HAWTHORNE: Chronicles of the Brass Hand: Mystirio Astronomiki

by Christopher C. Meeker

  I enjoyed a splendid meal and on occasion, when the chance arose, chatted up a good number of the inn’s patrons, mentioning first about the fire at the observatory and later recounting the tales of my skirmish with the Egyptian and his lackeys. This I did hoping to draw out some person or persons, by way of their reaction, that would present some indication I was indeed pursuing the proper course of my somewhat adventitious investigation, which after a fashion proved itself out as a single gentleman, rather fascinated by my tales, joined me at my table, listening in wonder as I once again told of all my happenings since I had departed London.

  My guest had introduced himself as Mister Virgil Hall, and although he was a cheerful and gregarious gentleman, I once again, throughout our conversation during that evening, felt the familiar twinge of discomfort deep within my core that has plagued me as of late whenever something was amiss, the most recent when I had espied the chaplain wandering the halls of the airbase some several nights ago.

  I would later learn to trust this feeling in earnest and to some degree, learn to employ it in a number of different ways according to certain special circumstances, thus allowing my actions to be guided in the appropriate manner. Nevertheless, at the present time it still remained a simple feeling, which would on occasion bear itself to fruition.

  Virgil revealed to me that he had lived in Tulbagh for the entirety of his life and that as regular practice would often spend a good portion of his time at the inn hoping, for an occasion just as this, that some visitor would arrive with news from the outer parts of the country, or perhaps, a story or two to lighten his heart, as he spent most of his days in the mines to the east where there was heard very little of current happenings elsewhere.

  At the mention of his working the mines, I queried Virgil as to what manner of ore was being taken, and as I had suspected, he informed me that it was indeed vermiculite, the very material found at the observatory, the very material that prompted my journey and led me to Tulbagh and this very inn, and, with a bit of good fortune, would lead me further to evidence that might be used in ascertaining the identity of whoever was responsible for that most contemptible deed: the burning of the observatory.

  It was at this time I inquired of Virgil if it might be possible for me to visit the mines, for I was quite interested in the material and its possible future uses in industry, citing Father's recent investment with the mining company as the source of my desire for the inspection. Although this was not altogether true and I used the excuse but to gain entrance to the mines, it was, however, in part an honest request as I have a sincere interest in my father's dealings and desired to satisfy my curiosity concerning its operation as well.

  It was with no amount of subtleness that my new friend avoided the question altogether by ordering another pint, and, having the sense to know when a matter should not be pressed, I directed our conversation to other more mundane matters. It was thus that we continued conversing but a short time longer until Virgil announced that he must take his leave, as he was due back at the mines at dawn the next morning, and as employment was scarce in Tulbagh, he could not afford to be sacked.

  I remained at the table for some time, gazing into the flames of the fireplace, until drowsiness set upon me in full and feeling that I must retire, lest I be found in the same location as I now sat the following morning, returned to my room for a quiet night’s slumber. This, however, was not to be the case for as soon as I entered my chambers, I was set upon by several rather large men and, as the room was cast in complete darkness, I was unable to glimpse the likeness and number of my assailants.

  Though I struggled with all the strength which remained within me against the aggressors, it was to no avail, for I was well outmatched in strength and number. My attackers grasped me about my legs and arms, and in their powerful grip I was dragged to the floor and there held fast until both my wrists and ankles were bound by rope, my mouth gagged, and my head hooded by an old flour sack.

  It was in this manner that I was carried down the narrow stairs, through the main floor of the inn, and out into the cold night air where I was deposited at once, and with no amount of grace, into the back of a wagon of one sort or another, and was hurried away into the darkness across a road whose ruts and stones were exaggerated by the iron clad wheels of the horse drawn cart, jostling me about as I lay prone, bouncing as each stone or gouge served as a small catapult that launched me into the air, the number of times I cannot recall throughout the several hours of that most uncomfortable journey.

  In one instance, however, I was able to reach the sack which covered my head and with some effort raise it enough so that, with my right eye alone, I was able to view my surroundings. This action was met with a sharp kick to my lower back, and in a moment’s notice the sack was yanked back down, covering my head once again. Nonetheless, in that brief amount of time I was able to catch a glimpse, with clarity for the night sky was cloudless and sharp, of the stars and other celestial bodies in their positions in the heavens above, the least of which was not the full and bright Moon casting its reflected light upon the landscape below.

  It was by this familiar satellite and its place in the night sky that I was able to, though not with great accuracy, determine that we were travelling east toward the Witzenberg mountains and the vermiculite mines which lay at their base, the very place I had hoped to visit in the course of my investigation, albeit by a somewhat more accommodating means.

  Upon reaching our destination, after several long hours of jarring travel, we entered the mines proper. Of this I was sure as there could be no mistaking the dampness and echoing expanse of the first large chamber, as the quiet sounds of stalactites dripping mineral-rich liquid to their stalagmite counterparts on the floor below sounded in muffled, hollow beats. I was indeed convinced that we had entered the mines beneath the Witzenberg mountains, and I was convinced also I would somehow extricate myself from the ropes that bound me, finish my investigation, and escape the confines of those stone halls to tell of my discovery. I could not, however, at this time, conceive of any means by which to do this.

  Within a short time of entering the mines, the wagon stopped and I was hauled from the back of the cart, where my ankles were cut free of the rope and I was raised to my feet. My abductors then led me, hands still bound and head hooded, through the tunnels of the mine, twisting and turning as we proceeded farther downward into the dank underground catacombs, my sense of direction now being all at once lost and feeling quite ill at ease with regard to my predicament. Were I ever to escape these dark halls, I felt I would be hard pressed to imagine an occasion where I could be, in some future occurrence, enticed to return to such a place as this, for the whole experience was quite unpleasant and unnerving in the extreme.

  Upon reaching our destination I was flung forward in quite a rude fashion, causing me to land hard upon the ground, and while climbing to my feet, I heard the sound of some large door being slammed shut behind me, which I surmised was the door of some crude prison of sorts. I listened for the footsteps of my captors to recede, and when I was certain they had returned to the tunnels which we had just traversed, I removed the hood covering my head, for my hands had been tied before me, and in the dark of the darkest places ever I had been, began to feel my way about the small prison cell.

  I was soon able to determine that my prison was but a mere alcove of sorts, hewn from the rock of the mines themselves and sealed with a door of iron bars secured to a frame constructed in the same manner as the door itself. I continued to feel about the place until my hand crossed over the surface of a rather craggy and sharp outcropping of stone, which I employed to free myself from the rope wound tight about my wrists. This I accomplished with some patience and effort, and once freed felt encouraged that I might somehow escape my incarceration after all.

  With the last of the Congreves, I was able to illuminate my surroundings with as much light as the small wooden splint could afford, which was quite a significant amount when c
onsidering the diminutive nature of my confines and the complete and total darkness with which I was surrounded. So much so that at the very first showing of the flame, small as it was, I was forced to squint from the sudden brightness of it, for by then my eyes had become quite accustomed to the perfect blackness.

  Although the flame was alight for but a moment, it was long enough to take good notice of my surroundings. The details of which included the breadth, width, and height of the small cell as well as the meagre furnishings within, which consisted of a bench fashioned from a rather rough plank of some length and two barrels standing upon end, a crate, and the iron-barred door, the focus of my examination before the small flame went out.

  While I was able to inspect the great door of my cell, I happened to notice the hinges, of which I was certain were of a type of design that was no longer in use due to the ease with which their purpose could be defeated. This particular design of hinge relied upon the weight of its material alone to keep the door in place and ensure its continued functioning; therefore, there was no peening to the pivot. If I were able to lift the door in sufficient manner, I would be able loose it from the frame and make certain my escape.

  With this in mind I fashioned a crude lever from the plank, which served as a bench, and one of the small barrels to act as the fulcrum. I placed the slender board beneath the door and positioned the barrel so as to make the most efficient use of my efforts and, once all was in place, pushed down on the far end of the narrow timber, which raised the opposite and lifted the pivots from the hinge. Once the door had been raised to an effective height I pushed the plank but a small amount, shifting the heavy door away from its frame in such a manner as to cause it to lean at an awkward angle where it teetered for a moment, held in place by the locking mechanism alone, before falling into the tunnel without, causing such racket I was sure my actions would be discovered.

  I paused for several moments, listening in the darkness, and after being satisfied no one had been alerted to my activities, felt it rather safe to exit the tiny prison and made my way through the tunnels. I hoped to find my way to freedom; however, being hooded as I was upon entry of the mine, I was unsure which direction the exit lay. However, I recalled a rather sharp turn to the left before being thrust into the cell, and thus I decided I would proceed to the right upon exiting.

  After traversing the tunnels for some time, it became quite clear to me that I was as lost as one could be. I found myself unable to discern with any accuracy in which direction I was heading, north or south, east or west. Up and down were but the sole directions I could be certain of; neither of which were of any use to me at the present time. Had I continued on I would have without question wandered about the maze of tunnels until I perished of starvation, an event which I feared would not be long in coming.

  I had quite given up all hope of finding my way about the mine when I heard, ever so faint in the distance, echoing through the dark tunnels, the sound of someone speaking and moving about. I waited a moment to determine whether the sounds approached or receded relative to my location and then, being careful not to create even the slightest disturbance, crept with delicate steps toward their source.

  Each sound echoed throughout the mine, making it somewhat difficult to locate the exact position of where they originated and causing me to, on more than several occasions, double back and retrace my steps until I located the source. After some time I was able to see a faint glow of light emanating from the end of one of the tunnels, and as I approached with every caution I caught sight of two figures just beyond the entrance of a chamber, lit by a single torch hung upon the outer wall, much like the cell I had earlier occupied, speaking in hushed voices and gesturing with their hands as if embroiled in some argument concerning a matter that was of great importance, for it seemed to me that both became more ardent with each exaggerated articulation. As the argument reached its pinnacle, their whispers grew to just less than shouts.

  With abruptness the conversation ended and the figures, clad all in black, turned to exit. I, fearing discovery, backed into the shadows in the hope that they would pass me by undetected. This worked to my advantage and as soon as they had travelled down the tunnel some distance, I withdrew from my place of concealment and entered the room, being careful that no others remained within until at last I found myself standing in the very centre of the chamber, peering with incredulity at what I had discovered therein.

  Upon further inspection, the place appeared to be a sort of laboratory containing every object imaginable for use in some manner of scientific experimentation, study, or research, although into what subject I was uncertain. A table to one side held a numerous arrangement of bottles, jars, sample and boiling tubes, flasks, and other containers filled with various liquids of every type and colour. These too I could but venture a guess as to their usage and intended purpose.

  In the near centre of the room, mere footsteps away, was a large operating table as one would find in any hospital or infirmary, save for the leather restraining straps used to keep the more ungovernable patients from harming themselves or their physicians. Alongside the table, affixed to a wheeled stand, was a large tray rife with all manner of medical instruments, the majority of which consisted of syringes of varying length and calibre. The remainder of the objects appeared to be scalpels, dishes, small squares of white linen, a portion of which were stained brown with what appeared to be aged blood, and several other items I could not at once identify.

  The room and its contents caused in me a feeling of dread, and it was not unreasonable to conclude from my surroundings that some manner of unpleasant goings-on took place in this chamber, whether for good or ill I had no difficulty in discerning, for the pit of my stomach quite raged against my physical being near the point of feeling an uncontrollable urge to flee the place with immediate haste – never to return again. It was while I entertained this very thought that my eyes fell upon such a fantastic sight that I was unable to tear myself away from the spot in which I stood, for my feet were affixed firm to the ground and my gaze to the objects before me.

  Against the wall farthest from me, hidden in part within the shadows, standing upright as a row of infantry prepared for inspection, was a number of iron coffins not altogether dissimilar from the one in which the girl, Ophelia, had been held at the temple in the Congo. It was therefore, in evidence of these iron maidens which stood before me, that I concluded it was the most wicked of scoundrels, one by whose own hand had caused so many of our sufferings, aggressions, and captivity, every manner of evil-doing which had befallen the Stratos, and indeed even the destruction of the observatory, that had been responsible for all: the Egyptian.

  As I was examining the metal caskets, I became aware of the slightest of sounds behind me as though someone were attempting to approach undetected, intending to do me no small amount of harm, creeping in a most devious manner, as it were, in order that they might attack, disallowing me any opportunity of retaliation.

  Despising the notion of being returned to my confines, I wheeled about and, pivoting on one foot, prepared to lunge myself at my attacker; however, as ready as I was for a clash, I was stopped short by the barrel of a rather ominous revolver, a sort unlike any of which I had ever seen heretofore. Not having any affinity for a premature demise, I stayed my clenched fists and remained as I stood until he who trained the weapon upon my panting breast emerged from within the shadows, revealing his identity to me.

  Imagine what great relief I felt when Coleman stepped forward, and we each recognized the other. Lowering his revolver he explained to me that he had begun to follow me the very night I had departed the observatory, for he had learned of my discovery of the shoe prints and had suspicion that I might endanger myself in the pursuit of those responsible for the destruction of the observatory. He confessed also that he too wished to find the Egyptian and discover for himself what awful schemes he was making ready for, as he believed as well, through proof of evidence, he was somewhat i
f not altogether involved with all that had occurred thus far.

  I recounted to Coleman the whole of what had transpired and that which I had surmised regarding the Egyptian and his involvement with every incident I have mentioned heretofore, and he was compelled by all that I had said, and the evidence he bore witness to himself, to agree with me on every point. It was also his opinion that it was very fortuitous I had stumbled upon the lab, for he was certain it would give up many secrets concerning the Egyptian and his coterie, a most contemptible assemblage, who had been plaguing London and all of civilization for untold generations.

  Faced once again with a great many number of unanswered questions, we began a thorough inspection of the laboratory and the items within, wasting no time for we were certain that to delay would guarantee our discovery. Coleman penned in a small notebook, which he produced from a satchel that hung from his shoulder, while I described each item to him in the greatest of detail and in as quick a manner as I was able. Some of the smaller items, which consisted of vials of fluid, odd devices, and instruments, Coleman placed in his bag for further examination at a later time.

  As for the larger items, such as the caskets, which I conveyed my recognition of to Coleman as being almost identical to the one from which I had delivered Ophelia, a simple sketch was made to communicate the item’s details thereof and to make simple notes in respect to its possible application and operation. This was done with the greatest of accuracy, for perhaps with this information the precise plans of the Egyptian himself might in some manner be ascertained upon further investigation.

  As we continued the labour of chronicling our discovery we came upon a journal of experiments, which had in it the complete details of all goings-on in all matters in regard to the lab and activities that had taken place therein. This was a magnificent and quite fortunate find and would be certain to propel our investigative findings forward a great deal. Upon further examination we discovered that the journal was written in one of the unknown languages that had been found on the device which I had at first presented to Herschel for interpretation.