“Then my journey has been successful.”
“Might we see your time machine?” Stefan asked.
“You’re looking at it,” Archie said, leaning back and smiling.
Stefan and Marjorie looked around puzzled, there was no vehicle in evidence. Archibald pointed to his belt and began to explain.
“At the age of fifty, I accidentally travelled far, far into the future. It was such a difficult journey that my time machine was destroyed. I thought I was stranded there but then I made the acquaintance of some very advanced human beings, and I use the term ‘human’ loosely. They knew before I could even explain that I was a time traveler. They informed me that since I had achieved time travel, I was qualified to receive their help. “
“You mean to say there are other time travelers?” Stefan asked.
“A handful of us, but to continue, they introduced me to technology far beyond my wildest imaginings. All I need to do to travel anywhere I wish is set the destination and controls on my belt and press a button.”
Stefan longed to handle the time machine, but Archibald wisely, would not remove it.
“I have two gifts for you,” Archie shared, changing the subject. “The first is an item I think you were looking for.” He opened his valise and withdrew a beautiful star sapphire and diamond necklace which he handed to Marjorie under the table.
“The Jewel of the Mediterranean!”” Marjorie exclaimed. She looked around to be sure no one had seen it and quickly tucked it into a hidden pocket within her skirt.
“But how did you get it? It vanished before our eyes.” Stefan exclaimed.
“I arrived just as Marjorie grasped it, took possession of it and departed a moment later.”
“That flash of yellow that I saw!”
“That was me. This necklace does indeed belong to the British crown and I knew that it would be taken from you upon your arrest.” He handed it to Marjorie. “I trust you will return it forthwith.” Archie said.
“And the ray gun, did you take that as well?”
“Yes, ahem, you, er, really didn’t want to use that. It’s…rather…unstable. It turns out that once ignited, it behaves rather unpredictably. I had to get to you before you fired it.” Both Marjorie and Stefan grinned at this, knowing how unstable Archie’s early inventions were.
“How did you know…never mind.” Stefan said. Archie was now a man of mystery. He would leave behind as many questions as he’d answered. “So you are not concerned about changing the past?”
Archibald replied thoughtfully, “I have learned that certain things can be changed and others not at all. I tried to prevent Marjorie’s abduction, but was completely unsuccessful. I have a theory that it is possible to change the past only if one was always there being a part of it. Does that make sense?”
“Like taking the necklace when you did…” Stefan said, his eyes widening in understanding.
“Yes, perhaps I was always meant to take it. It was not listed as being on either of you when you were arrested. But it does reappear in the Tower of London three weeks later.”
“And I have something for you, Stefan,” Archibald added, handing him his valise. Stefan’s eyes widened upon viewing the contents.
“Why it’s money, a great deal of money.”
“Yes, your share of what income my inventions have wrought. All that you loaned me and much, much more. All of the bills are current and usable. You’re going to need them to fund the adventures that lie ahead.”
“Archibald, those adventures of which you speak, the ones that Marjorie and I will take part in…”
“… Are yours to discover for yourself, my friend.” Archie stood with a grin, “My work here is done,” he declared. He began to set the controls on his belt.
Stefan said, “Archibald, wait! Before you go, there is one more favor I would ask of you.”
“What is that?” Archie asked smiling at the two young people. After all these years, it had been good to see Lord Cavendish and Marjorie again looking just as he remembered them.
“Would you accompany us back to my yacht and witness a wedding?” Stefan asked, placing his hand over Marjorie’s.
“Nothing would make me happier, my good fellow.” Archie replied, delighted.
Captain Andersson and Professor Pretzer were relieved to see Stefan and Marjorie walking up the gangplank. Professor Pretzer recognized Archibald immediately and embraced him warmly. They gathered on the deck and the captain of the Felicitous Fortune led them in the vows that would bind Stefan and Marjorie together as husband and wife as Archibald Westerly and Professor Pretzer witnessed the proceedings. Archie was tickled that he was able to view this ceremony. When it had ended, when the two young people had been joined together in matrimony, Archie stood back and activated his belt. It began to glow and crackle and before they could say goodbye, he vanished with a smile.
Marjorie, Stefan and Katrinka looked at each other and laughed delightedly. Captain Andersson looked as if he’d seen a ghost. “What, why, where did the elderly gentleman go? He just vanished into thin air.” Marjorie put her hand on his arm.
“It is best to not ask too many questions, dear Captain.” She laughed at his confused expression as he headed for the rails to see if the fellow had jumped overboard.
“And that is my cue to disembark, my darlings.” Professor Pretzer exclaimed. “Marjorie, as a newlywed, you no longer have need of my services, as a nanny or as a chaperone. I have rented a carriage and am journeying to Canada to visit family.”
“But Nanny, I have so many questions. Who are you and where did you come from? How did you come to be so very…magnificent?” Marjorie asked, sad at seeing Nanny Trinka go. She had developed a fondness for the mechanical woman.
Professor Pretzer smiled. She enjoyed that description—magnificent—it suited her actually, she decided, setting her traveling hat rakishly on her head. She smiled and said, “Ask your new husband. He will tell you all about me.” She headed towards the gangplank. She turned and called, “Perhaps we three shall meet again one day.“ With a wave goodbye, she turned and clomped off down the gangplank and into the waiting carriage.
Stefan took his new bride into his arms. “We must return to Scotland, beloved and give the necklace to the Grand Dragon.”
“At which point we will probably be given our next assignment.” Marjorie said, pondering Archibald’s words.
“Are you up for it?” Stefan asked, wondering if Marjorie’s taste for adventure had wilted away while behind bars.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, darling,” she said, rising up on tiptoe for a kiss. “Wherever we end up, my love, just being with you is all that I need in the world.”
Stefan and Marjorie stood at the deck, arm in arm, watching the sunset as the Felicitous Fortune sailed for home.
The End
Victoria Winters
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Victoria Winters
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The Science of Submission Page 13