving, sir? Well, I am rather sorry to hear it." He glanced down at the figures on Arthur's cheque and scanned them quickly. Then, with confusion growing on his face, he looked again. "Dear sir, you will thank me for mentioning it, and please take no offence, but you have overcharged yourself. Your bill certainly is not as great as this!"

"You are kind to think of it, Mr. Hannover. But I did mean to explain. The cheque was not written in error. I asked for my bill this morning, and to what I owed, I also added the cost of the room which Timothy has occupied for the last month."

Displeasure and concern made Hannover's fingers drum against the desktop. "And why should you do that?" he asked shortly. "There was no call for that."

Arthur met his stormy eyes with calm apology. "You think me presumptuous, and I am sorry. I did not intend to displease you. But be honest, sir; the child has slept in a guest's room, and that has surely cost you the loss of some money. He cannot pay for it himself, he is still not strong enough to work, and since it is in my power to do, I wished to recompense whatever financial loss his illness has cost you. Besides that, I must tell you that I am going to take Timothy with me to live in my own home."

Hannover nearly jumped out of his seat in alarm. "You what?" he burst.

"Forgive me if it is an inconvenience," Arthur begged. "I understand that you will have the trouble of hiring a boy to replace Timothy. But I am afraid there is nothing I can do to make the transition easier. Timothy needs a home, and I have determined to share my own with him."

"B-b-but it's not that simple!" Hannover stammered. "You inconsiderate lout! How could you even conjure such a hasty, wrong, and utterly ridiculous idea? Have you no sense? No feelings? Is it possible you don't understand?"

In the middle of his speech, a knock at the door hailed Sebastian's entrance. "Mr. Hannover, I need a word with you," the old man stated, fingering an envelope in his hands.

"Not now, for pity's sake!" Hannover snapped.

Arthur carried on with the discussion, feeling baffled and irritated. "What do I not understand?" he asked. "I understand that you have benefitted from the boy's service. I understand that you are perhaps fond of his company. I know that Timothy is quite fond of you as well. But that does not change my plan or opinion. He cannot remain an errand boy forever. Timothy is a bright child who deserves a bright future!"

"Impudence! Where do you get the audacity? Of course he cannot remain an errand boy. Who said that he would? I tell you, Dr. Lansbury, I have every intention of adopting that child!" Hannover cried earnestly.

"Sir, I really must discuss something with you," Mr. Lory tried again. His voice went unheard.

"Adopting him!" Arthur gaped. Shock froze him in place for a minute. Then, taken aback, he fought off a feeling of rivalry which he had never expected to feel toward the peevish businessman.

"Does it seem so impossible?" Hannover asked. "I suppose you imagined that I was incapable of caring for anyone except for myself! And if you had judged me a month ago, you would have been right! But there is such a thing as change for those who submit themselves to the will of God. If you love Timothy at all, I challenge you to love him as I do! I cannot lose him!"

"Mr. Hannover, please, my business is of the utmost importance to you!" Sebastian insisted.

"Later, later, you cumbersome boar! Leave the room and remind me in an hour!"

Sebastian obeyed, muttering offended words as he went.

Arthur had to take another minute to think. He was adamant about what he wanted, but it had never been his desire to argue. He liked peace as often as he could keep it. At last, he tried a new approach to the subject. "Sir, you must see that I am only trying to do what is best for the child," he said earnestly. "He is recovering from a severe illness. And as a doctor, I have determined that a change of climate is the best thing for his health. The seaside is too damp and cold. But if I can take him..." He was about to explain how much better his own estate would be, but Hannover didn't give him a chance.

"That is a fact I am fully aware of. And for your information, I have made plans to take him on a holiday!" he retorted. Then, on the point of desperation he explained, "Dr. Lansbury, you don't understand! I cannot lose that boy! You can't take him from me! You have no legal hold upon him!"

"Do you?" the doctor asked.

Hannover paused and faltered. "I...I do not at this time...No." A bit of his fiery vim was doused. A moment of silence fell between the men. In that space of time, both of them tried to think with a little more reason.

When their tempers cooled slightly, they would realize that both of them were well intentioned. Even then, neither one of them could despise or truly disapprove of one another. But it was impossible for them not to feel desperate and displeased. They were both playing tug of war with a dream which they were fighting to keep a hold of.

Finally, Arthur spoke again. "Sir, I believe I have a solution."

"And what, pray tell, is that?" Hannover grumbled.

"It is the solution we both should have considered first. We ought to let Timothy decide."

The battle ended for the present. Hannover nodded slowly, hope struggling against fear. Now was the moment of truth when his joy would either grow or be destroyed. He was almost afraid to ask Tim whether the lad wanted to stay with him or go with Dr. Lansbury. Deep inside, he knew what the answer would be.

At last, he rose from his seat, and both men walked to the coveted child's bedroom. There, every luxury imaginable made the room a bright and cheery place. Timothy had received so many presents that he might have been in danger of being spoiled if he hadn't been such a humble boy. But he hadn't been spoiled. He had taken each gift and each show of love with humility and joy.

That morning, Tim and Grace were giggling together as they played a board game. As soon as Timothy had been well enough to enjoy her company, the girl had become a frequent visitor. She always floated into his room in the mornings to entertain him with games and silly diversions.

As Arthur and Hannover entered the room, both of the children looked up from their game. An air of trouble and worry followed the men, bringing questions to their minds.

"Mornin'!" Tim said, smiling. They gave him a struggled smile back.

"Timothy, lad, there is a question we must ask you," Hannover began. Timothy gazed at him patiently, waiting to hear what it was. But Hannover couldn't bring himself to speak it, so Arthur took over.

"Timothy," he began, sitting down beside him. "Do you remember when I asked you if you would come and live with me in my house?"

The child's eyes sparkled. "Yes, sir!" he answered.

"I need you to think about it very seriously. You are doing so well now that I think it would be best for you to take a journey and see a new part of the country. I would like you to come with me—"

"And I would rather you came with me!" Hannover blurted earnestly, sitting down on the other side of the lad and taking his hand possessively. "Timothy, if you come with me, I promise we will have a holiday worth remembering!"

And if you come with me," Arthur added, feeling just as earnest, "you will grow up as a gentleman."

"Just like our own brother!" Gracie added excitedly.

"You will be my son!" Hannover cut in. "A gentleman's son!"

"You will have your own room in my house," Arthur offered.

"I'll build us a house in the country! A house beyond compare!" Hannover besought.

"But if you become our brother, then we could play in the garden and take walks and ride horses together!" Gracie exclaimed.

"And I will teach you your lessons every day, and together we will enjoy every marvel of God's creation!" Arthur added.

Hannover's heart throbbed as he tried to think of another reason why Timothy should choose him over the Lansburys. What could he say? Could he offer him every luxury, every diversion a child could want? His own pony, his own library, education, an unimaginable inheritance? He knew that Tim cared nothing for those things. But the friendship of Grace and Arthur was something that he knew drew the little boy's heart more than anything. Why shouldn't it?

With a breaking heart, he had to admit that there would be joy and excitement in the Lansburys' house. They would be like a real family to him. It would be a joy for Tim to grow up with Grace and share all of his childish thoughts with someone closer to his age. Who was Hannover in comparison? Just a boring, persnickety bachelor with a lot of money and nothing else. No, that wasn't quite true. He did have one more thing he could give the boy, and it would last no matter what happened.

With sorrow aching inside of him, Hannover relented part of his will and then pulled the lad into his arms. "Timothy, I love you," he said in a broken voice. "You are the only one who showed me that life can be lived with joy when you live for God. You are the only one whom I could ever think of calling my son. But I want you to be happy wherever you go. And you must know that whatever your decision is, you will still be my dearest friend. Do you wish to go with Dr. Lansbury?"

Timothy felt so stunned that he hardly knew what to say. He had never had so many people waiting on him for an answer. They looked at him with anxiousness, wishing with all of their hearts that he would choose to be theirs. But for a moment, Tim couldn't give them the answer they wanted.

He loved Gracie and Arthur very much. And when he thought about living in their grand estate with Arthur as his teacher, he was sure it would make him very happy. But Hannover's words were still echoing in his mind. They were words he had never heard before, words that gave him a surge of joy and calmed him with a feeling of contentment.

He found himself pressing closer and closer to his master's heart, unwilling to let go. At last, he looked up at the man earnestly. "Mr. Hannover, I can't leave ya," he whispered. "I can't!" Hannover sighed in unspeakable relief and hugged the child tightly. "But I don't want Arthur an' Gracie t' leave me neither," the boy went on with a few tears glittering in his eyes. "Please, I don't wanna lose me friends. Can't I go wiv both o' ya?"

What a baffling question. It left both men speechless for a few minutes. There was a slight feeling of disappointment in Arthur's heart as he heard Timothy's answer. But there was also consolation. Timothy didn't want to choose between either of his friends. If he could have had his way, he would have kept them all together for the rest of time.

Arthur reflected on his own dream once again. He still wished that he could claim the lad, but the truth was clear to see. As much as Timothy wanted him, he still wanted Hannover more. Arthur could see it as he watched the child seeking comfort in his master's arms. With a selfless love, he let go of his own wish and relented his own will.

"Mr. Hannover," he began quietly. "I have a suggestion." Hannover looked at him in a calmer and more pleasant mood than before. "My house is spacious, and Hart is a beautiful place. Would you and Timothy consider it as a place to spend your holiday?" It was hard for him to say their names together as if the boy belonged to the man. But Arthur managed it with only a feeling of sadness and not a hint of bitterness.

Timothy's face brightened at the thought. Then, in humble pleading, he turned his eyes toward Hannover again and saw a look of approval bring a smile to his master's face.

"A holiday in Hart; now there's an idea!" he said with consideration. A look at Timothy's hopeful eyes helped to make up his mind quickly. "You know, I think that is the most appealing and tempting offer I have heard in a long while. I thank you sincerely for it, Dr. Lansbury. And I accept it with the greatest gratitude." He thought back on their unpleasant argument and looked humbled. "I hope I was not terribly irrational. I have a dreadful way of offending people when I am alarmed. Will you forgive me for it?"

Arthur couldn't help but smile. "There is nothing between us which needs forgiven, sir."

"Then let us move on as friends, my good fellow! My name isn't 'sir', it is Charles. Yours, I presume, is Arthur?" They both laughed as they shook hands.

"I will be glad to call you my friend, Charles," the doctor consented. So the matter was settled.

They spent the rest of the hour planning their journey to Hart and imagining how pleasurable their time there would be. In the mornings, Arthur would tutor the children, and after tea they would go on rides and enjoy the beauty of the countryside. It was all very exciting. Tim and Gracie couldn't stop chattering about how fun it was going to be.

By midday, all four of them were eager to leave the seaside and begin their holiday. Hannover and Arthur left the children giggling and dreaming together, and they headed out with a plan to buy train tickets for the following morning. But as Hannover shut Timothy's door behind him and stepped out into the hall, he caught the gaze of Sebastian's eyes. The butler was staring at him with a look of trouble on his countenance.

"Ah, Mr. Lory," Hannover began humbly. "I recall my rudeness just now. I think I had better beg your apology quickly, and I promise I will give you my undivided attention as soon as I—"

"I beg your pardon sir, but you will grant it to me now. For your own sake and Timothy's, my business cannot be delayed a moment longer." Sebastian's serious tone of voice arrested both of the gentlemen.

"I don't quite understand you," Hannover said.

"Sir, you have assumed that you have the right to claim guardianship over that boy. I regret to say you do not."

Hannover and Arthur's confusion grew.

"What do you mean?" Hannover demanded breathlessly. "Upon what grounds do you make such a disheartening, unnerving statement?"

"Upon the information stated in this letter, sir. Read it and you shall understand everything I have gathered since the day I undertook to know the child's past."

With haste and agitation, both of the men reached for the letter at once and crowded together to see it.

"Postmarked Bethnal Green, London..." Hannover read speedily. He tore the envelope away and unfolded the letter inside. "Dear sir, as you have requested information concerning a former inmate of our organization, stating that you may have news concerning the child's whereabouts, I write in answer to your question. Two years ago, a boy by the name of Timothy went missing. He will now be about seven and a half years old. His hair is brown, his eyes are dark blue..."

Murmuring pieces of sentences with frantic haste, he and Arthur scanned the pages. They gathered that it was a letter from the master of the Waterloo Workhouse, a Mr. Ichabod Grover, who wrote in the most eerie cursive they had ever seen. Their eyes flitted from sentence to sentence, and as they reached the end, they looked up from the letter with white faces.

"Oh, mercy!" Hannover exclaimed in shock. "He has a mother!"

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading the last chapter of The Treasure of Netherstrand! This book is followed up by its sequel, The Gentleman's Treasure, and the series is continued with a prequel, The Magician's Sons. All three books in this series can be purchased on Amazon.com! If you enjoyed reading The Treasure of Netherstrand, I would really appreciate it if you would leave me a comment here, and consider reviewing my book on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com!  Take care!

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