The Curiously Stunted, Incomprehensibly Disjointed, Perfectly Inadequate Adventures of Nicholas Cornelius Holloway – Episode 17

He threw the long end of his scarf over his shoulder, removed one leather glove, and with his bare hand turned the dial to one. The machine rattled. There was a pop and a hiss from a valve above. Behind a door smaller than his folded handkerchief a muffled whirring sound strained then clicked.

He frowned.

Presently a latch snapped open on its spring, and the door – hinged at the bottom – fell open from the top. Thin chains connecting the door to the machine trembled briefly as they snapped ta...