The Hidden Man: A Phineas Starblower Adventure (Phineas Starblower Adventures)

by Giles

  “Thank you.” Jones said and patted the side of the writer before turning his attention to the words on the paper rolling out of the top.

  “Well then, what does it say.” Phillips asked.

  "It’s a message from Mr. Starblower Captain." Jones hesitated. “And... it’s marked private for you Captain" the officer stated a little uncomfortably as the paper kept spooling out of the machine.

  Even to Jerard's untrained eye he could see this was no simple 'Come and get me' or 'Go on as you are!' missive but some detailed instructions, curious, not to mention expensive! But anyone that could afford a private airship hardly worried about that sort of thing, he supposed. "Very well Mr. Jones I'll read it as soon as we get this bird on the ground. Mr. Wallace?”

  “I think I’ve got it now Captain, I’ve just dropped the ground lines and...there! They’ve got her.” Wallace said triumphantly.

  “Good work Sir, well done.”

  “Thank you Sir!” Wallace beamed.

  Jerard took the paper Mr. Jones handed him and moved to sit at his station. He read the telegram:

  +++ PRIVATE TO CAPTAIN J. B. PHILLIPS OFFICER COMMANDING I.A.S. SOUL OF DISCRETION+++

  CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. MY APOLOGIES THAT THIS HAS TO BE OUR FIRST DIRECT COMMUNIQUÉ.

  MISS SMYTHE-HARRIS HAS APPRAISED ME OF YOUR CURRENT PREDICAMENT AND THE DEMANDS BEING MADE BY YOUR PASSENGER ON NOW NOT ONLY MY PROPERTY BUT MY PERSON AS WELL.

  I AGREE WITH YOUR PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT THAT TO RETRIEVE ME FROM THIS DELIGHTFUL SPA I HAVE FOUND, WILL BE TIME PROHIBITIVE. FURTHER I REGRET TO REPORT THAT I HAVE BADLY STRAINED MY LEFT LEG WHILE HIKING. THIS INFIRMITY INADVERTENTLY HELPS THE DIFFICULT DECISION I MUST NOW MAKE.

  THE COLONEL'S OBSERVATION ABOUT MY BEING ABLE TO OPEN SOME DOORS FOR YOU IS NOT WHOLLY WITHOUT MERIT, EVEN IF IT IS PRESUMPTIVE IN THE EXTREME!

  BUT THERE IS A WAY I CAN SEE THAT WILL PERHAPS RETRIEVE THE SITUATION. THERE BETWEEN ME AND THE GOOD COLONEL IS BUT TWO YEARS OLDER AND OF SIMILAR BUILD. THIS MADE ME THINK THAT IF THE CHAP WANTS 'STARBLOWER' SO DAMN'D MUCH HE CAN BE 'STARBLOWER' FOR THE DURATION OF THIS CRISIS!

  I HAVE AND DO VALUE MY PRIVACY MORE THAN ANYTHING. GOOD LORD SHOULD MY WHEREABOUTS BECOME PUBLICLY KNOWN I GET BESIEGED BY THE SMALL MINDED DOLTS THAT THE GOOD COLONEL WOULD SIC ON ME! NEVER SIR WILL I ENDURE THAT UNLESS ALL OTHER RESOURCE IS EXPENDED! SO I PROPOSE THAT COLONEL CARSTARES TAKE UP MY MANTLE (BOTH FIGURATIVELY AND LITERALLY) AND POSE AS I FOR THE DURATION OF THIS MELANCHOLY ADVENTURE!

  LET US SEE HOW HE LIKES IT!

  IT FALLS TO YOU AND MISS SMYTHE-HARRIS TO CONVINCE HIM TO TAKE ON THIS ROLE. I ESPECIALLY CHARGE YOU SIR, AS A GENTLEMAN IN MY EMPLOY TO SEE THIS FICTION IS CARRIED OUT TILL THE GOOD DOCTOR’S FATE IS RESOLVED.

  IT WILL BE BETTER IF YOU BROACH THIS TO THE GOOD COLONEL. DESPITE HER FORMIDABLE TALENTS MISS SMYTHE-HARRIS WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAKE THIS DESK OFFICER SEE THE NEED. ALSO I THINK SHE MIGHT ENJOY THE MAN'S DISCOMFITURE A MITE TOO MUCH. SO I TURN TO YOU SIR AS MY SECOND.

  GOOD LUCK AND GOD SPEED TO YOU ALL!

  PHINEAS A. STARBLOWER

  P.S. WELCOME TO THE COMPANY CAPTAIN PHILLIPS! +++

  It was unbelievable! Jerard was torn between laughter and outrage. Laughter at turning the presumptuous Carstares’ request back on him so. But the refusal in general seemed rather reprehensible in that he would not come out of hiding to save Dr. Nordstrom. Unless of course, Jerard reasoned, the man was misreporting his injury to avoid further panicking Tash or the company's stockholders.

  “Somthin’ wrong captain?” Jones quietly asked. His honest face a mask of concern.

  “No, just a bit surprising Aneurin that’s all.” Phillips replied quickly not wanting to reveal to the crew what he had read until he had time to think it over.

  Re reading the message again he realized the ruse was a stroke of genius that would preserve the small advantage the Discretion had by her speed over the sea going vessel she pursued. A thin smile won the war between outrage and amusement on Phillips' face. Mr Starblower evidently knew his secretary well enough to know Tash would be far too distraught by the need of this deception to properly couch it to the stuffy Colonel.

  He was hardly looking forward to explaining Mr. Starblower's instruction to Tash any more than he was putting the compromise to Colonel Carstares. While Jerard relished the implied trust his new master was placing in him. I especially charge you Sir, as a gentleman in my employ to carry on this fiction.. So I turn to you Sir as my second... it put him in a rather invidious position between Carstares and Tash. Time to take command Jerard, he thought to himself, better to present the course of action to Tash and Carstares 'fait accompli'. They would both rage at him Jerard had no doubt but time was one thing that they all had little of. The pair of them could extract their pound of flesh from his hide while the Discretion was back on Dr. Nordstrom's trail.

  Glancing around the largely silent crew Phillips considered their situation. D'Arcey was at his station studying some reports but the nervous drumming of the Frenchman's fingers on his desk betrayed his own frustration. William had stepped out into the bridge anteroom to munch on a pasty one of the stewards had brought up for him earlier. The young man had fastidiously refused to eat at his station, which while praise worthy Phillips found amusing none the less. Fred Randal was at his desk plotting out the swiftest rout to the Nigardbreen Glacier in preparation to retrieving Mr. Starblower. No more need for that, Phillips thought folding the telegram into his pocket.

  “Fred we have some orders. I want you to plot the fastest course you can to the city of Aalborg in northern Denmark.”

  Fred tapped his pen against his chin. “No more searching over the sea then captain?”

  “No, if the Colonel is right we’re going to go straight to the port these where these scoundrels were last operating out of.”

  “Very good Captain. I’ll draw up a flight plan, check the weather reports and estimate an arrival time directly.” Fred seemed happy to be back at work on the task before them.

  “Mr. D’Arcey!” His voice had been louder than he had intended it seemed as the second engineer jumped as he called for him.

  "Oui Capitain?"

  "Sorry about that Sir, didn’t mean to shout, been a long day for all of us. Whats the best time estimate to refuel, if you please?"

  "One or two hours maybe? I do not know how long the refuel will take here. I hope the fuel-men will be better than ze ground-men."

  “Gentlemen, these are my orders...” he paused to make sure he had the bridge crew’s attention. “... At first light tomorrow we are heading directly for northern Denmark, so as soon as we are secure I advise you to get some rest. Fred, when will you have that course ready for me to review?”

  Fred turned from the charts on his desk to look at his Captain. “eef you will recall mon capitain, I was just finishing the course to pick up Mr. Starblower first. I assumed if not now then later we’d pick up the boss. Did you want me to drop that completely?”

  Jerard chuckled, he should not encourage the man’s disrespect but Fred’s fake french accent did sound amazingly like D’Arcey’s. “Indeed I do Sir,” he replied in a mock severe tone, “our plans have changed so all I want from you is the route to Aalborg. ‘Toute Suit’ Do I make my self clear Mr. Randall?”

  “As crystal Sir!” Fred replied in a rather more serious tone and with a smart salute, while D’Arcey gave them both a withering look before returning his gaze to the dials and gauges of his board.

  “Good.” Jerard grumbled, for effect. “Gentlemen I am going first to meet with Mr. Nichols briefly and then I will be in my cabin. I need to have a brief meeting with Colonel Carstares and then with Miss Smythe-Harris. I ask that I not be disturbed unless it is an emergency.

  The chorus of ‘aye captains’ followed Jerard out the door.

  A few moments later Mr. Wallace slid back into the bridge from the anti chamber. “He’s gone.”

  “So come on Jonesy! What did the message say?” Fred said, getting
up and moving towards Jones’s desk.

  “You know I can’t tell you that.” Aneurin said grinning like a fool.

  “Come on Annie,” Wallace said as he moved to stand beside Jones, “ Ya know you’re gonna tell us...give over man. Why aren’t we picking up Mr. Starblower?”

  “Don’t call me Annie!” Jones said in mock irritation before he grinned again. “Oh this is even better than actually picking him up! The boss wants that stuffed shirt Carstares to take his place and pretend to be him!”

  “You are jesting Monsieur Jones!” D’Arcey said in stunned disbelief.

  “I doubt it,” William Wallace said laughing, “our Mr. Starblower does some crazy things. And this one sounds right up his alley.”

  “I think I’m going to like this Starblower.” Fred said joining Wallace and Jones in their laughter.

  Mr. D’Arcey just stared at his crewmates. It seemed like he was hardly able to take in what he had heard.

  As Jerard approached his cabin door he couldn’t help shaking his head. His briefing with Mr. Nichols had gone well but Jerard had expected the man to be surprised at the turn of events. Heaven only knows his shock at reading the telegram had been monumental, yet Nichols just nodded and smiled when he read it. Jerard had the distinct feeling that he had missed something but as to what, he hadn’t a clue. Ah well, to the task at hand, he thought and unlocked his door.

  At least Mr. Howell and the chef had gotten back earlier than expected and were already loading the provisions. Although neither of them were happy that he sent Mr. Tanner to fetch the Colonel but they would get over it. I am the Captain, after all. Jerard issued a heavy sigh and got down one of the fine bottles of Scotch that seemed to be a trademark of this ship. He was just checking that the pair of glasses he found was clean when the expected knock on his cabin door sounded.

  He opened it to a smiling Tanner and a somewhat annoyed Colonel. Carstares pushed past Tanner and demanded to know why he had been summoned like a lackey. Jerard ignored his out burst and smiled at the steward. “Mr. Tanner, if you would be so kind, I have further need of your assistance.”

  “Of course Sir.” Tanner replied.

  “In approximately 30 minutes, please ask Miss Smythe-Harris to join us here.”

  “Very good Sir, will you be requiring anything else?” Tanner asked, purposely eyeing the two glasses in Jerard’s hand.

  Catching the man’s hint Jerard laughed. “Yes, and a tray with Miss Smythe-Harris’ favorite libation.”

  “Excellent Sir. I shall return in 30 minutes with Miss Smythe-Harris and refreshments.”

  Jerard closed the door firmly and turned to the Colonel. “Sir, thank you for meeting me here and at this hour. I apologize that you felt summoned but I felt that my cabin would be the best place for this conversation.

  “Oh?” Carstares replied dropping into one of the two chairs set at the end of Jerard’s bed.

  Jerard did not reply, he just handed one of the glasses to Carstares and turned to take up the bottle of Scotch. Taking his time he poured a measure in his own glass and then poured for the Colonel. Jerard was determined to take control of this conversation from the very beginning and it would begin when he was ready. He set the bottle down on the chest between the chairs and sat in the vacant one. He raised his glass in salute to Carstares, muttered a faint “cheers” and took a sip. The Colonel raised a curious eyebrow and did the same. Jerard sat back in the chair and looked at Carstares for a long moment before he spoke.

  “I have received a telegram from Mr. Starblower.”

  “Well why didn’t you just say so man?” Carstares said setting his glass down with a thump and getting to his feet.

  “Please sit down Colonel. There is much to discuss.”

  “I would have rather thought there was much to do Captain Phillips. Do we pick up Starblower or not? Either way, you should be busy getting this ship in the air.”

  Jerard leaned forward and set his own glass down sharply. He had been expecting something like this from Carstares and was ready. “My ship, Sir, will be refueled sometime in the next hour. At daybreak tomorrow we shall depart. As I said Colonel, I have received my orders. Now, if you will please resume your seat, I will be happy to relay them to you.

  “Now see here Phillips, I am in charge of this mission...”

  Jerard interrupted, “And I, Sir, am in charge of this ship.”

  “That may be so Sir, but under the Crown…”

  “Shut-up and sit down!” Jerard roared, leaping to his feet and facing down the irate Colonel.

  “I beg your pardon!” Carstares shouted back.

  “I think you heard me Sir.” Jerard replied calmly and smoothly resumed his own seat.

  The Colonel raised his eyebrow again, and abruptly sat back down. “I see, the pup has a backbone. All right Phillips you’ve made your point. I am guessing from the Scotch and private meeting that I am not going to like what you’re about to say.” Carstares picked up his glass and took a long drink. “And, unless I miss my guess, the indomitable Miss. Smythe-Harris is not going to like it either.”

  “I believe that to be true, Sir. Colonel, if we are to pull off what Mr. Starblower has suggested we must be willing to work as a team.”

  “Go on. I find that I am anxious to hear this suggestion.”

  "Mr. Starblower has been slightly injured during his expedition and will not be able to join us regardless of any one's wishes. While not entirely happy with the suggestion that he would become directly involved in our intrigue, Mr. Starblower conceded the idea of using his status to our advantage. He suggested that as he is not well known outside England..."

  "The man’s damned near a recluse in England as well Captain," the Colonel snorted.

  "...agreed Sir, but my employer pointed out that we might be able to, on this occasion, put that to our advantage."

  "How so?"

  "Were you aware that Mr. Starblower is about your own age Sir?" Jerard let the sentence hang in the air, waiting for the Colonel to make an obvious connection.

  "Good God! He's not serious!" Carstares roared, as his eyes nearly popped from his face.

  "Why not Sir? As you yourself just admitted his face is not well known outside, or even within, the Empire.” Jerard strove for a calm tone and even demeanor. If Starblower’s plan were to work then then this was the first hurdle. “Think about this Carstares, you know the intricacies of this mission. How much more useful will it be to you to frame our requests for aid directly to Gylendfeldt? This scenario completely removes the necessity of petitioning through a third party, one to which you'd have to explain what you needed at every turn?"

  "The idea is preposterous Phillips!"

  "Which is why it will hardly be expected by our foes and our friends alike. It has, as I can see it, only one real obstacle."

  Carstares sat fuming in his chair. Brows furrowed as he considered the staggering proposal. Eventually he looked up. "What is the sole obstacle you can see then Captain Phillips?" Sarcasm edged the disgruntled man's voice.

  "Miss Smythe Harris. That's why I asked for you a full half hour before I asked to see her. Her aid in allowing you to pull off such a deception is mandatory. She has a seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of Mr. Starblower's holdings and appears to handle most of his business transactions, not to mention she has worked for him for years and knows the gentleman quite well.”

  “Yes? Well I don’t see how that would be an obstacle, it seems to me that we have everything we need for me to pose as her…oh!” Carstares began to chuckle.

  Jerard could not keep the smile from his own face nor squash the merriment in his voice. “Precisely Colonel, her boss.”

  “Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!” Carstares exclaimed trying to stop laughing. “This is not going to go over well, not by a half! I really don’t think anyone could boss that woman around! This Starblower must be one amazing man, not to mention having the patience of a saint!” Carstares fished out his handkerchief and mopped at hi
s brow. “I take it Sir that Mr. Starblower has left it to you to convince her to go along with this little intrigue?”

  Jerard drained his glass before nodding solemnly. Oh please, Jerard prayed silently, watching the Colonel take all of this in, let him continue being the perfect gentleman. A stuffy and occasionally hide bound gentleman, but one none the less. They were both going to have to treat Tash with kid gloves for this to work, that is if Carstares agrees to go through with it.

  “Alright Sir; I don’t see that we have any alternative here, do you?”

  “No. So does this mean that you’ll do it?” Jerard asked, his face neutral while his thoughts silently begged the man’s cooperation.

  Carstares picked up the bottle of Scotch and refilled his glass. Jerard held his up as well. When it was done Carstares raised his glass, “For Queen and Country!”

  “For Queen and Country” Jerard repeated touching his glass to Carstares’, he was not able to squash the grateful sigh. He was, how ever, surprised that the Colonel repeated a seemingly identical sigh.

  “God only knows I’ve done much more dangerous work but truly none a strange as this!”

  Taking a good long pull from the glass Jerard fervently agreed.

  “So Captain, how are we going to get Miss. Smythe-Harris to agree to this?”

  "She is fiercely loyal to Mr. Starblower. I am hoping that when we explain that it is his wish that this be done she will agree; well, when she regains her composure at least…”

  “At least.” Carstares repeated. He opened his mouth to put fourth a suggestion but was halted by a knock at the door. “A half hour already?” Carstares said as he pulled out his pocket watch and flipped it open. Phillips shrugged as Carstares said, “It's only now a quarter to, it’s been barely ten minutes since I sat down.”

  “Come.” Jerard called.

  The door swung open and in stepped Tash. “Why there you both are! I was looking for you.”

  Both men hurriedly got to their feet, Jerard hated surprises and here she was doing it to him again. “Miss Smythe-Harris! What a lovely surprise, here, please take my seat.”