They couldn't help but stare. From the upstairs window of his bedroom, Hannover and Timothy peeked through the concealing drapes and looked down at the new guests who were just arriving.

"Blimey!" Tim whispered. "'Ave ya ever seen anyfing so fancy in all yer bloomin' days?"

"Extraordinary!" Hannover breathed in amazement. Their eyes were fixed upon a beautiful carriage that was coming closer and closer to Netherstrand. It was shining with gold details, and it was vibrant with floral paintings.

Hannover tapped his fingers against the wall. Now that is the way to ride in style! he told himself enviously. Sometimes, it seems horrendously unfair that some are born rich and others have to work so hard to find their fortune!

If anyone had worked hard to get rich, it was Charles Hannover. He had fought his way up the ladder of high society and, in many ways, he had succeeded. He was by no means poor. And yet, he wasn't satisfied. No matter what he had, he always longed for more. It wasn't enough to be well off and respectable. He wanted to be prestigious and unbelievably wealthy.

You WILL find your fortune, Charles. Just wait and see! he schemed to himself. There is a treasure somewhere in this house. The question is, where?

Oh, he had spent so many hours trying to solve that mystery. He had dreamed about it and wracked his brain about it. But so far, it had done him no good. At last, he threw the thought out of his mind.

Why should I worry? he asked himself. Whether I find the treasure or not, it is still doing me a good service! Not half of the guests in this house would have come at all if it had not been for that legend! And the more guests that come, the more money I gain! My fortune begins now by offering these wealthy snobs the best suite in the house!

With greed coursing through his heart, Hannover left the window and hurried to the mirror. He straightened his tie, smoothed the wrinkles out of his suit, and then set out to greet his new guests.

"Can I come, sir?" Timothy asked, hurrying after him.

"Come where?" Hannover asked.

"Wherever yer goin'! I wanna see the dossy folk too!"

"Bah! Do you really think I would introduce them to my errand boy? Don't be ridiculous! You will stay well out of sight and draw no one's attention. Do you understand? Servants are never to be seen unless they are called for."

Tim dropped behind and let out a disappointed sigh. "Yes, sir," he said obediently.

He watched Hannover descend the stairs with light, quick steps. Then, a bright idea came to his mind. I'll stay outta sight. An' I won't draw no one's attention. But that don't mean I can't watch! He was dying to catch a glimpse of the lady and gentleman who owned that gorgeous gilded carriage. I reckon I'm rather good at sneakin' round an' hidin'. I know just where t' go!

Silent as usual, the boy tiptoed downstairs. It was a place of grandeur which he rarely got to look at. The floors were all covered in thick carpets, and there were huge, beautiful windows with long velvet drapes which touched the floor.

Tim snuck carefully along. He had to duck out of sight twice to avoid being spotted by one of the guests. He hid behind every piece of furniture he could, and then he made an artful dash to one of the windows. There, he easily hid behind the heavy drapes, folding himself into the loose fabric and disappearing from everyone's view.

He giggled in delight as he peeked. He had come just in time to see old Sebastian open the doors with regal dignity as the newcomers stepped up to the house. Hannover was there to greet them with a showy bow and a smile which shined with genuine joy and greed.

"Welcome to Netherstrand Hall!" he said. "I am your host, Charles Hannover, and I am completely and unreservedly at your service!"

Tim watched in suspense, waiting for the wealthy persons to enter. Finally, a large man stepped in. He was dressed in the finest clothes. And his thick waist and rounded face showed that he was rich enough to eat as much as his heart desired.

"I am Preston Carlyle," he said with a cool nod. "Allow me to introduce my wife, Amelia." Standing next to him was a tall, prim lady who leaned on his arm and sparkled with hundreds of gems and ornaments. Her hat was enormous and elaborate, and her dress was like a cloud of lacy frills surrounding her. Timothy could smell the scent of her stifling perfume clear across the room.

The woman was a sight to behold, but it was the next people entering who really caught Tim's attention. They were a year younger than himself; a brother and sister who were undoubtedly twins. They looked like small copies of their parents. The girl was decked with every fine thing, and her blonde hair was fixed in perfect curls around her face. The boy looked just as nice in his black trousers and shiny shoes. But there was something about them that made Timothy feel odd: it was a look of unhappiness. They stood with their noses in the air, scrutinizing everyone they saw. The young boy's eyes were full of fiery mischief, and the girl kept tossing her curls back and tugging on her mother's arm with impatience.

"Mummy, I'm tired," she whined. "I want my dolly and all of my things! Mummy, Mummy, do you hear me?"

"Hush, darling," the woman replied. "Mummy's precious must wait a little longer."

"No!" the girl cried. "I want my things right now!" Her little foot stamped angrily on the floor and her cheeks flushed bright red.

The mother looked terribly distressed. "Enna, really!" she pled gently, "you mustn't look so sad. Can't you wait even a minute longer?"

"No, no, no!" the child screamed.

"Very well then." And little Enna had her way even though their driver and footman were busy trying to unload baggage and put away their horses.

Timothy didn't know what to make of the sassy children. As he watched them, he saw the boy making all kinds of ugly faces at Sebastian while his father wasn't looking. Sebastian flashed his gray eyes upon the child for just an instant then looked away and pretended not to notice.

I think they're awful! Tim thought at last. They're as sour as lemon squeezin's, they is! An' it don't seem to bother the lady an' gent one bit! Can they really be 'appy that way?

He let out a sad, long sigh. If I 'ad a mum an' dad, I'd never act like that. Least ways, I 'ope very much I wouldn't. I'd love 'em an' do everyfing they said just as quick as I could. An' I'd always try t' make 'em 'appy!

He felt just a moment of lonely sorrow. But it was quick to vanish. Ah well, he thought with a shrug, I've got a mum an' dad sure enough, somewhere. An' someday I'll meet 'em too. But the best fing is that God's me father, an' I'll try always t' love an' obey 'im wiv all me 'eart!

Timothy's mind was so full of thoughts that he forgot about everything else for a while. He had lost interest in the highfalutin guests, and he had sat down on the windowsill. The curtains were still hiding him from the rest of the room, but the boy had forgotten the rest of the world. He was right by the window pane, and suddenly, he became aware of two gazing eyes. Tim gave a sudden start.

Blimey, what've I done? he panicked. There he was, just a lowly servant boy, and he had let himself be seen. But even though he wanted to run away in a heartbeat, he stood stock still, frozen by a feeling of awe.

At first, Tim didn't know if he was looking at a girl or a statue. She was so beautifully white and still. But the longer he looked, the more real she seemed to him. She had soft blue eyes and flaxen hair.

As she saw the boy move, a faint smile touched her lips. Yes, she was a real, living person. But Timothy still felt confused. He couldn't tell if the damsel was fully grown or if she was a child like himself. She was too small to be a mature lady. But her size was the only hint of childishness about her. She was perfectly ladylike and perfectly lovely. She stood up tall and perfectly poised. Her smile was calm and measured.

Suddenly, Mrs. Carlyle's voice roused them from their silent thoughts. "Grace, do not linger in the cold!" the woman commanded shortly. "What are you thinking?"

The little maiden looked at the open door where the woman stood waving her in. A humble flush tinted the girl's white cheeks.

"I am sorry, Auntie," she said in a sweet voice. "I thought Henry might bring my carpet bag to me soon. It has my journal, and I am so eager to write about our journey here!"

"Your luggage will be brought soon enough," the lady stated. Unlike demanding Enna, Grace did not get her way.

The girl cast a gentle smile toward the window again. But, by the time she looked, Timothy was nowhere to be seen. He had slipped away as soon as he could, and when the pretty damsel entered the castle, he was hiding in a distant hallway, turning all colors as he thought about what had just happened.

I should'a never done it, he told himself. I didn't mean t' get seen! I really didn't! But he had. He wondered what Hannover would say when he found out. But, the longer he thought about the moment when he had seen Grace's china-doll face, the less sorry he felt about his mistake.

To Timothy, every human face was a precious sight, but there was something about hers that made it a little dearer than the others. She was lovely. And the smile she had given him had been full of sweetness and interest.

Tim felt nervous as he waited for Hannover to return. He sat in the man's office, wringing his hands in dread and anticipation. Would the girl tell his master that she had seen the lad hiding behind the drapes? If she did, he knew that Hannover would be in a dreadful fit of temper. At last, footsteps sounded in the hall, and the door swung open as his master burst in. With a worried face, the little boy looked up at him.

"Why I never!" the man gasped. "Timothy, it's just unbelievable!"

The child trembled a little. He braced himself for the worst. But there was a look on Hannover's face that baffled him. There wasn't a trace of anger to be seen on it; instead, he was glowing with something close to joy.

"What is it, sir?" the boy ventured shakily.

"Fortune!" Hannover cried suddenly. A broad smile spread over his face like nothing Tim had ever seen before. And for once, the man laughed with real, true happiness. "Timothy, I have rarely known a day like this one!" he said vibrantly. "It is enough to set me up forever! Or at least for a good, long while! Do you know who that gentleman and his family are?"

Tim swallowed hard. "Yes, sir," he admitted. "I was listenin' behind the drapes." His confession went unnoticed.

"That, my boy, is the Honorable Preston Carlyle! THE Preston Carlyle. He is a very well-known and respected judge! And he has come HERE to spend his holiday! A whole month at the least! Do you know how much money that will make me? Ha ha! And I have given him the most expensive and extravagant suite of rooms in the whole house!

"Oh, Timothy, it is a good day! A very good day! And the judge couldn't have chosen a better time! Why, this castle has never looked as good as it does now! There isn't a speck of dust to be seen on the furniture or decorations. I don't know how Izzy and the others manage to keep it so neat!"

Timothy blushed slightly. A little bit of pleasure stole some of his fears away. He knew very well that the high polish on the furniture and the spotless ornaments were caused by his own, diligent hands. Izzy had hardly found a reason to touch them for several days. It always baffled her when she woke up to a clean, beautiful parlor. That was a secret which Tim meant to keep. But his mistake that evening was different.

"Mr. Hannover," the child began bravely, "Can I tell ya somefin'?"

"No," the man answered bluntly. "I'm far too busy to listen to anything! Run down to the kitchen and tell Mary to make something extremely extravagant for supper!"

"But, sir, I did somefin' stupid," the boy tried to explain.

"I really couldn't care less!" Hannover interrupted peevishly. "Now, off with you! Whatever it was, it can be of little importance compared to all of the things I have to do and think about! Forget it instantly and do as I say!"

Timothy breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, sir! I'll do that!" he said with a fresh smile. He was gone the next instant, hurrying off on his errand.

Author's Note: Hello everyone! I hope you're having a good day, and I hope you're enjoying the story! My excitement is building as I get ever closer to having this story's sequel, The Gentleman's Treasure, ready for publication! Stay tuned for that and for more chapters of The Treasure of Netherstrand in the weeks to come! Don't forget to like and comment! I really appreciate it!