Robin’s Puzzle: A Tale of Adventure and Mystery

By William H.C. Hatteroth III

The story teller continues his tale with more mystery and adventure. After foiling a plot to steal a secret weapon from England, Robin returns home for the first time in many years. His visit is cut short when a mysterious box is found by Robin’s lifelong friend and teacher, Springfield. This box cannot be opened in a normal way or broken into without destroying its contents. This box must contain something of great value to others, and so, a perilous journey to France begins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796053005

William H.C. Hatteroth III

The author was born in 1948. He was awarded the Eagle Scout Badge in 1962. In high school, he was a three-year varsity athlete in Swimming, which he expanded on by working with the Red Cross to teach Swimming to disabled children. After working over forty years for other people, William started his own business. For fun, he became involved in Community Theater, as well as becoming an award winning magician. Through these venues, he is still actively supporting many local find-raisers, charities and community activities.

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was midmorning on the third day of Robert’s return home. His mother had made it clear—no one was to disturb him. So Robert arrived late to the breakfast table. Sir William was finishing the last bite on his plate when Robert appeared. He wiped his mouth with a napkin as Robert approached and gestured for him to sit.

Robert, I can’t hold back the surprise any longer. Willy has also graduated from his school, and we will leave tomorrow to attend his graduation games.

Robert could not contain himself. He and his brother had been the best of friends for all his life. The idea of seeing Willy after all these years was the greatest gift he could have hoped for. That’s wonderful, Father. Robert stood and walked over to his mother’s chair. Standing behind her, he threw his arms around her neck and gently rocked her back and forth. It will be grand seeing Willy again. It’s funny, but I miss the way he always called me Robin. Looking across the table, he added, You know, Father, that story you and Nigel always told, the falcon and the robin. I told it as part of my audition to get into my school.

Lady Francis, Robert’s mother, nodded and smiled. The night you were named, that story was told for the first time, and Willy never stopped calling you Robin after that did he?

No, Mother, he never did. Mother, are you going with us? Robin’s mood went from reflecting to excitement.

This trip is for the men of the family. But don’t think I am not interested. I expect a full accounting from all three of you upon your return.

Robert’s eyes widened. Three … that could only mean mother is expecting Willy to return with us.

Her eyes went to her husband. Is that clear?

Sir William was beaming when he answered, Yes, dear, a full accounting.

Lady Francis started to giggle. Good. Now tell your son about Willy’s letter before he bursts.

Robert returned to his seat and drew it in close to his father’s chair.

Well, son, Willy’s school always invites the other two combat schools to a contest that takes place every year at graduation time. Only the graduates are allowed to participate in the contests. Scores are awarded for first, second, and third place in each event. The winning school, the one with the highest overall score, gets to brag all the next year as the best combat school in the country. The best school always attracts the best students, so this contest is pretty important to all three schools.

Wow, so we get to watch Willy in action.

Now Sir William was getting excited. His hands seemed to be gesturing more than usual as he continued, Yes. Willy said in his letter there are twelve events in all. Each graduate is assigned two events they will represent the school in. Willy will have no say in what he will be competing in. That’s up to his teachers. He won’t even know his events until the day of the competition.

Robert laughed. That’s to keep the students up on all their skills.

Sir William was surprised. That’s quite insightful of you, Robert. How—I mean— Sir William wanted to ask his son how he could have known about tricks like that but decided not to. It wasn’t a good time to change the subject, so he moved on. Willy also wrote there is a father-and-son event as well.

Robert leaned back in his chair. Oh, that’s even better. I get to watch you and Willy together, competing for the family honor, so to speak. Robert was grinning from ear to ear.

No, Robert, you misunderstood. The school is having a lot of different contests for the families of the graduates. Willy writes there will be a contest that you and I can enter together. It will be you and me who will be competing for that family honor.

Robert leaned in. I don’t understand, Father. How did Willy know I graduated early?

Sir William also leaned in. He was so close to Robert their heads almost touched. He said in a playful whisper, He told me I had to get you out of school. To use any excuse, so you and I could compete together as a team. It will be Willy who will be cheering for us. How does that sound?

Robert shot back in his chair. He gave his mother a quick glance. She nodded in a confirming way. He could not form the words which would express how he felt in that minute. Trying hard to maintain his composure, he stood, walked to his father, and extended his hand. It would honor me greatly to be a part of your team, Father.

Sir William looked over at his wife in such a way as to ask, who is this guy? She laughed into her napkin. She was trying hard not to let Robert see her reaction.

Sir William stood, shot a quick glance to his wife, and took Robert’s hand. He pulled him into a warm embrace. The honor is mine, son. All mine.

ooo

Robert spent the next few hours roaming around the house. He paused at a bear skin that was hanging on the wall across the main entrance. Smiling, Robert reached out and touched it. Feeling the coarseness of the fur sent him deep into thought. After a while, he laughed, gave two quick pats to the bear’s head, and moved on down the hall.

Each room he visited brought back memories of childhood fun. Pausing in the doorway of one room, Robert gazed fondly at a tapestry that still hung on one of the walls. The tapestry concealed a portion of the wall that had been damaged. As a young boy, that was where he would sometimes hide. Moving through the many floors of the manor, Robert finally arrived outside the servant’s area.

When he entered, the staff was surprised to see him. He nodded to a few who were looking his way and smiled. They seemed concerned by his presence. So he took out a flute and played a song for all who were there. It was a happy song about a playful, hot summer day. The staff stopped working and gathered around him. That was when Henry entered. Henry was the head of the staff. In the simplest of terms, Henry was the general, and the servants were his troops.

Not seeing Robert right off, Henry confronted the staff with rage. What is this I see? I will not tolerate such a neglect of duties.

Robert stepped forward, causing Henry to jump. He stopped talking and bowed to Robert.

Henry, it is my fault. They stopped their work out of respect for me. Please forgive me. In that moment, Robert realized he could not act as he did in France here at home.

Henry flashed an angry look to his staff. He turned back to Robert and bowed. Henry was angry, and Robert knew he needed to defuse this situation quickly. Henry, would you mind walking with me? I am leaving with Father tomorrow for Willy’s school, and I need your help to prepare.

Yes, of course, Master Robert.

Robert led Henry from the room. Saying nothing during the walk, Henry was worried. Robert had not been home in many years; he did not know what to expect from him.

Walking into Robert’s room, Henry obtained eye contact with Robert. How can I be of service to you?

First off, Henry, I want to thank you for your loyal service. It was wrong of me to interrupt the servants. It won’t happen again. Robert smiled and added, Henry, to me, you are a part of my family. You have been there for me all my life. I view you as more than a servant, and you are more than a friend. Thank you, Henry, for all the care you gave to me as I was growing up.

Henry was confused and a little overwhelmed. The staff was never treated as equals. But in spite of what he just heard, Henry maintained his position. Thank you, sir. Now, how can I be of assistance to you?

Henry, I will be fine. You are free to leave. Oh, and, Henry, don’t be hard on the staff. It really was my fault.

Yes sir. He turned and slowly walked out of the room.

Robert started a search through his closet. It has to be here. I remember putting it in here. Yes, there it is. Finding his father’s hunting bow, which was given to him after a very special day of hunting, Robert grinned. This will be a great trip. He checked the bowstring. Then with a cloth, he rubbed down the bow.

Robert had been so busy with his parents he had not taken time to unpack. Now would be a good time for that so he started to go through his closet, mixing some of his clothes that still fit with the clothes from his traveling bags. When he was convinced he had everything packed and ready for the trip, Robert lay back on the bed. Within moments, Robert began to smile. Happy thoughts were flooding in. Sir Guain had extended my leave, which gives me more than enough time for this trip. The secret weapon is safe again in England. As Robert focused on the last thought, bad thoughts took over. How did Tom know about the secret weapon? How did he know about the courier and the letter of introduction? More importantly, are there others still looking for me? Robert was convincing himself there was still danger.

Fear started to rush over him. Robert feared not for himself but for his family. By coming home, had he endangered them? Lying there on the bed, he started to take deep breaths. His breathing started to become faster—panic was setting in.

Robert rose from the bed. He started to exercise the way his teacher and friend, Springfield, taught him. He continued until he fell back onto the bed from exhaustion. Slowly at first, he started to relax. His mind had stopped racing through those terrible thoughts. Reason started to win out over the fear. Robert was now thinking, Sir Guain would not have extended my trip or sent me home in the first place if he felt there was danger in doing so. They, whoever they are, would be looking for Robin of the Green Hood and his father Springfield, not Robert of Loxely Manor. Yes, Robert trusted Sir Guain, and he resolved right then to follow Sir Guain’s orders. Robert said out loud, I am to visit my family and have fun.

Robert jumped from the bed. He grabbed the mandolin that was resting by the bedroom door as he rushed into the hall. Heading toward his parents’ room, he called out, Mother, I have a song I want to sing to you.

His mother appeared in the doorway. She was holding an embroidery hoop and smiling. Robert stopped running. He smiled, which in turn brought an even bigger smile to his mother’s lips. He walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek.

Bringing the mandolin into view, he said, This song, Mother, I learned in my second year of school. Please sit and continue your sewing while I play it for you.

Still smiling, she extended her free hand and placed it around Robert’s waist. She led him into her