Free The Broken Sun by Darrell Pitt Page A

years
ago.’
    â€˜What if I told you it wasn’t a myth?’
    â€˜Surely you don’t believe that?’
    â€˜I do.’
    â€˜Why?’
    Bradstreet shook his head. ‘Let’s just say I’ve come across some evidence that confirms
it was as real as London is today.’
    â€˜I find that hard to believe,’ Mr Doyle said. ‘Even ancient scholars thought it imaginary.
It has only been in recent times that people have believed it really existed.’
    â€˜It did exist and I intend to find it.’
    Scarlet ran her hands through her hair. ‘So the pieces of the Broken Sun are some
kind of map? A map that leads to Atlantis?’
    Bradstreet nodded. ‘The evidence indicates Atlantis was an island in the Atlantic
Ocean located to the west of Gibraltar. The cataclysm that destroyed it did so in
a day and a night. It has been long rumoured that the Atlanteans were decimated by
their own technology.’ He clenched his fists. ‘But I believe the map leads to something
far more valuable.’
    â€˜More valuable than Atlantis?’ Jack asked.
    â€˜Indeed. I believe it points to the location of New Atlantis.’
    â€˜New Atlantis?’ Mr Doyle said. ‘You think the Atlanteans survived the disaster?’
    â€˜Of course they did!’ Bradstreet stood and began to pace the room. ‘They were an
advanced race. Years ahead of anyone else. They could not be destroyed in one fell
swoop! They escaped the disaster and rebuilt their empire. The question is, where ?’
    â€˜It’s a very entertaining story,’ Mr Doyle said. ‘However, I’m not a treasure hunter,
I’m a detective. I doubt I can be of assistance to you.’
    â€˜We are on the same path,’ Bradstreet urged. ‘Why not work together to solve one
of history’s greatest mysteries?’
    â€˜I’m not a treasure hunter.’
    Tobias Bradstreet pursed his lips. ‘I can double what the British Museum is paying
you. Triple it.’
    â€˜I’m sorry.’
    Bradstreet sighed. ‘That is a shame. With my money and resources, you could have
been part of the most incredible investigation of your life. I would have thought
more of the famous Ignatius Doyle.’
    Mr Doyle smiled. ‘I’m sorry I don’t live up to my reputation.’
    The men shook hands and Tobias Bradstreet departed.
    â€˜Atlantis!’ Jack said. ‘I thought it was only a legend!’
    â€˜It is only a legend,’ Mr Doyle said.
    â€˜Although,’ Scarlet said, ‘there is often a foundation for legends. The story of
Dracula was based on a medieval tyrant named Vlad the Impaler. And sailors are thought
to have mistaken dugongs on rocky shorelines for mermaids.’
    â€˜It’s possible such a city once existed, but whatever truth surrounds it has been
long lost to history.’
    â€˜What will we do now?’ Jack asked.
    â€˜There is still a remaining piece of the Broken Sun to consider. It resides with
Professor Howard Morely, a resident of Norway. I have already sent him a message
that he may be in danger. Tomorrow we’ll leave to visit him to see if he can shed
any light on the matter.’
    Jack was too excited to sleep. Climbing into bed, his mind was still buzzing.
    Atlantis , he thought. Was it really possible…?
    The next thing he knew was that someone was knocking at his door. He blearily raised
his head to see Mr Doyle.
    â€˜Adventure calls.’
    â€˜Was I asleep?’ Jack asked.
    â€˜For about three hours.’
    â€˜It felt like three minutes.’
    â€˜You can grab more sleep on the way. The Lion’s Mane has been returned and appears
to be in perfect order.’
    Jack and Scarlet joined Mr Doyle on the roof. It was a pleasure to see the airship
back in her usual position.
    Mr Doyle sighed. ‘I’m so glad you’re here.’
    â€˜Thank you, Mr Doyle,’ Scarlet said.
    â€˜Oh.’ The