Vinnie and Mandy sat talking in the living room.
The children were nervous about Dad's idea for his den.
"We have to go on as many photo trips as possible," said Mandy urgently.
"After the attic becomes Dad's den, we won't be able to go anymore."
"I know," Vinnie said.
"But now Dad is always in the attic.
If only he would leave for a while . . ."
Loud barking interrupted the children.
"Look who's visiting," said Mom, walking through the front door.
A black dog rushed in after her.
"Corky!" cried Vinnie, rubbing the dog's head.
Corky was the neighbor's dog and very friendly.
"I thought I heard Corky's bark!" said Dad, coming down the stairs.
Corky jumped into his arms.
"Good boy! Good Corky!"
Dad patted the dog affectionately.
"We've been asked to watch Corky for a few hours," said Mom.
"Our neighbor has a doctor's appointment."
Dad loved dogs and wanted to get one, but Mom always said no.
"I have an idea," Dad said brightly.
"Let's take Corky to the park."
"Sounds good," agreed Vinnie.
"I can take my bike."
Mandy stared hard at her brother.
"Vinnie!" she said through clenched teeth.
"Mandy? Do you want to go too?" asked Mom.
"Uh, yes," Mandy said slowly.
"But I have to get something from upstairs.
Vinnie does too."
"I do?" Vinnie looked puzzled.
Then he realized what Mandy meant.
"That's right!
We'll be right back."
Vinnie followed Mandy up to the attic.
"Sorry about that," he said, reaching for the album.
"I didn't catch on to your plan."
"We can go on a photo trip," said Mandy.
"And still be back in time to play with Corky."
Vinnie opened the album to the next page.
"Look at this one, Mandy," he said.
The old man was on a ship at sea.
He stood near a large coil of rope.
Three small round things rested on top of the coil.
"They look like rocks," said Mandy, examining the picture.
Next to them, a wooden object glowed.
"What could this be?"
"We'll soon find out!" said Vinnie.
The children's eyes closed, and they fell down the dark tunnel.
The children landed hard, and their fall echoed loudly.
They were in a building with a high ceiling and large windows.
The children lay between some wooden benches.
"I think we're in a church," whispered Vinnie.
He pointed to a large cross on the wall.
There were statues of angels too.
"Look," said Mandy quietly.
She pointed at two men standing together and talking.
One man held a book close to his chest.
"Finally!" the man said.
"The king and queen have provided the money for my journey.
With your powerful family behind me, we'll sail west to the Indies."
"My brothers and I support you fully, Master Columbus," said the other man.
"Columbus?" whispered Vinnie.
"Is he Christopher Columbus?"