Chapter 17

Passepartout considered what he was doing and what he was going to do one more time as he cleaned the controls on the Phoenix. Bringing Phoenix to hiding place, one of last things I did for Phileas Fogg of London England. Never expecting to see it again. Yet, I am here, tasked to rescue Phileas Fogg from future he not belonging in.

Seven years ago, an odd machine had turned up in Spain that fit the description of the Phoenix. I accompanying Phileas Fogg to the property of a farmer who was showing it off, a penny per person. It was the one Dumas made. I urging for time machine to be destroyed, but he refused. Why?

Looking over the controls reminded him of being in Count Gregory's clutches, three years before the trip to Spain. The Count had gained same drawings to build time machine Dumas made. Jules Verne captured, Miss Rebecca, Phileas Fogg, and I caught, attempting rescue. I forced to work as backup pilot. Seeing plans and spending hours at controls, giving me good understanding of how machine working.

Master Fogg and Jules Verne should never be going to future. Second trip into future not good thing either. No, being no good thing at all. Playing with time, madness. Should be leaving time alone.

Yet… I cannot say no to Rebecca Fogg.

Passepartout finished what he was doing, putting the part back where it belonged. I taking time machine where I don't want, knowing former master not coming back. Even Rebecca not convincing him, if he has not protected descendants yet. I should return to France but… upsetting woman carrying child also bad thing. Rebecca upset already. Causing her more turmoil causing trouble, don't want on my soul.

Passepartout set the controls for the date Miss Rebecca told him she would be home in the country alone. Passepartout started the time trip, moving the vehicle to the other side of the hiding place. Otherwise, I sitting on top of other time machine. That two things cannot exist in the same place is law of physics even time travel cannot break.

Passepartout powered down the vehicle, put on his hat and coat, and walked to the manor house. It was nearly dark when he reached the front door. Good Majordomo McIver met him and gave him a good country welcome. Inside, he found Rebecca sewing, just as she had said she would be.

"Passepartout, welcome!" A slender Rebecca said. "You should have sent word that you were coming."

"Passepartout's visit not planned," he said, less than truthfully. "I must speak with you. It is matter most urgent and," he whispered, "most important it be secret."

Rebecca looked at him quizzically but agreed. She took him to the study for their talk. After McIver poured Passepartout a drink, she dismissed him. "What is it?"

He drained his glass for strength, cleared his throat and said, "Passepartout coming to Rebecca on her own request. I using time machine to visit you when Master Fogg being away. You wishing–she, wishing, you coming with me where master going with Jules Verne. Terrible trip. Master killed and Jules coming back hurting. Rebecca asking your help to bring master home."

After a long silence, she said, "Good Lord. Why would I… Why did she, ask you to bring me from the past to do this?"

"Rebecca is with child in my time," he said.

"Ahh... Yes, that would be a problem. How did Phileas and Jules get to this future time in the first place, if you have the time machine? And when are we talking about?"

"Passepartout not understanding," he said. "Jules healing when I talking to him. Taking much pain medicine. Rebecca finding papers and coins in his pockets. A train ticket saying he comes and goes from Shillingworth and Sheffield, December 4, 1940."

Rebecca gasped. "What in the world?"

"Jules saying they keeping family of that time from harm. More, I not knowing."

"All, right." Rebecca shook a bit, fighting down wariness. "We must go then, if for nothing but to warn them. And yes, we should try to bring them back. I'm sorry you had to be dragged into this, Jean."

"Passepartout sorry for much, but not for helping old friends," he said. "I have brought letters from future Rebecca to explain more and having bag of things she sending to you."

They both stood. Rebecca gave Jean a hug for what he had agreed to do for them. She drew back. "We can start making plans tomorrow. Have you eaten? Miss Betty should have dinner soon, and I am sure she is seeing to it you have a place at the table."

"For Miss Betty's cooking, Passepartout is always hungry."