Gold Rush • Edinburgh
A Professor Chalkdust and Miss Lucy Adventure • Part 10
This twelve-part serial follows the unexpected adventures of Oxford professor Emerson Caldwell Chalkdust and new teacher, Victoria Ann Curly, whom he volunteered to mentor. Both get far more than they expected thanks to a magical encyclopedia set. I will post chapters every other day until it is complete.
In the previous chapter, the Professor and Miss Curly visited the Wellingham Estate, where they met Wellingham’s great grandson. The three of them decided to visit Wellingham’s Scottish Estate.
Start at the beginning here:
The professor and Miss Curly had waited outside the estate gate for close to a half-hour. Paul popped out from behind some trees. He jumped into the back seat of the car and said, “Let’s go.”
So they did. Back to Charles De Gaulle Airport, where they caught a two-hour flight to Edinburgh. On board the flight, they discussed what to do upon arrival at Wellingham Manor.
“How are we going to get inside Wellingham Manor?” Miss Curly asked.
“I have found honesty often works best,” the professor answered.
“You can’t be serious. You plan to tell them about the encyclopedias?”
“No need to panic. I plan to tell them we are doing research on Lord Wellingham for a biography.”
“That’s not true.”
“We are researching Lord Wellingham and his encyclopedias. The biography part is a fabrication, of course, but a necessary one, I think.”
“You can tell them I am his great grandson. That’s not a lie,” Paul added.
“Indeed. Victoria, you can play the role of my research assistant. Which is not much of a stretch either.”
“It sounds like a decent plan. Let’s hope they believe it and allow us in,” Miss Curly replied.
“I believe it is our best hope,” the professor added.
Upon landing in Scotland, they rented another car and drove out to the old Wellingham Manor. The professor used an ancient-looking knocker to knock on the door.
A man in his early 50s opened the door.
“Professor Chalkdust. I am not surprised,” the man said.
“Jenkins? How? What are you doing here?”
“This is my home now. I just purchased it. Please come in.”
The man pulled the door open and ushered the three of them into the manor.
“I don’t understand. You were teaching in Oxford when I left. How did you come to own a large Scottish manor like this? An Oxford professor certainly doesn’t earn enough for such luxury,” the professor said.
“Ha! You are correct there. Let’s just say I lucked into a large sum of money recently. I’m sure you’re familiar with that.”
The professor looked at him oddly.
“Come now, Professor. It does you a discredit to play the fool. I am referring to the gold you took from the stream near Sutter’s Mill.”
The professor and Miss Curly were both shocked. Miss Curly could feel her heart racing. Gobsmacked, the professor had no reply.
“I was there. I had been gathering gold for a few weeks. It is the universal currency. I was on a gathering trip when I heard someone riding my way and hid in the woods. Of course, I didn’t know it was you until I saw your face and those ridiculous glasses. I probably had the same look then that you have now. I was stunned. I realized you must have purchased the blue set of encyclopedias and discovered their power. I had planned to visit you, but it seems you have saved me the trip.”
“How did you learn about the encyclopedias?” Miss Curly asked.
“Quite by accident. I was visiting Paris, as I often do. I happened upon the encyclopedias in an old bookstore. On a whim, I purchased the red set and had it shipped to my home.
“One day, I was in my study practicing an upcoming lecture on the Gutenberg Printing Press when I picked up the Wellingham encyclopedia to read its entry on the topic. As is my habit, I practice reciting my lectures aloud. So I read the passage from the Wellingham encyclopedia aloud and found myself in Strasbourg in 1439. Needless to say, I was taken aback.
“I was there for several days, living on the streets, when somehow the thought came to me to re-read the encyclopedia entry aloud. Instantly, I found myself back in my study and noticed that no time had passed. Of course, you also know about this phenomenon.”
The professor had recovered his composure and replied, “I am of the opinion that we must destroy the encyclopedias. Imagine the danger if someone were to start meddling with the past. It could have catastrophic effects.”
“Ever the traditionalist, I see. You have no vision. You are free to destroy your copies of the encyclopedias, but I have a far better use in mind for mine. I plan to see all the wonders of history. And perhaps prevent a few of the horrible tragedies. Would you not stop Lincoln from being assassinated if you had the opportunity? Or prevent Hitler from coming into power? Well, you now have the chance. So do I.”
“You are dealing with powers you do not understand. You may do more harm than good,” the professor stated.
“Rubbish. I have made several trips already. If I do inadvertently harm the present, I will simply return and correct the issue.”
“You are fooling yourself. The encyclopedias must be destroyed.”
“You are the fool, Chalkdust. I had hoped you would join me on this greatest of all adventures, but I see you are a coward. I will ask you to leave now.”
“Please, listen to reason. You must not alter history.”
“You will leave, or I will call the police. You are trespassing.”
“We will tell the police about the encyclopedias!” Paul shouted.
“Is this your grandson?” Professor Jenkins asked.
“Actually, he is Lord Wellingham’s great grandson.”
“Well, young Wellingham, the police won’t believe you. And if you showed them, they would certainly take the encyclopedias away and give them to the government, who would absolutely use them to change history. You can count on that.”
“My name ain’t Wellingham. It’s Degarmo.”
“Enough. Chalkdust, take your leave.”
“We will leave. But please consider what I have said. It is too dangerous to use the encyclopedias.”
“Go.”
They left the house and started driving back to Edinburgh.
Continues in Part 11 on Tuesday.
Thanks for reading and responding. You make it fun.
Mark
I always like a judicious use of "gobsmacked."
Your minimalist use of dialogue is impressive.