The Monster Within (24 page)

‘Fleming was already working as a double agent with Domina,' Jack said. ‘They decided
there was so much money involved in stealing X-29 that they had to have it for themselves.'

‘Which is why they kidnapped me and Jack,' Scarlet said. ‘But of course we didn't
know anything about it.'

‘And when everything went wrong aboard the airship,' Gloria said, ‘Dudley could only
see one way out?'

Mr Doyle nodded. ‘Dudley took the potion, thinking it would help him escape,' he
said. ‘He would have been caught eventually, if not by us, then by Scotland Yard.'

‘And what of Ben Sykes?' Gloria asked. ‘What is he up to now?'

‘Actually,' Mr Doyle said, ‘the future is looking bright for him. As you know, he
was not forever stuck in the sewer system. He did venture out at times.'

‘That's right. He had that odd preoccupation with cats. Surely he wasn't…'

‘Eating them?' Mr Doyle laughed. ‘No, he was lonely. Whereas people would shy away
from him, cats had no such prejudice.'

‘But he did come here once,' Jack said. ‘That's when I saw him. He had overheard
Toby and his mother speaking one night. He wanted to know what we were up to.'

‘Why did he care?'

‘Why indeed?' Mr Doyle raised an eyebrow. ‘Ben often went to Toby's house to check
on him and his mother. It's fair to say he has developed an interest in their wellbeing.'

‘Really?' Gloria said.

A faint smile played on Mr Doyle's lips. ‘Among other things,' he said, ‘he has described
Sally as a sleeping angel.'

‘My goodness. And are his feelings…reciprocated?'

Scarlet leant forward. ‘They're going to a dance next Saturday night!'

‘He's also made contact with the Darwinist League,' Mr Doyle said, ‘with the intention
of taking on a position. Something to do with tripling egg production in chickens.'

‘So nothing in connection with a warrior potion?'

‘The only known vial was the one that Dudley drank,' Mr Doyle said. ‘And Ben has
vowed to never work on it again.'

‘I never thought Ben would ask out Toby's mother,' Jack said. ‘I wonder what changed.'

‘Ben's view of himself changed,' Mr Doyle said. ‘I think you both had a hand in that.'

‘Thank you, Mr Doyle.'

‘And the revelation that Dudley poisoned the potion, causing his deformity, played
a part.'

‘Really?' Gloria said.

Mr Doyle nodded. ‘Ben's words were to the effect of, “Dudley didn't know who he was
dealing with if he thought he could ruin me like that”. Sometimes a man just needs
a goal to drive him forward.'

Scarlet glanced up at a clock. ‘Speaking of goals,' she said, ‘we'll be late if we
don't leave now.'

‘Of course.'

‘You're coming with us, my dear?' Mr Doyle asked Gloria.

‘I wouldn't miss it for the world,' she said, putting the
Out of Office
sign on the
front door.

They took the elevator down to Bee Street. The city was back to normal now that the
bombing campaign was over.

They joined the crowds as they headed towards Oxford Street. Scarlet gave them all
a cheeky smile.

‘Looks like there are a few people about,' she said.

‘I hope there are,' Gloria said. ‘I'd hate it if it were only us four.'

‘It won't be.'

Crowds were everywhere by the time they reached the corner. Turning into Oxford Street,
Jack saw people as far as the eye could see. Men, women and children waved signs
and banners. Chants were starting up.

Give women the vote…give women the vote…

People laughed and cheered. It was a carnival atmosphere, more like a celebration
than a protest march.

‘I must remind you,' Mr Doyle, ‘that this march is still illegal. Technically we
are breaking the law.'

He looked up and down the street at the crowds. There must have been fifty thousand
people.

‘Although, laws must sometimes be broken for the greater good.'

He winked at Scarlet.

‘I think change is coming,' Jack said.

‘How will an old fossil like me will handle it?' Mr Doyle asked.

‘One step at a time?' Scarlet suggested, smiling as they all linked arms. ‘Shall
we?'

Go back to where the adventures first began

THE FIREBIRD MYSTERY

BOOK I
in the
JACK MASON ADVENTURES

Jack Mason has grown up as an acrobat in a circus. Now, after the tragic death of
his parents, he must live inside the gloomy walls of Sunnyside Orphanage in London,
a city of fog and snow, filled with airships, steam cars and metrotowers that stretch
into space.

Luckily for Jack, he's taken under the wing of the brilliant and eccentric detective
Ignatius Doyle. Little does he know how dangerous life is about to become.

‘Lots of mechanical mayhem and derring-do—breathless stuff.'
MICHAEL PRYOR

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TEXTPUBLISHING.COM.AU/KIDS-AND-TEENS

THE SECRET ABYSS

BOOK II
in the
JACK MASON ADVENTURES

When the world's deadliest assassin, the Chameleon, escapes from prison, Jack, Scarlet
and Mr Doyle begin their most dangerous investigation yet.

With only the scantest of clues, the team travels from London to New York where they
uncover a terrible plot that threatens the president's life and brings the nation
to the brink of civil war.

Can Jack track down the Chameleon in time? And just what is the mysterious whip of
fire that has the power to wreak destruction across the world?

‘Another exciting, fast-paced adventure.'
READPLUS

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THE BROKEN SUN

BOOK III
in the
JACK MASON ADVENTURES

When The Broken Sun, an ancient artefact said to lead to the lost city of Atlantis,
is stolen from the British Museum, Jack, Scarlet and Mr Doyle embark on a hunt across
Europe to find it.

But just as the artefact is within reach, their beloved secretary is mysteriously
poisoned.

In their race against time to find the antidote, the team uncovers a deadly plan,
to attack the Houses of Parliament. Though no one has banked on another shocking
discovery—that Mr Doyle's long-dead son may still be alive…

‘My favourite book of the series so far.'
fiCTIONAL THOUGHTS

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