The Time Travelers' Club -- Chapter 85: An Attack

“Rufus, what do we know? What exactly…”  Mrs. Steers was talking to Rufus Leightstone.  She stopped as the parlor doors flew open.  “Rose!  Thank goodness you’re here.  There’s been an attack.”

Sam stood behind Rose, hidden from view.   As Sam peeked around her, Leightstone spotted him.  “Ah…  You must be Master Henry.”  Leightstone came directly over to him and shook Sam’s hand.

Thinking of a British gentleman, Sam liked Leightstone's tweed suit and highly polished shoes.  Sam could tell Rufus Leightstone was a professional of some sort.  And most of all, Sam wasn’t sure what he meant by “Master.” He also tried not to look at Mrs. Steers standing nearby; although he could knew that she was staring at him.

Sam wasn’t sure what to say, so he said.  “Are you a member of the Club?”

Leightstone laughed.  “I am.  I’m the head of the International Council of The Time Travelers Club to be exact. I have so wanted to meet you, Master Henry.  I’ve heard a lot about your abilities.”

Before Sam could speak, Mrs. Steers interjected.  “Rufus, please tell us what has happened.  There’ll be plenty of time to talk with Sam later.”

“Ah yes.  Well, two members of the Council were meeting to discuss another matter.”  Leightstone tapped the side of his nose.   Mrs. Steers nodded as if to understand the meaning of the gesture, while Rose just stood and listened.  Sam didn't get the gesture.

Leightstone continued.  “The two members had just finished their meeting at a local pub and left.  Outside they were viciously attacked by two of Herkeimer’s people near the pub.  One called Bruno and the other was Tinean.”

“What were they after?” asked Rose.

“Apparently, they were trying to find out about the books and…” Leightstone stopped, then glanced at Sam.   Without anyone else noticing, he kept shifting his eyes in Sam’s directions.  Mrs. Steers’ eyes widened.  He didn’t have to finish his sentence.

“And…,” said Rose.  “What else?”

“Nothing we need to know about,” said Mrs. Steers.  “It’s something unrelated to the Doctor.  Why don’t you take Sam home, Rose?  He probably has homework to do.”  She smiled at Sam who didn’t really care about his homework at the moment.  He was more interested in why Leightstone had glanced his way.

“Come on Sam,” said Rose.   “They want to discuss private issues that we’re better off not knowing.”   She took Sam upstairs.

“What did he mean by master?” asked Sam.

“Leightstone is a very formal and proper gentleman when it comes to greeting people in a very formal way,” said Rose.  “It’s what they used for young boys instead of mister.”

Meanwhile, Leightstone and Mrs. Steers waited until they heard the laundry door shut upstairs. 

“Now, Lottie, we must get moving on getting the books to safety.  We need a plan before there is another attempt.”

“Yes,” said Mrs. Steers.  “We must get Sam and the books to the cave.”

Leightstone questioned her.  "And what is the plan if that doesn't work?"

"I don't even want to think about it if it doesn't," said Mrs. Steers, wringing her hands.  "If it doesn't then we will have to destroy the books.  That's what I think."

Leightstone was shocked.  "Absolutely not.  The International Council will not allow that."

No longer wringing her hands, Mrs. Steers looked Leightstone in the eyes.  "Then you and The International Council will need to take responsibility for them.  I will no longer protect them.”   There was no mistaking the determination behind her words.