The Hidden Man: A Phineas Starblower Adventure (Phineas Starblower Adventures) (57 page)

“Where is D’Arcey?!” Phillips roared at the crewmen assembled in the bridge anteroom. His query was met with shrugs and blank stares. He looked at his pocket watch again.

"Mr. D'Arcey an’ I have adjoining quarters Sir. When I got up I noticed that his bunk has nae been slept in." Wallace said.

"Wright and I just left the aux bridge and he wasn't there either." Nichols said. He turned to Mr. Adams and Mr. Collins. "Was he in the engine room or electrical?"

Both men shook their heads and answered with no Sir's.

"Mr. Wright?" Nichols asked. "Did Mr. D'Arcey say anything when you relieved him last evening?"

Wright frowned and shook his head as if trying to remember. Finally he replied. "No Sir, not that I can recall. He just said good night Sir."

Nichols nodded and said, "Thank you Mr. Wright." He looked at Phillips and half shrugged.

Jerard moved to the speaking grill switch and depressed it. "Mr. D'Arcey to the bridge immediately! Mr. D'Arcey to the bridge!" He released the switch and stared at the grill for a moment.

"Is there a problem Captain?" Tash said as she entered the anteroom with Gopal and Carstares in tow.

Jerard looked at the speaking grill again before answering Tash. "Maybe. Mr. D'Arcey is not responding and it's nearly time for us to leave. I need to give him his orders, he will be the senior officer while we are gone."

Mr. Nichols sighed. "I suppose I can say behind."

"No." Carstares said adamantly. "We are going to need everyone designated if we are to have a chance to retrieve Dr. Nordstrom. We may have to fight our way to him."

Tash looked at Gopal and frowned. "You already know my opinion." He murmured. Tash sighed loudly and looked at the floor. After a moment she looked up and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Captain Phillips, is there some reason that I cannot be in charge while you are gone?"

"But I thought you would…" Jerard shut his mouth with a snap. His prayers had been answered! She was
not
going to insist coming along. "Why no madam," he continued. "I cannot think of a single reason. I accept your most gracious offer. The bridge is yours." He bowed to the lady.

"Mr. Jones, Mr. Wallace, which of you was on late bridge watch?"

"I was Ma'am." Jones spoke up.

"Then to bed with you Sir. Mr. Wallace you have the bridge until I return."

"Aye! Ma'am." Wallace said grinning.

"Mr. deReuter, I understand that you and Mr. Dortsman were up quite late running a new line from gas bag number 14. Both of you are dismissed to your beds as well. I will call you if you are needed."

"Thank you, Miss Tash." deReuter said and inclined his head toward her. "Come on Edmund, let's get some rest old man." Gus deReuter gently took Dortsmorn's arm and lead him off.

"Now, Mr. Wright, I understand you were on late duty, you are dismissed. Mr. Collins you have the auxiliary bridge Sir." Tash paused while the two men acknowledged her orders and moved out of the anteroom. She next turned to the stewards and Mr. Vinetti.

Mr. Phelps, Mr. Tanner and Mr. Vinetti, you are dismissed to your regular duties."

The pair of stewards both nodded and murmured 'thank you madams' before they left. Mr. Vinetti grinned at Tash. "Now
Signorina
, will you break your fast?"

Tash returned the grin. "Not quite yet Paulo, however a cup of tea would not go amiss." She winked at the chef.

"Ah
bella
, for you anything!" Paulo executed a grand bow and hurried out of the room.

The carriages were outside of the ship now, the driver's 'whoah' could be heard clearly. Roger moved to the door and opened it.

"Well, time to go then." Tash said trying to keep a neutral face. "Is there anything else Captain Phillips?"

Jerard smiled, still impresed at her decisive command and knowledge of her crew and current situation. "No madam, that was well done. We shall return as soon as possible."

Nichols moved to Tash and hugged her. He murmured against her hair, "All will be well Tash, try not to worry. We will be back before you know it and we
will
have Dr. Nordstrom."

Tash did not trust herself to speak so she just nodded yes when Nichols released her. She held her hand out to Carstares. He smiled and took it between his own. "Godspeed Sir, and be safe. Dear friends are few and far between and I would not lose any of them."

Carstares bowed over her hand and then said. "Nor will you, not today Tash."

Tash bit her lip to hold back the tears that threatened to burst forth. "Go on! Shoo! All of you! Don't keep the LensBaron waiting. She stepped forward and waved her arms like a goat herd.

Mr. McPherson was the last out of the door. "You must find D'Arcey Tash, it's important."

"I will Mac, take care of my gentlemen."

McPherson bowed, and then he was gone too. Tash watched the carriages drive off. Before she could stop it, a single tear slipped free and rolled down her face. She sighed and quickly wiped it away. Turning to Gopal she said, "And now we wait."

The sky was clear as a bell as the last of the stars faded in the glow of the rising sun. A heavy dew sparkled wetly on the green grass of Valby Park. Somewhere nearby honeysuckle was blooming, filling the warm air with it's soft scent. Carstares tugged nervously at the collar of his shirt and thought, God what a beautiful morning. He could easily think of a hundred other places he would rather be than standing here waiting for a duel to begin.

He watched Phillips greeting Reinhardt and his second and turned to Gyldenfeldt who was standing beside him. He was a little surprised to see the LensBaron smiling although on reflection he shouldn't have been. Gyldenfeldt had been fairly bouncing with excitement and had begged Carstares again to allow him to take his place. Carstares had heard of people who loved the duel but Gyldenfeldt was the first one of them he had ever met. He turned his thoughts away from the LensBaron and studied his opponent. It was good that Reinhardt was the same height as he; although of a much slighter build. The man had elected to bring his sword as well Carstares observed wryly. Perhaps he thought I'd back down and let Bodil fight him after all? Still it should not be a problem, Carstares thought, as he made up his mind to aim for the man's right thigh, away from the sheathed sabre.

Phillips, Nichols, McPherson, Reinhardt, his second and one of the Landover brothers were moving towards him. It looks like it is time to start, Carstares thought as he stepped forward.

"Gentlemen," Jerard said as he addressed Carstares and Gyldenfeldt. "May I present Count Leopold Sandberg, the ambassador of Sweden. He will be acting as Mr. Reinhardt's second."

Carstares stepped forward and shook Count Sandberg's hand. Gyldenfeldt however stood his ground and narrowed his eyes at the man. "I am surprised to see you here Leopold I did not consider this an affair of state."

The Swedish ambassador shrugged. "It is not. I am only here to see that the fight is fair."

Gyldenfeldt nodded curtly in acceptance.

Jerard Phillips opened the box he was holding. "Gentlemen, please choose your weapons and check that they are loaded properly."

Carstares motioned for Reinhardt to choose first. When he had picked up one of the pistols Carstares took the other. He did not have to check the load, he had loaded them himself but he watched as Reinhardt expertly checked the gun he had selected. The Colonel noted that Reinhardt was right handed.

"The rules of engagement have been agreed upon by all parties." Jerard stated.

Carstares had to hold back his sigh of relief that Reinhardt had agreed to the rules he had proposed. They were English standard rules but one never knew what foreigners would find acceptable.

Jerard continued. "Myself, Mr. Lance Nichols, Mr. Donald McPherson and Mr. Jeremy Landover are here as neutral parties and hereby witness this duel." Jerard waited to continue until he had nods of assent from each man standing by.

"You will begin here, standing back to back with your weapons held down at your sides. Take your positions please."

Carstares and Reinhardt took their places; Carstares chose to position himself so that the sun would be on his left when he turned to fire. He noted with satisfaction that Reinhardt did not seem to take note of the sun's position or it's potential to interfere with one's aim. He relaxed slightly at having achieved this small advantage, now if he could avoid being shot, they just might be able to pull this whole thing off.

The rest of the men immediately present stepped back a dozen steps or so before Phillips continued. "You will each pace off twenty steps to my count in your chosen directions. When I reach twenty you will turn and fire. Only one shot is permitted. Are the instructions clear?"

"Yes." Carstares said clearly.

"Of course!" Reinhardt said, sneering.

"We will begin." Phillips said. "One!"

Carstares and Reinhardt both stepped out on Jerard's count. Carstares relaxed his grip on his pistol and forced himself to breathe evenly.

"Two…Three…Four…Five…Six…Seven…Eight…Nine…Ten…"

Halfway Carstares thought and took a deep breath to clear his mind. He focused on Phillips' voice and continued pacing getting ready to turn and fire.

"Eleven…Twelve…Thirteen…Fourteen…Fifteen…Sixteen…Seventeen…Eighteen…Nineteen…"

The sound of the pistol exploded into the silence. Carstares experienced the most amazing pain in his back and side as he felt himself propelled forward. He watched as the ground seemed to rise up and block his vision. The grass tickles, he thought and it sounds like steel, like soldiers drawing swords...

Gyldenfeldt was the first to react; he drew his sword and ran towards Reinhardt. The second man to move was Mac; he sprinted towards Carstares.

"Bloody Hell!" Nichols shouted.

"People are coming!" Adams shouted running towards Phillips and waving his arms.

The Swedish ambassador grabbed Jerard's arm and shouted, "We've got to get out of here!"

Jerard seemed to be moving in slow motion. He pulled his arm from the Ambasador's grasp and pushed him towards the carriage. "Go!" He commanded.

"But I came with…"

"Just Go!" Jerard interrupted. He then turned to Adams and shouted, "Bring the carriages up! Now!" Seeing that Adams had turned to obey his orders he next turned his attention to Nichols who was standing at Jerard's side, still dumbfounded. He shoved him towards where Carstares lay. "Go man, you and Landover help Mac!"

"But I can take him from here Sir." Landover said calmly, his pistol was already out and he was aiming towards the now sword dueling Gyldenfeldt and Reinhardt.

"No." Jerard said as one of the carriages careened past. "Help with Carstares. Guard him."

Phillips ran towards the dueling men. It was hard to determine who was winning. Each man was obviously a master but he thought it looked like Gyldenfeldt was pressing his opponent back. He opened his mouth to call out to Gyldenfeldt but he stopped; he did not want to break the man's concentration. Hearing the sound of a motor bike he turned to see Howell and Randal speeding towards him. He also saw several armed men coming out of the surrounding woods. He fervently hoped they were Gyldenfeldt's.

"Go Captain! See to my friend!" The LensBaron shouted. "I will deal with this cowardly dog and the authorities who were probably tipped off by Gaspe!"

Reinhardt took full advantage of Gyldenfeldt's divided attention and lunged forward. His sword flashed down and took the LensBaron's sleeve off at the shoulder. But Gyldenfeldt was ready; he slid his own sword smoothly into Reinhardt's chest and smiled as his foe's eyes rolled up into his head. The big man gracefully lifted his foot and kicked Reinhardt off of his blade. He turned and saluted Jerard with the bloody sword. "Go! I will deal with this!"

Jerard decided that the LensBaron was probably right and ran for the parked carriages. He motioned for Howell and Randal to follow. Seeing that the injured man had already been loaded he jumped onto the back of the carriage in the footman's position and pounded on the roof. "Go! Go! Go!" He shouted and tightened his grip on the rail as the carriage lurched forward.

Jerard could not have told you how long it took to get back to the airship. His brain seemed to be frozen into that moment in time when he said the word 'nineteen' and saw Reinhardt turn and shoot Carstares in the back. Nichols' words 'bloody hell' echoed over and over in his mind as the scene kept replaying itself. He was not aware of his surroundings until his body slammed into the carriage as it lurched to a halt.

All around the airship were men who looked as dazed as he felt; one was clutching his head, another was holding his arm. Who are these people? Jerard jumped off of the carriage and flung open it's door. Carstares was on the floor of the carriage, his legs flopped out. "God almighty" Jerard swore and grabbed the legs. "Let's get him inside! Where to Mac?"

"Paulo's prep table in the galley, it's the cleanest place in the ship." McPherson replied as he moved out of the way for Landover to get Carstares' shoulders.

Phillips and Landover slid Carstares out as gently as they could. Mac shoved his bloody wadded up jacket at Nichols. "Here, walk with them and keep pressure on his back! I will meet you in the galley with my equipment, be sure Paulo is there, I will need his help."

Nichols jumped out of the carriage after Mac and moved to support Carstares' body in the middle, holding the jacket as instructed. The three men struggled up the ramp and into the ship. Carstares never made a sound or opened his eyes until they laid him gently on the table in the galley. And even then he only grunted softly as they turned him on his side.

"Out!" Mac said. "Everyone except you Jeremy and Paulo, and Captain send Roger here as well."

"I'm here Sir." Roger Landover said as he slipped between Phillips and Nichols.

"Excellent! Now the rest of you out!"

"I can help…" Jerard began.

Lance Nichols reached over and took Jerard's arm. "Best we get out Sir. Mac's got enough help; we've other things to do."