“That’s at least partly due to the increasing interest in genealogy. Bertie’s good at research. I’ll ask her to check when she comes in.”
“That might tell us his background but I’m more interested in finding out where he lived.”
“We know about the caves at sea level so I suppose other caves are possible,” Harry said. “Are you aware of any that might be large enough to provide shelter?”
Silas shrugged his shoulders. “Haven’t heard about any.”
“Maybe he built a cabin up there somewhere.”
“It would have been discovered long ago. That area was popular with small game hunters long before the ATV and hiking trails were developed.”
Harry rubbed his chin. “If Obie lived in a cave, there must be an opening on the hill side because the lighthouse side is too steep for getting supplies in.”
“Joe is pretty familiar with that area. He might know something. It’s part of the town’s history and could be another tourist attraction. I think we should investigate it,” Silas said.
“We?” Harry repeated.
“You, me, and Joe. We – I mean you – could figure out where Obie lived.”
“IF Bertie finds anything worthwhile about Obie, and IF the hillside is safe enough to explore, I’ll think about it,” Harry said.
“Agreed,” Silas said. “I’ll wait to hear from you.”
Bertie came in as Silas was leaving. When she had settled at her desk, Harry repeated everything Silas had told him. “Can you search for Obediah Winterbotham, born about 1853 to 1873? While you’re doing that, I’ll go talk to Joe.” He reached for his jacket as he stood up.
“I’ll get right on it,” Bertie replied.
***************
Harry made his usual stop for coffee and donuts before visiting Joe, a habit left over from his police force days. Joe Grant had always been a reliable source of information. He parked the truck beside Joe’s trailer, picked up his goods and went inside. “Good morning, Joe. Is it close to break time?” He sat down, placing the coffee and donuts on the table.
“Always,” Joe replied with a grin. He picked up one of the coffee cups and selected one of the donuts.
“What’s up?”
“What do you know about Obie the hermit?” Harry asked and sipped his coffee.
“Talking to Silas?” Joe asked and Harry nodded. “What’d he say?”
For the second time, Harry repeated everything Silas had told him and then asked “Is there anything you can add?”
“Folks said he was educated.”
“Why?”
“The way he talked… he knew things,” Joe said.
“That makes sense. Anything else?”
“The tunnel,” Joe said.
“You mean the tunnel we used to get down to that sea level cave?”
Joe nodded. “Yep.”
Harry frowned. “Obie couldn’t have lived in that cave.”
Joe was shaking his head. “Branch tunnel partway down… could be another cave.”
“Have you ever checked it out?”
Joe shook his head. “Granddad said not to go in there.”
“Do you know if anyone else ever checked it?”
Joe shrugged. “Never heard about it.”
Harry was rubbing his chin. “I’m beginning to think Silas is right. We might have to look for Obie’s home, after all – or what’s left of it.”
