When Gumdrop was safe and sound again, Beezel told Mimi about the conversation she had heard in the garden between Slear and Edwin.
“Mimi,” Beezel said, “Edwin knows about the treasure. He thinks he knows where it is. And he told Slear about the Shrinking Coin. But the worst thing is, Slear wants to sell the story of the magic coins. He wants to be famous for discovering real magic!”
“Oh my gosh!” Mimi said as she put her hand to her mouth. “We have to tell someone!”
Beezel agreed. The twins ran down the hall and peeked into the den. They saw Wiliken deep in conversation on the phone. “Let’s go find Hector and Uncle Hoogaboom,” Beezel said.
The twins left Wiliken’s apartment and ran down the flight of stairs to Uncle Hoogaboom’s shop. Hector was helping Gaidic organize a pile of miniature living room furniture for a display in the shop window.
“Uh, Hector,” Mimi said, “we need to talk to you about something.”
“And we need Uncle Hoogaboom,” Beezel said.
“Oh, he’s on the third floor,” Gaidic said. “He and Pieter converted the attic into a studio some years ago. Go on up. But knock loudly or he won’t hear you.” She shrugged. “He won’t let anyone in there. The only other person who ever got to go inside was Pieter.” She stared up at the ceiling as if she could see through Wiliken’s apartment straight up to Uncle Hoogaboom in the attic. “I hope he’s all right up there,” she said, with a note of concern in her voice. “See if he wants some tea, will you?”
“Come on, Hector,” Mimi said as she pulled Hector away from Gaidic.
“Easy on the shirt, chickadee,” Hector said. “I’m coming!”
The twins, followed by Hector, rushed up the stairs to the landing on the third floor. On the way, Hector tried to get an explanation, but the girls assured him they would tell him everything once they were with Uncle Hoogaboom.
Hector tried to open the door to the studio, but it was locked. He knocked loudly on the door, and after a minute or two, Uncle Hoogaboom appeared, carrying a tube of green paint in one hand and a tiny paintbrush in the other.
“Well, hallo!” he greeted them as he stepped out of his studio and closed the door behind him. He stuffed the articles he was carrying into his already bulging front pockets and glanced at his watch. “Is it time for dinner already?”
Beezel and Mimi quickly told Uncle Hoogaboom all about Beezel’s adventure inside the wall and the conversation she’d overheard while she was saving Gumdrop.
Uncle Hoogaboom listened intently, occasionally scratching his beard with one hand. By the time the girls were finished, it was clear Uncle Hoogaboom was quite upset.
He paced across the landing, muttering to himself in Dutch.
“What’s he saying, Hector?” Beezel whispered.
“Either that he wants to boil Edwin in oil,” Hector said, “or he wants fried fish for dinner.”
“The first one!” Uncle Hoogaboom announced as he locked the door to his studio and put the key in his pocket. “Come with me—we need to talk to Wiliken.”
They hurried down one flight and knocked on Wiliken’s door.
“Hi!” Wiliken said cheerily as he surveyed the group standing on his landing. “I’m sorry about that phone call,” he said to Beezel and Mimi. “When an agent calls, you have to answer. Otherwise, you might miss out on a role you want.”
“Oh, are you going to be in another movie?” Mimi gushed, stepping in front of Beezel.
“Yep!” Wiliken said. “I just got offered a part in the remake of The Three Musketeers.
Mimi squealed. “Oh my gosh!”
“So come inside, and let’s celebrate!” Wiliken said, waving them in.
Beezel felt terrible. Wiliken was so happy, and now they were going to ruin it with her news.
“Wiliken, son,” Uncle Hoogaboom said. “Have a seat—we need to talk.”
When Uncle Hoogaboom finished telling him what Beezel had heard, Wiliken stood up and said, “The Amsterdam Riebeecks have always known about the Shrinking Coin, and kept that knowledge close to home. I don’t know how Edwin found out about it. Maybe he overheard my grandpa talking. But Edwin is now the first Riebeeck to ever break the trust we’ve had with your family, Hoogaboom.” Wiliken’s jaw clenched as he looked at him. “Edwin came home a few minutes ago and went back to his room. Would you come down there with me in case I need a translator?”
“It would be my pleasure,” Uncle Hoogaboom said.
“What are you going to do?” Mimi asked.
“I’m going to throw Edwin and his things out of my grandfather’s house,” Wiliken said as he turned and sauntered down the hall.
“You know what?” Mimi whispered to Beezel as she clasped her hands under her chin. “Just now, he looked exactly like he did in Half Past Midnight.” She sighed. “He’s so cute.”
“He really is,” Beezel agreed. “Definitely.”
The girls sat on the sofa with Hector and listened to the heated conversation going on down the hall.
Beezel and Mimi heard Edwin and Uncle Hoogaboom yelling. Once they heard Wiliken blurt out, “Yeah? Well, at least I didn’t sell out my family for a few measly bucks!”
It grew quiet, and after several minutes, they heard someone stomping down the hallway toward them. Edwin stormed past carrying two suitcases, followed closely by Uncle Hoogaboom and Wiliken. Edwin set one suitcase down and opened the door to the stairwell. Looking over his shoulder, he picked up his bag, shouted something, marched out and kicked the door shut behind him.
Everyone turned to Uncle Hoogaboom. His face was grim.
“What did he say that time?” Beezel asked him.
“That Wiliken will be very sorry for doing this.” Uncle Hoogaboom patted Wiliken on the back and sighed. “This is serious. Edwin believes he knows where the treasure has been hidden in our house. We can keep him out until we find it, Wiliken, but the fact that Edwin has also confirmed to Mr. Slear that the shrinking magic is real is a dangerous combination. And he suspects the girls have magic as well. I imagine that Mr. Slear will be spending a lot of his free time watching us.”
Wiliken looked at the closed door and nodded in agreement. “You’re right. Slear will put us under a microscope just as soon as he can. You won’t be able to open the refrigerator door without seeing him looking back at you.”
Beezel shivered. The idea of Slear’s face greeting her at every turn was enough to give her nightmares.
“Given what has happened,” Uncle Hoogaboom said, tugging thoughtfully on his beard, “I think the best thing would be to transfer the magic to Hector now. Afterward, I’ll just continue to act as if nothing has changed here. For all Slear will know, I’ll still have the magic myself.” He looked at the girls. “And you will have to be very careful. Perhaps you should refrain from using the magic, except when you are performing on stage, just for a while, until this blows over. He could be watching you, after all.”
“But Uncle Hoogaboom,” Mimi said, “what if Slear just keeps pestering all of us?”
“Then we’ll have to meet with him and persuade him to stop,” Hector said, his arms crossed over his chest. “I think a few good ka-poofs and a couple of zuufts ought to do it, don’t you, Uncle?”
Uncle Hoogaboom nodded. “I can only speak for zuufting, but it’s usually a very convincing argument.”
“Just promise you’ll let me come with you.” Wiliken grinned. “That guy has driven me crazy for months.”
“Then it is decided. That is what we will do.” Uncle Hoogaboom nodded with satisfaction. “It’s time to give Hector the magic.”
Chapter Fourteen
“But what about Gaidic?” Wiliken said. “She’s still downstairs.”
“You’re quite right,” Uncle Hoogaboom said. “We can’t have her in the house. Not with the practicing and all.”
“You could just send her home a little early,” Wiliken said. “She won’t mind. Close up the shop.”
“Yes,” Unc
le Hoogaboom said. “That’s just what I’ll do.”
“Excuse me, Uncle,” Hector said. “What practicing?”
“You’ll need to practice shrinking things around the house.” Uncle Hoogaboom nodded decisively. “You can’t stroll around the city with that kind of magic in your fingertips without practicing first.”
“Are you sure you want to give it to me right now?” Hector seemed less than pleased. “I thought you wanted to find the treasure first,” he protested. “You wanted to be the one to unshrink it. You told us that.”
Uncle Hoogaboom shook his head. “That was my dream for many years. Pieter’s and mine. But more important is keeping the Shrinking Coin and the Changing Coin a secret from the world. It’s what we’ve always done.” He shook his head. “I swear it! No one is going to prove there is shrinking magic on my shift!”
“That’s the spirit, Hoogaboom!” Wiliken said as he opened the apartment door and started down the stairs. “Let’s send Gaidic home and lock up!”
They trooped down the stairs to Hoogaboom’s shop. Hector and the twins stood by the hall doorway as Uncle Hoogaboom did everything but shove poor Gaidic out the door.
As she said, “Goedenacht!” she glanced over at Hector with a definite “What is going on?” look on her face.
“Good night, Gaidic! See you tomorrow!” Wiliken called as Uncle Hoogaboom shut the door after her and locked it.
“Wiliken,” Uncle Hoogaboom said, “may I have a word with you alone, please?” Uncle Hoogaboom and Wiliken talked softly together in a corner of the detail room for a few minutes.
Beezel and Mimi turned to Hector and saw a stricken look on his face.
“What’s wrong?” Beezel asked.
“Gaidic knew we were up to something,” Hector said sadly. “I don’t like her feeling left out. Or that we don’t like her.”
“Or that you don’t like her,” Mimi said as she patted his back.
Hector nodded and whispered, “And I’m not sure I want the Shrinking Coin. I’ve seen the trouble the Changing Coin has gotten you two into. What if I bungle the whole thing up? What if I’m the one who accidentally blurts out the five magic words and the magic is lost forever?” He wiped his hands over his face. “See? I’m sweating just thinking about it.”
“Don’t worry,” Beezel assured him. “You’ll do a great job of protecting the coin. And we’ll help you, won’t we, Mimi?”
Mimi hugged Hector. “You bet. And don’t forget, at home we’re just in the next trailer over!”
“I apologize for excluding you,” Uncle Hoogaboom said as he and Wiliken walked over to them. “We’ve made a decision. Wiliken and I have something further to discuss with all of you before we transfer the shrinking magic to Hector.”
They followed Uncle Hoogaboom into his apartment. He led them into a small front room. A comfy-looking blue sofa faced a small brick fireplace. Two overstuffed chairs covered in a red floral pattern were to one side. A coffee table, cluttered with some of Hoogaboom’s details and several books, was in front of the sofa. In one corner was a large rolltop desk, looking every bit as stuffed as Uncle Hoogaboom’s pockets. The whole room, Beezel thought, was very snug and welcoming.
Hector and the girls sat on the sofa. Uncle Hoogaboom and Wiliken each took a chair.
Beezel watched Wiliken from the sofa. He caught her gaze and winked at her. The effect on her was so strong, she was glad she was already sitting down.
Wiliken cleared his throat. “Hoogaboom and I were talking just now,” he said. “And we have a favor to ask of you … after Hector gets the magic, of course.” He nodded to Hector. “We think that what would be best all the way around is to find the treasure while you’re still here. That way Hector could unshrink it, and Hoogaboom and I could have it stored safely in a bank, away from Edwin and Slear’s greedy mitts.”
“Oh my gosh, Beezel!” Mimi said as she grabbed her sister and hugged her. “We’re finally going to get to go on that treasure hunt!”
“But,” Beezel said, “how are we supposed to find it in just a few days when Uncle Hoogaboom’s been looking for it for twenty-two years?”
“That’s what we want to tell you,” Wiliken said.
“You see, there are a few things you don’t know,” Uncle Hoogaboom said. “One of them is the answer to your question yesterday.”
“About how you ended up with a shrunken treasure in the first place?” Beezel said.
Uncle Hoogaboom nodded. “And Pieter left us something we want to share with you as well. But it will make more sense when you understand where the treasure came from, so we will tell you that first.
“Almost four hundred years ago,” Uncle Hoogaboom began, “the Riebeecks owned a heavily armed merchant ship. Koen Riebeeck was its captain. He was authorized by the Dutch government to raid the Spanish treasure fleets coming back from the New World. Engel Hoogaboom, a bit of a rogue and an adventurer, signed aboard one of his voyages.
“Koen Riebeeck captured a Spanish treasure galleon and brought it into Amsterdam’s harbor. When it became clear that the government wasn’t going to share the treasure as agreed, the two men put their heads together. They decided Engel Hoogaboom would shrink the treasure for safekeeping and Koen Riebeeck would hide the shrunken treasure inside his house.”
Uncle Hoogaboom waved his hand around the room. “This very same house. And it was a good arrangement. Engel Hoogaboom knew that without him to unshrink the treasure, it was practically worthless. And Koen Riebeeck knew that without him, Hoogaboom would never know where the treasure was hidden.”
“Very clever,” Hector interrupted. “Good thinking on both their parts. It was like a fail-safe.”
“What happened to the ship?” Beezel asked.
“After Koen Riebeeck hid the shrunken treasure,” Wiliken said, “the two men sank the ship. But the Dutch government never really believed the treasure had gone down with the ship in the harbor. Days later, Koen Riebeeck fought the government troops that had come to take him prisoner and was killed.”
“What happened to Engel Hoogaboom?” Hector asked.
“They imprisoned him,” Uncle Hoogaboom said. “He lived long enough in prison to send for the Shrinking Coin. Koen Riebeeck’s wife and Engel Hoogaboom’s brother went to the prison to get the magic from him before he died. Eventually the coin made its way to me.”
Beezel thought for a minute. “But since Koen Riebeeck died, and he was the only one who knew where he had hidden the treasure, isn’t it lost forever?”
“Oh, not forever, certainly,” Uncle Hoogaboom said as he winked at Wiliken. “We know it is in this house somewhere. We have their word on it, and we have something else.”
Uncle Hoogaboom went to his desk and retrieved a large manila envelope. He handed it to Wiliken.
“This is something that my grandfather left me,” Wiliken said.
“I had gone away on one of my buying trips,” Uncle Hoogaboom said sadly. “I wish I had never gone. When I came back, I found out that Pieter had died.”
“But before he died, he found the treasure,” Wiliken said.
“He found it?” Hector said.
“Yes, but once he found it,” Wiliken said, “he thought someone else was after it, so he put it in a new hiding place, just until Hoogaboom got back.”
“After what you heard in the garden today, Beezel,” Uncle Hoogaboom said, “I am certain Pieter was worried that Edwin was after the treasure for himself.”
Wiliken undid the clasp on the envelope and pulled out a sheet of writing paper and a torn piece of old parchment. “This is the only thing we’ve had, for hundreds of years, that told us anything about the treasure.” He held the parchment where they could see it. On it, in Dutch, were written several lines of text.
“I’ll translate it for you,” Uncle Hoogaboom said as he took the parchment from Wiliken.
Through walls like ice
Past wood and metal
Guarded by souls of sailors lost
Lies the Spanish treasure
Safe in Magda’s capable hands
“Who in the world is Magda?” Hector asked.
“Or what is she?” Uncle Hoogaboom said. “We have no idea.”
“Hoogaboom and my grandpa have been trying all along to use that clue to find the treasure.” Wiliken held up the other sheet of paper. “But this says my grandpa found it by accident. And right before he died, he wrote a note telling us where he hid it.”
“So, you already know where it is?” A disappointed Mimi flopped back against the sofa. “Boy, that was the world’s shortest treasure hunt.”
“Wait a minute,” Hector said. “Pieter told you exactly where it is, you’ve looked, and you still haven’t found it? Boy, you do need help.”
“Trust me,” Wiliken said. “We’ve been looking for weeks, and we haven’t found a thing.”
“Where did he tell you he hid it?” Beezel asked.
“Let me read this to you,” Wiliken said as he looked at the paper.
Wiliken—
I found the treasure in a hollowed-out brick when the plumber came to fix a drainpipe in the kitchen, not three feet from where I fixed my morning tea all these years. Can you believe that?
I now suspect that someone else is after the treasure, so I have put it in my den for safekeeping.
I fear my days here on this earth are drawing to a close. I am sorry I did not know you better. I leave you with this bit of wisdom to remember me by: the greatest treasures are in the smallest pleasures.
Your opa, Pieter Riebeeck
“Do you think someone stole it from the den?” Beezel said.
Wiliken shook his head. “I don’t think so. No one knew about this letter except Hoogaboom and me. That’s why we want you guys to help us. We need some fresh eyes in that room. We’re hoping that while you are here, we can give the den one last scouring, sort of an ‘all hands on deck’ approach.”
“Oh!” Mimi jumped up. “Can we go look now?”
Uncle Hoogaboom smiled at Mimi. “Of course. But if you don’t mind,” he said, “I want to get the magic transferred to Hector first. It’s been weighing heavily on me since you girls told me about the conversation in the garden. Are you ready, Hector?”
The Trimoni Twins and the Shrunken Treasure Page 8