The Bavarian Airship Regatta
Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig
November 06, 2011
“Mr. Wilkinson, shut down the engines.”
Sparky gently steered the Burke & Hare toward tower 3 as the lack of power caused the air ship to lose momentum. The ship’s crew threw the mooring lines down to the tower crew who efficiently lashed them down. She waited for the slight tug back against the mooring lines that would tell her that the ship was held fast. The ship gradually inched closer to the tower as the tower crew winched in the mooring lines so the gangplank would reach. ...
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Sparky gently steered the Burke & Hare toward tower 3 as the lack of power caused the air ship to lose momentum. The ship’s crew threw the mooring lines down to the tower crew who efficiently lashed them down. She waited for the slight tug back against the mooring lines that would tell her that the ship was held fast. The ship gradually inched closer to the tower as the tower crew winched in the mooring lines so the gangplank would reach. ...
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The Parisian Party
October 30, 2011
With a break in the narrative, Erasmus, Sparky, and Lord Ashleigh took a few seconds to stop and sip their port. Without warning but with perfect timing, the bedchamber door swung open and Virat appeared, a perfectly clean yellow scarf draped over his forearm. ...
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The Pecos Incident
October 14, 2011
Considering the unfortunate outcome of the regatta from the perspective of the French, Wallace didn’t object to Sparky’s request to stay on the Burke & Hare throughout the day, allegedly supervising repairs while Luis-Miguel Sevilla put the passenger cabins back in order. In truth, Wilkinson had the whole matter completely under control. ...
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Back to Paris
October 10, 2011
Sparky read the letter from the Queen a couple more times, both to extract every possible meaning that the Queen may have placed in her words, and also to memorize the letter. She proceeded directly to the boiler room, and secretly deposited the letter into the glowing coals of the boiler fire. ...
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An Honorable Endeavor
October 03, 2011
“Dies ist nicht Paris. Holen Sie sich ein Zimmer.” Drake and McTrowell unlocked from their kiss and looked around sheepishly to see a policeman making a good show of indignance at their public display of affection. He didn’t seem terribly serious about his order, probably owing to the jubilant atmosphere of the street. ...
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To Munich!
September 26, 2011
Herr Axel Richter’s feet dangled, wishing to touch the floor. He was a slight, bookish man, with wisps of grey in his hair, and small round glasses. Björn Swenson, the Swedish airship captain, was pinning him against a support column, his two meaty fists clutching Herr Richter’s jacket lapels, the vest and shirt underneath, and a good bit of the man’s armpit skin. ...
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Ishild
September 13, 2011
Sparky threw her body on the railing, grasping for Erasmus’ hand. Her hand came away slick and sticky with his blood. “No,” she thought, “do not let it end before it has even begun!” ...
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The Downhill Run
September 05, 2011
Erasmus, J.B., and Lord Ashleigh had been silently watching the final minutes of the regatta leg into Vaduz from the main hall. They saw the Iron Eagle’s nose retreat from the Burke & Hare’s final sprint, but when they heard the shouts of the crowd, they knew that they had taken the leg. ...
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The Mountain Run
August 19, 2011
Captain Dampf’s spirits were not quite as high as usual that night as they sat drinking lagers at Bierwirt. Despite the Burke & Hare’s win that day, the Iron Eagle was still leading, but by a maddeningly thin margin of 47 seconds. Although Dampf had managed to hang on to the first place flag, it was McTrowell whose hand Emperor Franz Josef had shaken first. ...
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The Valley Run
August 07, 2011
Like many of the non-crew, Chief Inspector Erasmus Drake had been watching the race from the common room that was the dining area just the evening before. At Krasnayarubashka’s outcry, he realized the race was over, and sprinted to the outside door leading to the catwalk. ...
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The Flat Run
July 26, 2011
McTrowell’s heels snapped out the staccato rhythm of her excitement as she shifted from foot to foot on the bridge. Although she heard the echo of her footsteps, she felt like she was actually floating over the deck. She shook Mr. Krasnayarubashka’s hand crisply and snapped her goggles down over her eyes as the Burke & Hare floated free of its moorings. ...
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Pomp and Preparations
July 20, 2011
The first reaction to the announcement regarding the air winch cannons was stunned silence by the pilots at the table. If they didn’t understand Herr Zimmermann’s German, they apparently caught the gist of Willy Dampf’s English explanation. Suddenly, the table was all abuzz with pilots speaking in their native language to no one in general, and voicing how incredulous they were. ...
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Air Winch Cannons
July 10, 2011
Since she was still a bit wobbly, Sparky spent the rest of Saturday on the Burke & Hare, checking and rechecking its state of preparedness. She was grateful for the lack of public duties and not just because she was a tad unsteady. Unfortunately, Sunday was quite different. ...
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The Marienplatz Confrontation
July 05, 2011
Erasmus pulled a chair up next to the lushly made bed that cocooned Sparky. Sparky needed to hear the rest of the story. Erasmus cleared his throat to begin the remainder of the tale, but word that Sparky had come to was making its way around the airship, and Erasmus would just have to wait. ...
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Augustiner Keller
June 28, 2011
What was it with all these infernal headaches? Sparky felt like she had a fence post sticking out of the back of her head. She gingerly opened her eyes one at a time, wincing as the light coming in through the porthole assaulted her light-starved pupils. ...
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All In Good Time
June 26, 2011
The morning fog was lifting off the streets of London. Dew, which is beautiful as it settles over an English meadow, had a different effect on limestone city buildings: it made them slick to the touch and added a slight shine. Within minutes, the condensation formed rivulets on the stone walls, gathering the previous day’s soot as it trickled down in minute, running-mascara tears. ...
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Pall Mall
June 13, 2011
“Edmond!? Edmond, dearest?! We have company for dinner.”
Dr. Edmond Pogue emerged from behind an enormous book that hid his presence in the large and well-used wing chair by the fireplace.
“As you say.” ...
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Dr. Edmond Pogue emerged from behind an enormous book that hid his presence in the large and well-used wing chair by the fireplace.
“As you say.” ...
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Four Countries, Four Stories
June 12, 2011
A small stone building sat near the edge of a rocky cliff on the northern shore of Calais, France. The structure had an odd tower above it, topped with large parabolic dish fashioned from a collection of polished metal plates, pointed out across the English Channel. ...
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Play to Win
May 29, 2011
Drake hurried onto the bridge. “How long until we cast off?”
“Only a few more minutes. We need to clear the Paris air space before we lose the rest of the light.” ...
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“Only a few more minutes. We need to clear the Paris air space before we lose the rest of the light.” ...
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Look Down
May 25, 2011
The rest of the room faded away as Sparky concentrated on the perfectly wrapped package on the bed. She shook off the obvious guess as to who would have sent it. Perhaps, instead, it was a bon voyage package from Wallace, or a “good luck” gift from the crew for the regatta. But those were remote possibilities. ...
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Miss Sarah Slate
May 16, 2011
Esmeralda Pogue strode purposefully out of the milliner’s shop on the Marleybone high street, a tiered stack of hatboxes lashed together in each hand. She handed them to her coachman who once again reshuffled her purchases for the afternoon to try to find a secure place for all of them. ...
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Two Crates Marked FRAGILE
May 11, 2011
The interior of the lofty room was round, formed by carved grey-white granite block walls and floor. A wrought iron spiral staircase hugged the side of the room, linking the heavy door halfway up the tower to the floor below. Seven dark-brown tables formed a semi-circle, each one containing the gadgetry of an undertaking: chemistry apparatus on one, another with mechanical parts and tools, and so forth for each of the work surfaces. ...
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Victor and Vanquished
May 02, 2011
They rode in relative silence for a few blocks, each exhausted and a little disappointed in his or her own way. Sparky was looking forward to getting back to the Burke & Hare, if only to get out of the uncomfortable clothes. But, she was going to miss Paris. She never seemed to get quite enough time in Paris to do everything she wanted. ...
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Limestone Plunderers
April 26, 2011
Chief Inspector Erasmus Drake switched to his commanding voice. “Follow me or all is lost!” His stride was demanding, headed for the western bridge that lead off Île de la Cité. Sparky and Lord Ashleigh were putting serious effort to stay a step behind the determined law enforcer. ...
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The Essence of Romantic Comedy
April 17, 2011
McTrowell and Ashleigh were already at the gang plank of the Burke & Hare when Drake arrived promptly at 9 am the next morning as arranged. And they were already engaged in a lively debate, the same one that had resulted in a draw the previous evening.
“I have no need for new clothes.”
“You can’t be my English aunt in worn riding boots and a gored corduroy skirt stained with machine oil.” ...
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“I have no need for new clothes.”
“You can’t be my English aunt in worn riding boots and a gored corduroy skirt stained with machine oil.” ...
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Mr. Woodhouse’s Replacement
April 13, 2011
After a few minutes in the shop, he had picked out a most magnificent necklace, with a wonderful display of colored gems surrounded by diamonds. His plan was simple: he would meet Gabrielle during his walk around Île de la Cité, he would make small talk, confess that he had temporarily gone along with her misunderstanding that he was a servant, produce the necklace, disclose that he was a viscount, and she would be swept off her feet at her good fortune. ...
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Meet Cute
March 29, 2011
For once, Lord Ashleigh appeared discomfited, struggling internally with a course of action. Drake and McTrowell waited patiently for their friend to collect his thoughts.
“I had thought to spruce up my wardrobe with the latest fashions since I’m here in Paris.” Sparky tried not to smile at the idea of what Lord Ashleigh’s “spruced up” wardrobe might look like given his proclivity for bright colors and patterns. She might have taken the opportunity to tease her friend if he weren’t in distress. ...
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“I had thought to spruce up my wardrobe with the latest fashions since I’m here in Paris.” Sparky tried not to smile at the idea of what Lord Ashleigh’s “spruced up” wardrobe might look like given his proclivity for bright colors and patterns. She might have taken the opportunity to tease her friend if he weren’t in distress. ...
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Dinner in Montmartre
March 28, 2011
The moonlight on the airship landing grounds was bright, enough so that no additional light was needed to make one's way around the tower to the Burke & Hare, whose cabin portholes leaked light into the night.
The couple walking up the structure were giddy with laughter, arms around each other's waists and helping hold each other up as they made the trek to the tower. The airship above threw an immense shadow across the field, due to the lowness of the moon. ...
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The couple walking up the structure were giddy with laughter, arms around each other's waists and helping hold each other up as they made the trek to the tower. The airship above threw an immense shadow across the field, due to the lowness of the moon. ...
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Café Au Lait
March 14, 2011
McTrowell popped up out of her seat, rounded up the three of the five balls dropped by the unicyclist, and began performing a simple, but seemingly effortless, three-ball cascade. The prone juggler stared in amazement for a moment before collecting his wits and his unicycle, standing up, and dusting himself off. Sparky passed the balls to him one at a time and he instinctively formed his own cascade with the balls. After a couple of rounds, he stowed them one after the other into a small pouch tucked behind his back. ...
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Landing in Paris
March 08, 2011
Glued to the door, Sparky and Erasmus stayed there for the duration of Mr. Wallace’s interruption. It’s seemed that Wallace’s jab at Sparky’s marital status was just a play to flush her out if she was within earshot. Sparky knew this, and wasn’t going to fall for it. Erasmus could read all of this on her relaxed reaction, and knew that she was not going to join Wallace in this bit of cat-and-mouse. ...
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Best Laid Plans
February 28, 2011
“And why is that?” McTrowell asked Ashleigh, failing to notice the look of mixed discomfort and relief on Drake’s face.
“I always enjoy the company of my dear friend, Dr. McTrowell, and I missed seeing her before her departure from London.”
“For which I apologize. Preparing the Burke & Hare for the regatta took considerably more effort than I anticipated.” ...
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“I always enjoy the company of my dear friend, Dr. McTrowell, and I missed seeing her before her departure from London.”
“For which I apologize. Preparing the Burke & Hare for the regatta took considerably more effort than I anticipated.” ...
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A Pretty Face
February 21, 2011
Erasmus looked up from his note and glanced at Sparky’s identical note. “May I accompany you to Lord Ashleigh’s cabin?,” he asked Dr. McTrowell with a slight smile.
“I’d be delighted,” Sparky replied.
Erasmus retrieved his cane from the nearby wall where he had left it, and putting a well-mannered crook in his left arm, offered it to Sparky. She slid her right hand in, and they proceeded toward the main passageway, walking a bit slower than they would normally on their own, lingering in the moment. ...
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“I’d be delighted,” Sparky replied.
Erasmus retrieved his cane from the nearby wall where he had left it, and putting a well-mannered crook in his left arm, offered it to Sparky. She slid her right hand in, and they proceeded toward the main passageway, walking a bit slower than they would normally on their own, lingering in the moment. ...
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Au Revoir, London
February 14, 2011
McTrowell wiped her hands on a rag and stuffed it in the pocket of her work apron. Her final checks and preparations for the crossing to Paris were complete. She climbed the ladder out of the mechanical compartment up into the bridge and closed the hatch in the floor. The sun was still high in the sky despite the late afternoon hour. She loved being far north as midsummer approached. It gave one the sense that the endless day had endless possibilities, and today was definitely one of those days. ...
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A Serious Knock
February 07, 2011
“You like?”
Scotland Yard’s Chief Inspector Erasmus Drake answered uncharacteristically with his mouth half full. “I like!”
The new French bakery had opened near Trafalgar Square, about midpoint in Erasmus’ morning walk from his apartment above the Olde Cheshire Cheese to 4 Whitehall Place. Erasmus was trying one of their freshly baked croissants, after the proprietor, Jacques, has dunked one end in an open jar of strawberry jam. Erasmus had only stopped by to see the new store, and see if he could get something reasonably small to eat on his commute. ...
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Scotland Yard’s Chief Inspector Erasmus Drake answered uncharacteristically with his mouth half full. “I like!”
The new French bakery had opened near Trafalgar Square, about midpoint in Erasmus’ morning walk from his apartment above the Olde Cheshire Cheese to 4 Whitehall Place. Erasmus was trying one of their freshly baked croissants, after the proprietor, Jacques, has dunked one end in an open jar of strawberry jam. Erasmus had only stopped by to see the new store, and see if he could get something reasonably small to eat on his commute. ...
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Airship Regatta Broadsheet
February 04, 2011
Curious as Drake? Adventuresome as McTrowell?
Calling all good Londoners!
Travel on the Burke & Hare to the Multinational Airship Regatta!
Transfer the image of the broadsheet below to your personal analytical engine by pursuing the link corresponding with the broadsheet image below. A Portable Document Formatted version of the broadsheet will be displayed or transferred, depending on your configuration.
Suitable for framing or posting in main thoroughfares. ...
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