Subj: Crossing Over Time, Part 3
Date: 12/29/98 7:35:38 PM Central Standard Time
From: MsAnn

Barnabas, Joshua and Bathia quickly hid within the dark shadows of the corner of the drawing room. This was not quite the time for them to make themselves known to any more of the present day residents of Collinwood. "Professor Stokes! I didn't know you were here. I was looking for David. He seems to have run off again."

"Ms. Winters, I can assure you that David is not here. Mr. Loomis and I have been in this house for several hours reviewing the architecture and craftsmanship of the late 18th century and we have not had the pleasure of David's company. Mr. Loomis and I were just reviewing our findings for today when you barged in here."

"And you have had no indication that David cold have come here at all? No unusual noises or anything like that?"

"No Ms. Winters. I am afraid I cannot help you," said Professor Stokes as he guided Vicky to the door.

"Mr. Loomis and I will be finished here in about another half hour. If David has not turned up by then, we will be happy to assist you in the search. Good night."

"Good night, professor," said Vicki as she left, confused at Stokes' uncharacteristically abrupt behavior.

Perhaps David went to the cemetery again, she thought as she left on the path away from the Old House.

Back inside the Old House, everyone breathed a sigh of relief after Vicki left. Explaining the presence of three people from the 18th century was not something anyone wanted to do. Professor Stokes turned and walked over to the bookshelf and began to open the door to the secret room behind it.

"You can come out now, David. Ms. Winters has left," said Stokes as he stood aside and allowed nine year old David Collins to exit from his hiding place. "Now David, why were you in the secret room?"

"I wanted to see what you were doing here. I overheard my Aunt Elizabeth say that you were really good at conjuring up ghosts. I wanted to see. But what you did tonight was really great! How did you do it?"

"I'm wondering the same thing, Elliot," said Elizabeth Collins Stoddard as she entered the Old House.

"Elizabeth! I--"

"Don't 'Elizabeth' me, Elliot. You came down here to perform another one of your ceremonies tonight after you promised me that you wouldn't perform them anymore. And the worst part is that you somehow yanked three people from the 18th century into our time in front of a nine year old boy!"

"Um, excuse me for interruptin' but don't you think you're bein' a little hard on the professor here? He did save these three people from some evil witch back in their own time. That deserves a little consideration doesn't it?" Willie suggested.

"I agree," Barnabas chimed in.

"No, there is no need for your heroics. It is my fault. I did break my promise to Elizabeth."

"Well, we will discuss that more later. Right now I wish to meet our guests," said Elizabeth as she walked towards Barnabas, Joshua and Bathia. "I am Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, Mistress of Collinwood."

"I am Joshua Collins and this is my son Barnabas and our friend Bathia Mapes," Joshua replied as he indicated his two time travel companions.

"I think we have spent too much time here tonight. Let us all retire to Collinwood where we can get to know each other in a more hospitable environment and introduce you all to the 20th century," said Elizabeth as she walked towards the front door.

David turned to Professor Stokes and said "We're both in big trouble this time aren't we? She didn't even say anything to us just now."

"Yes we are David, although it is I who is in the most trouble tonight. Regardless, I feel we're all in for a long night."

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Now, I pass the pen...