Emlyn glanced behind her into the sky but saw no sign of Axelis’s starship. Maurice followed her gaze but saw nothing. “Come inside out of the cold, cher.”
It was good to be in his parlor and away from the upheaval, for a few minutes at least. Maurice wrapped her in his arms. “I missed you ma Coeur.” He kissed her cheek. “Come sit beside me and tell me your news.”
Emlyn fell upon the sofa. “Maurice, I need your attention to what has become perhaps a matter of international importance.”
Maurice sat beside Em, his face reflecting her concern. He frowned. “What have you been up to Emlyn? You leave me for an hour and return with threatening possibilities? C’est le chaos?”
“Non, mon cher, not yet, at least.” Em sought to inform, not inflame. “But you must listen. I need your help in seeing a way out of this trouble.”
Maurice was listening. “Go on.”
Emlyn brought him up to date upon the entire situation, ending with the disabling of the airships and continuing with the threat of troops marching overland. “Cavalry as well, waggons transporting the bombs….it is sheer madness Maurice.”
“I see.” Maurice sighed. “If all is as dire as you say, then it would be well advised for us to take some part in the effort to cease and resist this ill advised attack.”
“But what can be done?” Emlyn stood. “Action is needed, and soon.” As tired as Em was, she was itching to get things done. Time for rest later.
“Oui, ma cher. Do not fret yourself. I have an idea.” Maurice also stood and began to pace. “I have many friends, some with certain connections, that may be useful.” He stood still and turned to Em. “You say that they are heading east to Washington, non?
“Oui, actually more northeast.” Em paused. “I know not the exact route, but thus far, Kidd wishes to create a stir, to show themselves and hopefully pick up more volunteers along the way.”
“Ah, parfait!” Maurice went to the telephone. “I know someone who will be very interested in an army marching northeast bent upon revolt! Allo? Jacque? Oui, Maurice. Ecouter….”
Emlyn sat with rapt attention as she tried to understand Maurice’s rapid fire French, but she barely knew only every second or third word. She watched the hands of the horloge de parquet as it chimed the hour. Time, now, was not their friend.
At last, Maurice hung up the phone and grinned her way. “Oui ma petit, I think we have found a solution.”
“Tell me!” Em was on tenterhooks. Maurice took a seat. “Sit, cheri. I think now all will be well. Friends of mine are on the job.”
“Yes? How so?”
Maurice smiled. “You have, perhaps heard of my friends…do you know of the RCMP?”
“The Mounties?” Emlyn cried, “Oh, Maurice, truly? Tell me all!”
Maurice chuckled. “Oui, c’est vrai. The Mounties are on the march, on horseback. And best of all, they will intercept the enemy from Alberta and British Columbia, in the west, long before they even reach the divide.” Maurice sighed. “I explained about the pirate, Kidd, and the bombas of the bats…c’est fou. So my friends know that these are men who are possessed by the folie, and to confiscate weapons but not to harm anyone if it can be helped.”
“Brilliant!” Em kissed Maurice her thanks. “It is indeed parfait.”
“Oui. The mounties will tell them and anyone else who asks why they are there, that intelligence was received that a battalion was marching upon Canada with combat in mind.” Maurice put an arm about Em. “Is there anything else you require, Mademoiselle? World peace perhaps?”
“Oui,” Em replied. “ That would be parfait.”
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