Revenge of the Mad Scientist (Book One: Airship Adventure Chronicles) Read Free

treaty?” Belle asked. “Will the signing go forward tomorrow?”
    He turned to her, his bushy gray eyebrows raised. “Her majesty will not sign the treaty under such circumstances. Surely you can understand that.”
    “But isn’t that what the kidnappers want? Let’s be honest. This has to be an attempt to disrupt the treaty process.” Belle sat forward, frowning.
    Sir George ignored her and addressed himself to Lady Trunkett. “My dear Lady, I feel it would be best if you and Lady Arabella were to return home. It’s late and there is nothing you can do here. I will let you know as soon as any new leads develop, I assure you.”
    “Is there any evidence other than the knife?” Belle asked.
    The inspector hesitated, his gray moustache twitching. “Well, no, actually. Not at this time. Mr. Bellows can give no description except that there were two men who wore black with faces covered. But we hardly need any more. The trail leads directly to Gandiss, there can be no doubt about it. We would lose valuable time seeking obscure leads to other areas. I shall not put Sir John’s life in such danger.”
    “I’d like to speak to the Queen,” Belle said. She could trust Her Majesty not to jump to conclusions. If she could see her, she would tell her about the stickpin and urge her to start a more widespread investigation. Surely Her Majesty would understand that blaming Gandiss out of hand would only cause more political upheaval.
    “Her Majesty is in seclusion preparing for the State of the Empire address. She will see no one for the next three days.” He drew himself up and looked down his nose at her. “No one.”
    She cursed silently. Pompous fool. In three days her father could be dead. Belle stuffed the handkerchief back into her reticule. Somehow she knew her father had left the clue for her. She just had to figure out what it meant. The authorities all wanted the culprit to be Gandiss so they didn’t have to do any investigative work. Meanwhile her dear father had been brutally taken to places unknown.
    “Thank you, Sir George,” Lady Trunkett said extending a delicate hand for him to bow over. “We shall take your advice. Come Arabella.”
    Her mother activated her chair. Little puffs of steam popped from a pipe in the back and a whirring sound indicated its functional status. Elizabeth used a lever on the arm of the chair to send it into forward motion and control the direction. Belle followed as she rolled outside where her carriage had already been called for and stood waiting in the road. She glanced at Belle as she motioned for her servants to come and help her into the vehicle.
    “Are you going home tonight or would you care to come back with me?” Her mother offered a sad smile.
    Belle frowned, preoccupied with the mystery of the dagger and dissatisfied with the platitudes offered by Sir Luftin. She feared the investigation was headed in the wrong direction, but she couldn’t prove it. Time slipped away while her father’s life was in danger.
    “Mother, I need to go back to my house. I’ll come by tomorrow and see you.”
    “Very well. Try not to worry, dear. The queen is very attached to your father, and he is the Lord High Minister after all. She’ll leave no stone unturned in seeking his captors.” Her footman picked her up in his arms and placed her on the seat inside the coach. He closed the door and took the rolling chair to a special platform built on the back of the carriage. Her mother leaned out the window. Creases of concern marked her face in the yellow glow of the gas lit street.
    “Try not to be a nuisance to the authorities, Belle.” Her mother lessened the bite of her words with a sympathetic smile. “Get some sleep and we shall hope for good news in the morning.”
    Belle nodded and waved as the carriage headed down the street. She wrapped her arms around her chest hugging herself against the night chill. Or maybe it was the icy grip of despair. She didn't move until