The next morning, Caroline arrived. Michael followed ten minutes later with their parents. He stepped from his car, smiling. “So we’re the Famous Five now? Solving our own mysteries?” Andrew ignored him and led everyone inside. The cabin looked exactly as disappointing as before. That seemed to encourage Michael. “I still think Grandpa left you the short end of the stick.”
Andrew moved Walter’s chair and rolled back the rug. The laughter stopped. Caroline stared at the iron hatch. Their mother whispered, “Was that always there?” Andrew opened it and showed them the staircase. He explained what he had found below, including the steel door and the receipts. Andrew told them that he didn’t want to open anything without the rest of the family to witness it.
They descended slowly. On the landing, Andrew held up the handwritten numbers. Michael looked at the ventilation pipe and the heavy door. “It’s a bunker,” he said. “Grandpa built himself a bunker.” Their father nodded. It seemed possible. Andrew entered the numbers on the dial. Nothing happened. Then he noticed the brass keyhole beneath it. He inserted Walter’s key while holding the final number. A deep click came from inside the door. Caroline stepped back. Andrew gripped the handle and pulled. The door slowly moved open at last.