"Ambitious plans, young man. I suspect you have spent too much time in the company of my brother-in-law and caught some of his ambition." Ritterhof shook his head in wonder. "Have you any other American magic to show us?"

"Where you here a month I could not show you half the wonders! But this, this I must show you!" Martin reached back inside the sideboard and produced a large folio and several rolls of paper. "This is how the Americans design machines and how they ensure that all the parts fit correctly." He unrolled one of the large rolls revealing a drawing. Seeing the puzzled looks on Bruno and Joseph's faces he opened the folio and pulled one drawing out. Next he reached into the red metal chest and brought out a wrench. "This isa drawing of this wrench."

"I see four pictures here." Bruno muttered, "and only this one looks like your wrench."

"Ah, but they really are all pictures of the same thing. They show different sides of it. See here, if I hold the wrench so it matches this picture, and when I turn it thusly it matches that picture. The pictures and dimensions tell me how to make thousands of identical wrenches." Martin pulled out several more drawings. "Each of these drawings shows how to make a single part. The large drawing shows how to put many parts together to make a machine. The Americans call this 'drafting' and I've been taking classes to learn how to understand and make such drawings."

"Our bright new master blacksmith is also making his assistants take these courses so that all in the shop will understand and be able to use these drawings." Herman added proudly. "Heinrich takes the classes, too. He is making drawings for our furniture shop. When a customer asks for another pair of chairs just like the ones we made a year ago, we will take out the drawings and make them. No one will have to go to the customer's home and measure the old chairs."

Bruno Ritterhof sat back in his chair, his face blank. Finally he nodded. "Master Schmidt, my son, Karl .

. . will you accept him as an apprentice?"

Martin stared at his former master. He remembered Karl as a bright child, full of questions and curiosity.

Fully aware of the compliment being paid him, Martin replied, "Yes, Herr Ritterhof, I will."

"I expect you to be hard on him and insist he learn this drafting." A twinkle had crept into Ritterhof's eyes. "Treat him as harshly as you treat your other apprentices. Hmm, I've spoiled the boy and hewill need a strong hand."

"My sons have scattered as journeymen," Joseph Eisenbach said. "When we return to Jena I shall contact them and suggest that they visit Grantville. Especially Dolf. You remember Dolf? He's as mad about mechanisms as you, Martin. Dolf considers himself ready to become a master. I think it would do wonders for him to learn drafting."

"Any and all of them will be welcome, sirs." Martin replied.

"All these wonders! Still, I have a question or two." Joseph pondered. "Martin, earlier you said you had 'big' plans. Nuts and bolts are numerous but not large. Even these gears you talk about do not seem to be large . . ." he trailed off, inviting Martin to answer.

Hesitating, Martin looked down at the table, his eyes on the drawing of the wrench. "Well, sirs, the 'big'

plan I have is for a drop forge to make wrenches and such. After all, there will have to be wrenches to install all the nuts and bolts I'm making."

"Ah, a drop forge. Drop forges need waterpower. Waterpower and a large shop. And they are costly.

Will this river in Grantville run a drop forge?" The interest in Bruno's voice was barely masked.

"Oh, no, Bruno! This is Grantville! This is a place of miraculous machines and electricity. A drop forge such as Martin wants does not need waterpower. Land, however, that is a question." Pulling out his pipe, Herman gave the impression of settling in for a long discussion. While lighting the pipe he looked at Martin and winked.

"No, sirs, a drop forge in Grantville would be run by a motor." Frantically Martin tried to rememberwhat Herr McConnell had said about motors, engines, and the plans for the drop forge. With a mental shrug he gave up. The masters from Jena wouldn't understand and it didn't matter, not at this time. "Now, where to locate the drop forge is a question only of where there is sufficient room. Unfortunately, our present shop is too small and there is no building of the correct size close by."

Herman was sitting calmly, the slight grin on his face stretched wider. "We are looking, mind you. Come spring we can get a better idea of where we might build a new shop, one large enough for our forge."

"But, Herman, have you enough money for such an undertaking?" Joseph asked suspiciously. "If you would allow, we might be interested in a small investment here in Grantville . . ."

The last of the luggage had been stowed in their carriage. Goodbyes had been said and Frau Kunze's hamper of food carefully placed within easy reach of the travelers. The pair prepared to climb in. Bruno Ritterhof hugged his brother-in-law Herman and shook Martin's hand.

"Remember, a firm hand is needed with Karl. I expect him to do well here." The man said, a wide smile on his face. "He should be here by the end of the month."

"I've a switch picked out already. I remember his tricks, sir." Martin returned the smile. "There is an empty bunk bed in the apprentices' room waiting for him."

Joseph Eisenbach turned to Herman. "One last thing I must know, Herman. Why are your little enterprises named 'Kudzu'?"

Martin and Herman exchanged an amused glance, recalling a certain summer day.

"Joseph, come back in the summer and I will show you. Kudzu is a vine that grows in Grantville. A very pretty vine with a sweet smell." Herman grinned. "A vine that has deep roots; roots that are hard to pull up and destroy."

Joseph Eisenbach stared at Herman Glauber for a moment and then nodded. "You've sunk your roots here in Grantville." Satisfied, Eisenbach joined Ritterhof in the carriage. He leaned out the window to make a last comment. "Now I have an answer for Maria-why we are not bringing you and the boys back to Jena."

As the carriage started down the road Martin turned to Glauber. "Will you tell him the rest of it or just let him figure it out when he sees a kudzu infestation?"

"Now, Martin, what ever do you mean? What is the 'rest of it'?" Laughing, Herman slapped Martin on the back.

"That the kudzu vine gets into everything and grows fast. Just like your little enterprises."

"Ah, yes. Our enterprises are growing quickly. What was it that one fellow said about kudzu growing?

'On a summer's night you can hear it grow.' May our enterprises grow in like manner, winter or summer."

Three Innocuous Words

by Russ Rittgers

White vapor was blowing out of Hudson's nostrils that frosty mid-morning in late December. Chip Jenkins rode his horse around the small snow-covered copse of trees and saw the von Ruppersdorf manor that Katerina had finally finished building this year. He'd been looking forward to this day for almost two months, ever since he'd last seen her following a visit to Leipzig. He'd been there on Committees of Correspondence business as usual and had only been able to spend one night in Ruppersdorf before returning to Jena and his classes.

The University of Jena was on school break and Chip was looking forward to spending extended quality time with Katerina over the Christmas holidays. He'd traveled far more this year than he wanted on CoC business now that Gretchen was bottled up in Amsterdam. His studies had suffered, not to mention time spent with Katerina. The CoC work was rewarding but he always looked forward to returning to Magdeburg and bringing Joachim von Thierbach and Mathilde Wiegert, old friends from the Jena CoC, up to date.

Chip spent the previous night with Joachim's parents in Thierbach. Dieter von Thierbach still hadn't officially reconciled himself to Joachim's decision to marry Mathilde but both parents welcomed Chip into their home. Dieter was also one of Dad's fellow investors in a few ventures which were headquartered in Grantville. The older man complained mildly that those businesses were only marginally profitable. Chip also knew it was because he wouldn't declare profitability until he recovered his original investment, no matter what Dad's accountant told him. One of their investments made a product that Chip had ordered.

It should have arrived in Ruppersdorf by now. He had another, much smaller gift for Katerina in his saddlebags, one rarer than diamonds these days, but he wanted the ordered one ready on Christmas morning. If nothing else, it would make her the envy of every noblewoman who came to visit this winter.

Chip gave a quick chuckle and nudged Hudson in the ribs to bring him into a mild canter. They'd spent a lot of time together over the past year and Hudson knew what he wanted.

Nicholas, Katerina's stable master, greeted him with a wave and a broad grin, a quite different attitude from when they'd first met. Back then all he'd do is say, "Yes, Herr Jenkins," with downcast eyes. That was before Chip started spending time in Ruppersdorf and hours talking with Nicholas about how to care for Hudson.

"How's Lorentz these days?" Chip asked as he walked Hudson into the stable, suppressing his own desire to rush into the manor house. The stable master's youngest son had been ill the last time Chip had visited. "He's back to aggravating his sister again, Herr Jenkins," Nicholas chuckled. "That herbalist you sent over from Thierbach made up a tea which we gave to him. Two days later he was on his feet. My wife and I really thank you for that."

"I didn't do much." Chip grunted as he pulled the heavy riding saddle off Hudson. "Freiherr von Thierbach once told me how much he trusted Hanna with his health. I only asked where she lived when I visited Thierbach the following day. I met her and requested she visit you at the Ruppersdorf manor, that's all."

"I'll finish the grooming if you don't mind, Herr Jenkins," Nicholas said with a grin a few minutes later.

"I'm certain the Freiin would like to see you as soon as possible and I suspect the same of you." He gestured towards the woman's shadow blocking the light at the open stable door.

Chip had learned by now not to be overly affectionate when he greeted her in public and contented himself with a quick peck. "Am I going to have to hunt you down every time you come here?" the slim, dark-haired Katerina whispered in his ear as they hugged. Chip squeezed her waist a little tighter as they walked out of the stable.

Once past the manor house threshold, he began nuzzling her pale neck, just below and behind her ear.

His blonde mustache made her giggle and push him away. He caught her hand and pulled her to him.

Several minutes later, after catching her breath, Katerina spoke again. "A carter dropped off a large crate addressed to you the other day."

"Great! I was hoping it would get here in time. Are you sure it came addressed to me? I know I said for it to be sent to you."

Katerina gave him a look with serious raised eyebrows. "See for yourself. The carter said that he'd been instructed to leave it in the main room close to the fireplace. He unloaded it with the help of Nicholas and Hans. What is it?"

"Call it early modern heating technology." Chip smiled, walking into the main room. Looking at the crate sitting there he frowned, puzzled. "I thought it would be larger. Perhaps I ordered a smaller version than I thought I did."

"The carter left a letter addressed to you as well." Katerina took it from the fireplace mantle and handed it to Chip.

Recognizing his father's handwriting, Chip ripped open the envelope with a smile.

"Dear Chip, I know you're familiar with the three little words "I love you." I decided that since you're obviously getting this for Katerina's Christmas, you should experience the joy and happiness I've experienced on Christmas Eves ever since you and Missy were toddlers.

Normally the carter would have uncrated and set up your gift but I told him to leave it in the crate this time because you deserve the experience of what I call the Three Innocuous Words.(over)"

Chip turned the page over and his blood ran cold.

"SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED.

Merry Christmas, Dad P.S. For best results, read and follow the written instructions. I've also included all the tools you'll need. You'll notice no hammer is required."

Chip looked at the crate in dismay, his jaw sagging. One totally unassembled, highly decorated, cast iron, wood-burning parlor stove. No one in Ruppersdorf had ever seen a precision-machined nut and bolt much less know what a parlor stove was or how to help him.

It was going to be a long night . . .

CONTINUING SERIALS:.

The Doctor Gribbleflotz Chronicles, Part 3 Doctor Phil's Distraction

By Kerryn Offord

April 1635, The rectory, St. Martin's in the Fields. South of Rudolstadt Yesterday I helped Stepmama turn Papa's old Geneva gown. We unpicked the seams, darned threads to reinforce the worst worn spots and re-dyed the fabric before hand sewing it back together, with what was formerly the inside now out. With a new detachable linen clerical collar, Papa will be set for anotheryear or two.

Today I walked to the stationery store to purchase school supplies for tomorrow. When I got to the dress shop, I stopped to have a look at the dresses displayed in the window. There was one there, my favorite. Ever since it first appeared in the window I had stopped to admire it. If nobody was looking, I would position myself so my reflection appeared as if I was wearing it. I would have loved to buy it, but with eight children, including me, still dependent on poor Papa, there is not the money for such fripperies.

My new dress would be something made over from what Stepmama could find in the poor box.

Today, though, I suffered a shock. My beautiful dress was being taken from the window. I watched through the window in horror. Elisabeth Schwentzel, a girl my age, tried it on. It didn't suit her at all. But she bought it just the same.

Struggling to hold back the tears, I walked away. It wasn't fair. Why should Elisabeth have my dress?

She was nothing more than a maid in one of Rudolstadt's hotels, and her father a laborer at the sawmill.

But he earns more than Papa, even with all of Papa's learning. And the banns have been read for Elisabeth's upcoming marriage to a young man working at the steel mill.

Things haven't been the same since Andrea ran off to marry her up-timer. Before my sister eloped, we at least had each other when we taught the young boys and girls at Countess Katharina's, the parish school.

It's been a year since Andrea eloped with Tony Chabert. In that time the parish hasn't found a replacement for her. They are too tight with their money. Andrea hadn't been paid any more than I am, of course. Daughters are considered a benefit of employing a parish pastor. Now I face eighty-three five- and six-year-old children every day on my own and I will continue to do so until I marry-if I ever do.

Today in school I caught myself sighing heavily over my situation, before turning my attention back to what the children were doing. I don't think I'll ever get married. Who would have a woman of few looks and little dowry? Even Papa has given up on me, and he's the man who found up-timer husbands for seven of his congregation in less than twelve months.

Herr Doctor Phillip Theophrastus Gribbleflotz gave the image in the mirror a final searching look. A final brush with the clothes brush, a hat to cover his head, and he was ready. Briefcase in hand, Phillip walked to the hotel where a conference room had been booked for this meeting. It wasn't that he expected any problems with the women from Kubiak Country Industries, but with the up-timer females it helped to be prepared.

When he first started working with the Kubiak Country ladies, Phillip thought, he had been too timid. He hadn't been used to being around women, especially not forceful up-timer women. He had let them talk him into all sorts of irrelevant distractions from his research. But this time he intended to be firm. At last it appeared he would be able to start on his greatest project, his investigation into the invigoration of the Quinta Essentia of the Human Humors. The stumbling block had been the aluminum members for the pyramid. Faceted gems had been easy in comparison. But a couple of charming men had come visiting.

They had obviously attended one of his seminars and knew of his interest in aluminum. They were offering preferential access to the new metal when they started producing it. However, they needed to raise money before they could extract the necessary ores. Phillip hoped to convince the Kubiak Country ladies to invest in the company they were planning to set up.

Phillip was reasonably happy with the way the meeting had gone. The ladies hadn't even had some newrecipe for a product they just had to have. They had listened intently when he had described the aluminum company and how he wanted to invest in it. Just like properly behaved women they had promised to come back after they talked with their husbands.

There was a bookshop he just had to visit, and his favorite glass blower had sent him a letter advising him that he had some new scientific glassware to demonstrate. Phillip walked down the main street, a bounce to his step. All was well with his world.

Tasha Kubiak stalked around the room. "I don't like it. Does anybody know anything about making aluminum?"

"Well, I don't. And I reckon that's what these con artists are banking on. Their story sounds convincing, and the prospectus looks pretty with all of the color pictures and all those pretty graphs and tables. I think the whole thing stinks." Belle looked around the conference room to see if any of the other Kubiak Country ladies disagreed.

Tracy Kubiak stood up. The driving force behind the formation of Kubiak Country Industries, what she said carried a lot of weight, so she had to be careful what she said. "We have a problem." The other ladies dutifully nodded their heads. That, they agreed with. "On the one hand, we don't want to alienate Dr Phil. We can't just say 'no you can't invest in this aluminum company.' On the other hand, we don't want to commit funds if it is a fraud. It might be a perfectly legitimate company. The proprietors may be able to deliver what they claim."

"But you don't believe it, Mama?"