Adam Blake - 100. Chapter 100

Dishes done, we walked down to the lake. The boys started to throw rocks into the lake, I think all boys have this desire, see water, see stones, must throw. “Dad, are we going fishing tomorrow?”

“Of course, we need to restock the refrigerator. How many of you boys are going to run with me tomorrow morning?” They all said they would. “Ok, I run at 5 in the morning, are you going to be awake at that time?” Again, they all said yes, I smiled. We shall see how many are up at that time.

Walking back to the cabin, I noticed Hans had the lights on in two of the chalets. “Dad, can we nest rather than split up and sleep in the chalets?”

“Ok, we can do that tonight but I would like the boys to try it one night to see if it’s comfortable I think I’ll sleep in one Sunday night as well.”

The nest that night was something else. Ten boys and two adults sleeping on the floor, when there were comfortable beds available. There’s something that comes from the nesting experience for the boys, it is the cementing of friendships, the sharing of an experience they don’t normally experience. It’ll be something they will carry with them for a long time.

I was up at 4:30 to get ready for my run. I didn’t expect the boys to be up, I guess the light from the refrigerator as well as a few boys missing a warm arm, shoulder, or stomach was what woke them. One wake equals all wake. I poured orange juice for them, “Ready for warm-ups?”

They nodded yes, they were game for the run. I’d take it easy, so after we went through our warm-up, I headed up the hill, the boys following. When we reached the top of the hill, the boys started talking about the apple tree and picking apples last year. I told them it won’t be long and we’ll pick them again.

We jogged around the field and then I led them toward the lake and Marie’s house. She had water for us, we stopped, running in place, and headed back the way we ran to the cabin. Reaching the cabin after our cool-down run, I led the boys through the cool-down exercises, similar to warm-ups. Then with a gleam in my eye, I challenge them to a short run into the lake, I kept going until I was waist-high in the water.

They followed me and when they hit the cold water, they sat down. I smiled as I heard a chorus of aahs. It was a perfect way to cool off. “Dad, Mom is heading this way.”

I looked and Marie was heading our way in her boat.

“As soon as you all get your shower and dress, we can have breakfast.”

The magic word, food. I don’t believe there’s a kid anywhere that doesn’t react to the word food. At least those with me as they quickly ran to the cabin. Mom met them and threw a towel at them.

As I was watching them all trying to the first to the showers, I knew with the chalets filled, there was no way that the shower in the cabin could handle the load.

The beds in the chalets were comfortable. Hans had a leather sling construction on the bed that would support the sleeping bags. I found it to be comfortable and had no trouble falling asleep.

The next morning after breakfast, I loaded the car with my clothes for the wedding, kissed Marie goodbye, and the boys and I headed for the Academy.

I was thinking about the weekend. I needed to solve the shower problem. It was Seth who provided the answer. When I had returned to the Academy, I mentioned to James that I needed to come up with a way to provide showers for the boys that went to the cabin. It was two days later that he handed me a sketch and a page from a scout handbook that showed how to construct outdoor showers. I took the papers and sketch to Hans, job will be completed by the time the next group of boys headed in that direction.

The week started slow but picked up momentum as the days passed. Seth did an excellent job with the tents, Marcel had staff from one of the restaurants he worked in France and of course Caleb. You could smell the aromas and the boys had that hungry look.

Friday the delegation from Liechtenstein arrived as well as the trustees. Friday morning I met with the trustees, they were mostly interested in the progress of the college construction. I told them about increasing the dorms and converting the existing dorms into classrooms. They were concerned about the costs. Once they understood that we were at 90 percent capacity and the only alternative was to restrict enrollment, they agreed with my plans. We had dinner with the boys as well as the staff from the Liechtenstein consulate and the various members of the sovereign council. Marcel and done an excellent job.

Friday afternoon, I met with the consulate personnel and the sovereign council of Liechtenstein. I had Gerry sit in with me. There was no objection as they knew that within a short time Gerry would be the Prince. There were the usual concerns about their country and even though they were a small country, the concerns were the same as a large country. Gerry added his comments, I was pleased he felt free to express his views. The recommendations made by the council appeared to be in the best interest of the country so we approved their recommendations.

While we were sitting there just talking about the future and my plans to be there for a brief honeymoon. Hans came in, “Sir, the brother of your stepmother is here and she said she has a gift for you.”

I looked at Gerry, he shrugged his shoulders, the members of the council were unaware she was in the US. “Ok, Hans let her in, but be on alert.”

The brother accompanied the stepmother into my office where we were meeting, “Sir, I have a gift for you.” Looking at Gerry, “Your father gave this to me and asked me to give it to you when I had the opportunity.”

She had a ring in a box. It was an exact duplicate of the ring that we had put in the safe. Gerry looked at the ring, obvious it was too large for him. He knew where the real ring was. I took the fake ring from my finger and made some comments about not having to wear the imitation ring.

Hans took the box with the ring, he removed the ring and set it on my desk next to the fake ring. I picked up the fake ring, leaving the other ring on the table. She must have expected something as she immediately left, in rather a big hurry.

After she left, Hans showed me the ring she had, there was a small needlepoint in the ring and when you would put on the ring, it would have scratched your skin. “I assume that had poison on it.”

Hans nodded yes, “Why would she want to poison me? Gerry is the true Prince.”

The Minister of Culture said she would then be in a position to take the guardianship of the Prince. “Hans, find the brother and bring him here.”

When the brother came in, I took my fake ring, “Your sister brought us the ring. I wonder if you would put it on, I think your hand is smaller than mine.”

As he took the ring and placed it on his finger. He wasn’t aware of his sister’s duplicity. “Thank you, I see that I’ll have to add a ring guard to make it fit my finger. Take this fake ring and give it to your sister. Tell her that the Prince would like her to wear it.”

I nodded to Hans as he left and he followed the brother. “Gerry, what do you know about that family?”

“Not very much, my stepmother never talked about her family.”

I was getting ready for bed when Hans showed up at my apartment. “He gave her the ring. She asked him if I tried it on, he said yes. He told her this is the ring he was wearing and he said to give it to you.”

“She took the ring, had an evil smile on her face as she slid the ring on. The ring was way too big, she pushed down on the top of the ring as if she wanted to see how it looked in a smaller size. That is when she felt the needle. She took the ring and threw it at her brother calling him a traitor. He had no idea what was happening. I showed him the ring and the needle. He turned his back to her and walked away.

“How long until the poison will take effect?”

“By morning she will be gone.”

“Make arrangements to have her body sent back to Liechtenstein. She is not to be buried in the royal crypt. But see that she has a Christian burial. Be sure to destroy the ring.”