The Last Adventure of Dr. Yngve Hogalum

Chapter 15 ~ Magnetron's Giant Leap

"The Caelestis was … picking up speed toward a large stand of maples! All else faded away, and I ran off after the misadventuring craft. 'Flap your wings, doctor!'"

Horrified and confused, I hurled myself to and fro without apparent purpose, like a drunk being attacked by pigeons.  The balloon!  It was nearly inflated but not sufficiently for a successful launch.  The Caelestis tugged lethargically at her lines.  In the distance, the unmistakable sound of a wagon being drawn by a pair of horses.  How on Earth could I possibly explain the bizarre goings-on on my property?

"Police!" exclaimed Pung repeatedly.  His mouth was wide open and his eyes blinked in fear and disbelief.  "Police! Police!"  Mrs. Mackenzie slapped her hand over his gaping mouth.  "Stuff a sack in it, ye old sod!  Yes, it's the police, but ye don't have to call them over, do ye!"

I opened the valve full on, and a great rippling gust of flames shot forth.  "Fill up, you damnable bag of air!" I cried.  The hoof beats were approaching rapidly.  I had no choice but to cut the lines and hope for the best.  I smashed the champagne across the bow of the Caelestis, and she swayed slowly to port and began to be carried along by a light breeze—but she rose not one inch.  "Give it more heat!" I shouted at Dr. Hogalum.  "Do you hear me?  More heat!"  It dawned on me then that I had not provided the doctor any means of controlling the valve.

Mrs. Mackenzie ran for the Contrivance Conservatory, her hand still clasped over Pung's mouth.  "Pholeeth! Phfbleemth!"

Two heads appeared over the horizon as the approaching wagon made its way up the hill.  My heart leapt and sank immediately thereafter.  It was not the constable leading a charge up the hill, but my compatriots and dearest friends, the Hogalum Society!  My relief at not seeing Constable Hawkshaw was short-lived, however, as I shrank at the inevitable flurry of outraged recriminations from these uncompromising men.  In this, I was not to be disappointed.

Valkusian spoke first.  "Tusan också, Magnetron, is this what it seems?  You assured us you would not pursue this undertaking, and yet it is clear you have deceived us!  This is unconscionable, Magnetron!  Unforgivable!  Indefensible!  You have crossed the Rubicon, sir!"  Cerebelli, Satyros, even Coburn joined in, castigating me mercilessly until…

Another set of hooves approached at a gallop.  I turned back again to check the doctor's progress.  My attentions were focused into a tight beam upon the good doctor and my most ambitious creation.  The Caelestis was ascending at a thoroughly inadequate rate, but picking up speed toward a large stand of maples!  All else faded away, and I ran off after the misadventuring craft.  "Flap your wings, doctor!"  I cried.  "Flap your wings!"

The constable's horse came to a dramatic halt, Hawkshaw himself flying from his saddle and landing at a running gait.  Within seconds, he was surrounded by the Hogalum Society, each man playing a role in the misdirection of this determined officer of the law.

"Mr. Magnetron!" he bellowed from within the human quincunx.  "I order you to bring that craft down or I shall have to shoot it from the sky!"

Hawkshaw unholstered and raised his pistol—and took aim.