The Hunt for Dorothy

Drake’s threats become an abduction, prompting Jack’s family and friends to risk a raid on his house.

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Drake’s Threat

A Family Put Under Pressure Coercion as leverage Kelso Drake threatens William Keeble after Keeble refuses to sell the plans for his engine. He points to Dorothy as a means of making the refusal costly. A danger made personal Drake’s menacing interest in Dorothy turns a dispute about invention into a direct threat to the Keeble household. Jack’s attachment to her gives the danger an additional emotional force.

Abduction in the Square

A Sudden Attack Deener strikes Billy Deener attacks Jack and Dorothy in St. James’ Square. Jack is knocked unconscious, and Dorothy is carried away through a hidden entrance into the sewers. Drake’s control Dorothy awakens restrained in Drake’s house, where Drake and his allies intend to use her as leverage. Her abduction makes the conspirators’ threats immediate and forces the others to act without delay.

The Wardour Street Rescue

A Dangerous Extraction Friends enter the house St. Ives and Keeble infiltrate Drake’s house through the sewer as Winnifred reaches it by another route. They encounter the house’s illicit occupants and Drake himself, but press on toward Dorothy. Family reunited Winnifred helps Dorothy escape, and Keeble carries his drugged daughter out. Their rescue gives Jack and the family a chance to recover even as St. Ives stays behind to reach the alien ship.

Before the Trismegistus Club’s confrontation with Drake

Several weeks into St. Ives’s London stay

The day the dirigible is expected over London