Read Online Agatha H. and the Airship City by Phil Foglio, Kaja Foglio - Free Book Online

here.”
    To Adam’s great relief, Agatha turned to his wife. “Oh, Lilith, Dr. Beetle is dead!”
    Shock crossed Lilith’s face. “What? How?”
    “He was killed in his lab by Baron Wulfenbach!”
    At the sound of Wulfenbach’s name, Adam gave a start, dropping the tractor, again shaking the building.
    Lilith’s eyes widened. “Baron Wulfenbach! Here?”
    Agatha looked at her in surprise. “Yes. He’s taken the town. You didn’t notice?”
    Lilith looked embarrassed. “I’ve been canning all morning—” she looked at Agatha again, “Klaus Wulfenbach. Are you sure?”
    “Lilith, I work in the main lab. I was right there. I saw the whole thing!”
    Lilith only looked more worried. “Did he see you?”
    “Dr. Beetle introduced all of us.”
    “Yes, of course he did. Why shouldn’t he? How did—?” Suddenly a look of horror crossed Lilith’s face and she grabbed Agatha and lifted her up before her eyes. “Your locket!” she exclaimed. “Where’s your locket?”
    Agatha looked surprised at the turn of the conversation. “I was robbed. By two soldiers.”
    “Wulfenbach soldiers?”
    “I… I don’t think so. They looked too shabby.”
    Lilith set Agatha back down and turned to Adam. “We’ve got to find it!” Adam nodded.
    Agatha interrupted. “With everything else that’s happened— that’s what you think is important?” Adam and Lilith looked at each other, unspoken communication passed between them.
    Lilith’s face took on an expression that Agatha knew as “I’ll explain this when you’re older,” a look that at eighteen, she no longer had any patience for. “Your uncle was very clear. You must
    always wear—”
    “Dr. Beetle is dead! Don’t you understand?”
    “Agatha, when your uncle left you with us, he told us things we’d need to know if—”
    “If he didn’t come back! Things I needed to know! Well what are you waiting for? It’s been eleven years! Maybe… maybe he never meant to come back at all and—”
    Adam’s vast hand dropped gently onto her shoulder, cutting her off in mid-word. The look in his eyes as he slowly and deliberately shook his head conveyed the message that whatever else, her uncle had never intended to leave for good.
    Lilith nodded in agreement. “Agatha, your uncle loves you very much. Almost as much as we do.” With a sigh, Agatha allowed herself to be enfolded by the arms of the two constructs. The quiet minute that followed would be one of Agatha’s most poignant memories.
    It was ended by Lilith straightening up and assuming her no-nonsense voice. “Now. Agatha, Adam and I are going out. There are a few things you must do. We’re leaving Beetleburg. Pack everything of importance to you, but it must fit into your green rucksack. No more than two sets of clothes, but take two extra sets of stockings, the thick wool ones, and linens.”
    Agatha blinked in surprise. “Leaving town? But the shop! Our house! Your canning!”
    Lilith nodded. “It can’t be helped. If Baron Wulfenbach has taken the town then we have got to leave.” Agatha opened her mouth, but Lilith cut her off. “Once we are on the road, I’ll answer everything, but now there is no time. Prepare similar packs for Adam and myself, as well as the blue shouldersack that is already packed in our closet and—” she paused, and seemed embarrassed, “Our generator.”
    Agatha looked somber. “We really are leaving.”
    Lilith nodded and looked around the cozy room. “Yes. I’m afraid so.” While they were talking, Adam strode over to the fireplace. Lifting aside the rag rug, he exposed a stone tile over a meter square set into the floor. In the center was an indentation that was revealed to be a handle, as Adam grasped it and effortlessly lifted. The tile was revealed to be a cube that easily slid from the hole with the sound of stone on stone. Depositing it to the side, he leaned in and lifted out a thick money belt, as well as several small canvas bundles, before