Bertie raised her eyebrows. “Understandable – if you believe in ghosts.”
Harry sipped his coffee. “I don’t know what Martin heard but I have an idea, so me and Joe are going out there after lunch to check it out.”
“What do you think it is?”
“You’ll have to wait and see,” he said as he left.
********************
Otter Hill Trail was on a moderate incline and fairly easy walking. Harry and Joe kept up a normal pace until they reached the plateau at the base of the hill. Paddy’s cave was on the near side, facing them.
Harry listened intently as they approached the cave, walking as slowly and quietly as possible. At the entrance, they paused for several minutes but heard nothing out of the ordinary. They walked a few steps inside and Harry turned on his flashlight, aiming it toward the back of the cave. It appeared to turn right at the end and he walked slowly forward, pausing frequently to aim his light at the walls and ceiling.
It was more like a tunnel. They turned right, then left… and Harry stopped. “I think we’ve found Paddy’s ghost.” He took several photos with his phone.
Joe looked where Harry’s light was shining and laughed. “Never would have guessed.” His foot struck something as he moved a step closer and he looked down. “Light down, Hogan.”
Harry pointed the light at Joe’s feet and they both laughed. “He was a crafty one,” Harry said, taking a few more pictures.
********************
Back at the office, Bertie was anxious to hear what they’d found. Harry said she’d find out when he explained it to Martin. He filled his coffee mug, sat down and dialed Martin’s number.
“I think we found Paddy’s ghost,” he said when Martin answered. “The cave – which is actually a tunnel – turns right at the back for about five feet, then left for maybe three feet, and leads to a dead end. On the end wall, starting near the ceiling, is a three-foot long narrow crack. When the wind is right, it might produce a sound that resembles moaning. Joe is going back when he feels the wind is right, to confirm it.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hogan. I’m relieved because I found some nice cranberry spots around there.”
“No trouble.” Harry laid down the phone and looked at Bertie.
“Is that what you were thinking?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I thought it might be an animal with a poacher’s trap on its leg, but I’m glad I was wrong.”
She tipped her head to one side. “I get the feeling there’s more to this.”
“Perhaps… I might talk to a few more seniors, see if anyone knows anything more about Paddy O’Flynn,” he said, doing something on his phone as he talked.
Bertie’s phone pinged and she looked down… stared silently for a few seconds… then looked up. “Is that what I think it is?”
He nodded. “Yes, it’s a prospector’s rock pick. Keep it to yourself for now, until I find more information.”
“So he was looking for gold.”
“Looks that way. When you finish the research you’re doing now, you might want to see if you can find anything about Paddy O’Flynn. I have a feeling the Historical Society will be all over this and I’d like to get a head start on it.”
“Mum’s the word,” she said. “You should be a member of that group.”
“I won’t commit to any group, but I’ll help wherever I can. End of discussion.”
