Sunday, February 18, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Story
It was a cold crisp morning in London; the streets were empty due to the harsh winds. There was just one poor soul out this morning her head bent low as she went to pick up some milk and eggs at Franklin's fresh produce for the morning breakfast. Her mistress always insisted on fresh eggs for her pancakes and warm milk with her biscuits. She tightened her cloak around her face and continued her walk up the big hill that lead to her mistress’s manor. She hurried inside and took off her tattered traveling cloak pausing for a moment to let heat from the fire wash over her.
“Liza is that you? If it is I am going to hurt you! Madame is getting impatient.” The head maid screamed from the kitchens. She scurried in to the kitchen paused for a moment to set the milk and eggs down then raced out again. The last thing she wanted was to get scolded from the cook who was very scary especially when she was mad. Some of the scullery maids compared her to a bull and sadly almost everyone agreed. She stormed past the kitchens up the stairs and knocked on Madame M’s door. The door that leads into her study was very fancy, it had intricate carvings of roses and cherubs and a brass knocker above the doorknob.
“Yes? Who is it?”
“Liza…”
“Who?”
“Your maid!” Liza replied in an aggravated tone.
“If you have my food you may come in but if not you must leave at once. I don’t have time for your foolishness.” Madame M replied in a stingy tone. Liza slipped her white apron on over her head as she entered. She looked around for Madame M but couldn’t see her. She then noticed her surrounded by a pile of books that was so tall it almost reached the ivory and gold ceiling.
“Your food will be ready in a moment miss,” She said loudly before she could continue her complaining.
“Did I ask when my food would be ready? And lower your voice you’re not in the opera. I need to be left alone this afternoon; I have very important business concerning the family jewels and my granddaughter Louisa. So I don’t want ANY interruptions! Understand?” She said as she poked her out from the stacks of books.
“Yes Madame M.” Liza replied.
“Very well, good day.” Madame M said pompously. Liza hurried downstairs passing a sacred looking maid carrying a breakfast tray piled high in delicious looking foods.
"What kind of a mood is she in?" the maid asked timidly.
"She’s irritated, so be careful!" Liza replied. The maid continued upstairs the tray now rattling in her hands from her shaking. Liza continued downstairs and soon entered the servant’s quarters.
"Did you hear? Madame M is sending the family jewels to her granddaughter in France!" Muttered a tall scullery maid. Everyone was huddled in a corner whispering about the latest news apparently Madame M and the family jewels was top on the list!
"Why?" another maid asked.
"Apparently the jewels are cursed!" The tall maid replied.
"But… but then why has she had them here for so long?"
“This guy came the other day and Madame M yelled at him; GET OUT! NOW! You will never get my jewels! You may be my brother but you will never get a hold of these jewels. They will be sent to a different family member and I will make sure that they are far away from you. NOW LEAVE AND DON’T EVER COME BACK!” the maid said in a high-pitched voice, trying to imitate Madame M.
“I still don’t get how they got cursed!” Liza pitched in.
“He came back a few days later but this time he brought another man who was dressed really odd and he did funny stuff with his hands and muttered funny words under his breath then disappeared. I think that’s when they got cursed!” The tall maid muttered. Liza had a strong feeling that this wasn’t entirely true but went along with it anyways.
“Let’s go upstairs and see if we can hear anything while the she is still in a meeting. We best hurry so we don’t get caught and I think it would be better if just two or three people went.” Liza announced. Liza, two other maids and one butler began their trek upstairs. They each found a hiding spot around the door to Madame M’s study. Liza crouched behind a statue of a swan while the two other maids poked their heads out of long red velvet curtains and the butler hid behind a mahogany table with a china vase on it.
"I suggest that if you want to send the jewels to your granddaughter then you send a telegraph message before hand." someone said in a slow and drawling voice.
"I will not! My granddaughter may be my least favorite granddaughter and that is in fact why I am sending the jewels to her but they must get to her and her only! If I send a telegraph message anyone could read it or intercept the message and then take the jewels. The reason why I am sending them to my granddaughter is because hopefully they will get to her she will wear them and then the curse will rub off on her. I will then get the jewels back and they will be curse free!" Madame M said proudly.
“Madame, pardon my interruption but how do you know that the jewels are cursed?” The other person asked tentatively.
“I don’t, but to be sure I might as well send them to her. Or would you prefer that I just drop dead one day?” She replied.
“No! No, no, no, no! I would never want that to happen.” He replied quickly.”
“I thought not. Now back on subject why in the first place do you want me to send a telegraph message? While you’re at it please explain to me why the telegraph is important? Because currently I dislike it completely” Madame M asked.
“An electrical telegraph uses Morse code, which signals out the alphabet spelling out messages. The telegraph helps with the communications both locally and nationally. Now do you see why the telegraph is important?”
“I do, now kindly explain the purpose of sending a telegraph message to my granddaughter since we don’t have all day!”
“So you can send a message telling her what train the jewels will be on including what time the train will be arriving and what name to pick it up under!” The man said.
“Fine I shall do it but why will I need to tell her what name to pick it up under. I believe she knows her own name you never know with her.” She said after a long awkward pause.
“Everyone knows that Louisa is your granddaughter so if a thief was in fact trying to steal your family jewels it would be much easier to steal them if it was under her name instead of someone else’s.”
“Alright I understand now. Can I dictate my telegraph message now?”
“Uhhhhh… yes of course!” He replied. “Just hang on one moment let me check the hallway to make sure none of your staff is out there because we wouldn’t want them snooping. Liza poked her head out to make sure no one was visible then quickly ducked as an old man with gray hair and a cane hobbled out of Madame M’s study. He peered into a closet near the red velvet curtains which were concealing the two maids. He then hobbled over to where Liza was hiding, pausing only to admire the mahogany table where the butler was hiding. Liza held her breath as the man glanced behind a statue of Madame M, which was right next to the statue that Liza was behind.
“It seems that no one is out there, now will you kindly hurry up so I can get this over with.” Madame M called.
“Oh yes, of course.” The man replied as he slowly made his way toward Madame M’s study. Liza could hear the scraping the chairs and then science. The old man then said "You may begin!"
"Hvs xskszg ofs cb hfowb biapsf 6279. Gkwhqv 6279 ofcibr obr mci kwzz ush hvs fsoz hfow biapsf. Orr twjs dzig 3 obr mci kwzz ush hvs offwjoz hwas. Dwqy hvs xskszg id ibrsf Aofws G. W vcds mci giqqssr.
Gwbqsfszm,
Ufobrachvsf" Madame M spelled out. Liza was very confused on what that message meant. She looked over at Smith (which was the name that the butler wanted everyone to call him) who was writing on a scrap of parchment with a tattered pheasant quill. Liza assumed that he was writing down what Madame M had just said but she didn't know why. Smith signaled for them to leave. As he squeezed out from behind the table the china vase teetered and fell. Glass flew everywhere, but Liza didn't duck nor did anyone else. They were all staring at the door that lead to Madame M's study. "What was that?!" Madame M screeched.
"RUN!" Liza shouted. They raced towards the stairs stampeding down as fast as they could. They stopped only when they reached the servant’s quarters. Panting they sat down trying to make it not seem obvious that they were the ones spying on Madame M. Smith pulled Liza over to a damp dark corner.
“Do you want to be rich?” Smith muttered.
“Yea!” Liza shouted.
“Hush! We don’t want anyone to hear us.” Smith replied hurriedly.
“What do I have to do?” Liza asked timidly.
“We are going to steal Madame M’s jewels!” Smith said in a deep growl.
“WHAT?! Why?” Liza hissed.
“You want money don’t you?” Smith replied.
“Yes, but why do we have to steal her jewels?” Liza asked.
“Well why not? We already know what the telegraph message says!" Smith replied.
“True, but I don’t want to steal from Madame M. She is mean but that isn’t a good reason to steal her jewels!” Liza said quietly.
“Fine I guess you want to stay here for the rest of your life.” Smith said as he slowly walked away from Liza.
“WAIT!” She called to Smith. He slowly turned to face Liza, an evil grin spreading across his face. “I’ll do it.” Liza sighed.
“I knew you would!” Smith replied.
“Can we talk later? I don’t feel very good.” Liza mumbled as she shuffled away.
“Fine! I will need you to do something tomorrow though.” Smith said in an irritated voice.
“It doesn't matter anymore; I might as well kill Madame M.” Liza said sarcastically.
“Would you!?” Smith asked happily.
“I would never do such a terrible thing! Now leave me alone!” She shouted at Smith. Smith shuffled out of the room a malicious grin still spread across his face. Liza sat down on her bed wishing that she had never agreed to help Smith. She soon nodded off to sleep.
“Get up! It’s time to solve this stupid message.” Smith said gruffly as he shook Liza awake. Liza pushed back her quilt and stumbled out of bed. Liza looked out of the little window by the sink in the kitchen but she could only see black.
“What time is it?” Liza mumbled to Smith.
“5:00 in the morning.” Smith said. He was sitting at a small crooked table in the corner of the kitchen. He was hovered over a piece of parchment scribbling momentarily. "I need you to come here!" Smith said to Liza. She shuffled over to him shivering as her feet touched to cold stone floors. “Sit.” Smith commanded. Liza sat. She sat on a lumpy stool waiting for Smith to tell her what to do. She watched him make a chart with the alphabet in one row and the alphabet all jumbled up in the row beneath it.
“What are you doing?” Liza asked.
“I think this letter was written using a substitution code. This means that you substitute a letter for a different letter.” Smith replied. “Hang on I don’t need to! It tells me the train number and the time already! 6279 must be the train number because it is the correct amount of numbers and 3:00 must be the time the train will be arriving at.” Smith shouted excitedly. Standing up so quickly as he said this, his chair went tumbling across the floor.
“Now all you need is the name to pick it up under.” Liza said quietly. Smith sat down in despair on a large overturned pot next to Liza.
“The only letter that I have figured out so far using the substitution method is M. So that won’t help me.” Smith said gloomily. “Unless...” Smith leaned close to the parchment and began scribbling fiercely. He sat up, his face glowing with happiness. “I know what name to pick it up under! It’s Marie!” Smith said excitedly.
“How do you know?” Liza asked Smith.
“For some reason she told me what M stands for one day, and that is also the name the jewels must be picked up under.” Smith told Liza.
“What is the name?” Liza asked intently. Smith looked at her suspiciously. “What? Don’t worry; I don’t want to steal the jewels. It’s just that I have always wondered what M stood for, but I was always too scared to ask.” She replied.
“Marie.” Smith muttered apprehensively.
“Oh.” Liza replied as she walked over to the cupboard to get a loaf of bread to munch on as she watched Smith scurry around grabbing bread, apples and other fruits. He wrapped them up in his traveling cloak and began walking towards the front door. “Where are you going?” Liza asked.
“Where do you think? To get the jewels of course!” Smith replied as he slammed the door behind him. Liza darted over to the window by the front door and watched Smith run down the pathway and across the street and out of sight. She shuffled back over to the table and sat down. Liza soon noticed that Smith had left the message behind and a small note as well. She first read the note that read,
Liza,
I am catching a train to France, to get the jewels! Be sure that you don’t tell anyone what we are doing! I am counting on you.
Smith
Liza put the note down and then picked up the message that Madame M sent to her granddaughter. Smith had scribbled random notes all over the parchment, but none of them concerned Liza. She began making a chart with the alphabet and the coded alphabet underneath. By the time Liza had solved the code it was nearly dinnertime and the cook shooed her out of the kitchen. Liza was now on her bed, quickly grabbing her jacket, a blanket and some food for her journey. She had to get to the train station and whatever happened she couldn’t be seen. She pulled her cloak up around her face so no one could see her, and then scampered outside before anyone saw her. Liza couldn’t believe that she had solved the message. She felt proud but also somewhat guilty. She didn’t want to betray her mistress but she didn’t want Smith to get the jewels either. Liza pulled out the money in her pocket and counted it, it wasn’t much but it was all she had and it would have to do. Liza ran the rest of the way to the train station so she would be able to catch the 7:00 train to France. She figured that it would be much faster to get a seat on the train so then she wouldn’t have to jump off part of the way through. Liza paid for her ticket and climbed on. She walked the full length of the car until she found a vacant spot. Liza looked around to make sure no one was watching and then pulled the message to Louisa Madame M’s granddaughter. She read and re-read the decoded message which read.
The Jewels are on train number 6279. Switch 6279 around and you will get the real train number. Add five plus 3 and you will get the arrival time. Pick the jewels up under Marie S. I hope you succeed.
Sincerely
Grandmother
Liza put the letter back into her pocket, leaned her head against the window and asked herself why did I get myself into this? She repeated this question over and over again in her mind.. A sudden jerk snapped her out of her worrying. Liza looked out of the window and saw that they had arrived in Lille. She stood up, took a long and slow deep breath, checked to see that she had the letter then stepped off of the train. Liza scurried over to a covered bench on the other side of the platform. She sat there watching people come and go. Just as she was about to take offer coat she saw Smith. He was walking towards a large group of people that were surrounded by a conductor.
“Anyone here named Marie S.?” The conductor asked in a loud booming voice. Liza automatically stood up but slowly sat back down again when she remembered that Smith couldn’t catch her here.
“I am!” Smith shouted as he walked forward to take the message from the conductor. “Why did this package arrive so early?” Smith asked.
“It was supposed to be on train 6279 but it was accidentally put onto and earlier train.” The conductor replied.
“Good thing I came early. “Smith said quickly as he tried to grab the package under the conductors arm.
“Not so fast.” The conductor snapped. “I know for a fact that this package is supposed to be picked up by Madame M’s granddaughter. Now you don’t look like a blonde and you defiantly don’t look like a girl.” The conductor smirked.
“How do you know that I am not giving the jewels to Louisa?” Smith asked sweating profusely.
“Madame M sent me a telegraph message beforehand giving me a detailed description of her granddaughter. It also said that I should not give the jewels to anyone but a person that fits the above description. Smith sighed and held out his hands. The conductor locked two metal rings around his wrists then dragged Smith into the ticket booth. Liza caught a glimpse of the conductor sending a telegraph message, most likely to the police. She stared at the ticket booth for several minutes not believing what she had just seen. That could have been me! She thought to herself. “It probably will be me.” She muttered.
“Train 9726 is arriving from England.” Shouted a bald conductor at the other end of the platform. Liza stood up and walked toward the conductor. The train slowly screeched to a halt. Around ten or twelve people bustled off of the train then a short frizzy haired man began unloading packages. Liza pushed and shoved her way to the front, she had to get the jewels before Louisa did. Liza paused for a moment to see if Louisa was anywhere in sight. She was just about to continue her way towards the front when she saw her. A young woman with long blonde curls was slowly walking toward Liza. She was wearing a cream dress with pink satin ribbon. Liza shook herself she needed to focus on getting the jewels and nothing else. At the rate Louisa was walking she could probably be back to England before Louisa reached the train. Once Liza reached the center of the crowd she began doing everything she could to get the frizzy haired mans attention.
“Excuse me! Sir! Excuse me!” Liza shouted.
“Yes?” The man replied.
“Do you have package for Marie?” Liza asked as casually as she could. He bent low and began rummaging around in a pile of packages.
“Yes here it is!” He replied handing it over to her.
“Thank you so much!” Liza replied. Something didn’t seem right, why hadn’t he asked her any questions? Liza wasn’t worried about that at the moment. She tried to walk away as causally as she could pausing only to nod to Louisa as she passed her. After she was out of sight from both Louisa and the frizzy haired man she ran. She ran faster then she ever had, her dress tearing momentarily from bushes. Liza didn’t care she just kept running until she could run no further. Liza finally slowed down and soon collapsed. Her head was spinning and she had the worst side ache. She pulled the package out from under her arm and began to dig a hole. She dug and dug until her nails were black. Liza opened the package addressed to Marie. She slowly pulled the flaps covering the jewels back. There they were the precious family jewels. They were a light purple with silver surrounding the jewels. She reached down and pulled them out her hands trembling as she did this. Then she dropped them, slowly letting them fall through her fingers. Liza watched as the hit the bottom of the hole. Then without thinking she began to fill the hole back up again. Once Liza was done she fell backwards out of breath not knowing what to do next. She knew that if she went back to Madame M, Madame M would know where and what she had been doing. If she went back to the train station which was the closest station for miles she would b noticed as well. Before she could make a decision a cold shiver washed over her making her go rigid. She tried to stand; call for help anything but it was no use. Her body would not respond. What was happening to her? Could it be something she had eaten but it couldn’t be for she had not eaten for almost a day. As her eyes slowly flickered shut. She then remembered… “The curse” Liza muttered hoarsely. Then everything went black.
“Liza is that you? If it is I am going to hurt you! Madame is getting impatient.” The head maid screamed from the kitchens. She scurried in to the kitchen paused for a moment to set the milk and eggs down then raced out again. The last thing she wanted was to get scolded from the cook who was very scary especially when she was mad. Some of the scullery maids compared her to a bull and sadly almost everyone agreed. She stormed past the kitchens up the stairs and knocked on Madame M’s door. The door that leads into her study was very fancy, it had intricate carvings of roses and cherubs and a brass knocker above the doorknob.
“Yes? Who is it?”
“Liza…”
“Who?”
“Your maid!” Liza replied in an aggravated tone.
“If you have my food you may come in but if not you must leave at once. I don’t have time for your foolishness.” Madame M replied in a stingy tone. Liza slipped her white apron on over her head as she entered. She looked around for Madame M but couldn’t see her. She then noticed her surrounded by a pile of books that was so tall it almost reached the ivory and gold ceiling.
“Your food will be ready in a moment miss,” She said loudly before she could continue her complaining.
“Did I ask when my food would be ready? And lower your voice you’re not in the opera. I need to be left alone this afternoon; I have very important business concerning the family jewels and my granddaughter Louisa. So I don’t want ANY interruptions! Understand?” She said as she poked her out from the stacks of books.
“Yes Madame M.” Liza replied.
“Very well, good day.” Madame M said pompously. Liza hurried downstairs passing a sacred looking maid carrying a breakfast tray piled high in delicious looking foods.
"What kind of a mood is she in?" the maid asked timidly.
"She’s irritated, so be careful!" Liza replied. The maid continued upstairs the tray now rattling in her hands from her shaking. Liza continued downstairs and soon entered the servant’s quarters.
"Did you hear? Madame M is sending the family jewels to her granddaughter in France!" Muttered a tall scullery maid. Everyone was huddled in a corner whispering about the latest news apparently Madame M and the family jewels was top on the list!
"Why?" another maid asked.
"Apparently the jewels are cursed!" The tall maid replied.
"But… but then why has she had them here for so long?"
“This guy came the other day and Madame M yelled at him; GET OUT! NOW! You will never get my jewels! You may be my brother but you will never get a hold of these jewels. They will be sent to a different family member and I will make sure that they are far away from you. NOW LEAVE AND DON’T EVER COME BACK!” the maid said in a high-pitched voice, trying to imitate Madame M.
“I still don’t get how they got cursed!” Liza pitched in.
“He came back a few days later but this time he brought another man who was dressed really odd and he did funny stuff with his hands and muttered funny words under his breath then disappeared. I think that’s when they got cursed!” The tall maid muttered. Liza had a strong feeling that this wasn’t entirely true but went along with it anyways.
“Let’s go upstairs and see if we can hear anything while the she is still in a meeting. We best hurry so we don’t get caught and I think it would be better if just two or three people went.” Liza announced. Liza, two other maids and one butler began their trek upstairs. They each found a hiding spot around the door to Madame M’s study. Liza crouched behind a statue of a swan while the two other maids poked their heads out of long red velvet curtains and the butler hid behind a mahogany table with a china vase on it.
"I suggest that if you want to send the jewels to your granddaughter then you send a telegraph message before hand." someone said in a slow and drawling voice.
"I will not! My granddaughter may be my least favorite granddaughter and that is in fact why I am sending the jewels to her but they must get to her and her only! If I send a telegraph message anyone could read it or intercept the message and then take the jewels. The reason why I am sending them to my granddaughter is because hopefully they will get to her she will wear them and then the curse will rub off on her. I will then get the jewels back and they will be curse free!" Madame M said proudly.
“Madame, pardon my interruption but how do you know that the jewels are cursed?” The other person asked tentatively.
“I don’t, but to be sure I might as well send them to her. Or would you prefer that I just drop dead one day?” She replied.
“No! No, no, no, no! I would never want that to happen.” He replied quickly.”
“I thought not. Now back on subject why in the first place do you want me to send a telegraph message? While you’re at it please explain to me why the telegraph is important? Because currently I dislike it completely” Madame M asked.
“An electrical telegraph uses Morse code, which signals out the alphabet spelling out messages. The telegraph helps with the communications both locally and nationally. Now do you see why the telegraph is important?”
“I do, now kindly explain the purpose of sending a telegraph message to my granddaughter since we don’t have all day!”
“So you can send a message telling her what train the jewels will be on including what time the train will be arriving and what name to pick it up under!” The man said.
“Fine I shall do it but why will I need to tell her what name to pick it up under. I believe she knows her own name you never know with her.” She said after a long awkward pause.
“Everyone knows that Louisa is your granddaughter so if a thief was in fact trying to steal your family jewels it would be much easier to steal them if it was under her name instead of someone else’s.”
“Alright I understand now. Can I dictate my telegraph message now?”
“Uhhhhh… yes of course!” He replied. “Just hang on one moment let me check the hallway to make sure none of your staff is out there because we wouldn’t want them snooping. Liza poked her head out to make sure no one was visible then quickly ducked as an old man with gray hair and a cane hobbled out of Madame M’s study. He peered into a closet near the red velvet curtains which were concealing the two maids. He then hobbled over to where Liza was hiding, pausing only to admire the mahogany table where the butler was hiding. Liza held her breath as the man glanced behind a statue of Madame M, which was right next to the statue that Liza was behind.
“It seems that no one is out there, now will you kindly hurry up so I can get this over with.” Madame M called.
“Oh yes, of course.” The man replied as he slowly made his way toward Madame M’s study. Liza could hear the scraping the chairs and then science. The old man then said "You may begin!"
"Hvs xskszg ofs cb hfowb biapsf 6279. Gkwhqv 6279 ofcibr obr mci kwzz ush hvs fsoz hfow biapsf. Orr twjs dzig 3 obr mci kwzz ush hvs offwjoz hwas. Dwqy hvs xskszg id ibrsf Aofws G. W vcds mci giqqssr.
Gwbqsfszm,
Ufobrachvsf" Madame M spelled out. Liza was very confused on what that message meant. She looked over at Smith (which was the name that the butler wanted everyone to call him) who was writing on a scrap of parchment with a tattered pheasant quill. Liza assumed that he was writing down what Madame M had just said but she didn't know why. Smith signaled for them to leave. As he squeezed out from behind the table the china vase teetered and fell. Glass flew everywhere, but Liza didn't duck nor did anyone else. They were all staring at the door that lead to Madame M's study. "What was that?!" Madame M screeched.
"RUN!" Liza shouted. They raced towards the stairs stampeding down as fast as they could. They stopped only when they reached the servant’s quarters. Panting they sat down trying to make it not seem obvious that they were the ones spying on Madame M. Smith pulled Liza over to a damp dark corner.
“Do you want to be rich?” Smith muttered.
“Yea!” Liza shouted.
“Hush! We don’t want anyone to hear us.” Smith replied hurriedly.
“What do I have to do?” Liza asked timidly.
“We are going to steal Madame M’s jewels!” Smith said in a deep growl.
“WHAT?! Why?” Liza hissed.
“You want money don’t you?” Smith replied.
“Yes, but why do we have to steal her jewels?” Liza asked.
“Well why not? We already know what the telegraph message says!" Smith replied.
“True, but I don’t want to steal from Madame M. She is mean but that isn’t a good reason to steal her jewels!” Liza said quietly.
“Fine I guess you want to stay here for the rest of your life.” Smith said as he slowly walked away from Liza.
“WAIT!” She called to Smith. He slowly turned to face Liza, an evil grin spreading across his face. “I’ll do it.” Liza sighed.
“I knew you would!” Smith replied.
“Can we talk later? I don’t feel very good.” Liza mumbled as she shuffled away.
“Fine! I will need you to do something tomorrow though.” Smith said in an irritated voice.
“It doesn't matter anymore; I might as well kill Madame M.” Liza said sarcastically.
“Would you!?” Smith asked happily.
“I would never do such a terrible thing! Now leave me alone!” She shouted at Smith. Smith shuffled out of the room a malicious grin still spread across his face. Liza sat down on her bed wishing that she had never agreed to help Smith. She soon nodded off to sleep.
“Get up! It’s time to solve this stupid message.” Smith said gruffly as he shook Liza awake. Liza pushed back her quilt and stumbled out of bed. Liza looked out of the little window by the sink in the kitchen but she could only see black.
“What time is it?” Liza mumbled to Smith.
“5:00 in the morning.” Smith said. He was sitting at a small crooked table in the corner of the kitchen. He was hovered over a piece of parchment scribbling momentarily. "I need you to come here!" Smith said to Liza. She shuffled over to him shivering as her feet touched to cold stone floors. “Sit.” Smith commanded. Liza sat. She sat on a lumpy stool waiting for Smith to tell her what to do. She watched him make a chart with the alphabet in one row and the alphabet all jumbled up in the row beneath it.
“What are you doing?” Liza asked.
“I think this letter was written using a substitution code. This means that you substitute a letter for a different letter.” Smith replied. “Hang on I don’t need to! It tells me the train number and the time already! 6279 must be the train number because it is the correct amount of numbers and 3:00 must be the time the train will be arriving at.” Smith shouted excitedly. Standing up so quickly as he said this, his chair went tumbling across the floor.
“Now all you need is the name to pick it up under.” Liza said quietly. Smith sat down in despair on a large overturned pot next to Liza.
“The only letter that I have figured out so far using the substitution method is M. So that won’t help me.” Smith said gloomily. “Unless...” Smith leaned close to the parchment and began scribbling fiercely. He sat up, his face glowing with happiness. “I know what name to pick it up under! It’s Marie!” Smith said excitedly.
“How do you know?” Liza asked Smith.
“For some reason she told me what M stands for one day, and that is also the name the jewels must be picked up under.” Smith told Liza.
“What is the name?” Liza asked intently. Smith looked at her suspiciously. “What? Don’t worry; I don’t want to steal the jewels. It’s just that I have always wondered what M stood for, but I was always too scared to ask.” She replied.
“Marie.” Smith muttered apprehensively.
“Oh.” Liza replied as she walked over to the cupboard to get a loaf of bread to munch on as she watched Smith scurry around grabbing bread, apples and other fruits. He wrapped them up in his traveling cloak and began walking towards the front door. “Where are you going?” Liza asked.
“Where do you think? To get the jewels of course!” Smith replied as he slammed the door behind him. Liza darted over to the window by the front door and watched Smith run down the pathway and across the street and out of sight. She shuffled back over to the table and sat down. Liza soon noticed that Smith had left the message behind and a small note as well. She first read the note that read,
Liza,
I am catching a train to France, to get the jewels! Be sure that you don’t tell anyone what we are doing! I am counting on you.
Smith
Liza put the note down and then picked up the message that Madame M sent to her granddaughter. Smith had scribbled random notes all over the parchment, but none of them concerned Liza. She began making a chart with the alphabet and the coded alphabet underneath. By the time Liza had solved the code it was nearly dinnertime and the cook shooed her out of the kitchen. Liza was now on her bed, quickly grabbing her jacket, a blanket and some food for her journey. She had to get to the train station and whatever happened she couldn’t be seen. She pulled her cloak up around her face so no one could see her, and then scampered outside before anyone saw her. Liza couldn’t believe that she had solved the message. She felt proud but also somewhat guilty. She didn’t want to betray her mistress but she didn’t want Smith to get the jewels either. Liza pulled out the money in her pocket and counted it, it wasn’t much but it was all she had and it would have to do. Liza ran the rest of the way to the train station so she would be able to catch the 7:00 train to France. She figured that it would be much faster to get a seat on the train so then she wouldn’t have to jump off part of the way through. Liza paid for her ticket and climbed on. She walked the full length of the car until she found a vacant spot. Liza looked around to make sure no one was watching and then pulled the message to Louisa Madame M’s granddaughter. She read and re-read the decoded message which read.
The Jewels are on train number 6279. Switch 6279 around and you will get the real train number. Add five plus 3 and you will get the arrival time. Pick the jewels up under Marie S. I hope you succeed.
Sincerely
Grandmother
Liza put the letter back into her pocket, leaned her head against the window and asked herself why did I get myself into this? She repeated this question over and over again in her mind.. A sudden jerk snapped her out of her worrying. Liza looked out of the window and saw that they had arrived in Lille. She stood up, took a long and slow deep breath, checked to see that she had the letter then stepped off of the train. Liza scurried over to a covered bench on the other side of the platform. She sat there watching people come and go. Just as she was about to take offer coat she saw Smith. He was walking towards a large group of people that were surrounded by a conductor.
“Anyone here named Marie S.?” The conductor asked in a loud booming voice. Liza automatically stood up but slowly sat back down again when she remembered that Smith couldn’t catch her here.
“I am!” Smith shouted as he walked forward to take the message from the conductor. “Why did this package arrive so early?” Smith asked.
“It was supposed to be on train 6279 but it was accidentally put onto and earlier train.” The conductor replied.
“Good thing I came early. “Smith said quickly as he tried to grab the package under the conductors arm.
“Not so fast.” The conductor snapped. “I know for a fact that this package is supposed to be picked up by Madame M’s granddaughter. Now you don’t look like a blonde and you defiantly don’t look like a girl.” The conductor smirked.
“How do you know that I am not giving the jewels to Louisa?” Smith asked sweating profusely.
“Madame M sent me a telegraph message beforehand giving me a detailed description of her granddaughter. It also said that I should not give the jewels to anyone but a person that fits the above description. Smith sighed and held out his hands. The conductor locked two metal rings around his wrists then dragged Smith into the ticket booth. Liza caught a glimpse of the conductor sending a telegraph message, most likely to the police. She stared at the ticket booth for several minutes not believing what she had just seen. That could have been me! She thought to herself. “It probably will be me.” She muttered.
“Train 9726 is arriving from England.” Shouted a bald conductor at the other end of the platform. Liza stood up and walked toward the conductor. The train slowly screeched to a halt. Around ten or twelve people bustled off of the train then a short frizzy haired man began unloading packages. Liza pushed and shoved her way to the front, she had to get the jewels before Louisa did. Liza paused for a moment to see if Louisa was anywhere in sight. She was just about to continue her way towards the front when she saw her. A young woman with long blonde curls was slowly walking toward Liza. She was wearing a cream dress with pink satin ribbon. Liza shook herself she needed to focus on getting the jewels and nothing else. At the rate Louisa was walking she could probably be back to England before Louisa reached the train. Once Liza reached the center of the crowd she began doing everything she could to get the frizzy haired mans attention.
“Excuse me! Sir! Excuse me!” Liza shouted.
“Yes?” The man replied.
“Do you have package for Marie?” Liza asked as casually as she could. He bent low and began rummaging around in a pile of packages.
“Yes here it is!” He replied handing it over to her.
“Thank you so much!” Liza replied. Something didn’t seem right, why hadn’t he asked her any questions? Liza wasn’t worried about that at the moment. She tried to walk away as causally as she could pausing only to nod to Louisa as she passed her. After she was out of sight from both Louisa and the frizzy haired man she ran. She ran faster then she ever had, her dress tearing momentarily from bushes. Liza didn’t care she just kept running until she could run no further. Liza finally slowed down and soon collapsed. Her head was spinning and she had the worst side ache. She pulled the package out from under her arm and began to dig a hole. She dug and dug until her nails were black. Liza opened the package addressed to Marie. She slowly pulled the flaps covering the jewels back. There they were the precious family jewels. They were a light purple with silver surrounding the jewels. She reached down and pulled them out her hands trembling as she did this. Then she dropped them, slowly letting them fall through her fingers. Liza watched as the hit the bottom of the hole. Then without thinking she began to fill the hole back up again. Once Liza was done she fell backwards out of breath not knowing what to do next. She knew that if she went back to Madame M, Madame M would know where and what she had been doing. If she went back to the train station which was the closest station for miles she would b noticed as well. Before she could make a decision a cold shiver washed over her making her go rigid. She tried to stand; call for help anything but it was no use. Her body would not respond. What was happening to her? Could it be something she had eaten but it couldn’t be for she had not eaten for almost a day. As her eyes slowly flickered shut. She then remembered… “The curse” Liza muttered hoarsely. Then everything went black.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Plot Outline
Overview:
Madame Marie has many precious jewels that she is sending to her granddaughter in France. She must send them under another name and addressed to someone other than her granddaughter Louisa. Madame M sends a telegraph message in advance to Louisa so she knows what name it is under, which train it will be on and what time. Madame M must do this because many people have tried to steal her jewels in the past and these jewels must make it safely to Louisa before the thieves catch on to what she is doing.
Exposition:
Description of England where Madame M lives and Madame M. Introducing the idea of sending the number, date and time that the jewels will be sent by telegraph. Madame M still doubts the telegraph but finds it useful because she can keep her message anonymous. It will also get there faster but she puts the entire message in code just in case one of the thieves gets a hold of the message along the way.
Rising Action:
Madame M sends the message and the story changes so now it follows the journey of the message. Where it goes, how long it takes, who intercepts it excreta.
Climax:
A guy that goes by the name of Smith gets a hold of the telegraph message and reads it. He doesn’t know what it means but he starts to understand it. Eventually he figures out the whole message and leaves right away for the station. Fortunately Louisa solved it as well but who will get their first.
Falling Action:
Thankfully Madame Marie hid some inside clues in the message that Louisa found right away. Smith on the other hand did not so it took him longer to solve. Therefore he arrived after Louisa. He followed her and tried to take it from her but did not succeed.
Resolution:
Louisa receives the jewels safely. She then sends a message to her grandmother letting her know this. Madame M replies telling her about who Smith is, where to keep the jewels, and other important information.
Internal Conflict:
In the beginning Madame M realizes that she can't trust anyone because everyone seems to want the jewels including her brother even though they are not rightfully his. She soon begins trusting people again but soon finds out that someone she put her trust in betrayed her.
External Conflict:
Madame M sends the note and the jewels and the jewels soon become in danger. Now it is a race of who can solve the telegraph message and retrieve the jewels first, good or evil.
Connection:
The connect ion is both from danger to safety and confusion to order.
Exposition:
Description of England where Madame M lives and Madame M. Introducing the idea of sending the number, date and time that the jewels will be sent by telegraph. Madame M still doubts the telegraph but finds it useful because she can keep her message anonymous. It will also get there faster but she puts the entire message in code just in case one of the thieves gets a hold of the message along the way.
Rising Action:
Madame M sends the message and the story changes so now it follows the journey of the message. Where it goes, how long it takes, who intercepts it excreta.
Climax:
A guy that goes by the name of Smith gets a hold of the telegraph message and reads it. He doesn’t know what it means but he starts to understand it. Eventually he figures out the whole message and leaves right away for the station. Fortunately Louisa solved it as well but who will get their first.
Falling Action:
Thankfully Madame Marie hid some inside clues in the message that Louisa found right away. Smith on the other hand did not so it took him longer to solve. Therefore he arrived after Louisa. He followed her and tried to take it from her but did not succeed.
Resolution:
Louisa receives the jewels safely. She then sends a message to her grandmother letting her know this. Madame M replies telling her about who Smith is, where to keep the jewels, and other important information.
Internal Conflict:
In the beginning Madame M realizes that she can't trust anyone because everyone seems to want the jewels including her brother even though they are not rightfully his. She soon begins trusting people again but soon finds out that someone she put her trust in betrayed her.
External Conflict:
Madame M sends the note and the jewels and the jewels soon become in danger. Now it is a race of who can solve the telegraph message and retrieve the jewels first, good or evil.
Connection:
The connect ion is both from danger to safety and confusion to order.
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