Chapter 298 Treasure
Revni showed surprise, took out her mobile phone and took a picture, and then showed a puzzled look, "Why is your map smaller than mine?"
Walker replied, "If all the maps are the same, the complete map can never be assembled."
"You're right, Your Honor." Raphne shrugged and began to study the 'New Treasure Map'.
If the previous treasure map is only a corner, then this corner can find multiple similar places in Big Bear Lake. After the map is merged, the treasure map has more and more complete terrain and vegetation characteristics, and can accurately locate the specific treasure area.
The three of them looked at the map of Big Bear Lake while comparing the treasure map, but they used different tools. Walker used a paper map, Raphne's mobile phone, and Luke's tablet.
The paper map couldn't be enlarged, and the phone screen was small. In the end, both of them gathered next to Luke's tablet.
Walker muttered in a low voice, "It seems that love of enjoyment is not a bad thing."
Twenty minutes later, after a careful comparison, the three of them finally determined the scope of the treasure map, which was about three miles away.
However, although the scope of the treasure hunt has been determined, the complete treasure map still does not clearly mark the hiding place of the treasure, and the scope is still a bit large.
Walker picked up the spliced map, "Could there be clues hidden on the map, but we didn't find it?"
Revni also came over to check, pointing to the left and right sides of the map, "There is a sun on your map, and there is a phantom sun on my map, why are there two suns?"
Luke also came over to observe carefully, "Although they both look like the sun, there is a certain color difference. Why do the two suns have different colors? Does it mean that the time is different?"
"Time?" Walker muttered, rubbing his chin and thinking, "When will there be two suns in the sky?"
Revni looked stunned, and snapped her fingers, "I see, there are not two suns, but a moon and a sun, so the sun on your map is darker, and the moon on my map is lighter.
And the position is different. "
"The sun and the moon shine together!" The three spoke in unison.
The three of them looked at each other and smiled at the same time. This is the fun of treasure hunting.
Through the limited clues, clear the heavy fog, find the buried place of the treasure, and obtain huge wealth.
During this process, everyone brainstormed, united and cooperated, which is also a precious wealth and precious memory.
Luke feels that this expedition will also be a good memory when he gets old.
Walker looked down at his watch, "Usually this happens in the evening.
Guys, we have to be at the treasure hunt in under an hour. "
Revni pointed to her SUV, "What are you waiting for? Get in the car."
…
The three drove to the treasure location.
The location of the treasure chest is still not small, with a range of nearly one mile, the search area is still not small.
The terrain is also relatively complex, including lakes, woods, and hills, and it is difficult to search in a short time.
Revni parked the car, Walker got out of the car, and compared the surrounding terrain with a treasure map, no obvious abnormalities were found.
Luke said, "It's more than four o'clock in the afternoon, and it will be dark in less than three hours. I suggest that we split up and search in three different directions starting from the lake. This will be more efficient."
Lephne shook her head, "nonono, I don't think this is a good idea, the treasure is not so easy to find, there may be traps where the treasure is hidden.
I think everyone should act together, which is safer. "
Walker nodded, "I agree with Lephne's proposal. Now that the location of the treasure hunt has been determined, it can't run away. It would be better to act together."
"OK." Luke shrugged, two to one, he could only compromise.
Later, he also figured out the reason.
Walker trusts himself more, and it stands to reason that he should support him. Why would he agree with Lephne's proposal?
Also, Levoni said before that she prefers to hunt for treasure alone. Why is a proper female man suddenly looking forward and backward?
Since it is unreasonable, there must be a reason.
Luke guessed that there is a high probability that it may be because of the treasure.
The three of them acted separately. If one of them finds the treasure, he will inevitably not be moved. It may cause conflicts in the end. This may be what the two of them are worried about.
As a rookie treasure hunter, Luke is a bit slow in this regard.
However, his advantage is that he is good at analysis, which is not difficult to figure out.
This also shows the importance of teamwork. It is clear that three people are more efficient to act separately, and they are not far apart, so they can take care of each other.
But because there is not enough trust, we can only choose a less efficient way.
Although everyone understands this truth, sometimes human nature is unsolvable, and compromise is the lubricant for peaceful coexistence.
Then, the three of them were more than ten meters apart, and searched forward where they could see each other...
The three searched for more than an hour, the sun was setting and the sky was getting dark.
"I want to rest for a while." Walker sat down on the ground, panting heavily.
Luke took a bottle of beer from his backpack and handed it to him.
"Thanks."
Luke took out two more bottles of beer, handed one to Revni, and drank the other himself.
"Gulu Gulu..." Luke drank most of the bottle of beer, quenching his thirst and replenishing energy.
Walker is getting old after all. After resting for a while, he took a break and took out the map to study again. "I don't think this will work. It will be dark soon. We can't search the entire treasure area on the map."
Lephne asked, "Do you have a better way?"
Walker pointed to the map, "I always feel that there should be other clues hidden in the phenomenon of the sun and the moon shining together. We guessed the time before...
Will the real clue be the location. "
Walker's words reminded Luke.
Luke took the map, took out a pencil, and connected the sun and the moon with a straight line. The middle point of this line happened to fall on a hill.
This could be the treasure location.
Walker smiled, "As expected of the best police detective in Los Angeles, I should have left you in the car to study the map if I knew it earlier."
Lephne also showed a relaxed smile, "It's not too late." Lephne took out a map of Big Bear Lake for comparison, pointed to the front right and said, "The hill should be there, we'd better take advantage of the dark rush past.
I feel that the treasure is beckoning to us. "
Then, the three of them walked towards the hill.
The location marked by Luke is only an approximate location. After all, there is an error between the map and the real object, and the error is likely to be not small.
After finding a hill similar to the one on the map, search around the hill with a diameter of 100 meters.
The three of them searched very carefully, for fear of accidentally missing the treasure. However, they searched the hill carefully, and still did not find the brown wooden box that was suspected of containing the treasure.
At this time, Luke couldn't help but wonder if he had misunderstood it.
Lephne was also a little disappointed, sitting on the lawn to rest.
Walker thought for a while, "Hey, I just saw a few sunflowers."
Revni asked back, "I've seen it too. It's not surprising that there are wild sunflowers in many places."
"You're right, but the sunflower is the state flower of Kansas, and Forrest Fenn, who buried the treasure, is a Kansan.
Is this too coincidental? "Walker showed an excited look while speaking,
"Could this sunflower be the mark left by Forrest Finn, and the treasure may be hidden under the flower."
Luke waved the folding shovel, "Then there is no hesitation, just dig it out and see."
The three of them went ahead and found the location of the sunflower under Walker's guidance. The three of them took turns digging and dug a one-meter-deep hole under the sunflower.
But no brown wooden box was found, let alone treasure.
Walker sighed, and said to Rephne on the side, "You're right, there are a lot of these flowers, so it's not surprising."
Revni looked around, "It's getting dark, we can't continue searching for the treasure today.
And I didn't even eat lunch, I was starving to death. "
Luke said, "Let's drive back to the camp, I have food in my RV.
But I'm too tired to cook today, so I can only eat some ready-made. "
Revni swallowed, "As long as I can fill my stomach, I'm already satisfied."
"Then what are you waiting for? Let's go." Luke waved his hand. Although he didn't find the treasure, he had a very fulfilling day.
Overall, not bad.
…
After returning to the camp.
Dinner is very simple. The staple food is Daliba, canned beef, pork sausage, pickled cucumbers, apples, oranges, and milk.
"Wow, it's so rich!
I haven't had such a big dinner for a long time. "Revni looked at the food on the table and couldn't help swallowing.
"Then hurry up and eat.
You're welcome, it's all ready-made food," Luke said disapprovingly.
Revni ate a large piece of Liba with pork sausage, and glanced at Luke's RV, "It's the first time I've seen a treasure hunter who enjoys you so much."
Luke smiled, "You're right, I'm just a rookie in the treasure hunting industry. I prefer to enjoy the fun of exploring in nature."
Revni said, "That only shows that you are a rich man."
The three of them were hungry, and soon the wind and clouds ate up all the food on the table.
Revni took the initiative to wash the dishes, Luke was responsible for cleaning the table, and Walker was too tired to move.
He is sixty years old, not getting any younger.
After cleaning up, Luke opened a bottle of whiskey and prepared some snacks. The three of them discussed the treasure while drinking.
Lephne sighed, "We have searched the opponent's area on the map, but we still haven't found the whereabouts of the treasure.
Is there something wrong with our treasure hunting method? "
Walker took a sip, "Luke, what do you think?"
Luke stared at the treasure map on the table. He was already familiar with the content on it. It was undoubtedly Big Bear Lake. The only suspicious point on the whole map was that the sun and the moon were shining together.
It is also based on this phenomenon that they thought of two possible ways to find the treasure.
In the first method, the sun and the moon together represent time. Around evening, Luke originally guessed that the treasure could only be found during this special time period, but they also searched during this time period, but they couldn’t find it.
The second method, the sun and the moon together represent the location. Luke connected the sun and the moon with a line, and the midpoint of the line just crossed the hill. Luke guessed that the treasure might be on the hill, but the result was also wrong.
Or is it not the sun and the moon at all?
Luke suddenly thought of his experience of swimming in Big Bear Lake this morning, reflection?
One is the real sun, and the other is the reflection in the water. What the map really wants to imply is 'the treasure is hidden in the lake'.
Luke spoke his guess.
Revni took a look at the photo, "The two suns, one shallow and one deep, one high and one low, imply that the treasure is hidden at the bottom of the lake?
I find this idea interesting. "
Walker chimed in, "I think it's interesting too. I'm sure the people who buried the treasure would also find it interesting.
This fits well with treasure hunter Forrest Finn.
For a treasure map, many people have different understandings. Many treasure hunters will value the "rationality" of a treasure map.
I think this is correct, but this rationality is not the rationality you think, but the rationality that the treasure hunter thinks.
Understand the treasure map according to the character, characteristics, and environment of the treasure hunter.
Based on my understanding of Forrest Finn, the use of two suns to represent the reflection in the water, alluding to the treasure at the bottom of the lake, is in line with his style.
Guys, we're one step closer to the treasure. "
After hearing these words, Revni seemed to be encouraged, her mood gradually improved, and she talked more. She first looked at Luke, "Are you really a police detective?"
"That's right, I'm from the Robbery and Murder Division."
"Sounds very powerful." Lephne looked at Walker opposite again, "Are you really a judge?"
Walker's expression became serious, his temperament was different, and his voice was loud, "Isn't it like it?"
"Wow, it feels a little bit like that." Lephne laughed, "But I find it even more incredible.
Why a judge with respect, status, and money becomes a treasure hunter. "
"It's a long story, and it can be regarded as a little secret of mine...
How about this, I will tell you when we find the treasure. Walker said perfunctorily, and asked, "What do you do?" A full-time treasure hunter? "
Revni sighed softly, "I've done a lot of jobs before, but I'm not a very qualitative person, and I didn't do each job for a long time.
In the words of my ex-husband, my life is a mess.
Then, he divorced me.
I want to obtain custody of my daughter, and I am fighting for it. The prerequisite for obtaining custody is that I have a certain material foundation.
That's why I'm treasure hunting, I need money. "
Walker said, "In general, when the parents divorce, the mother has a greater chance of obtaining custody."
"Uh... I've done some wrong things before... In the eyes of many people, I'm not a qualified good mother.
I also realized my mistake and have been working hard to win my daughter.
She is very important to me, and I am willing to change for her. "
Walker said, "Come on, as long as you go in the right direction, everything will be fine."
"Thank you, you are the friendliest judge I have ever met."
Luke laughed, "This is your illusion, you should see Judge Walker in court."
"Comeon, there are no judges or policemen here, we all have the same identity now—treasure hunters.
Let me have a toast together, I'm going to sleep after drinking this, I'm almost exhausted.
Tomorrow we will continue to search for treasure. "
"cheers."
…
The next morning.
The sun is rising in the east, the weather is clear and the air is fresh.
After the three of Luke got up, they had a simple breakfast, and then drove to Big Bear Lake to search for the treasure.
The focus of their search today is the bottom of Big Bear Lake.
Considering the difficulty of searching the bottom of the lake, the three also put on more equipment.
Because it was a temporary idea, there are not many diving-related equipment.
Luke provided a diving goggle, Walker had a waterproof flashlight, and Raphne had a kayak.
The improvised equipment can barely complete this task. Perhaps, this is the so-called strength in numbers.
The three of them first observed around Big Bear Lake to confirm the approximate treasure range in the lake.
Then the three of them took turns diving to search the bottom of the sea. All three of them could swim, but neither Walker nor Revni was proficient in diving, and their ability to hold their breath was much worse.
Luke can hold his breath for three minutes in the lake, and the two of them can only stay for more than a minute in their best state, and as the number of dives increases, the diving time becomes shorter and shorter.
This also led to the inefficiency of the three people's search at the bottom of the lake.
It was approaching noon, but the three still did not find the whereabouts of the treasure.
Because of exhausting too much energy, the three of them were tired and hungry, so they decided to memorize the approximate location and mark it at the bottom of the lake, and then went ashore to eat and rest.
Lunch is very simple, big Lieba, canned beef, pickles, coffee.
After eating, the three of them exchanged their experience of finding treasure at the bottom of the lake.
Walker said, "I'm too tired, and I must reduce the number of times I go into the water in the afternoon, otherwise the treasure is not found, and I may go to see God first."
Lephne said, "I am also very tired, but I must overcome it. If we don't go into the water, the treasure cannot float by itself."
Walker suggested, "We underestimated the difficulty of searching the bottom of the lake. We should buy some professional diving equipment, diving suits and oxygen cylinders. With these two things, our search for the bottom of the lake will become very simple."
Lephne shook her head, "We've searched for more than half of it, and we can finish it this afternoon, there's no need to spend that much money.
I can't afford to buy new equipment now.
Waiting for you to buy new equipment and run back and forth, maybe we have found the treasure. "
If Walker offered to buy diving equipment at the beginning, Luke would support it.
But just like what Revani said, half of the search work at the bottom of the lake is now completed, and the remaining half only needs to be completed step by step, and he also feels that it is unnecessary.
Moreover, through diving into the water again and again, he also found out some diving experience. During this period, he used a diving card, and his diving skills have also improved a lot.
Luke said, "I think you can compromise your ideas and continue to search the bottom of the lake this afternoon. If you can't find it, you can buy professional diving equipment tomorrow."
Neither of them objected, so they agreed by default.
Afterwards, Luke talked about some of his diving experience and some ways to save effort.
After two o'clock in the afternoon, the three continued to dive.
It's just a little different from the way of snorkeling in the morning.
This time, when they entered the water, they no longer went downstream, but carried a big stone on their backs and sank directly to the bottom of the lake. When searching underwater, they also carried the stone on their backs. walk.
When the oxygen is almost exhausted while diving, put the pebbles on your back into the net tied with a rope next to it. Once your feet are on the bottom of the lake, you can easily float to the surface.
After that, the companion will fish the big stone.
The less energy you consume, the longer you can hold your breath, and the more efficient you are in finding treasures.
After four o'clock in the afternoon, Walker and Levoni were exhausted, and only Luke was able to dive.
The sky is also starting to get dark, which will gradually increase the difficulty of searching. The area where treasures may be hidden in the lake is also gradually decreasing. The time for treasure hunting has entered the countdown.
At this time, the three of them were a little discouraged. Could it be that they guessed wrong again this time.
The treasure is not at the bottom of the lake?
The three of them were tired and hungry, and they no longer had the excitement of treasure hunting. They were just looking for treasure mechanically.
Luke once again sank into the bottom of the sea with a rock on his back, and searched the bottom of the lake with a strong flashlight in his right hand. This kind of work has been done many times today, and the freshness at the bottom of the lake has long since passed.
Just when Luke thought that this diving search would come back in vain, he suddenly saw a brown wooden box at the bottom of the lake in front of him, and suddenly, the whole person became excited.
Luke approached and checked. There was no sign of damage to the box, and it was locked. It was about 60 centimeters wide and 50 centimeters long.
Luke picked up the box and put it in the fishing net aside.
He dropped the pebble, floated up to the surface of the water, and waved, "The stone can be pulled up."
Revni pulled up the fishing net habitually, but this time she didn't pull it up, "Why does it feel heavy?"
"The cobblestone just now was a bit light, so I changed it to another one. This one is bigger, with stronger pressure and more stable walking."
"OK, anyway, you go into the water, as long as you like it.
Walker, help me. "Revni greeted and pulled up the fishing net with Walker.
Walker complained, "Luke, what the **** did you pick up, and it sank to death."
However, when the fishing net was pulled up, both of them were startled, showing ecstatic expressions.
"I bought it, you found the treasure, haha..."
"God forbid, I can't believe I actually found it.
Am I dreaming? tell me! "
…
The three of them worked together to transport the box to the shore. Walker and Revni stared at the brown wooden box again and again, the joy on their faces could not be suppressed.
Luke was not in a hurry, and was going to wait for the two of them to calm down before opening the box.
Walker touched the brown box with his hand, "The signs of rot are not serious, it should have been waterproofed, what should I do with this lock? I have to find a way to get it off."
Revni couldn't wait to say, "I'll get the hammer and smash it open."
Walker objected, "No, you may destroy the wooden box, and this box is also very meaningful."
Lephne asked back, "Then what do you want to do?"
Walker said, "Can the two of you pick the lock?"
"No, I'm not a thief." Lephne shook her head.
Luke said, "The lock is a little rusty, it's hard to open.
However, I have large iron pliers in my toolbox that can snap the lock without damaging the case. "
Luke's proposal was approved by the other two.
Then, he took out the iron pliers from the toolbox, cut off the lock forcefully, and opened the box under the expectant eyes of the two.
There are a lot of yellow and orange gold coins piled up in the box...
(end of this chapter)