A few days had passed since the mysterious visit of the guest who appeared at the VMax family home.

Max, although initially fascinated by what he had heard, quickly became absorbed in his daily games and almost forgot about the overheard conversation. But one sunny afternoon, while playing in the garden, he suddenly heard voices coming from his grandfather's study through the open window.

His curiosity, always a bit too great, quickly won out. Max quietly approached the window, hiding behind a rose bush, and cautiously looked inside. In the back of the room, in an armchair opposite his grandfather, sat an old cat. There was a black patch over his eye, which gave him a sinister look, and his voice sounded like the creaking of an old, rusty wardrobe door.

"I have done a lot of wrongs in my life," he told his grandfather in a tone full of bitterness. "I want to make amends somehow and repair the wrongs I have done. I learned piracy from my father and I have known no other life. But I remember that you once saved my life. Now you are a good ruler of this city, so I came to you to leave you all the treasures I have collected. Later I will go to the Last Haven to end my life in peace.

Saying this, he pulled an old, yellowed note from his coat pocket and handed it to his grandfather.

"On Old Crab Island," he continued, "you will find a cave in which great treasures are hidden. I give them to you so that you can develop this city and help all the cats who find themselves in trouble. I know that you will use them wisely. But you must be careful, because my boatswain, Lame Joe, also knows about the cave. That greedy scoundrel tried to kill me to get these treasures. However, he will not open the cave door without giving the password, and only I know that."

He leaned over to his grandfather and whispered something to him, then looked at him seriously.

"There is one more thing I cannot tell you now. In the cave you will find a chest containing a map and a key to a certain place. There you will find a great surprise. I have sworn an oath that does not allow me to reveal this secret in my life. But when you find this chest, I will no longer be in this world.

Grandpa George seemed deeply moved by these words.

"Should I accompany you to the Last Haven?" he asked with concern in his voice.

"Yes," the mysterious guest replied, nodding. "I will be grateful for your company on my last journey."

They both stood up from their chairs and left the office, leaving behind the silence that filled the room.

Max could not believe what he had just heard. Treasures? A mysterious island? A chest with a map and a key to an even greater secret? His heart was beating fast, and his head was full of questions. What should he do? Should he tell someone about what he had heard? Or maybe ask Grandpa who the mysterious guest is and why he came to their house?...and should his parents know about it?..

The questions kept swirling in Max's head until he finally fell asleep under a rose bush, waiting for George to come home.

To be continue...