The Curious Steambox Affair Read Online Free Page A

provision stock in the corner of my tiny room.
    But, as usual, I digress. My morning began pleasantly, with a stop at the coffee stall. Then on to the Air Station, winding my way through the maze of streets and steps with a noble success. I posted your letter with great happiness and trepidation, and instructed the porter to see that it would be included in today’s shipment. He assured me that it would be, and said that the postal ships move with even greater speed than passenger transport.
    I set off then into the Auld Toon proper, making my way to the Edinburgh Operating Theatre. I must admit that my nerves were somewhat frayed, what with traversing the busy, relentless pedestrian traffic that lined the pavements. It was colder this morning than it has been recently, and the rain fell more heavily, making all the grey buildings around me appear dismal and unwelcoming. Still, I am normally of cheerful disposition, and this morning was no different. I knew, without a doubt, that my work would begin, and that knowledge did much to help me ignore the soggy, cold world around me.
    This good mood remained, even when I arrived at the Council offices only to be ushered not to a meeting with Dr. Hyde, as expected, but instead to a meeting with another doctor. Full of curiosity, I made the usual inquiries of the attendant who took my rain-sodden coat and hat, but he too was closed-mouthed when it came to any queries regarding Ian Hyde.
    I was beginning to think the man was a figment of my imagination.
    I was escorted to the very warm and inviting office of Dr. William MacDougal, the head of the Edinburgh Doctoral Council. The office was beautifully appointed, looking down loftily at the bricked streets below. There was a glowing fireplace and sitting area, separate from the doctor’s paper-cluttered desk. I accepted both a seat close to the fire and the offered glass of very fine whisky, which did wonders to warm up my chilled interior. Dr. MacDougal was kind enough to join me before the fire, making it a far less formal meeting than I had at first expected.
    I also did not waste any time in inquiring if I was, indeed, to meet with Hyde. At any point this century?
    The reaction evident in Dr. MacDougal’s expression was as fascinating as the distinct lack of presence of Dr. Hyde. He registered a brief flicker of discomfort. A tight pursing of his lips, as if a thought was distasteful. There was suddenly a wariness, and then, as has been my usual experience, I was subjected to a swift and pointed conversational turn.
    â€œI do hope that you are finding yourself comfortable in your new city,” MacDougal said as he busied himself with refilling our whisky glasses. “Edinburgh takes some time to get to know. A very fine city, of course, but one that can be unwelcoming.”
    You can hardly blame me, Miss Campbell, but I pressed onward with my line of questioning with regard to Hyde.
    â€œYou cannot expect me to begin my duties as the man’s assistant if I know nothing of him,” I continued. “Surely this transition would be easier if I know a few of his details.”
    MacDougal was equally determined in his conversational path. “You were given information when hired,” he replied calmly. “Surely that is enough.”
    I was a bit at a loss at this point. I had already been impudent enough. MacDougal is the head of the Council, in charge of all the physicians and scientists on staff. As polite as he had been, it seemed hardly conducive to my position here to force an unwanted conversation.
    The irregularities were mind-numbing, and for the first time, I was beginning to doubt this position’s worth.
    Nervous of how best to proceed, I reached into my medical reticule. The dossier I had originally received was tucked within. I pulled it out and opened it, hesitant as to where to start. I made a great show of rustling the pages, which were, primarily, my own notes and questions I had