Tiger Bill and The Cave of Ages

By Gerald Barlow

Tiger Bill Smith is the youngest millionaire in America in 1935. His interests lead him and his friends to adventures all over the world. In this tale, Bill and his cousin Argyle chase the Baron Von Trippe across the eastern seaboard and up into Greenland trying to regain what the German has stolen from Bill. At first glance a plane ought to outrace a Zeppelin, but things seldom are that easy.
The Tiger Bill Adventures are written for Junior to Jr. high readers and share a Christian perspective on facing trials in life. Bill is a courageous and sometimes daring young man who follows what he perceives as God's leading in his life, and so far he's been quite successful.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gerald Barlow
• Release date: Apr 23, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458104557

Gerald Barlow

Originally a SoCal boy, I met a NorCal girl and we headed north way back in 1964. After two kids and Lord knows how many cats and three occupations,(teaching, pottery, graphic design & Signs) here I am. I began writing for my children for Christmas and then an adventure tale or two on their lunch bags. I think there enough manuscripts stacking up for now, so here goes...

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TIGER BILL AND THE CAVE OF AGES

A Novel By Gerald Barlow

Smashwords Edition Copyright 2011 Gerald Barlow

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Chapter One

A Mysterious Letter

His feet up on a hassock in front of a crackling fireplace and a warm cup'a Rexton's special spiced-cider in hand, Tiger Bill thought he had at last achieved a small peace with his busy life. The expected autumn rain rattled on the French doors facing the terrace, glistening in the floodlights far beyond. It reminded him how glad he was to sit with his feet up rather than to be standing out in the weather. He had naturally thought when he was in the orphanage growing up, that riches would solve a person's problems and his life would be easy, but that was just the short-sighted dreams of youth. Here he was, a millionaire and yet he was kept hopping each day, just keeping up with the responsibilities his investments required. He hardly had an hour free for the things he really wanted to do. Only last year he had been able to go down to the Amazon for a break, to help a friend. Although the trip had been strenuous it had also been one of the first times when he had really felt alive. He stared into the flickering flames, thinking of possible excuses he could use to play a few days of hooky from his office.

Living in the penthouse, he had a view of most of Cincinnati, from the river to the University on the West. Tonight the horizon was black with nothing to see, the storm showering shiny needles of rain in the terrace lights and the clouds curtained darkly beyond.

There was a muffled knock at the door and then the shuffle of Rexton's slippered feet in answer. Bill heard a muffled exchange of voices through his personal reverie. He looked out at the rain and saw in the glass' reflection, the shape of his faithful butler padding across the rug behind him.

A message for you, young William. He droned formally holding out a silver plate.

Bill took the folded paper from it, immediately seeing it was dripping wet. He unfolded in and held it out before the fire to better illuminate the writing. It had smeared with the rain and the message was muddled. All that was left of the first two lines were just blue smears running down the page and only the last few letters and words still readable:

—e to the roof immediat-

The words bled off the bottom of the page as he watched helplessly. What could it mean?

Chapter 2

Stairway To The Stars

His boots pulled on hastily, Bill made his way out the French doors and across the terrace. Living in the penthouse, he was close to the rooftop of the 30 story building. His closest way up was by the ladder mounted on the brick wall at the side of the terrace. He gritted his teeth as the icy runnels of rainwater trickled down his neck and arms and he began to climb up the dripping iron rungs imbedded in the mortar. He shivered as rain trickled to his armpits when he reached up for another rung. He could see the lip of the flat roof parapet just a few steps above.

From somewhere he could hear a gentle droning sound. Not the rumble of the automobiles on the streets below, he thought as he climbed. Not the sound of the wind playing with the metal weather striping.