A loud roar shook the mist-drenched forest, causing a flock of birds to rise from the trees in indignant cacophony. The beautiful Lady Alice Pemberly wrapped her arms around Sir Reginald Horton-Glomthwaite’s leg, who was unruffled at the sight of her petticoats. She gazed up at his stoic face. “We are surely doomed, Sir Reginald!” she cried. “How can you remain so unconcerned?”

“My dear lady,” said Sir Reginald, smoothing a curl of mustache and adjusting his pith helmet, “You must remember two things. Firstly, I am British.”

“And secondly?”

Sir Reginald opened his suitcase and lifted out the Electro-Gravitic Velocity Driver. “I have this.”