by Tim Dutcher
Harry followed Marty and Sandy out of the theater where they were joined by a black-spined porcupine, the one who had asked about the police at the meeting, and a large gray cat.
"Harry, said Marty, ""I'd like you to meet Hallie," the porcupine nodded, "and Bob. Guys, this is Harry."
Bob extended his paw, "nice t' meet you Harry."
Harry shook the cat's paw and his own was almost crushed by Bob's grip. "Nice to meet you," said the squirrel through clenched teeth.
"Oh, sorry," said Bob as he loosened his grip. "Sometimes I don't know my own strength."
"Well," said Marty, "I was just about to show Harry around; would you two like to come along?"
The tour of the grounds ended behind the keep on a broad lawn where two smaller buildings stood. One was nearly half the size of the keep itself, but made of red brick instead of stone, and topped with a graceful dome; it looked almost like a Byzantine church to Harry. The other building was much smaller; clearly a western style church with its delicate, towering steeple. Marty led Harry and the others past the red-brick building toward the church. "What's in there?" Harry asked, pointing to the large building.
"Oh, nothin'," Sandy replied.
"Just some old stuff we don't use anymore," said Marty as he opened the church door.
As beautiful as the compound outside had been, the church was even more beautiful inside. The decoration was of stone, iron, glass, and wood, with gold used sparingly. The workmanship was like nothing Harry had ever seen before, and he had made several trips to Italy and Rome. No church he had seen before could compare to this little chapel. The end piece of each pew was a masterpiece of woodcarving, the candle holders were of delicately wrought iron, the stained-glass windows impossibly intricate, and the polished marble altar carved with the same skilled style as the pews. Behind the altar was a lavish wooden screen, highlighted with gold, that put the rest of the church to shame.
"Wow," was all Harry could think to say.
Marty said, "I couldn't ‘a said it better myself."
Finally, Marty led Harry through the keep. On the ground floor, in addition to the theater, was the main kitchen and dining room, the workshop where, Marty explained, the fittings for the church and other commune buildings were made and repaired, and several peaceful shrines, where the people of the commune could take a break from their busy routines and pray. On the next floor were libraries and offices. The upper floors were mostly the apartments of the lay population of the commune. The cells where the monks slept were in the basement levels, along with the storage rooms.
"Well, one more stop," said Marty as they reached the fourth basement level. This floor was different from the rest of the basement. There was a single, well-lit, hallway with a stairway at each end. In the middle of the hallway was another stair opposite a perpendicular hall. Halfway along this hallway was yet another stair opposite a closed door, a storage closet, Marty explained. At the end of this hallway was a circular chamber decorated more lavishly than the church had been. In the center of the chamber was a marble pedestal with a wooden platform on top, trimmed in gold. Around the pedestal was a wrought iron railing and kneelers. Around the outside of the chamber were movable kneelers.
"Here is where we kept our most holy relic," explained Sandy, sadly.
"Here? How could anyone steal the Grail from here without being seen?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"That's not the most disturbing part of the mystery," said Sandy.
"Yeah," said Hallie. "There is always at least on brother in the chamber, praying. Brother Peter, who was here when the Grail vanished, is missing also."
"Did you or any of the monks touch anything in here after the robbery?" Harry asked, noting that there was no damage to any of the delicate woodwork in the chamber.
Marty smiled to himself; it looked like Harry was getting interested in the mystery. "Nope, if we do have to call the police, we want everything to be just the way it was."
Harry nodded, "I can see why you'd say it's disturbing. With no signs of a struggle, it looks as if this Brother Peter might have had something to do with the theft. But could even he get it out without being seen?"
"Maybe," said Hallie.
"The monks make up the daily work schedules," explained Marty. "They'd know who's where and when. With a little luck and a lot of planning, I suppose it could be done."
"Well, why don't you just ask one of the monks," suggested Harry, indicating the monks kneeling about the pedestal.
Marty shook his head, "No, not them, but maybe Chuck would be willing to lend a hand."
"Let's go ask him," Hallie said.
"First we should see our guest off," said Sandy. "Unless he's changed his mind about helping us." She turned to Harry.
Harry shrugged. "Well, I have to admit, this whole thing is interesting, and now I probably won't be able to sleep until I know the answers; so since I haven't got any really pressing engagements for the next couple of days, I guess I'm in, for a couple of days at least."
Marty laughed, "Good to have you on board, Harry!"