Part 26 (1/2)
”The only thing that could stop the reaction at this point is another opposite reaction,” he said. ”And we don't have the tools or the time. It's progressed too far. In only a few minutes-”
”Then we have no choice,” Abigail said. She drew his father's invention from her pocket.
”I'll do it,” Jeremiah said, reaching for the modified watch; Abigail glared at him and kept the device out of his reach.
”I will do it,” she announced.
”But William needs you.”
”You can look after him,” she said. ”Barring that, your mother can help,” she said. ”And besides, I may be able to return.”
”I told you, my father never got the blasted time machine to work right,” Jeremiah said. ”We have absolutely no idea if either of us can come back. Or if we'll even survive. Or if it'll even work like we think it will,” he added.
”We have to do something,” she said. ”And I refuse to let you do it alone.”
”And I refuse to let you do the same.”
”Then what shall we do?”
Jeremiah paused. Behind them, the bomb groaned and creaked as the pressure mounted.
”We must do it together,” he told her.
At long last, Abigail submitted; she held out the watch to Jeremiah, who took it into his own, drawing her close.
”Hold my waist tightly, Madame,” he told her, and then they lifted the pocket watch high above their heads.
And then, all around them, time began to slow to a crawl...
CHAPTER 26: IN WHICH BREAKFAST IS HAD AND EMOTIONS RUN HIGH.
When Snips finally awoke, she was surprised to find herself in a rather comfortable bed, stashed away in Mr. Watts' manor house. She could tell it was Mr. Watts' manor house because the far wall was missing-instead, she had a lovely view of the distant trees and a sweeping waterfall that flowed down and splashed across the edge where the floor ended.
She blinked groggily and moved to sit up; at once, a blossoming flare of pain erupted in her left side. Deciding to take her body's advice, she dropped back into bed and tried to piece together all that had happened.
Before she got very far, she discovered she was not alone.
”Good morning, Miss Snips,” Miss Primrose announced, stepping into the room. She was dressed in a fresh gown, as conservative as ever. However, a new bandage was attached to her forehead and her right arm was in a sling. ”I trust you are doing well?”
”Hat,” Snips croaked.
”Oh, yes. I forgot,” Miss Primrose said, reaching to the front of the bed. Snips' favored hat sat on top of a bedpost; she quickly nudged it over. Snips s.n.a.t.c.hed it up greedily and shoved it on her head.
”What happened?” Snips asked, finding her voice was rough from lack of practice. ”How long was I out?”
”Only for the rest of the night,” Miss Primrose explained.
”You've suffered a few mild injuries, nothing too grievous.
Apparently, you had a mild concussion.”
”William-” She began. ”There was something on his chest. I can't recall the details, but-is he all right?”
”He is,” Miss Primrose said, nodding. ”It's actually quite an amazing phenomenon, Miss Snips. His heart is a machine.”
”Figures,” Snips said, and then she laughed, looking down at herself. Her previous attire was long gone; in its place was one of Miss Primrose's ivory nightgowns. Snips glared furiously as she drew the covers up over it. ”Uh, do you have my old clothes?”
”Yes, but they are in a wretched state at the moment,” Miss Primrose said. ”At the very least, I insist that you allow them to be properly cleaned before wearing them once more.”
”Where is William?”
”Downstairs. But please, Miss Snips. Rest. You've been under considerable strain,” she said.
Snips closed her eyes, laying back against the pillow. ”I didn't get a chance to tell you what I found out last night-”
”Neither did I,” Miss Primrose said, looking down at the floor.
”Mr. Eddington didn't kill Copper-”
”Count Orwick has closed the case-”
Both spoke simultaneously; both gave the other a start.
When they had calmed down a bit, they explained each other's discoveries in turn; Miss Primrose's realization that Orwick wanted them to continue the case in an unofficial capacity, and Snips'
discovery that Eddington was not responsible, but another party was-controlling Mr. Eddington for unknown reasons.
”This man in the jackal mask you mentioned,” Miss Primrose said. ”Do you know him?”
”No,” Snips replied begrudgingly. ”But I know the fellows he works for.”
”Who?”
”The same ones who probably gave William his mechanical heart,” Snips said. ”The Society of Distinguished Gentlemen.”
”It sounds like some sort of polite book club,” Miss Primrose said.
”In a way, that's what it is,” Snips said. ”But I can a.s.sure you, their intentions are anything but polite. Look, I need to speak to William. There are some very important things he needs to know.”
”Very well,” Miss Primrose said.
William was enjoying breakfast with Jacob near the docks; although they were immersed in conversation, they both quieted down when Snips limped her way out and towards William. Jacob suddenly excused himself (”A certain matter concerning a certain private who will remain unnamed,” he explained), leaving the two alone.