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

by Giles

  Jones’ voice came back surprised. “Crosswinds Sir, Herr Von Ulric says he has a top wind that's making a mid air dock impracticable. He suggests we set down on the lake if we hate German soil so much and we can ‘talk’ then.”

  “Not a bad try, don’t you think Mr. Jones? Tell him no dice, and to stop playing about. I am not impressed, merely disappointed he couldn’t whip his new ship into the same form he had his Falkonne in a few months ago.”

  “I doubt he’ll be pleased to hear that Captain.” Jones sounded apprehensive.

  “He’s not supposed to be Mr. Jones.” Phillips sighed. “Just get him down here please, I know he can do it and he knows I know as well. I for one have had enough of foreign buggers playing games with me today, haven't you?”

  Jerard stepped away from the speaking grill to watch the Zeppelin adjust its position for a third try. Nichols shoved one of the four wicker chairs towards him so he could observe sitting down. Jerard looked at the chair and nearly shook his head. He did not want to show any weakness either to Von Ulric or to Lance. The sight of the chair made him recall another tactic from that encounter back in Incinnian a few days ago; this one from Colonel Carstares. Stepping back to the speaking grill he flipped it open once again. “Captain to Mr. Howell.”

  “Howell here, what can I do for you Sir?”

  “Please have a pot of tea and a book sent up here directly.”

  “Sir?”

  “Yes Jon?”

  “Never mind Sir. Which book would you like?”

  “Any one. Its not for reading but for the look of things.”

  “Oh, I think I see Sir. Tea and ‘The Art of War’ coming right up!”

  Phillips slid in to the seat by the rear window, trying to hide a grin. Nichols taking another next to him. “How is this going to work Captain?” Nichols asked respectfully.

  “We’re by and large going to tell the truth Mr. Nichols. Von Ulric’s a smart man he’ll realize this is above his pay grade and call for orders. I understand that the good Colonel has woken up and Tash is filling him in on the situation since his fight. As long as we don’t let Von Ulric do something precipitous I expect Colonel Carstares to negotiate with his opposite number in the Prussian intelligence division and eventually we all go home.”

  “What about the French?”

  “Well if that other Zep even catches sight of them we’re in the clear so much faster. If not it may take a little longer to explain our presence here in Germany. But the only real problem I see is Mr. D’Arcey.”

  “D’Arcey? How so Captain he’s a spy and surely he knew the risks when he agreed to be one.”

  “You're correct technically, but without him we could not have delayed Gaspe long enough to recover Miss Tash and the Doctor. He can never go back to France now, not after that. I know what it feels like thinking you can never show you face in your own home again.”

  “You're not going to hand him over are you Captain.” Nichols said slowly. It was a statement not a question.

  “No. I was abandoned by my superior officer not so long ago, and as Fred never seems to tire of reminding me, this is not the military. No Jules D’Arcey disappeared after the duel and was never seen again as far as anyone need know. We found a confession and the diversion note in his cabin. Then have Jon make up the note in case we’re asked to produce it later. Have him make it dramatic and hint at suicide as his only option to restore his honor. The Prussians will accept that, they always seem to be killing each other over some hair splitting point of honor. It will seem logical to them.” Phillips said with more than a hint of irony in his voice.

  “I heard about half of that Captain.” Tash’s voice rang from behind them. “Please tell me the rest of your devious plans Captain Phillips, and what’s all this about Mr. D’Arcey?”

  Nichols and Phillips hastily got to their feet as the lady stalked towards them from the ladder well. Nichols hastening to grab another chair.

  Jerard studied the young woman's face for a second before replying. Another part of him noted that for once Gopal was nowhere lurking behind her, hopefully the man was getting Mac to look at his wound at last. “It is a long and involved story Miss Tash,” he began trying to collect his thoughts. “I shall have it in a full report for you to review and forward to Mr. Starblower once things calm down just a tad. But for now let me say that the French Captain that took you had a hold on Mr. D’Arcey but Jules turned the tables on him at the last although it nearly cost him his life to do so. I’ll not let the Germans make him into a convenient scapegoat in all this just because of his nationality. I felt you would agree, the crew of the Discretion is as family, yes?”

  Tash looked at her Captain with surprise. She had not thought he had such a care for the men he had met but a scant few days ago. While it was perhaps a shade presumptuous that he go on ahead and make such decisions without first running them by her was annoying. She couldn’t fault his devotion to duty. Perhaps Gopal was correct there was more than just a simple soldier here under his crisp oh-so-annoying military bearing. “We agree on that Jerard.” she began softly deliberately using his first name, looking for the reaction. Charmingly Phillips actually began to blush so she relented. “Lets go welcome your German friend and tell him how we saved his country acute embarrassment, shall we?”

  Phillips offered her his arm. “It would be my distinct pleasure my dear Theodosia!” he declared suavely. “Mr. Nichols, if you would be so good to get the door I see old Moritz has managed to overcome his crosswind at last.” He observed as Geoff Adams grabbed the end of the Zeppelin's mooring rope.

  Lance held the door wide as Phillips escorted Tash out to meet the German Captain and his crew.

  Epilogue

  15th July 1870

  8:50 am

  Tumbledown House

  West Dunbartonshire, Scotland

  The soft knock on the door brought Tash out of the reports and ledgers and back into her comfortably furnished study. She experienced a profound sense of deja-vu as Gopal entered the room on slippered feet. Gopal cocked his head in curiosity as she laughed out loud. “Do you know, I just realized what the date is today.”

  “I believe it is the fifteenth of July.”

  Still chuckling Tash replied, “Did you not feel it? We have been here before and done this exact same thing.”

  Gopal shrugged. “Tash it is every morning I must come and take you away from your papers and plans and urge you to break your fast.”

  “No not that you silly!” Tash laughed again. “It was one month ago today that you came into my study, interrupted my paperwork, to announce a certain Lord Mansfield. So here we are again doing the exact same thing as we did one month ago today.”

  Gopal smiled. “Yes Mem-sahib. But I believe this is quite a different situation. On that date we were in the Starblower house in London and it was tea time not breakfast time. And I might point out that our visitors are expected today. You do remember inviting our guests for breakfast?”

  “Yes I remember.” Tash said with a sigh. “It was just that I had this feeling...oh never mind! Who has arrived?"

  “Captain Phillips. He is awaiting your presence in the breakfast room.”

  “He's early.”

  “I believe he is merely following in the style you have previously set.” The Indian half bowed in ironic resignation. “Shall I tell him to go away and return in ten minutes?”

  Tash could see the smile lurking about Gopal's mouth even though his tone of voice did not betray his amusement. She snatched up a ball of paper and threw it at him. “Ohhh you!”

  Gopal neatly plucked the paper out of the air and bowed. “Madam.” He gestured towards the door.

  Tash laughed, got up from her chair and skipped around her desk. She grabbed Gopal's arm. “Shall we then?”

  Gopal could not keep a broad smile from his face as he escorted this lively sparkling woman to the breakfast room.

  “Good morning Captain Phillips!” She exclaimed as t
hey entered.

  “Well ah..! And a jolly good morning to you Miss Smythe-Harris!” Jerard returned. His vague sense of worry vanished in her bright smile. What ever it was he had been summoned here for it must not be bad news.

  “Ah Phillips! I thought I heard your voice.” Nichols called as he too entered the breakfast room and moved to shake Jerard's hand. The two men greeted each other warmly. He turned and moved to Tash's side and gave her a hug. “And you madam are looking particularly bright this morning. Will you get this over with so that I might partake of that wonderful buffet laid out?”

  “Yes that’s a capital idea Lance, but we are expecting a few more guests...” Tash trailed off mysteriously and winked at Nichols. “But they already know what’s afoot.”

  “If I may ask,” Jerard interjected his sense of worry returning. “get what over with?”

  “Oh it is a simple matter Captain Phillips. You see it occurred to myself and Mr. Nichols that you joined our crew under rather urgent circumstances. And as I recall, you agreed to a temporary situation under duress. Therefore I would officially like to offer you the position of permanent Captain of the Soul of Discretion.”

  Jerard opened and closed his mouth. He was all too aware of the circumstances of his joining the crew. He had not wanted to broach that particular subject himself, for fear he would be dismissed. Proudly he drew himself up and formally replied. “Thank you madam. I accept the position as Captain of The Soul of Discretion. Am I correct in assuming you offer this position as Mr. Starblower's chief representative?”

  Now it was Tash's turn to gape open mouthed. “Well yes, I...”

  Nichols' loud guffaw and followed laughter interrupted what she was going to say. He slapped Jerard on the back and quipped, “For someone so bright you can be a bit dense! Never mind old man let's eat!” Lance moved to the steaming tea pot and poured a cup of tea. He offered it to Jerard in a manner that practically demanded the Captain take it.

  Jerard was mightily confused, dense about what? But he accepted the cup without comment. He glanced at Tash and noted the smile she was trying to hide and at Gopal who was not trying to hide his smile. Never mind he told himself, he would get to the bottom of this later. For now he would celebrate his official appointment to the most wonderful job he could have ever imagined.

  The door's bell sounded and Gopal excused himself to answer it. He returned a few moments later with Jon Howell and Colonel Carstares in tow.

  Jon bowed. “I have retrieved the old rascal for you madam.”

  “Who are you calling an 'old rascal' Sir?”

  Tash giggled and offered her hand to the Colonel. “Are you denying it Sir?” she replied archley.

  “Ah madam,” Carstares said as he bowed over her hand. “I would never deny you anything.”

  “Looks like you pegged it Jon, old rascal it is!” Nichols moved forward to shake the Colonel’s hand. “It is good to see you again Sir. How are you feeling?”

  “Quite well, thank you. It seems your man McPhearson is the envy of every surgery in London. I don't doubt they will try to get him away from you. Watch out Tash.” The Colonel grinned. “And Phillips! What a pleasant surprise! I had heard you had gone down to visit with your parents. But as you’re here, please tell me you have accepted this fine lady's offer.”

  Jerard smiled and shook Carstares' offered hand. “I have just now Sir.”

  “Excellent! And your parents, how are they?”

  “Most well Sir. Thank you for asking. And I do have some happy news, my sister is expecting their first child. It seems I am soon to be an uncle.”

  “That's marvelous!” Carstares exclaimed and shook Jerard's hand again.

  Tash waited until the congratulations had all been said and gestured towards the buffet. “Shall we gentlemen?”

  The only sounds that could heard for several minutes were those of her guests filling their plates and taking seats around the table. Tash filled her own plate last and sat down.

  She looked around the table at her friends. Yes, they were her friends she realized and it was so wonderful to see Gopal sitting by her side for a change. She hated the servant’s role he always put himself in but she understood why it was necessary. And there were Lance and Jon, engaged in their constant debates, she knew better than to get involved in these discussions that ranged from politics to fine dining to the best way to clean freshly shot fowl. Nichols looked after her and her ship, Jon was the brother in mischief she never had growing up. Robert Carstares, sitting to her other side was as usual heartily enjoying his food while never missing a nuance of what was going on around them. Who could have known that he would become such a dear friend and confident, a man she respected and a man who returned that respect to her.

  But where did Jerard Phillips fit in? She was as confident in his loyalty and competence as she was for each of the others, yet there was something about him. He was rather direct, but instead of being simple and shallow she found that refreshing. He was a trifle naive, but instead of irritating her she now found the trait charming in a boyish sort of way. Realising he caught her staring at him over her tea cup she blushed as Jerard raised an eyebrow as if to say “can I help you madam?” She quickly returned her attention to her plate and therefor did not notice Jon getting up to refill his own. She jumped when Jon leaned over her shoulder.

  “Caught you staring at him, you’re hooked Tash.” The roguish man whispered.

  “Don’t be silly Jon” she whispered back

  “Betcha a pound?”

  “You're impossible! Sir, just eat will you!” she said in mock irritation. She was glad to note that no one else seem to hear their little exchange.

  The meal continued on in companionable silence for a while until Lance sat back and asked. “So Tash, have you heard from Dr. Nordstrom? How does he fare?”

  “Oh, quite well actually. I had a letter from Millie just yesterday and she says her father is ready to get back to work. She tells me that he does not remember much of his adventure. Which I suppose is just as well. I feel awful that he was under our nose all that time. I suppose it is some small consolation that even his daughter did not recognize him...” Tash trailed off.

  “None of us recognized him Tash. I was even working side by side with him on many occasions and I failed to see him. As our Wallace would say, 'don't cha be blamin' yer sel over this bit 'o villainy!”

  Tash smiled at Nichols' horrible Scottish accent and waved away further discussion. She really did not want to talk about that part of the whole sordid affair. Her emotions ran from anger to guilt and back again too fast for her to make sense of it.

  “Regardless,” Carstares said. “we are heroes in the eyes of those that matter. Have you seen the news papers? The French ambassador has insulted the Prussian King Wilhelm.

  “I did see that!” Jon Howell exclaimed. “And I tell you I smell a rat here.” He waved his fork in Carstares' direction.

  “How so Sir?” Jerard asked.

  It was Carstares that replied. “Because there would be no good reason for the French ambassador to insult the King. If anything he would have been trying to carefully persuade Wilhelm for more concessions over the succession to the Spanish throne.”

  Jon nodded emphatically and took another bite of egg. After chewing thoughtfully for a few moments he waved his fork again. “I think the rat is Bismark. And I think the rat wants a war and I also further propose the French will give it to him, mark my words.”

  Carstares sighed. “Yes our political analysts agree with you and this is precisely why we shall agree to remain the unsung heroes.”

  “But, Von Ulric and his officers knew what happened with the fake kidnapping. We told them everything. They went after Gaspe.” Phillips said.

  “But they never caught him. The bast...er...um...excuse me Tash. The villain got clean away. No sign of him or his airship. Fortunately Von Ulric had been hauling around the Prussian diplomat and he and Gyldenfeldt got together and smoothed eve
rything over. Or should I say hushed it up? It is quite odd how that worked out. Who would have thought that the Lensbaron Gyldenfeldt of Aalborg, the man who hates Germans, actually worked together with a Prussian diplomat?” Carstares said and looked pointedly at Tash.

  Tash shrugged her shoulders and tried to hide her smile. It was just as well no one else was aware of the extra concessions the LensBaron had rung out of her over that little bit of help. And it was just as well the LensBaron was not aware of the deal she had cut with the Prussian diplomat over leather supplies that would eventually make it to the new Danish factory. While Starblower Limited would not be making a great deal of profit over the Danish factory in Aalborg, they would be getting something far more valuable, a foothold into Europe and the ability to create jobs.

  “Regardless, if the French and the Prussians go to war the Empire will be well out it, thanks to the work we did.” Carstares continued. “Oh yes and that reminds me....” He reached into the breast pocket of his jacket and drew out three white envelopes. He looked at them and smiled before handing the first one to Tash. “That's the new paperwork for a Mr. Julian Darcey of Guensey whom you recently employed madam.” He said with fake gravity.

  Tash smiled. “This must contain the official documents making our Mr. D'Arcey a citizen of the British Empire.” Carstares nodded. Tash glanced at the documents and passed them on to her chief engineer.

  “Oh well done Carstares, I see your hand in that one!” Jon said.

  The Colonel bowed his head and smiled. “I agreed with Captain Phillips, while Mr. Darcey (he pronounced it the English way) may have started out on one side he wisely choose to join us and should be rewarded. When Tash told me of her's and Phillips' intention to offer him a permanent position aboard the Discretion I thought it was the least I could do.” All at the table nodded their agreement. “This is for you Captain Phillips” The colonel declared, passing Jerard a smaller envelope “and this is the main one for you Tash.” Sliding the last packet towards Tash his face broke into a grin