Read Arcadia Snips and the Steamwork Consortium for Free Online Page B

way to inflict it. You see a way to bring about peace; I see a way to strangle nations and topple governments."
    Abigail hesitated, staring at the probability engine. "Then you wish to keep your discovery away from those who would abuse it," she said.
    "Yes," Nigel replied. "But the possibilities it offers are far too great for us to ignore. We must understand it, but resist the temptation for its abuse."
    "Such as creating unnecessary rainstorms to impress a lady," Abigail snapped, but then quickly abandoned her indignation. "I understand all this, but—why me? Certainly, I am an exceptional mathematician and engineer, but there must be others who are more qualified than myself."
    "You are a brilliant mathematician," Nigel said. "But you are also a woman."

    Abigail blanched.
    "Please do not be offended, Miss Parsley. I feared that whomever we came to would turn about and reveal our discovery."
    Abigail stiffened in realization. "No one would believe me if I did."
    "Indeed," Nigel agreed. "Were you to betray us, you would be dismissed as merely another 'hysterical damsel'."
    "How shrewd. Your mind must be a frightful place,"
    Abigail said, her voice dry.
    "Perhaps so, Madame. But do you not understand our need for duplicity? For secrecy? Do you not see what is at stake?" Nigel asked.
    Abigail hesitated, allowing the silence to speak for her.
    When she at long last grew tired of what it had to say, she reluctantly nodded. "Yes, I do. But Professor Arcanum—"
    "Yes?"
    "To what end shall we ultimately put this machine?"
    Jeremiah and Nigel exchanged glances; they looked back at Abigail, who regarded them with absolute disbelief.
    "You have no idea, do you?" she said.
    "Well—" Jeremiah began.
    "Our primary concern has been to prevent its misuse, while simultaneously investigating its feasibility," Nigel said. "As for what we shall do with it—that has yet to be decided."
    "And have you determined how you will finance this research?" Abigail asked. "I have no small fortune at my mercy, but I am unconvinced that it will be enough."
    "We're still working on—" Jeremiah started again, but Nigel soon cut him off.
    "Yes, actually—I have formulated a plan that should serve our purposes quite adequately. Both to fund our research and insulate it against the curiosity of those who might misuse it," he said. "We will create a secret society. One with an intriguing name; perhaps 'The Society of Distinguished Gentlemen'?"
    Both Abigail and Jeremiah stared at him. It was Abigail who spoke first:
    "So your solution to the matter of money is to construct some sort of secret boy's club?" Abigail asked. "Shall you have secret handshakes, and meet in a hidden tree-house?"
    "Yes, actually," Nigel replied.
    "I, uh. Beg your pardon?" Jeremiah asked.
    Nigel laughed. "People thrive on mystery. They’ll happily donate money to any organization that provides them with an opportunity to add a sense of enigma to themselves."
    "But I don't understand. To what end, Nigel?" Jeremiah pressed on. "Why create some secret society? The whole notion seems so silly."
    "It most certainly is silly," Nigel agreed. "However, we cannot accomplish our research without additional funding; your profits from the Steamwork and Abigail's considerable fortune are not sufficient. We require sponsorship—and simultaneously must refrain from allowing the scientific community to learn of what we have discovered."
    "At the very least we should think of a better name,"
    Abigail complained.
    "What's wrong with the one Nigel proposed?"
    "Really, now," Abigail said. "The Society of Distinguished Gentlemen? What a wholly boorish title."
    "Oh, come off it," Jeremiah said. "Don't tell me you're going to get on Nigel's case about the 'gentleman' thing, Abigail.
    There are bigger concerns to be addressed here."
    "I am one of the founding members of this little group of yours, am I not?" Abigail reasoned. "And I am certainly no gentleman. The name will have to be changed."
    "To