follow me!”
Pushing Rosemary ahead of them, Peter and Puck dashed along the corridors to the rear of the car. They pulled open the door to the next car and ran through that and through the one after that until they reached the end of the train.
At the entrance to the last car, they halted.
“We need to clear this car,” said the Mystery Man. “Fast.”
“I saw the murderer!” Peter shouted. “He went that way!” He pointed.
Heads poked out of the doors of the compartments. At the sight of Peter pointing, they stampeded into the corridor. Puck and Rosemary barely managed to duck away in time.
The Mystery Man took out a key and opened a panel. “Once you lose the Zeppelins, try to follow the train. We were heading towards the next setting.”
“But then the Zeppelins will be between us and it,” said Rosemary. “How do we get past them?”
“Let me deal with that,” said Puck. “Your business is with the challenges.”
The car plunged into darkness as they entered the tunnel. Puck moved Peter and Rosemary into the car, while the Mystery Man held back.
“Challenges are never easy, Rosemary. But it is from challenges that heroes are born.” In the dying light, the Mystery Man pulled a lever. There was a rush of escaping air, and then the last car pulled back from the rest of the train, slowing steadily.
“Good luck, Miss Watson,” said the Mystery Man. “You will save your brother, Theo.” Then, bending the light from the corridor, he tipped his hat to them and waved.
Then the train pulled into the distance as the final car rolled to a stop.
“What now?” asked Rosemary.
“We walk,” said Puck.
CHAPTER TEN
FALLING ACTION
“You heard the Wise Woman,” said Marjorie, pushing her horn-rimmed glasses further up on her nose. “Anything is possible if we put our minds to it.”
“Including jumping about the universe at a whim?” said John. “What do you take me for?”
“Just hold hands,” Marjorie ordered.
“This is silly,” said John, as Marjorie took Andrew’s and John’s hands into her own.
“Shh,” said Andrew. “It can’t hurt to try.”
“You just like holding my sister’s hand!”
There was a rushing of air. The world around them changed. Then there was a moment’s stunned silence.
“Marjorie,” said John, barely holding his voice steady.
“Oh dear,” squeaked Marjorie. “It really does work!”
***
“Rosemary, are you okay?”
Rosemary snapped out of her daydream. “Yeah.”
They trudged through the darkness of the tunnel, Rosemary stepping from tie to tie while Peter scuffed the rocks between the rails. As they came to the tunnel mouth, they crept close to the walls, keeping an eye on the sky, but there were no Zeppelins in view.
“I don’t like this.” Rosemary shivered. “They knew we were on that train.”
“They’re not here now,” said Peter.
“When they see their error, they will come back to this tunnel with all speed.” Puck craned his neck to see around the mountain.
“So, let’s get out of here,” said Peter. “Which way?”
“Perhaps that path is going our way.” Puck pointed to a crossing ahead of them. The road clung to the side of the mountain, spiralling out of view.
“No cover,” said Peter.
“Then keep one eye on the sky.”
Peter and Rosemary puffed up the slope. The ledge narrowed, until all that was left was the roadway. The mountain was a sheer wall on their left and a sheer drop on their right.
As Rosemary limped along, Peter cast glances at her arm, still black from the Sea of Ink. Finally, he said, “Rosemary, is your arm okay?”
“Yeah, why?”
“How heavy was that grapple?”
“Heavy,” said Rosemary.
“Didn’t it hurt?”
“What do you think?”
“But you’re okay now?”
“Yes, Peter, I’m okay. What are you getting at?”
Puck raised one pointed eyebrow.
“That thing would have broken my arm,” said Peter. “But you’re okay?”
“Yes, Peter, I’m fine,” she snapped. Then she winced and stumbled. “Ow!”
He looked down. “You’re barefoot!”
“I’m wearing stockings.”
“Like that makes a difference.”
“Do you think those high-heeled shoes that went with this dress would help any? Anyway, I left them on the train.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“You have shoes in your pockets?”
“Puck,” Peter turned to him. “Could you change into a horse? Give us a ride?”
Puck snorted. “On these rocks? Would you ride a mountain goat?” He pointed. “Perhaps we can find shoes there.”
“I’m fine,” said Rosemary. She looked up. “Find shoes where?”
Ahead of them, the ledge widened. On it was a tall and narrow house. On top of a roof like a witch’s hat a lightning rod waited for something to strike. The house was built right to the sheer drop.
Rosemary swallowed. “Guys, I’m fine.”
“You can’t walk around like this,” said Peter, taking her hand. “Come on!”
In the shadow of the tall house amongst the barren rocks there was a little square of green. By the gate of this garden, an old man puttered around. Peter, Puck, and Rosemary walked up to him. “Excuse me, sir,” said Peter. “Do you have any —”
The old man looked up and fixed Peter with eyes like planets. Peter froze.
The man was tall and thin, wearing flannel pants, a white shirt, and a waistcoat, all of which looked too formal for gardening. His hair was silver, and combed precisely. He ran his thumbs beneath his suspenders.
“What were you going to say, my boy, hmm?” said the old man, his voice crisp. “Shoes, was it? Shoes for young Rosemary Watson?”
“Uh, yeah,” said Peter. He swallowed. “She hasn’t got any.”
“Really,” said Rosemary. “I’m okay.”
The old man beamed at her. “Nonsense! I would be remiss if I didn’t look, my dear. I would be even more remiss if I didn’t offer you my hospitality.” He opened the gate. “Come in, come in! I’ve made you all some refreshments.” He grabbed Peter’s and Rosemary’s hands and pulled them onto the lawn.
The cool grass felt wonderful to Rosemary’s aching feet and she staggered at the rush of relief. She gazed longingly at a lawn chair beside a