The Time Travelers' Club: Chapter 68 -- Getting Acquainted

 "Sam, let’s get out of here," said Albert as he reached over and picked up Sam's flashlight. "I think you've had all of Cleopatra you want for today. I never really like her anyway. Of course, I'm often reminded of the old movies about her. The actresses that played her were much more attractive."

Sam glanced over at the dead queen.  Albert grabbed Sam’s upper arm, and, in a flash, the tomb was gone.  They stood in a bedroom.  The furniture looked old, but the room was clean and tidy.  Books were stacked on every available surface.  Albert opened the bedroom door and lead Sam out into the upstairs hallway of the Steers' house.    Sam knew immediately where they were.  The door to his apartment was ajar.

"Hey!  How did we end up here?  Aren't we supposed to came back downstairs?"

"In the beginning, yes," said Albert.  "But eventually, you'll be able to travel from anywhere and return anywhere you like."

"Awesome."

"I suggest you use the back parlor for now.  You are still in training. Let's go downstairs."

Sam nodded.

"We’ve got visitors." Xavier announced from the sofa in the front parlor. He lounged with his feet up on the coffee table. Not bothering to get up, he greeted them. "Welcome back. How was good old dead Cleo? Did you get all wrapped up with her?"

Mrs. Steers shouted from the kitchen. "Are you two hungry? I can make sandwiches."

Without hesitation, Xavier responded. "I’ll have chicken salad."

"You can come and fix it. It’s in the refrigerator."  Mrs. Steers echoed back as she organized a small buffet on the kitchen counter.  She then mumbled under breath.  "Xavier, you have got to be laziest person.  If your Father were here..."  She stopped when Sam and Albert came in and sat down at the kitchen table.

"Sam, did you get enough about Cleopatra for your report?" Mrs. Steers made several ham and cheese sandwiches for them. Xavier flitted in and began poking around in the refrigerator.

"I did," said Sam, grabbing a sandwich. He realized he hadn’t eaten all day and was starving.

Between bites, Sam quizzed Albert. "I thought you were dead.  Lost at sea or something?"

Mrs. Steers sat down at the table. "It’s a long story. First, we needed someone who could sneak about and look for the other copies of the book. My Albert has gotten many of us out of jams."

She reached over and patted Albert's hand.  "That's why we call him 'The Rescuer.'  That's his code name."

Albert chimed in. "Remember the time we had to deal with that cult in France. What a group that was."

"They were before my time," said Xavier, sitting down with a sandwich and an apple."  "But I've heard the stories.  They had some wild ideas,"

"It sounds like you’ve had some great adventures." Sam finished his sandwich. "What about this group in France? Do a lot of people know about the books?"

"The group in France was a small cult of individuals who wanted to the book.  They claimed they wanted to study history, but as it turned out, they had other plans.  We have no members of the club would let their power go to their head," said Xavier.  "A lot of people do not know about the books.  We are exclusive."

"Have you gotten to meet Jameson?" Albert asked Sam. "Interesting man. I think you need to meet him and see his shop.  Lottie, you should arrange that."  Albert got up and fixed another sandwich.  "Jameson and I have been on the trail of two copies of the book for several years now. We think one copy is in Baltimore. There seems to be some tie to Edgar Allan Poe."

Sam perked up. "Really? Edgar Allan Poe? I’ve read all of his stories. He’s one of my favorites.  I added him to my list of people to see."

"Good choice of reading," said Albert. "Apparently, someone may have slipped Poe a copy of the book while he was on his way to Baltimore. You know about his death, don’t you?"

Sam shrugged. "I assume he just got old and died."

Sounding like Mrs. Steers, Albert began to tell the story.

"Well, yes and no. He did die, but they don't know the whole story. You see Poe arrived in Baltimore from Washington. But eventually, his whereabouts were questioned. Nobody knew where he was."

Xavier piped up.  "But you do."

Albert glanced over at Xavier and cleared his throat.   "As I was saying, later Poe was found delirious and was taken to a nearby hospital. That’s where he died, but he happened to be wearing another man’s clothes and his suitcase was missing. According to our research, Poe kept crying out about someone named Reynolds."

Albert stopped and took another bite of his sandwich. Sam was annoyed by being left hanging.

"And..." said Sam.

With sandwich in mouth, Albert continued. "Anyway, no one really knew who Reynolds was. From what we have tracked down, the person we have nicknamed Reynolds may have slipped a copy of the book into Poe’s suitcase during his trip. Then when he arrived in Baltimore, someone stole his bag in order to get the book."

Mrs. Steers chimed in. "After the book was published, an English chapter of the Time Savers Club did their best to get them back, but it was too late, the books had scattered. We’re not sure if Reynolds was a member of that group or not. The American Time Savers Clubs worked on finding the two copies that they know showed up here in the States."

Xavier spoke up. "So, Dr. H. has one copy. And this Poe copy might be the other?"

"Might be," said Albert. "I have to meet Jameson later this afternoon in Baltimore. We’re going over some more research. And of course, take a look at some of scenes during Poe's trip. It's difficult to tell if the book was actually in the bag..."

"When you can't see in it," Sam finished Albert's sentence.

"That's right," said Mrs. Steers.  "Very good observation."

"Mrs. Steers, when can I go by myself?"  asked Sam.

"Soon, but not just yet."  Mrs. Steers looked over at Albert and Xavier.  Seeing his disappointment, she struggled for a few extra words.  "We want... you to be safe... for the moment.   Don't worry though, you'll get the chance."

With that and lunch over, Albert retired upstairs to rest. Mrs. Steers had to study her response to her presentation to the International Council. Xavier left for his Uncle Griff’s. And Sam had a report to write about Cleopatra.

As he climbed the stairs, Sam thought.  Another busy day.  I'm so lucky.  I just wish I could go somewhere by myself.