Secrets of the Dragon Tomb (14 page)

“I don't know why everyone's making such a fuss,” Putty said. “We'll simply rescue Mama and Papa—and Jane, I suppose, if we must. Then we'll find the tomb. There is no need to worry, Cousin Freddie.” She patted his arm. “I'm really rather good at this kind of thing.”

 

11

Interesting Facts About Rocks

The airship flew north throughout the day, its powerful propellers pushing hard through the air.

The day was clear, and only a few thin, high clouds broke up the blue sky. Above us, the vast balloon blocked the sunlight. Below, the farmlands around Ophir gave way to wilderness. Trees and undergrowth tangled and pushed up, as though they were fighting to get to the sun. Whip-vines lashed hundreds of yards into the air, trying to snare the shadow of the passing airship. Faint roars, cries, and bellows drifted up, and sometimes whole areas of vegetation shook and bent, as though great battles were being fought out of sight. The wilderness was so big and untamed, it was frightening. Looking at it roll past, mile after mile, was like being hypnotized. I shivered. I was glad to be so high above it all.

In the middle of the afternoon, we passed over the first of a series of crater-shaped, eye-blue lakes, seething with birdlife. Olivia and Freddie joined Putty and me at the rail of the viewing deck.

“I've never traveled so far from civilization,” Olivia said, gazing at the deep water far below. “It seems … lonely.”

“It is,” Freddie said. “I spent some time on an expedition into the wilderness. Down there, you might be on a world upon which mankind has never set foot. There's only the wild. But come.” He straightened. “The airships are safe, and we'll be in Lunae City by tomorrow.” He took Olivia's arm and escorted her to the deck chairs at the rear of the viewing deck. “Perhaps we should have some tea? I'm exhausted.”

Putty and I stayed at the rail, watching the landscape slip by beneath us. What would happen when we reached Lunae City? I hadn't paid much attention when my teachers talked about Lunae Planum and the Ancient Martian civilization. History and geography books were boring. My magazines were far more exciting. Now I had no idea what to expect.

We were flying over one of the larger lakes—I guessed it was about a mile wide—when several big, winged shapes launched themselves from the jagged cliffs surrounding it and flapped their way up toward the airship.

Putty leaned out through the railings to peer down at the shapes. “Pterodactyls.”

I grabbed the back of her jacket.

“Immature ones,” a voice said behind us. I jumped and almost lost my grip on Putty's jacket. Dr. Blood stood at my shoulder. I pulled Putty back through the railings and stepped away. I felt nervous with Dr. Blood standing so close behind me.

“I understand young pterodactyls have taken to following the airships in this part of the world,” the small geologist said. “The cooks throw the leftover scraps from meals overboard as we fly, and the pterodactyls snap them up as they fall. You will see it after dinner. It is considered a fine entertainment among the passengers, although, of course, the diet is not good for the beasts themselves. I fear it can only hasten their tragic extinction.”

“We'd better get back to my cousin and my sister,” I said, gesturing toward Freddie and Olivia, who were talking quietly together. I stepped past Dr. Blood, dragging Putty after me.

There weren't many passengers on the viewing deck. Four men stood by one rail, talking. One of them turned away from his friends to watch Putty and me as we made our way over to Freddie and Olivia. I quickly looked away. I didn't like the way he was staring at us. I'd spent the morning worrying about Sir Titus. What if he'd had someone watching the airship terminal? They could have followed us on board. We were too exposed out here.

“Your cousin,” the geologist said, scurrying after us. “Of course. You both showed so much interest in my collection of rocks.” He looked around as we reached Freddie and Olivia. “Only, I am not sure I wish to set them out here.” He threw a glance at the group of men clustered by the rail. “Some of the rocks are quite valuable, you know. Very rare.”

“I really don't think anyone is going to steal your rocks,” I said.

Dr. Blood peered up at me through his thick eyebrows, his forehead furrowing. “You are not a collector, I take it, young man. In any case, what if they were to roll off the edge of the deck? It would be most unfortunate if the airship were forced to land to retrieve them. Strange beasts stalk the wildlands, and even the plants are deadly.” He shivered. “I would not like to find myself down there.”

One of the men by the rail was still watching us.

“You're right,” I said. “Let's go inside. The wind's getting a bit chilly, and you'll be able to lay your rocks out on a table.”

“An admirable suggestion, young man,” Dr. Blood said. “Admirable!”

Freddie offered his hand to Olivia to draw her out of her chair. “Lead the way, cousin!” he said heartily to me. “Always wanted to see a bunch of rocks.”

The men by the rail had stopped talking, and every one of them was watching us go.

“Did you see the newspaper this morning, Mr. Winchester?” Dr. Blood said to Freddie as we reached the grand salon. “Terrible news.”

“The newspaper?” Freddie said, opening the door and allowing Olivia and Putty through. “Good Lord, no! All that news and whatnot. Can't keep my eyes open through it.”

“Look!” Putty said, ignoring both of them. “They have photon emission globes!” Three chandeliers hung from the ceiling of the grand salon, but instead of candles, they each held half a dozen brightly glowing balls the size of my fist. “I saw some of them in a photonic mechanician's shop. They are so amazing!”

“Today's news was not trivial,” Dr. Blood said, talking over Putty.

Putty glared at him.

“Tell me later,” I said, laying a hand on Putty's shoulder.

We made our way to an unoccupied table opposite the counter. An immaculately dressed automatic waiter moved smoothly through the salon on its well-oiled machinery, taking orders.

“What do you mean?” Freddie said, frowning at Dr. Blood.

“The
Tharsis Times
reports that South America has surrendered to the Emperor Napoleon,” Dr. Blood said. “His forces have overwhelmed their brave resistance at last. It will not be long before Britain herself feels the full fury and might of the French Empire. And worse. Bonaparte is building vast shipyards at Pittsburgh in his American colony of Pennsylvania. It will not be long before they are able to turn out ships.”

“Does that matter?” I asked. “Napoleon already has a large enough fleet.” The British fleet had been shattered at Trafalgar eleven years ago and had never recovered. If the emperor hadn't been fighting in Europe and America, he could have captured Britain right then.

“But those ships are not for Britain,” Dr. Blood said. “Pittsburgh is the location of North America's only dragon path terminus. The ships are intended for a future invasion of Mars.”

For a moment, there was silence as we all imagined Napoleon's ships appearing in the sky above Mars.

“But do not fear!” Dr. Blood exclaimed. “The
Times
also reports that the Martian governments are constructing gun platforms that will float in the void around the dragon paths. Any ship that attempts to make the passage will be utterly destroyed. The monster may build as many ships as he wishes, but he may send them only one at a time past our guns.”

The dragon paths were vast currents of air that twisted through the void between Mars and Earth. While Mars-ships traveled along the currents at great speed, the dragon paths were only wide enough for ships to travel in single file. If the Martian governments were able to deploy gun platforms, every Mars-ship that passed would be subject to withering fire.

“I wouldn't be so sure,” Freddie said. “The emperor is no fool. He has a crafty mind and a genius for strategy. If he's building ships, he's confident that they will reach their destination.”

“Poppycock!” Dr. Blood said. “He cannot fly his ships through the void, nor can he create a dragon path where none exists. Mars shall not bow to his ambition!” He sat back, arms folded, looking smug.

Putty leaned across the low table. “Have you traveled by dragon path, Dr. Blood?”

“I?” Dr. Blood looked offended. “Indeed not! The dragon paths are a curse!”

Olivia blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“The dragon paths have allowed Earth's parasites to come swarming over the bones of the once great Martian civilization, despoiling it and looting its treasures. Now the Emperor Napoleon threatens a new swarm of parasites. We shall not allow it.
I
shall not allow it.”

“All our families come from Earth,” Freddie said carefully. “Including yours, I suspect.”

The small man sniffed. “I have become a true Martian, as we all must. Mars is our mother now.”

Freddie settled back, hiding a smile. “I'm sure you are right.”

“But we have forgotten our purpose here!” Dr. Blood reached into his overcoat and brought out three small pieces of stone, which he laid on the table in a line. “Sandstone!” he said triumphantly. “All of them, even though it might seem hard to believe.”

As far as I could see, they were all the same.

“Look at the variation in texture. Isn't it astonishing? No, please do not touch.” This last bit came as Putty leaned forward, reaching for the rocks. “The grain on the second sample is quite delicate, you see. My personal theory is that it must have been formed when—”

I'd had enough. I couldn't just sit there. If Sir Titus had had someone following us, it would be the perfect opportunity for them to get up to mischief while we were being bored senseless by Dr. Blood.

“Please excuse me,” I said, jumping to my feet.

Dr. Blood's eyebrows shot up. “No, no, my dear fellow! You have yet to see the finest piece in my collection. You will be astonished. However, first let me—”

Freddie shot me a quick, considering look, then gave me the briefest of nods. A moment later, he bent forward.

“I say!” he said loudly. “Is that a…”

His hand knocked into one of the stones, sending it flying from the table. The geologist let out a wail.

“Do forgive me!” Freddie said. “Knock my own head off next. Ha-ha. Here, allow me.” He leaped to his feet, and his knees caught the table, flipping it over and sending the remaining stones spinning away. I took the opportunity and slipped out of the grand salon.

The four men had left the viewing deck and I didn't see them anywhere else in the passageways. Maybe they'd gone back to steerage. A few other passengers were stretching their legs. I exchanged polite nods as I passed.

There was no one in sight on the lower deck, either, and the passageway was quiet. I heard a faint, murmured conversation from behind a cabin door, but otherwise nothing but the beat of the propellers and the thrum of the wind in the ropes that bound the passenger gondola to the balloon.

The door to our suite was closed. I relaxed. The men who'd watched us on the viewing deck had simply been bored. Why would Sir Titus think three children and his idiot student would follow him so far? He wouldn't waste his time setting traps for us.

I laid my hand on the door. It swung open with a creak.

I froze. We'd locked it behind us. I knew we had.

I bent down. The lock had been forced. The wood was splintered around it and the locking mechanism bent. I held my breath and listened.

Nothing. If anyone was in there, they had stopped still the moment the door had opened. I didn't much fancy my chances if I came face-to-face with an intruder. But if I had to go all the way back to the grand salon and return with Freddie, they would be gone.

Letting my breath out silently, I slid into the room.

Chairs had been ripped open, their cushions scattered and disemboweled. Drawers had been pulled out and dumped on the floor. Paintings had been torn from the walls. The table had been overturned. Even the rugs had been pulled up.

I stopped for a moment, my chest tight, trying to take it all in.

There! I heard a slight sound in Olivia and Putty's cabin, as though someone had set something down very gently. I crept over and leaned forward to press my ear against the door.

It crashed open.

I jerked my head back, but not quickly enough.

The last thing I saw was the wood slamming into my face. Then all turned black.

 

12

A Suspect

I woke to the touch of a hand on my forehead. My head hurt. My face hurt. My neck hurt. Even one of my arms hurt. I forced my eyes open.
Ow!
The light was too bright.

“Oh, good. You're alive.”

I squeezed my eyes into focus. Putty was leaning over me.

“What happened?” I said.

“Well.” Putty sat back on her heels. “Dr. Blood kept going on about his rocks and how one of them had been chipped when Cousin Freddie knocked them off the table, and then
I
tried to tell them about how the photon emission globes worked, because they're really interesting and quite clever, but no one was listening, and—”

“I mean to me. What happened to me?”

Putty's face fell. “Doesn't
anyone
want to hear about the photon emission globes?” She looked around. “What happened to you?”

“Help me to a chair,” I managed.

Putty grabbed my painful arm.

“Other one!”

She released me. “You're a complete mess, Edward.”

“I was attacked,” I said. I managed to stagger to a chair. My legs were still shaky, but things were slowly coming into focus. “Where's Freddie?”

“That's what I was
trying
to tell you. I was telling everyone about the photon emission globes—except they weren't listening—and then Freddie said he thought you'd been gone too long, and would I go and look for you. Only…” She frowned. “I think he might just have been trying to get me to stop talking and go away. He wouldn't do that, would he?”