Carlson looked one more time in the mirror above the dresser. The man in it was indeed his younger self. Looking down at himself confirmed what the mirror had revealed. "How very strange. Why am I back on the Titanic?" he thought.

He opened the pocket watch on the dresser. It read 9:30 PM. A look outside the porthole confirmed it. He then noticed his steamer trunk. He wondered to himself why he had bothered to bring such a large trunk in the first place.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Another one came shortly after the last. He wanted to open it but he was afraid to. He hadn't even figured out yet why he was on the Titanic!

Carlson slowly inched toward the door, not knowing what to expect on the other side. With caution he proceeded to turn the handle and open it.

On the other side was a thin, well dressed, and moustached man who seemed close to middle aged. Before Carlson could speak, the man spoke.

"Good evening. I am Smethells, your steward. And if I may say so, it is good to see you up and about" he said.

"Thank you", replied Carlson, extending his hand. "My name is Carlson".

Smethells seemed unimpressed. "You've been in your cabin the whole voyage. A touch of the mal de mer was it?"

Carlson was taken aback by those words. He thought, "Been out of my cabin the whole voyage? The thought of it!"

"What's mal de mer?" asked Carlson, coming out of his thoughts.

"Seasickness", answered Smethells. "Can be quite unpleasant, especially if it is one's first crossing.

Carlson nodded in agreement.

"Since you haven't been out of your cabin, may I instruct you on how to get assistance while on board the Titanic?" Smethells offered.

"No, I don't need any help" Carlson answered.

Smethells, somewhat disappointed, countered, "Very well. Your correspondence."

He took out a silver platter with a note card on it. On it was a date: April 14, 1912. Written on the note card was this: "Meet me by the electric camel, now!, P. P." He already knew what the electric camel was, as he'd read about it in the papers. It was said it was good for the liver. He also knew it was in the gymnasium.

"Am I getting the second chance I've always wanted to complete the mission I failed to do?" thought Carlson. He wasn't sure though, he'd have to get confirmation.

Meanwhile, Smethells muttered, almost to himself, "2,200 on board. And they all want messages delivered, promptly. Even if it is 1912, and the Titanic, the most advanced means of sea conveyance ever devised, I still have only two hands."

Carlson handed back the notecard, which Smethells stowed in his pocket. He then proceeded to hand him a rolled up piece of paper.

"A map of the ship for you" Smethells droned, "Compliments of the White Star Line. I have taken the liberty of indicating your cabin, C-73. Of course on a Sunday evening at this hour, there won't be many people out."

Carlson nodded once again in agreement.

"Will there be anything else?" asked Smethells.

"Yes, as a matter of fact there will be." Carlson responded, remembering the confirmation he needed. "Who is P. P.?"

"A young lady." Smethells answered with a sigh. "A most insistent young lady".

"Penny Pringle!" thought Carlson.

"Will there be anything else?" asked Smethells.

"That will be all" responded Carlson.

Smethells continued: "Have you unpacked? You will find your trunk key in your bag, on the bed. And remember your personal effects, your watch and bag. If you require additional assistance, please ring the bell by the door."

"Thank you", said Carlson.

"Goodnight", Smethells responded and exited the room, shutting the door behind him.

Carlson could hardly comprehend what he'd just heard. First, how did Smethells know what was inside his bag? Furthermore, it seemed impossible he should be back on the Titanic. He should have died in the bombing, he thought. Still, he decided to make the best of this opportunity and make things right.

He went over to the bed by the door and retrieved his bag, which indeed have the steamer trunk key in it. But his steamer trunk would have to wait. He had more important things to do.

Going back to the dresser to retrieve his pocket watch, he noticed a piece of paper jutting out of one of the drawers. He opened the drawer and read the piece of paper: "Meet me tonight on deck, tell no one! – Georgia".

"Georgia's on board!" Carlson thought. But he couldn't meet her just yet. He had important things to attend to.

Carlson exited his room and made his way toward the grand staircase. He had no time to lose. Upon entering the Grand Staircase, he noticed Smethells standing on the corner of the stairs. He waved and continued on his way.

He marvelled at the splendour that was the Grand Staircase. He wondered why he never noticed it the first time around. On the way he passed a rather plump fellow at the bottom of the A-Deck Stairs. He, again, would have to wait.

Carlson eventually found his way to the gymnasium. A bevy of exercise equipment greeted him. What also greeted him was the sight of Penny Pringle walking toward him. She was just as he'd remembered. An insistent young lady.

"Glory be!" Penny exclaimed. "It's about time! Your late! Another five minutes and I'd have cancelled your mission."

"I apologize Penny; I came as soon as I could." Carlson responded. "What did you want to tell me?" he asked.

"Look at this!" she said as she held out a photograph. Carlson immediately recognized the man in it as the man he'd seen in his dream.

Penny continued: "A German colonel named Zeitel. He's inspecting their embassies in Havana, Washington, and Mexico City. We know better."

"That explains the German accent!" thought Carlson.

Penny proceeded: "Ten days ago the Bureau got word that Zeitel has in his possession a priceless copy of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, stolen two months ago in Paris after its purchase by a very highly placed member of His Majesty's government."

"What's Zeitel going to do with it?" asked Carlson.

"It's your job to find out!" Penny answered. She looked to see if anyone was listening. "His lordship's watching this very closely. Very closely indeed. I wouldn't fumble this chance either. Unless you fancy spending the rest of your career in some grotty Midland back office shuffling paper about."

He shuddered at the thought. "Is Zeitel traveling alone? He asked.

"No, he's with a protégé." answered Penny. "Name of Haderlitz I believe. The two spend a great deal of time in the Café Parisienne, nibbling pastries."

Penny's mood suddenly became forceful. "Get into the wireless room!" she said forcefully. "I don't know or care how. Officer Morrow wouldn't let me in. See if Zeitel's received or sent any telegrams about the Rubaiyat. You've got a cryptograph in your trunk. It will unscramble the German codes for you. You use the brains God gave you! Watch people. Listen. When you find the Rubaiyat, knock on my door."

"Which cabin are you in?" Carlson asked.

"Cabin F-34. Use the 2nd Class Stairs." She looked around again. "You should be set. Remember, this is your big chance. Don't fail!". With that she left Carlson and went outside.

By this time Carlson knew for sure. He knew that he was being given a second chance. There was no way he could fail this time. Not this time around.

Or could he