I had just left the Reception of D-Deck. It was taking me much
longer to find the Squash Court than I had planned. At long last, I
discovered that I had to go through the D-deck cabins. Thankfully the door
was labeled "Squash Court". I still had to go down a few floors from
there.
I paused just outside of the door I assumed to be the Squash Court. Why did Willie want to see me? Could it be a trap? I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Willie was standing across the room practicing his fencing. He was really good. I noticed a pile of gear on the floor.
Willie smiled and walked over. "Thank you for coming. I do not meet many people on the Titanic. I like the English; I wish I knew more of them." He paused and shook my hand.
"Well, thank you for inviting me, Willie. So..." I asked in question. I was becoming a little more comfortable. He just liked me because I was English.
"Now you have the opportunity of fencing with me." He said as he gestured to the gear on the floor. I picked it up and began to put it on. "Three times national champion of my university." He said proudly as I swung my sword once through the air. "You are also an excellent athlete, are you not? Colonel Zeitel believes it so."
I pulled the sword back. "Partially. I am a mediocre fencer." I answered taking another swing. I hoped that answer would be sufficient. I didn't want to be too good...but I hoped to win so I couldn't say that I didn't know how to play. I had taken lessons before. How had Zeitel known?
"The Colonel is very seldom confused about anything. You will play. If you win, perhaps I will relay to you some stories." He said with a raise of his eyebrows. I grinned.
"Stories? Well that's worth playing for. My foil, please." I answered. He almost immediately had his mask on and was in his stance. I swung at him, but pulled back at the last minute. I didn't want to beat him right away. He might figure out who I was. Or he might even already know and just making sure.
So we fenced back and forth...and finally he won.
"You are the loser, how unfortunate." He said. Although something told me he didn't really believe it to be unfortunate. He looked very please with himself.
"Well, congratulations." I said, as we shook hands. He glanced around the squash court.
"The Titanic how quickly she is moving! The engines are loud here. We are reaching the Garth Banks." He paused. "The Vikings thought this part of the Atlantic cursed."
"Is that all you have for a story?" I asked him challengingly.
He grinned. "Another match?"
I nodded, this time flipping my mask up first. I held back for the first few shots, and then buckled down, and beat him.
"You are a great athlete!!" He said in surprise. "Have you ever taken lessons?"
I nodded. "Yes. But now that I have won, I would like to know about you."
"You do? Remember only one thing is for certain, the rest is lies." He laughed, "It is a quote from an old book I recently had the opportunity to read. But I tell you more." He paused to clear his throat. "I am a junior professor at the university. I am on my way to New Mexico to study the Zuni Indians."
"Really? Is that quote from a book called the Rubaiyat?" I asked slowly.
He nodded. "Yes! How did you know?"
I waved him off. "Tell me more."
He nodded and continued. "I am interested in what Dr. Froid calls the unconscious mind. Tell me, what frightens you more. Fire? Or ice?"
I raised my eyebrows. "I'm not sure."
"The Arians believe in ages. They believe that this is the Wolf age. After this comes the age of ice. After that is the fire that will burn for two generations. Clearly, a metaphor for a war that we must all try to prevent." He said. I could tell that there was something he was trying to tell me. But it could wait. I needed t know more about Zeitel.
"What is Zeitel's interest in art?"
"Why do you assume that he is interested in paintings?" Willie asked with a smirk.
"I said art...not paintings." I corrected.
"Yes, yes, art. That is what I meant. And you are mistaken. Colonel Zeitel cares little for art. Unlike his friend, Mr. Barbicon. He is very fond of Vienna; I noticed he has many pictures of the city. If the fire comes first, my friends will favor the English over Germany. Another match?" He asked. Quickly changing the subject.
I think I had pieced most of it together by then, or at least some of it. I still had questions that would have to wait until another time. He was hinting around subjects using metaphors. In other words...he said that if Germany started war, his country wouldn't be siding with them. But...that would mean that Willie wasn't German.
I nodded. "Yes. I'll fence." I beat him quickly. I was done playing games and wanted to know what this was all about.
Willie was panting heavily. "Ahh, you have proven yourself! I must confide, Colonel Zeitel suspects I value my friends more than Germany... he is right!" He paused and took something from his pocket.
"Here..." He continued. "Take this in friendship." He pressed a ring into my hand. "For luck... something I fear we will all need. But if anything should happen to me you will know what to do." He said with a nod. I nodded and he smiled. "Good. Another match?" He asked hopefully.
I shook my head. "No, I must go. I have some more things to do tonight."
Willie nodded. "Alright, let us meet again, but until then, keep the ring. Good Night." I nodded and exited the Squash Court. I stood outside for a moment thinking things over. Who was Willie working for? Of course, I suspected that he must be a spy as well. How could I have missed that? I shook my head in frustration and headed back upstairs. I wasn't sure where to go next.
I was just about to go and check in on Georgia when I bumped into the Gore- Joneses once more.
"I say how are you getting on?" Henry asked. Rebina rolled her eyes.
"Getting on?" She sighed, obviously not liking his choice in words.
"Quick as a cow she is." Henry said a bit mockingly. "Seen Guggenheim about?" He asked. I shook my head and was about to open my mouth when Rebina did.
"Such a nice gentleman. Extremely attentive to the ladies." Rebina said, casting a glance towards Henry.
"Especially to his mistress. They say he's stashed her onboard somewhere." He added with a shrug. Not having liked the comment Rebina had added.
"Oh really Henry, not Mr. Guggenheim." She said, absolutely appalled by the very idea that such a nice man would act like such a...man.
"The Titanic's not a damn rector you know!" Henry exclaimed. Rebina glared at him.
"Really." She paused and turned to me. "Oh my goodness I've almost forgotten! I've a message for you." She smiled. "Mr. Trask in D-2 asks you to meet him where Glory, and Honor crown time. Where Glory, and Honor Crown time... what do you think he meant?" She asked curiously.
I shrugged. "You know...I'm not quite sure. I should probably go and find out." I said with a smile. I had an idea of what he might mean, but I didn't want them following me there.
"Goodnight." They said in unison, and then looked at each other angrily.
"Goodnight." I answered and hurried up the stairs. I could hear them arguing even after I had gone up a floor. I suspected that Honor and Glory were the names of the figures that stood on either sides of the clock at the Grand Staircase. After all...what else would be crowning time?
I was right. I spotted Trask as I was coming up the stairs. He smiled at me and extended his hand as soon as I reached him.
"You've arrived! I was expecting you. I was just holding court with these two ladies." He gestured to the clock and the two figures." Honor, and Glory... crowning time!" I looked at them, and chuckled.
"It's nice to see you again." I answered.
Trask continued. "They say a hundred wood carvers worked on the Titanic. Such effort! And now... in such danger." He said and waited for me to bring it up again.
"What?" I asked in surprise. "Do you sense something? Or did you hear something?" I asked stepping in closer.
"I sense things...Ms. Cashmore hears things." He answered gravely. "I sense danger. For the ship... and for a mutual acquaintance... someone who has a lot in common with you."
I reddened. I had almost forgotten that he knew who I was. Then it struck me. "Willie Haderlitz! He's a spy isn't he." I said confidently.
Trask nodded slowly. "As are you."
I pulled his ring out of my pocket. "This is his ring...could you do a reading of it and tell me exactly what's wrong?"
Trask took the ring and shut his eyes. "Haderlitz is in very great danger." Suddenly my vision clouded over. I could see Willie. I was seeing what Trask was seeing. It was the electric bath that Willie was in. Suddenly a electrical burst sent sparks and Willie jerked around violently before falling back into the bath limply.
"Yes, very grave danger." Trask continued sadly as my vision returned and I saw him. "There's a girl, a pretty girl. Haderlitz knows her, show her the ring. She'll help you." He added.
I nodded quickly. "Where is she?"
"Room D-19." Trask said sadly. "Now, hurry."
"Thank you...and I will."
"Good luck... and goodnight. I'll be here if you need me."
I nodded and hurried down the steps. Now it was off to D Deck to find this girl and ask her about Willie. I held the ring tightly. I had to find Willie and warn him before I ran out of time. And now, time was going fast.
I paused just outside of the door I assumed to be the Squash Court. Why did Willie want to see me? Could it be a trap? I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Willie was standing across the room practicing his fencing. He was really good. I noticed a pile of gear on the floor.
Willie smiled and walked over. "Thank you for coming. I do not meet many people on the Titanic. I like the English; I wish I knew more of them." He paused and shook my hand.
"Well, thank you for inviting me, Willie. So..." I asked in question. I was becoming a little more comfortable. He just liked me because I was English.
"Now you have the opportunity of fencing with me." He said as he gestured to the gear on the floor. I picked it up and began to put it on. "Three times national champion of my university." He said proudly as I swung my sword once through the air. "You are also an excellent athlete, are you not? Colonel Zeitel believes it so."
I pulled the sword back. "Partially. I am a mediocre fencer." I answered taking another swing. I hoped that answer would be sufficient. I didn't want to be too good...but I hoped to win so I couldn't say that I didn't know how to play. I had taken lessons before. How had Zeitel known?
"The Colonel is very seldom confused about anything. You will play. If you win, perhaps I will relay to you some stories." He said with a raise of his eyebrows. I grinned.
"Stories? Well that's worth playing for. My foil, please." I answered. He almost immediately had his mask on and was in his stance. I swung at him, but pulled back at the last minute. I didn't want to beat him right away. He might figure out who I was. Or he might even already know and just making sure.
So we fenced back and forth...and finally he won.
"You are the loser, how unfortunate." He said. Although something told me he didn't really believe it to be unfortunate. He looked very please with himself.
"Well, congratulations." I said, as we shook hands. He glanced around the squash court.
"The Titanic how quickly she is moving! The engines are loud here. We are reaching the Garth Banks." He paused. "The Vikings thought this part of the Atlantic cursed."
"Is that all you have for a story?" I asked him challengingly.
He grinned. "Another match?"
I nodded, this time flipping my mask up first. I held back for the first few shots, and then buckled down, and beat him.
"You are a great athlete!!" He said in surprise. "Have you ever taken lessons?"
I nodded. "Yes. But now that I have won, I would like to know about you."
"You do? Remember only one thing is for certain, the rest is lies." He laughed, "It is a quote from an old book I recently had the opportunity to read. But I tell you more." He paused to clear his throat. "I am a junior professor at the university. I am on my way to New Mexico to study the Zuni Indians."
"Really? Is that quote from a book called the Rubaiyat?" I asked slowly.
He nodded. "Yes! How did you know?"
I waved him off. "Tell me more."
He nodded and continued. "I am interested in what Dr. Froid calls the unconscious mind. Tell me, what frightens you more. Fire? Or ice?"
I raised my eyebrows. "I'm not sure."
"The Arians believe in ages. They believe that this is the Wolf age. After this comes the age of ice. After that is the fire that will burn for two generations. Clearly, a metaphor for a war that we must all try to prevent." He said. I could tell that there was something he was trying to tell me. But it could wait. I needed t know more about Zeitel.
"What is Zeitel's interest in art?"
"Why do you assume that he is interested in paintings?" Willie asked with a smirk.
"I said art...not paintings." I corrected.
"Yes, yes, art. That is what I meant. And you are mistaken. Colonel Zeitel cares little for art. Unlike his friend, Mr. Barbicon. He is very fond of Vienna; I noticed he has many pictures of the city. If the fire comes first, my friends will favor the English over Germany. Another match?" He asked. Quickly changing the subject.
I think I had pieced most of it together by then, or at least some of it. I still had questions that would have to wait until another time. He was hinting around subjects using metaphors. In other words...he said that if Germany started war, his country wouldn't be siding with them. But...that would mean that Willie wasn't German.
I nodded. "Yes. I'll fence." I beat him quickly. I was done playing games and wanted to know what this was all about.
Willie was panting heavily. "Ahh, you have proven yourself! I must confide, Colonel Zeitel suspects I value my friends more than Germany... he is right!" He paused and took something from his pocket.
"Here..." He continued. "Take this in friendship." He pressed a ring into my hand. "For luck... something I fear we will all need. But if anything should happen to me you will know what to do." He said with a nod. I nodded and he smiled. "Good. Another match?" He asked hopefully.
I shook my head. "No, I must go. I have some more things to do tonight."
Willie nodded. "Alright, let us meet again, but until then, keep the ring. Good Night." I nodded and exited the Squash Court. I stood outside for a moment thinking things over. Who was Willie working for? Of course, I suspected that he must be a spy as well. How could I have missed that? I shook my head in frustration and headed back upstairs. I wasn't sure where to go next.
I was just about to go and check in on Georgia when I bumped into the Gore- Joneses once more.
"I say how are you getting on?" Henry asked. Rebina rolled her eyes.
"Getting on?" She sighed, obviously not liking his choice in words.
"Quick as a cow she is." Henry said a bit mockingly. "Seen Guggenheim about?" He asked. I shook my head and was about to open my mouth when Rebina did.
"Such a nice gentleman. Extremely attentive to the ladies." Rebina said, casting a glance towards Henry.
"Especially to his mistress. They say he's stashed her onboard somewhere." He added with a shrug. Not having liked the comment Rebina had added.
"Oh really Henry, not Mr. Guggenheim." She said, absolutely appalled by the very idea that such a nice man would act like such a...man.
"The Titanic's not a damn rector you know!" Henry exclaimed. Rebina glared at him.
"Really." She paused and turned to me. "Oh my goodness I've almost forgotten! I've a message for you." She smiled. "Mr. Trask in D-2 asks you to meet him where Glory, and Honor crown time. Where Glory, and Honor Crown time... what do you think he meant?" She asked curiously.
I shrugged. "You know...I'm not quite sure. I should probably go and find out." I said with a smile. I had an idea of what he might mean, but I didn't want them following me there.
"Goodnight." They said in unison, and then looked at each other angrily.
"Goodnight." I answered and hurried up the stairs. I could hear them arguing even after I had gone up a floor. I suspected that Honor and Glory were the names of the figures that stood on either sides of the clock at the Grand Staircase. After all...what else would be crowning time?
I was right. I spotted Trask as I was coming up the stairs. He smiled at me and extended his hand as soon as I reached him.
"You've arrived! I was expecting you. I was just holding court with these two ladies." He gestured to the clock and the two figures." Honor, and Glory... crowning time!" I looked at them, and chuckled.
"It's nice to see you again." I answered.
Trask continued. "They say a hundred wood carvers worked on the Titanic. Such effort! And now... in such danger." He said and waited for me to bring it up again.
"What?" I asked in surprise. "Do you sense something? Or did you hear something?" I asked stepping in closer.
"I sense things...Ms. Cashmore hears things." He answered gravely. "I sense danger. For the ship... and for a mutual acquaintance... someone who has a lot in common with you."
I reddened. I had almost forgotten that he knew who I was. Then it struck me. "Willie Haderlitz! He's a spy isn't he." I said confidently.
Trask nodded slowly. "As are you."
I pulled his ring out of my pocket. "This is his ring...could you do a reading of it and tell me exactly what's wrong?"
Trask took the ring and shut his eyes. "Haderlitz is in very great danger." Suddenly my vision clouded over. I could see Willie. I was seeing what Trask was seeing. It was the electric bath that Willie was in. Suddenly a electrical burst sent sparks and Willie jerked around violently before falling back into the bath limply.
"Yes, very grave danger." Trask continued sadly as my vision returned and I saw him. "There's a girl, a pretty girl. Haderlitz knows her, show her the ring. She'll help you." He added.
I nodded quickly. "Where is she?"
"Room D-19." Trask said sadly. "Now, hurry."
"Thank you...and I will."
"Good luck... and goodnight. I'll be here if you need me."
I nodded and hurried down the steps. Now it was off to D Deck to find this girl and ask her about Willie. I held the ring tightly. I had to find Willie and warn him before I ran out of time. And now, time was going fast.