The Grand Illusion - Fourp
(Disclaimer: Characters from The Lost World belong respectively to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Telescene, et al. This is for entertainment purposes only. Any original characters belong to the author and cannot be used without permission.)p
It was Challenger who discovered the newspaper..BR
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"Look at this!" he exclaimed as he walked into the drawing room. Roxton and Ned were going through supplies which for the purposes of the upcoming expedition had been turned more or less into a storage area.BR
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"Hm?" Roxton took the paper. It was the London Times of course, but it was
the headline that shocked him. BR
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"That's Veronica!" he exclaimed, looking intently at the photograph.BR
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"Let me see!" Ned rushed over from where he was packing a bag and came up
behind Roxton. BR
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The photograph was of three people, a man and two women - obviously related
to each other. The young woman in the middle was definitely Veronica. Ned
would know that smile anywhere. The two flanking her had to be her parents,
but it was Veronica who held his gaze.BR
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"It is her!" he broke out in a broad smile. BR
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At that moment, Summerlee and Marguerite came into the room, carrying some
packs for the trip.BR
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"We've found Veronica!" Ned said excitedly, showing them the medium-sized
headline.BR
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"Explorers Return From Journey To Pre-historic World.." Summerlee read
aloud.BR
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Challenger sighed.BR
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"Hm, I wonder where she got the idea for THAT outfit?" Marguerite smirked.BR
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"So her parents were never lost at all." Roxton commented. BR
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"Yes. And now - " Challenger started to say.BR
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"They beat you to the punch, eh?" Summerlee said. BR
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Roxton was reading the article. "Not quite.." Roxton said. BR
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Challenger was a bit miffed. "What do you mean - not quite, Roxton?"BR
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"Evidently you didn't read through all of the article.." Roxton smiled.BR
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"Now THAT'S a surprise." Summerlee quipped. Challenger only gave him a
glare.BR
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Roxton continued. "They brought back a lot of plant samples, but their
camera and photographs were lost when they went back through the Amazon.
Lost a man there too."BR
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"Only one? They were quite fortunate in that." Summerlee ventured.BR
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Challenger's look brightened a little. BR
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"Then they don't have the proof of the raptors.." he said thoughtfully. BR
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"Not photographic proof, no." Roxton said. "The Historical Society is quite
elated over their finds. In fact, it says here that they will be giving a
lecture about their journey."BR
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"But where?" Marguerite asked. "I mean from what I've heard, the fire did a
lot of damage to the building."BR
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"Doesn't say." Roxton scanned the article again and then suddenly said, "I
have an idea."BR
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"What?" Summerlee asked. BR
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"Why don't we host it here?" Roxton said. "We'll give them a party to
remember and also announce our expedition."BR
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"A capital idea!" Challenger clapped Roxton on the back.BR
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"We're still going?" Ned asked. "But doesn't Veronica coming back here
change things?"BR
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"Nonsense." Challenger said. "There is still much to discover there, and we
must hurry before everyone else decides to take a jaunt."BR
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"I doubt that anyone would want to vacation on the plateau, Challenger."
Marguerite gave Challenger an arch look.BR
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"Paradise is where you find it, my dear." Summerlee said.BR
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"Hm, maybe." Marguerite gave Roxton a slight smile and then said, "Maybe
not.."BR
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"Soooo.." Ned ran a hand through his hair. "You'll invite them here to
lecture?" BR
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"Sure, why don't we make a grand event out of it?" Roxton said. "Dinner, a
ball and yes, a lecture as well."BR
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"Sounds very good.." Marguerite said. "I'll simply have to go shopping.."BR
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"That is a good idea.." Roxton's eyes held a mischievous twinkle. "Since
YOU'RE footing half the bill.." BR
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"ME? Why am I doing that?" Marguerite acted affronted.BR
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"Out of the goodness of that hard heart of yours?" Roxton said.
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"Ha, try again." Marguerite crossed her arms.BR
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"Because you have a flair for the elegant.." Ned grinned. BR
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"Flattery will get you nowhere, Malone." Marguerite said. "But all right,
I'll do it. I enjoy a good party as much as anyone else. But it'll be done
MY way, understood?"BR
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"Yes, your majesty.." Roxton gave her a mock salute.BR
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"No snide remarks from YOU, m'lord." Marguerite added.BR
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"Then it's set." Challenger said. "Let's get to it then."BR
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