The Damn Artefacts

«I reckon, yes. I’ll tell her that our whole class is getting together there».

«Are you really going to gather the entire class?»

«I’m not sure it will be a success. But it’s worth having a try».

Ted looked at his watch.

«Oh, I must be off for the Principal’s meeting».

«Run. I’ll see you in the room».

Ted rushed out of the cafeteria and skipping stairs got to the second floor, where Mr. Sunrace’s office was located.

«I wonder, what the Principal needs from me? Perhaps, he will come up with some interesting and attractive job offer?» – thought Ted, knocking at the door.

«Come on in».

Ted stepped inside. Besides the Principal the Third Master was also present in the office.

«Hello, you’ve asked me to come, Principal».

«Yes, Ted, please have a seat. I won’t detain you for a long time».

Ted sat down.Mr. Sunrace, an already grey-haired man in his sixties, gave him a smile.

«You joined our school not long ago and now you are leaving us already. Time flashes past us at a rapid pace».

«Does he really want to offer me a teaching position at school?» – A thought flashed in Ted’s head. Meanwhile the Principal continued.

«I’d like to find out, whether or not you have any plans concerning your future?»

«Not really, Principal. I am going to get settled in London, find a job».

«Are you interested in anything definite?» – The Third Master put in a word.

Ted shrugged his shoulders.

«No. I have been thinking a lot as to what I would choose as my future career, yet I haven’t made up my mind by far. Therefore I decided to move to London first, get hold of some flat and… Guess, at some moment I’ll come across an opportunity».

«Who knows – maybe our conversation is this very opportunity? Please listen very attentively to the suggestion, the Third Master is going to come up with».

«I am all ears, sir».

«Are you familiar with the British Museum?»

«Certainly, sir. I have been there several times».

«The Museum contains a Theurgy and Enchantment Department. Formally it is considered property of the Museum, but, informally, on the other hand, it reports to the Magistrate. I would like to offer you a job in the Museum. In addition, you will get a tiny flat, at the Magistrate’s expense, of course».

Ted was surprised. That offer sounded too attractive.

«What will my job responsibility be like? Why did you choose just me?»

«Because you have displayed savvy and wit, bravery and courage while deciphering the Black Wizard’s mystery. It was you who brought him back to the dimension of the immortal. Undoubtedly, the access gate got closed afterwards, but, probably, this was for the better».

Ted nodded. The Master paused for a while and went on.

«I shall be sincere with you. A month ago our colleague from the Theurgy and Enchantment Department vanished into thin air. Searches were of no avail and have yielded zero results. We assume that something eerie is going on in the Department. Thus, we are in need of a person like you —someone who is fond of secrets; curious, bold and daring, yet at the same time careful and cautious».

«Do you want me to disappear?» – Ted smiled.

«No, of course, not! However, prudence and caution have never been redundant traits, have they? Your job description will be as simple as that. If indeed, you reveal something unusual and interesting, please contact me immediately. Oh, given that you agree to work there, of course».

Ted thought for a while. Well, why not? He did have a passion for riddles and puzzles. Here he had been offered both a job and a flat at the same time.

«If I don’t like it, may I refuse later on?»

«Definitely».

«Then I agree».

«Excellent. Have a rest at home and then come to me to the Town Hall. I will hand you the keys to your new flat and give you a letter for the Deputy Head of the Museum – Mr. Merlegg. Please take this phone number and contact my personal assistant regarding the terms of the appointment».

The Master waved his hand and a piece of paper with the phone number appeared on the table. He passed it on to Ted.

«Thank you, Master!»

«Good luck!»

Ted got up.

«See you soon, sir».

«Bye, Ted. Good luck to you», – said the Principal.

«Thanks».

Ted left the Principal’s office and headed for his room which he had been sharing with Jeffrey since these two pupils had met. It was then that the two boys had become friends. They would fight at times, but would quickly reconcile and entrust one another with their secrets. The only thing Ted had meticulously concealed had been his affection toward Alice. Despite Ted’s endeavors, Jeff, being his best friend, could easily guess about Ted’s feelings.

«What did the Principal want from you?» – asked Jeff the moment Ted stepped over the threshold.

«In part, you were right».

Ted sat down on his bed.

«Has he offered you a job? Is it interesting?»

«No, I was offered a job by the Third Master».