Concerning the Invisible Man (part 1)

Wilhemina Murray

"Didn't really get all of the backstory about that steampunk story, The League of the Extraordinary Gentlemen, BUT I did remember that she'd had a VERY good reason to hide her neck with that scarf, what with her being from Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'."

He laughs slightly, shaking his head as . . . if he'd made a small joke.

Meanwhile I fear I've sound myself, rather taken aback by this small child's rather unsettling jest! Something about all of this just . . . is too OFF to say the least! We, after blinking after where these strange people had run off towards had belatedly decided to pursue (to give aid, considering the commotions and screaming), only to find this strange . . . . woman standing up and turning back after having attended to the fallen . . .

. . .

How in the name of God did he know about my mission to the school of the despicable woman at my side, Miss Coote!

And HOW in the world did this kitchen get in such a shambles!?

Those questions stated (if only within my mind, half formed) . . .

Unfortunately, while I have enough sense to not blurt out the question into the open, the same cannot be said for certain people I have had the misfortune to retrieve from an opium den in Egypt !!

"How would a child know about that?" Quartermain sputter, finally losing patience and quiet nicely interrupting my train of thought. "Know about the League? And what's this nonsense about Mina and this Dracula chap? Who the devil is Bram Stoker and . . . .

"Allan, be silent!" I snap, in no mood for any more of this!

Damn the man! Not only does he despise me, undermining me at every turn. His attitude towards me! Now he has to further trips me up by opening his fool mouth and revealing what should NOT be revealed at least at THIS . . .

. . .

Then again, strange people (for Heaven's sake, are those ears of that young girl . . . actually pointed?!) have already rather finished hunting down our missing Mr. Griffin. Maybe. I do so very much wish that Mr. Bond would have been more forthcoming with his information! He had hinted that the miraculous pregnancies of the young women within this . . . establishment and the whereabouts of Mr. Griffin were perhaps linked.

Could this man shaped, partly flour covered thing at Doctor Lillian Gilbreth. be Mr. Griffin?

It would fit with certain facts, actually, but then again where in the Blazes do this strange strangers come into the picture?!

. . . .

And just WHY was Mr. Griffin screaming in pain right before we'd gotten here?

No, first thing first! Might as well stop this charade with Miss Cootes, if only to at least have a good reason to retire from her rather trying presence!

Gads! The decor of this place is . . . shall we say suggestive! She must run this place like a brothel or . . .

"Someone get a tarp to cover Mr. Giffin with," I say softly to my group, ignoring Coote for the moment. "Then someone send for a cab back to Wadding!"

"I believe I will handle that," Nemo says after watching Allan (who is still apparently stung from my order to be silent) glare at me for a few seconds. Apparently he feels that his time would be better be put to use than standing slightly back, waiting for goodness only how long for Allan to take up the task!

. . .

Men!

Turning away slightly, ignoring Quartermain (for the moment), I face Miss Coote: "Nothing that need trouble you. It appears that our friends here have bagged your "Holy Spirit". I also fear that I have deceived you.

"I am no prospective parent but an agent of the Crown sent here to trap your spectral visitor. My compatriots and I will now take him from this place and . . .

"Uh pardon," the one older gentleman called Dr. Franklin Gilbreth coughs. "I foresee a small problem here with your plans . . .

1. "You see, we came here also with a somewhat unstated purpose and I fear that Mr. Griffin might be involved with my and my friend's business, you see."

Go Back