“I killed one! I stabbed it in the head with a parasol."Even Nora couldn't find words for this revelation. Renfield was the first to comment. "I can't tell if that's the most inspiring thing I've ever heard of the most horrifying.”

“Issy, nobody invited you along. You don't get a vote. Mostly becuae you're an idiot.""A total idiot," he said. "Look, right now I am completely in agreement with you. I am an idiot of legendary proportions. But I'm an idiot who wants to live, thank you. Besides, you told Nora we'd wait right here! What if he can't find us?""The idiot has a point," Michael allowed.”

“Nora, I just don't want you to become so obsessed with the present that you can't see the future.”

“I got a demerit, professor." There was a kind of naughty amusement in her eyes that I found myself really liking.I smiled slowly. "Why did you do, Miss Dearly?""She henpecked Elpinoy in a most spectacular fashion," Renfield offered. "I think at one point she was actually hanging on his back." Nora made a sound of annoyance. "Alas, I was looking at a computer screen with Dr. Samedi at the time, and thus I'm afraid that neither of us can vouch for this with certainty."The laughter bubbled out of me before I could hold it back. "Were you?" I asked her."Define 'hanging.'""Bra,." Elpinoy appeared in one of the lab doorways. He gestured to the exterior doors. "Take her out. Now. Never in my life have I encountered such a little-""Lady?" I asked, trying to keep a straight face."Out.""'Phone call,'" Nora said, affecting his tone of voice and looking right at him. "'Let-ter.'""Not until Wolfe orders it!" Elpinoy marched into his lab again and slammed the door behind him.Nora stood up, her skirt bouncing a bit atop its puffy petticoat. "That man is an infuriating ponce.""And you're an excellent judge of character.”

“Stay away from us!" Michael ordered. He was looking at Nora in horror, as if he couldn't believe what she was saying. "No one's trying to get near you," Chas snorted. "I don't do living guys. Call me prejudiced.”

“First,' Dad said, giving me a stern look, 'Captain Griswold and you [Nora] and i must have a little chat.' I batted my eyelashes at him, even as my cheeks heated. Chas choked, and scrawled out, You stil ow me detales! Detales!!!”

“What the hell was that?!" Tom asked, fighting his way to his feet."That..was not normal," Bram said, gripping the wheel like he was afraid to let go."I modified the engine somewhat," Renfield confessed. That grin started sneaking back onto his face."Modifications?" Gram asked. He slowly released his death grip on the steering wheel and turned around to look at Ren. "What modifications?""Modification." Ren really stressed the shun at the end of the word. "I just removed the governor. I told you some parts needed to come out. You were there when I did it!""The what?" I asked.Bram stared at Renfield, his expression going completely slack. "You did what? I didn't see you...You did what?""What's a governor?""You didn't," Tom said, voice filled with awe. "You are not telling me that you left a piece of the engine behind on the ground. "Renfield sighed and turned to address me, waving a hand casually. "The governor, on an airship engine, caps the maximum speed the engine can achieve. So,by taking the governor off, I've allowed us to go much faster.""And then we'll blow up!" Bram yelled. "Because you took a safety valve off!""You've turned the ship into a freaking death trap!" Tom shouted. "It isn't critical. We just have to be mindful of the engine pressure ourselves, that's all! Trust me, she can take it!”