“Of course not,” Alex replied. What else could he say?
“And I thought this one might need some assistance depending on who he encountered along the way. Ye ken?”
Brodie nodded.
“And the package?” I inquired.
Munro smiled, and I was reminded of the reasons Templeton had found him to be a most intriguing man.
His features were leaner than Brodie’s but no less compelling with high cheek bones and that piercing blue gaze—very much like some Norse invader come to ravage and pillage.
“The package was sent by her ladyship.”
I exchanged a look with Brodie as I went to the table and unwrapped the ‘package’ that was in fact a bottle of whisky.
“I hope ye did not reveal anything about our inquiry case,” Brodie commented.
“Not the particulars,” he assured us both. “However, I have learned there is little that her ladyship does not know about what goes on regarding her household, her family, and London for that matter. She does have her sources that would put the Agency to shame.”
The last part was for Alex Sinclair’s benefit.
“Yes, well, shall we get on with it?”
‘It’was the information Sir Avery had indicated in that telegram Brodie received before we left Paris. A turn of events with the potential for devastating consequences to the Crown, and across the Empire.
I caught the look Alex gave Brodie, and that subtle change of expression on Brodie’s face.
“What ye have to say, can be said to us all.”
Ales nodded, then made his apologies to me. “It is only that this appears to be far more devastating than a mere gentlemen’s weekend in the country.”
“Go on,” Brodie told him.
“There have been certain facts that have been uncovered by Sir Avery in his own efforts in this matter.” Alex looked around the table, then continued in a low voice.
“It seems that Sir Collingwood was involved in the development of a certain type of machine.”
“What sort of machine?” Brodie inquired.
“I only caught a glimpse of the drawing that Sir Avery acquired. It’s some sort of aircraft.”
“Aircraft?” I remarked. “What sort of aircraft? A balloon perhaps?”
“Something quite different. According to Sir Avery, they’re calling it an air ship. It is propelled by a motor.”
I thought of my adventure aloft in a previous case in a hot air a balloon. It did seem that technology might have moved forward.
“There’s a bit more to it,” Alex continued. “Since it is powered by a motor, it is not reliant on the wind to navigate and can be guided over the water, land, and mountains.”
“What else?” Brodie inquired.
“It would be guided by a pilot and could carry certain cargo.”
“What sort of cargo?”
“According to the drawing I saw, it could carry a bomb.”
A bomb?
