The Last Adventure of Dr. Yngve Hogalum

Chapter 4 ~ Magnetron's Grand Deception

"I began to experience pangs of conscience for my elaborate ruse, but I judged that there was precious little time at this juncture to devote to such ambiguities."

By evening's end, I had succeeded in convincing everyone present that my proposal had been but a prank, thus prompting a fresh onslaught of bitter rebukes and indignant excoriation.  Nevertheless, I felt it necessary to convince them I had no intention of acting upon my plan. By bearing up meekly under the ensuing barrage of condemnation, I buttressed the illusion that my recommendation had been merely a crude and ill-advised attempt at humor rather than a serious course of action.  I apologized profusely, laughing off their barbs with as much good temper as I could manage, and at last bade them good-night.

When the house had grown quiet and Mrs. Mackenzie and Anders had retired for the evening, I stole quietly into Pung's quarters where he was dozing amidst a patchwork of cats.  Rousing him gently, I confided that I would indeed undertake my bold plan, and then swore him to absolute secrecy.  I took the opportunity to make the most jovial and light-hearted mention of his badly neglected hedges which now threatened to impede access the grounds and even the house itself.  He acquiesced rather unconvincingly with a nod and a peculiar yawning laugh, and again closed his eyes to sleep.

Much of my initial preparation was complete, but much yet remained.  I slept fitfully but arose early to continue my work.  I instructed Mrs. Mackenzie to tell callers that I was preparing for a conference and could not be disturbed, and worked myself to near exhaustion for several days in the Masterstroke Mill, the most advanced laboratory in my Contrivance Conservatory.  I made several trips into town to send telegrams and purchase supplies.  The pieces were beginning to fall into place.

Anders announced suddenly that he had family business to which he must attend.  Before he left for his train, I prevailed upon him to assist in the loading of a large wagon which I had procured in town.  True to form, he did not ask the nature of the unusual implements which we were hoisting onto the ungainly conveyance.  I could not resist adding with feigned nonchalance that the items would be the object of a presentation I would be giving at my conference, again, to lend further verisimilitude to my deception.

On many past occasions, Anders had served as an attentive—if indifferent—audience as I practiced aloud my delivery of disquisitions on any number of abstruse topics.  I gather he feared I might press him into such service, as once the wagon was loaded he preemptively reminded me of his tight schedule and left posthaste for his train.

I began to experience pangs of conscience for my elaborate ruse, but I judged that there was precious little time at this juncture to devote to such ambiguities.  I vowed to forswear such self-appraisal until I had completed the concrete tasks before me, after which time my consummate achievement would render my prior peccadilloes irrelevant footnotes.  For now, the plan was laid. The preparations were concluded. There was nothing but direct and expeditious action to be conducted in single-minded pursuit of a valiant aspiration.

I loaded my baggage and climbed aboard the wagon, the horse team whinnying in anticipation, and set off at an immoderate canter. The time had come to save Dr. Hogalum from an eternity of oblivion.