The Ammonite's crack kitchen staff had indeed prepared the standard "standard sumptuous feast " for Nemo and Lady Lyme Weoghe. Chafing dishes were filled with all sorts of delicious treats such as treacle tart and jammie dodgers. It was simply scrumptious.

Nemo, however was not quite ready to commence dining for he first wished to show-off his latest invention to the Lady Lyme Weoghe. He turned and headed towards his massive oaken book case and pulled on the ruby tipped wand which in turn set in motion the mechanism opening a secret vault.

As the vault's door swung open, Nemo silkily addressed his 'guest' "For here and now, my dear lady, I shall reveal to you my latest invention ... the Q-d...."

Nemo did not finish this sentence. Instead he spun on his heel and with his fists to his hips and his lips pursed, called (through the ship's interphonic device) to his soon-to-be hapless first mate "Mr. Rubel, where - is - the - Q-De - vice!!!"

Mr. Rubel appeared promptly and stutteringly replied "Sir, ah, Captain, you see .. do you recall uh ... Dr. Beamish-Sykes-Norrie-Hargison explained to me that the Q-Device needed cleaning and that since were about to start some shore leave she would pop into the nearest shop and have it looked after."

"You blithering idiot! You fell for the fourth oldest ruse in the book - the old "that device needs cleaning, let me have it and I'll take care of it at the village shop" confidence scheme" Nemo interrupted.

"You mean she nicked it sir? She seemed quite trustworthy sir and she's a scientist after all" Rubel replied.

Nemo buried his face in his hands but quickly gathered himself . He turned to Lady Lyme Weoghe and smiled "My Lady, I'm afraid I shall have to introduce you to the Orinoco at a later time. Mr. Rubel, set course for England, perhaps I shall be able to settle my score with old Turnip and his son after I deal with the Doctor.