Chapter 2

Matt and Mark Ridgemont were beyond restless. Matt looked around at the set of cells in some basement in Whitehall where they and Jules Verne had sent the last–what was it, three or four weeks? The English had made efforts toward their comfort, true. The rooms might normally be detainment cells, but had been refurbished and partitioned after the first few days into something akin to a modest hotel suite. We all have separate sleeping rooms and a common room for reading stocked with books, a chess set, cards, and several other games. Someone had even brought us textbooks per our intended university studies. That is supposed to begin in another week. Will we be allowed to attend?

Jules Verne was thinking similar thoughts in his room. He understood more about what they were facing, but had become as restless as the two younger men. He had his notebook with him. Rebecca had brought it for him along with his clothes. Someone had brought him textbooks on English law and law studies. Jules had been content to read and write for the first week and a half. The third week, he spent more time working a three-way chess tournament and poker game. They had by now gone through all the board games, books and were out of ideas and patience.

Rebecca had visited him regularly until three days ago. He assumed something had broken in their investigation. The Foggs may now be in France.

He understood the need for him and the others to remain in England, but he was not used to being left behind. When the Foggs fought the League, I have always been there, either as backup or the object of a rescue. I wanted to be with them when they went, but Rebecca insisted otherwise. This is my fight, too. It's always been my fight.

"No Jules, this time you have to stay here where you will be safe." There was no changing my mind? Rebecca had said.

Now I'm locked up here with nothing to do but worry.

In the hall, Jules heard a visitor coming in with the guard. That would be the American Ambassador to England. Matthew had requested a visit with this man yesterday. Having little to occupy his mind, Jules eaves-dropped on the meeting.

"Ambassador, thank you for coming," Matthew said.

"Just what is this about, young man?" The Ambassador said, getting down to business within seconds. "Why are you being held here? What charges are being brought against you? I was told you have been here three weeks," he said, dripping indignity. "I should have been informed immediately. American citizens cannot be treated like this."

"Please Ambassador, I will explain," Matthew said.

Jules heard the scraping of chairs around the small table in the common room.

"We are not being charged with anything," Matt said. "We were attacked and kidnapped before being brought here. The English authorities rescued us. We were put here for protection."

"The trouble is that their protection is keeping us from what we came to England for in the first place," Mark said, taking up the conversation. "We are supposed to start studies at Cambridge. We understand that would be dangerous under the circumstances, but sitting around here is pointless. My brother and I want out of here. If we cannot go to Cambridge, we would like to go home until the danger is past."

"I see," the diplomat said. "Yes, I understand now. I think I can arrange that. You could be moved out of here onto a ship back home easily. I could even see about protecting your places at Cambridge until this matter is over. Are you sure you want to leave the country?"

"We are sure," Matthew said. "It will not be long, hopefully. If we cannot do what we were sent here to do, then my brother and I want to get back to our uncle. We were working for his freight company before coming here. He could still need us."

"Commendable," the Ambassador said. "I will see to it. I should have you out of here in a few days, depending on how long it takes to book your passage. In the future though, when you get back, do not wait so long to contact me if you come to anymore trouble."

The chairs were heard to scrape the bare floors again as the Ridgemont brothers and their visitor stood and made their goodbyes. "You two understand you were only in here by your own willingness," the Ambassador said. "The English do not have any authority to hold you here. You could have asked to leave anytime."

"No, we didn't know," Matthew said. "Thank you for telling us."

Jules took in, equally surprised. Does that apply to me too? Have I just been sitting here for no reason? Well, there is a reason, but I don't need to be sitting here if I don't have to. I want out of here as much as they do. If I asked to leave here, where would I go–not to France, at least not right away? Perhaps Fogg's townhouse? I still have the key Fogg gave me. But that would be no better than being here. The house will be empty.

In the hall, Matt and Mark said something more to the Ambassador in quiet tones. The man nodded agreement and left. They turned and walked like matched soldiers, headed to Jules's room. Mark said what they both were thinking.

"He ain't staying here either.