Lessons from Underground by Bryan Methods

Author:Bryan Methods
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Action & Adventure, Historical, Europe, Africa, Airplane, Aviation, British Empire, Bryan Methods, Carolrhoda Books, Colonialism, Crime, Crimes, Danger, Diamond, Diamond Mine, Diamonds, European, Fiction, Fiction - Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Imperialism, Juvenile Fiction, Lessons from Undergound, Master Diplexito and Mr. Scant, Middle Grade, Mining, Mystery, Mystery & Adventure, Mystery and Adventure, Secret Society, South Africa, Steampunk, Titanic, Travel, Union of South Africa
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
Published: 2018-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

XVI

First Class

ocks and shipyards dominated Southampton, with a number of vessels floating like immense seabirds around wharfs where the city met the sea. Great crowds had gathered to see the maiden voyage of this brand new Olympic-class ocean liner, but most of them were on the promenade below our walkway.

After porters took our belongings and ship’s officers inspected our documents, we approached the Titanic. I paused before boarding and marveled. As high as we were on the elevated walkway between the pier and the ship, the Titanic stood far taller still. Her sheer size was almost terrifying, with four vast smokestacks stretching up into the sky like the fingers of some ancient god. Or perhaps like a titan.

The portholes farthest from me were little more than pin-pricks, but each one represented a cabin. Even only half full, the ship would have thousands of people on board. How would we possibly find Aurelian?

A portly man with walrus moustaches cleared his throat loudly behind me, and I realized I was blocking his path. Nodding to him apologetically, I made my way inside.

We stood next at the top of a staircase more grandiose than the one at my home. It swept down to a lower deck, with its dark wood shining in the natural daylight that poured in from a great glass dome that would have suited a cathedral. A white-bearded, jovial man came to shake our hands and welcomed us aboard, introducing himself as Captain Smith. When Mr. Jackdaw gave our assumed names, the captain’s expression changed just for a moment, but he said, “Welcome aboard. Please enjoy the finest ship the world has ever seen.”

Captain Smith had hundreds of passengers to greet, so we moved on. Still, I chanced a look back at him, trying to determine whether or not Mr. Jackdaw had told him we weren’t who we claimed to be.

A smiling steward who had listened out for our names showed us down the sweeping staircase. When we reached our rooms, I couldn’t see the one Mr. Jackdaw would be sharing with the Valkyrie, but the one meant for Jacob and Aaron Fisher, the hatmaker and his son, was very fine. It had dark, wooden-paneled walls and two small but comfortable-looking beds on either side of a little round table. Dark green accents on the room’s upholstery matched well with the patterned carpet.

After only a few moments, a knock came at the door. I turned the handle to see the Valkyrie. She looked rather troubled, but Mr. Jackdaw was smiling behind her.

“Your room looks nice,” she said. “Ours is a little small, but thank goodness we can divide it in two. I’d rather we get this business over and done with quickly.”

We decided to go to the first-class lounge, back up near the top of the ship. It was a cavern of a place, with a grand fireplace at the center and a huge chandelier above it. Dozens of comfortable-looking armchairs and sofas were arranged around small tables so that different groups could sit together.

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