Time Travel Adventures of the 1800 Club Book VIII

by Robert P McAuley

  She pursed his pink lips as she thought before answering, “I can’t be sure. I might have but I was so busy and thought him to be behind me and gone from my life.”

  “Can you tell me what the conference was about?”

  Her eyes suddenly lit up and she eagerly answered, “Certainly! It was on surgery and the medical assistant job in the surgery room.” She looked up at Patty and her eyes were aglow as she continued, “It was simply the best conference ever. And, Patty, I was not the only female there! There were at least fifteen others and we banned together. They were from America and Canada and truly felt for me as they were on their way to becoming surgeon assistants while I had to return to a thick-headed England and try and enter into a hospital as a cleaning woman and hope that someday they’ll see me as one of their equals.”

  Patty felt for her and said as he patted her shoulder, “Believe me, Jane, the day is coming when nurses will be both men and women while some of the greatest doctors will be women. Believe me.”

  She looked up with the ‘stiff upper lip’ the English are so famous for.

  “Ahh,” said a booming voice from above them, “the singers from last evening.”

  They followed the voice and saw that it was Captain Roberts. He had slid down a window from the control room and beckoned them towards a gated stairway. They headed towards it and a young sailor opened the gate for them and gave them a snappy salute as he indicated that they should go up the stairway to the control room.

  Once at the door the Captain himself opened the teak and glass door for them. “Enter! Enter my domain.”

  Patty allowed the girls to enter first and followed.

  “Tell me,” said the captain as he took off his hat for a moment, “have you ever been on the command deck of a Cunard liner?”

  All five shook their heads no and Captain Roberts continued. “Well you are in for a treat as the wind has just picked up astern of us and we are just about to set our sails for the first time this trip. Would you like to watch from this very room?”

  The five of them were eager to watch and said so.

  “Very well,” said Captain Roberts as he nodded to a middle aged man with a full beard that hade more red than white hairs in it.

  Guess you can tell the pecking order of the crew by the whiteness of their beards, thought Patty with respect.

  Set sail number one, Mister Smith,” said the Captain and the man touched the tip of his cap as he answered, “Set sail number one, sir.” He nodded to another sailor outside in front of a hatch and wench. The man tipped his hat and snapped open the hatch as another man pulled back on the lever. A steel cable attached to a hoist at the top of the mast started to move up and around the hoist and the movement brought a white canvas sail out of the open hatch. The man at the lever watched and adjusted the speed that the sail came up and out of the hatch. Within five minutes the sail had gone from being a lifeless sheet of canvas to a taught sail.

  “Well done,” said the captain, “Set sail number two, Mister Smith.”

  The same routine was done on numbers two and three and the ship’s speed went up seven knots according to the instruments in the control room.

  “Nobody climbing up the ropes Captain Roberts?” asked Patty as he looked at the three wind-filled sails.

  “I do believe sir, that while many ships have to use their seamen to go up and set their sails, Cunard lines have warmly accepted the mechanical capabilities of the engine to do the hard and dangerous work, Mister Gelardi.”

  Patty’s surprised look brought a smile to the captain’s face. “Yes, Mister Gelardi, I know your name as I also know the names of these four young ladies. It is my duty to know the names of the passengers whom I invite to dine with. So, shall we meet in the dining room at 8?”

  Patty and the ladies smiles told him that they would be there.

  Patty went to the gym once again but this time Canali was there already lifting free weights. I have to admit thought Patty as he walked to a section of the gym where he was yesterday, he looks impressive. Hope I don’t have to go toe-to-toe with him. A flashback of a memory came to Patty and he grinned to himself as he thought, then again I have an equalizer and will use it if needed.

  Canali never took his eyes off of Patty and the time traveler used the man’s reflection in the window to watch him without him knowing it.

  Back in his cabin Patty found a note that had been slipped beneath his door and thinking it was a menu placed it on the bed as he ran his bath. He lit his cigar and picked up the note. He almost bit through the Cuban as he read it. In block letters it said: Mister Gelardi, I know you to be a pretty-boy who steps out of his way to flirt with all the women and wish you to heed this advice: Miss Jane Barlow is no less than a butcher’s daughter with no dowry. Why you have deemed it your responsibility to be her hero is beyond my understanding. Strike me a deal and stay away from her, as she would be mine. No name needed.

  His first instinct was to crumble the note up but caught his temper as he thought, Calm down, Patty. You’re here for one reason only and that’s to stop Jack the Ripper from killing Jeanine Larsen. You can watch over Jane Barlow and warn her before you leave this ship but that’s all you can do. History must take its course. He puffed his cigar back to life as he went on with a sly grin, Of course if Peter Canali is Jack the Ripper, I’ll be ready for him and maybe get another book out of it. He settled back and enjoyed his bath.

  That evening a silver envelope was slipped beneath his cabin door and he opened it to read the beautiful flourish of a personalized dinner invitation.

  To Mister Patty Gelardi

  Captain Lawrence Roberts

  Of the Cunard Line’s Passenger Liner

  SERVIA

  Invites you to dine with him at the Captain’s Table this evening.

  Patty smiled and tucked the invite in his jacket pocket as he looked in the mirror. He wore a black, three-piece suit with white shirt and stiff collar. At his neck was a blood red, cravat and as usual he tied it in an easy manner placing a black pearl stickpin closer to the top than usual. His high-buttoned shoes gleamed and the black spats had light gray stitching that enhanced the look. At the last minute he placed a blood red silk handkerchief in his breast pocket. He put his keys in his pocket and opened his valise. He reached into a small opening and took out his six-inch, spring-loaded, leather blackjack as he thought, Should Mister Canali need convincing, it’ll be like the old days in Brooklyn. He put the blackjack in his back pocket and left his cabin as he heard the door to the cabin next to his open.

  He stepped out onto the deck at the same time as the four ladies of table 570. They all did a group hug and a few passengers rolled their eyes at these loose, young people of today. The five laughed and frolicked all the way to the Grand Stairway.

  “Wait,” said Patty, as they were about to enter.

  “What’s wrong,” asked Edwina.

  “Nothing,” said Patty as they looked in the windows of the vast room. “Give it a few more minutes and we’ll be the last to enter.”

  “And steal the show?” asked Marilyn with a big grin.

  Getting a nod from Patty she said as she put an arm around him, “This guy will teach us all something, ladies.” They stood in the shadows knowing that their shivering would soon be rewarded. Patty heard the ship’s orchestra start up a new quick step tune and as all seemed to be seated except the captain, nodded and opened the door for them. Once inside they walked along the thickly carpeted landing that brought them to the wide staircase and the five of them walked down the center as every eye in the huge room watched; some in shock, some in awe, some jealous but all watching the five, handsome young people as they walked past table 570 and went up the five short steps to sit at the long, silver-etched, white linen Captain’s Table.

  The orchestra went from the quick step to an almost martial tune and all stood as Captain Roberts took the same route as them.

  He said in a low voice as he sat in the center of the
table, “Well, you five know how to make a grand entrance indeed. For a moment I thought I would be eating alone.”

  The meal was sumptuous and as they sat and sipped after dinner brandy, Patty caught the eye of Canali sitting in a rear table, far away, yet close enough to see them. The man nodded and smiled, as he held up his glass in a mock toast. Patty wondered fleetingly if the people of 1888 understood the meaning on getting the finger. He grinned to himself as he thought, Aww, just two more nights and we’ll be in England.

  The next two days went by pretty much the same as the others and on December 3rd the great ship passed Ireland before breakfast. As they were all packed the group from Table 570 did their usual stroll along the deck. They were greeting and making their good-byes to other passengers who also strolled along. Patty watched for Canali and was sort of disappointed not to see him.

  “Hey, ladies, what about a quick drink before we split up?”

  “Where?” asked Jeanine with a smile. “The dining room is closed.”

  “Let’s go to the ship’s bar.”

  “The ship’s bar?” said Edwina. “Will they let us in?”

  “Just follow him,” said Marilyn grabbing their hands. “If anyone can get us in, it’s Patty.”

  They entered the bar and a few men were sitting and playing cards as they smoked cigars and cigarettes. They also sipped whiskey as they waited for the docking.

  Patty selected a table near the large window that gave them a view of the English Channel when they sailed up it. After taking their orders he went to the young bartender and said, “Good morning. May I have two large ciders, one Irish Whisky with a side of water and two tall beers?”

  The young man leaned forward and said, “Uh, sir, I do believe that we are not allowed to serve women folk aboard ship.”

  Expecting this, Patty gave a mock look of shock and said in a whisper, “Sir, these women are entertainment of the Cunard Line. Why just the other evening Captain Roberts dined with us as we are on our way to entertain the top Cunard management. Now, why not take this and we’ll forget that this conversation ever took place.” He pushed a ten-dollar bill forward and winked as the young man snatched the three weeks wages.

  “Sir,” the man said, “I will not be able to bring the drinks over to the table. Might I ask that you do that task for me?”

  “No task is too great for the Cunard Line, my young friend. Put them up and I shall do that task with relish.” He grinned inside as the bartender figured that he did his best to keep the company rules intact and made the drinks, placed them in a round tray and quickly went to the other end of the bar.

  Patty went to the table and placed the drinks down in their respective places. When all was set he said, “I want to propose a toast: to the members of the Women With a Future club, may they succeed in all they try and may they try all they dream.”

  They all touched glasses and took a sip.

  “What’s next for you ladies?”

  Jane said with a small shrug, “I’m going home. I miss my folks but I’m telling them that I now have plans of my own and hope they’ll understand.”

  He looked at Edwina next and she responded, “Well, I do think that the women’s clothing of today really need some shortening here and there so my goal is to get work in Paris and perhaps open a small shop.”

  Marilyn grinned and went into an act as she stood and sucked in her tiny waist some more as she strutted around the table and said with her hands on her hips, “Honey, I’ll be onstage doing Shakespeare before you know it and if that doesn’t work, I’ll open a acting school for young ladies.” She sat back down to their laughter.

  Last came Jeanine Larsen and she grinned as her green eyes flashed around the table. “I intend to paint up a storm and do as many paintings that are considered off limits for female painters. Perhaps I’ll sing in a church choir,” she looked at Patty with warm eyes as she went on, “I have so much to thank Patty for, such as breathing with the stomach for better sound and much, much more.” She turned to the other ladies and said as she stood, “Here’s to Patty Gelardi, a friend, a mentor and a fellow club member.” She raised her glass and the other three stood and hefted their glasses in a toast that made Patty fight back a tear. The four women suddenly seemed to forget the Victorian Era they lived in and dragged him out of his chair so the could all hug him.

  The bartender and few men quickly left the room to Table 570s delight.

  Patty hopped over the bar and made them all another round before the awestruck bartender returned. When he did, he never once looked at the giggling table and felt saved by the ship’s whistle announcing that they would be docking soon.

  The five walked slightly unsteady back to their rooms. And all agreed to meet in thirty minutes on the deck.

  As all closed their respective cabin doors, Jeanine heard a knock and opening the door saw Patty standing there.

  “Is something wrong, Patty?”

  “Can I have a moment of your time, Jeanine?”

  “Uh, yes, will you come in?”

  “It’s up to you, Jeanine. I don’t want to press you but I must talk with you. Here or on the deck.”

  She shook her head, “There are too many people walking around, please come in.”

  Patty entered and took the seat she indicated.

  “Jeanine you may think I’m crazy, but I must ask you: have you ever heard of Jack the Ripper?”

  Her eyebrows rose as she answered through clenched teeth, “Have I ever heard of Jack the Ripper? The maniac who has killed five women and has not been caught even by Scotland Yard? Do I know of Mary Anne Nichols who was found on Friday August 31st in Bucks Row? You ask have I ever heard of Jack the Ripper? Well it just so happens that I have, as he killed my mother’s sister, Mary Anne Nichols.” She sat and slowly shook her head as she pulled her shoulders together and clenched her hands. She sobbed, “She was not what the newspapers say she was. She was a nanny who stayed late to watch a sick child she cared for when the child’s parents didn’t get home until early morning. And because of that she died.”

  Patty never saw her like this and went to her hugging her as she accepted him. “I’m so very sorry, Jeanine, I didn’t know.”

  “Nobody knew. Not even the girls. I kept that separate and when they started to plan a trip to Europe I just had to go.”

  “What is it that you are planning to do?”

  She shrugged and cried onto his shoulder, “I-I’m not sure. At the very least I need to visit the place she died.”

  “That’s a dangerous area, Jeanine, I can’t let you go there.”

  She sniffed and wiped away her tears as she straightened up. “I absolutely must. This is not an option, this is something that must be done.”

  “May I go with you?”

  No,” she said shaking her head. “I’m not even sure when I’m going. I just need to be there alone.” She looked into his eyes, “Patty, of all people I’m sure you understand.”

  He sighed, “I do, I really do. I just ask that you don’t go tonight. Will you promise me that?”

  She nodded her head, “Fine. I promise you not to go there tonight.”

  A single blast from the ship and they knew they had to part although there was something inside both of them that screamed, ‘don’t go.

  Patty smiled and said, “Well, I have a few small items I need to collect. See you on deck?”

  “I’ll be there, and Patty, thanks for being there for me.”

  The time traveler went to his cabin, grabbed his long coat that held his communicator in the deep inside pocket, tossed the keys on the desk and closed the cabin door behind him for the last time. Boy, he thought, what a trip. This was nothing but great.

  The great ship slowed to a crawl as Patty and the girls stood excitedly by the rail while she docked. As the seamen threw long, manila ropes to the men on the dock who tied her up, a shout from the control room caught their attention. It was Captain Roberts smiling and waving goodbye to them. Tab
le 570 waved back and started down the gangway to the dock as the sun tried to fight off the cold weather of England in December.

  After getting their luggage the five did another group hug this time with tears in all their eyes as they all swore to stay in touch. Patty felt terrible knowing that after the mission was over he would just disappear from their lives forever, sort of the way Canali described him in his note.

  The ladies all had hotel reservations and Patty declined trying to get a room in one of their hotels, as he needed to be free and alone tonight. He inquired about a hotel and was directed to the ‘Royal Arms Hotel,’ just ten blocks from the dock and a cabby was only too happy to help the ‘yank’ go the short distance with his luggage.

  Patty signed in and was pleased with the lavishness of the hotel. He was even more pleased to find that it sported a nice, long bar and a friendly barman. He sipped a beer and smoked a cigar before dinner and enjoyed a Steak and Kidney pie dinner in the hotel’s dining room. He then went to a men’s clothing store he spotted from the cab and purchased some clothes that any seaman would buy. Once back at the hotel, he took advantage of being in Merry ‘ol England by having some old English tea and scones as the sun went down.

  Finally, Patty went up to his room and closed the heavy drapes and, knowing that it would take thirty-minutes on foot to get to Sydney and Victorian Streets, set his watch to 11 pm. He put out the clothes he was going to wear, opened his communicator and typed a message then sat back and read it.

  HI BILL. “D” DAY AND JUST A FEW HOURS TO GO. I’M IN POSITION AND ALL IS SET. I’LL TEXT YOU DIRECTLY AFTER THE MISSION IS COMPLETED. PATTY.

  Satisfied, he pressed ‘send’ and lay back on the bed.

  Anticipating action, Patty just dozed on and off and when the chimes sounded, he bounded out of the bed and did a quick face wash. He put on the clothes he had laid out: a black sweater, black slacks and canvas shoes. He followed that with a black seaman’s Pea coat and finished the attire with a black knitted seaman’s watchman’s cap pulled down to his eyebrows. A quick look in the mirror and he knew that most people would rather walk around him than cross his path. Good, he thought as he picked up his blackjack, the less people who look at me the better it is. He tucked the blackjack in the jacket’s right hand pocket and put on a pair of fingerless, black knitted gloves and left the room.