We're back to Tuesday. Hooray.
Here's a list of previous chapters:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
And of course Tuesday means a freshly washed orange antimacassar. And you regular readers (thank you, every one of you) know what that means.
Sherlock Holmes in Space -- The Knower -- Chapter 39
a story by jabney based on (the now public domain) characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
...
"So just how long is this journey supposed to take?" I asked my companions as we settled into the more-comfortable-looking-than-they-actually-are seats of a proper English first-class compartment.
Evan said, "Consider Dr Watson that we are in Hell, and as my seventh grade teacher used to say, "Hell is bound to be a pretty large place - I myself have taught scores of future inhabitants.""
Otis said, "Yeah, but you went to a rough school."
"Enough with the nostalgia, gentlemen," said Sherlock Holmes, "We must be ready to disembark as soon as we reach the stairs." Upon Holmes saying those words, a handsome plush red carpeted carved walnut staircase instantly appeared in what had once been the aisle of the train car.
"Moving stairs, I suppose." As soon as I said it, the walnut staircase with its deep red carpeting changed into steps of metal with grooves in them.
"Oh look Dr Watson, you've managed to conjur up an escalator with your little play on words," Otis said, "You may want to put a little more effort into your future anti-jinx exercises."
"No need, I think," said Sherlock Holmes, "Wait a moment, and observe." As we watched, the escalator slowly flattened back into the aisle. "As I thought," he said in a triumphant voice, then, without the slightest attempt at an anti-jinx spell, he added "Tigers!" Three handsome and terrifying tigers now roamed the aisle. They looked hungry.
"Uh Holmes, are you sure you should have done that?"
"Watch, Watson," and as he said this, where there had been three tigers, there was now a basket of playful kittens. "Observe that these manifestations have all taken place outside of the compartment. We should be able to talk relatively freely in here. I would advise you to lower the aisle shades if you wish to avoid distractions."
As we continued to ride through the seemingly endless streets of Hell, Holmes said, "I sense that behind all we've seen here, both above and below, there is a consciousness. Futhermore, the consciousness does not wish evil upon us."
"But Holmes," I said, " What about the veritable pit of fire that opened right in front of us? Seemed hostile to me."
Evan said, "But Doctor it did disappear almost as readily as it appeared, now that I think about it. What would be the proof of a benevolent entity Mr Holmes?"
"And the form?" added Otis.
"Proof?" said Holmes, "I do not think that we should expect any more proof than we have already seen. As for the form, it is simple. The ship itself is a living being. Not living as we might define living, but conscious, nevertheless. And determined."
"Determined to do ... excuse me ... ahh ahh choo! Sorry Holmes, I was trying to speak precisely and now I've sneezed right in your face. I was simply trying to be helpful and..."
"Watson," said Holmes, "You amaze me at times. Of course, we are inside a ship that is trying to help us."
"Thank you Mr Sherlock Holmes for understanding," said a strangely accented voice over the intercom, "It isn't easy trying to keep your species happy. Wanting new bodies, complaining about the ship-made cheese, not to mention insulting the local wine. I try my best, but sometimes ..."
Seldom did I witness Holmes at a loss for words, but this was one of those times. Otis, though, said, "Your voice? Where have I heard it before? Because I know I have."
"There's at least some hope for you Otis," said the voice, "But I would suggest that the next time you access that 'black box' that so intrigues you, that you turn down the background music."
"That's probably my doing," said Evan, "I apologize Mister ... or is it Ms?"
"Ah, the new knower," said the voice, "Diplomatic and inquisitive. A promising combination for that role. A role that I created, by the way. The restrictions of the job aren't too severe, I hope?"
"Not terribly," said Evan, "But getting out of here would probably help me fulfill my new duties."
"Soon enough," said the voice, "But first, settle back gentlemen, and let me tell you a story. Dr Watson, you may want to take notes."