The Time Traveler Returns (Sequel to: PhD., A Time Traveler’s Search for Bacon)

By David W. Dubé

Robert Dubé possesses something other Caltech graduates considered impossible: a time machine. His creation has enabled him to establish a multi-billion-dollar company in Paris years in the future, offering travelers a quicker alternative to airlines.

Robert realizes that to ensure his existence in the present, he and his wife Lisette must travel back in time to save his ancestors, aware from previous experience that events often do not develop as expected. History and science collide in17th century Holland and the American British colonies. He is drawn into conflicts against the British Navy and then the British Army during one the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution. During the Terror, Robert is forced to decide between saving his wife or their friend.

All his courage and scientific skills will be needed to keep everyone safe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David W. Dubé
• Release date: Nov 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215089705

David W. Dubé

David W. Dubé is a native of CNY and resides with his wife and son in Camillus, New York. Although he had authored several technical papers, this is his first novel. Always interested in his family history, he decided to write a story for their son based on their French heritage. Their son Robert's main interests are: science, bacon and karate and all are integral pieces of this story. Having researched over 50 books to create this story, it is extremely accurate in historical aspects.

Book preview

This is the second novel centered around my family’s history. My first book was written so our son Robert could learn more about the origins of the French side of my father’s family. Like the first book, this follows the exploits of the central character as he travels through time to visit his ancestors. This book explores the Dutch side of my mother’s family. I spent two years researching my mother’s family history and found that our ancestor was one of the many Dutch, German and Scotch immigrants who settled in the Mohawk Valley region during the 17th and 18th centuries, an area first controlled by the Dutch before it was surrendered to England. My fourth great-grandfather, Marcus Hand was one of those settlers who arrived in 1745 as a child during the British colonial period and eventually built a home in present Glen, New York. My mother, Jane Hand, was raised in Amsterdam, New York where a full-size replica of a Dutch windmill was built on a hillside overlooking Amsterdam and the Mohawk River.

Census records indicated that Marcus was originally from Germany. During the writing of the time the novel I could not find any conclusive evidence that he actually was from present day Germany. Part of my search showed a higher concentration of people with the Hand surname who lived in northern Holland. My cousin Louise, a genealogist and her colleague spent time searching for his birthplace and had no luck. After I finished writing the book, I found evidence that he may have been from Rülzheim, Germany. So, who is correct? My mother said we were Dutch and a reference to an online resource suggests otherwise. I decided to leave the story as written because the history surrounding the Dutch attack on the English Navy at Chatham seemed remarkably interesting.

The historical timeline involving events and the people mentioned during the French Revolution including the Terror, the Second Anglo-Dutch War and American Revolution are as accurate as I could present them. Several of the characters in the book are based on people I have met in Upstate New York. The John Van Alstine sculpture in the La Défence section of Paris is fictitious; however, the references to it are based on some of his incredible works I have had the good fortune to view in his studio located in the Adirondack Mountains.

Like my first book, my hope and the overall reason for creating this story was so Robert and other descendants could gain an appreciation for what our ancestors endured by crossing the Atlantic in wooden ships and fighting a world power to create a new nation.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

BERNARD

A magenta Bentley sped across the plaza of the La Défense section of Paris. Those familiar with this unmistakable vehicle merely moved to safety as they shook their heads. Those who experienced this violation for the first time looked on in disbelief at the nonchalance of those who rolled their eyes toward the sky. A flock of birds angrily flew into a cloudy sky and circled above the plaza. The Bentley stopped suddenly next to La Grande Arche, its image reflected in the glass clad building on her left. She ran immediately toward the mirrored building as the word ‘Mercure’ flashed across its surface before disappearing around the corner.

Her pace increased as she made her way past the Starbucks queue, quickly reached the top of the escalator, crossed the lobby and walked briskly past the desk of Danielle Desjardins.

Bonjour Madame Dubé, she called as Lisette was nearly running now. Bonjour Danielle, Lisette replied over her shoulder as she opened a wooden office door labeled, Robert Dubé PhD.

Lisette burst into the office where she found her husband seated behind his desk, staring at a book opened before him. Her pace slowed as she placed her hand on his shoulder.

I received your message and hurried here, transportation services are off-line, so I drove myself.

Robert looked up gravely from the book before him and thrust his index finger urgently to the middle of the page.

Read this please. This is the reason I called you, he said in a serious tone.

Lisette quickly lifted the book and read for a few moments before her eyes widened and her lips parted. Oh my God. Robert, how can we stop this?

We need to go now if we are to save Bernard, he replied. He has no idea of the danger he is in. If we don’t act immediately, he’ll be lucky to see tomorrow. Fortunately, the clothes we wore before we quit Paris during the Revolution are still here and won’t attract attention.. He waved his hand at the office wall.

Excuse me, Danielle?

Oui, Dr. Dubé? as the image of his assistant filled the entire wall.

Danielle, would you please bring my clothes in, as well as Lisette’s?

Turning to Lisette he said, When I read this, I thought you might wish to join me, and I asked Danielle to fetch them for us.

Good thinking, she replied with a wink. You know you could not have left without me. I love our life here, but I do miss 18th century life occasionally.

We won’t be staying a second longer than we need to this time, he said with some urgency. When Ron and I built a time machine at Caltech, our only goal was to prove that time travel was possible. We never considered that in the process I would meet my wife in 1789 and operate this company in the 21st century or travel back in time to save the life of a friend.

Danielle entered carrying two bundles of clothes and placed them on the conference table. Will you be absent long this time? she asked cautiously.

Robert shook his head as he separated the bundles, I promise you, Danielle. We will be returning very soon,.

He paused as he unfolded his shirt. We will be returning with a guest. Can you have lunch sent up and pour three glasses of wine?

Lisette pulled a blouse over her head. Darling, remember this is Bernard we’re talking about.

Robert’s head rose quickly. Oh sure, he nodded and turned toward Danielle. Would you bring three wine glasses and an extra bottle for our friend?

Danielle cast a curious glance and exited quickly.

Robert smiled broadly. You look just the way you did the first time I saw you. Fortunately for me, looks really cannot kill. If they could I would have died that day.

Lisette’s ashen blond hair lay softly across the grey cotton blouse she wore that day and stared back at Robert with her deep blue eyes. On that day you wore the uniform of a Major in the French cavalry and I saw you as an instrument of the King. One of those who added to the misery of the people in my arrondissement. I will admit that I prefer your sans-culottes to that cavalry uniform, Major, she added.

Robert studied the map of Paris displayed on the wall. I don’t know exactly which building Bernard worked in but it was close to what was then Place de la Revolution. These coordinates will help locate his office and while everyone is focused on the main event, we should be able to seek out Bernard without attracting attention.

Lisette walked to the desk, held his hand and looked at him. I’m ready when you are, Darling.

Robert returned her smile, pressed the button marked ‘engage’ and they vanished.

He instantly felt intense pressure from the shoulders and elbows of an aggressive crush of people who battled for the best view of the plaza before them. At its center was a guillotine on a tall platform where a ring of soldiers were occupied with pushing the growing crowd back. Lisette was no longer holding his hand and he panicked at the irony of losing his wife in his effort to save their friend.

Glancing rapidly to his left and right offered nothing until he heard a familiar voice cry out, Robert, I’m up here. He found Lisette standing on the limb of a tree next to him while she glared harshly at him. Lisette slowly descended from the tree into Robert’s arms, surrounded by the frantic melee. I believe that your coordinates leave a bit to be desired, Major, as she kissed his cheek.

An open carriage slowly proceeded down Rue Royale while its solitary occupant stood clutching the rails, his knees buckling from side to side. He wore a brown coat and a three-cornered hat and struggled to maintain his balance as the crowd became completely silent and the only sounds were from the horse’s hooves moving across the cobblestone street. The carriage slowed to a stop near the steps leading to the platform. At first, the passenger pushed people away as they attempted to tie his hands, but he eventually relented. He ascended the scaffold and attempted to speak to the crowd, but they shouted him down. From their vantage point, Robert and Lissette could only watch his mouth move. Four men seized him, tied him to a platform, and slid it beneath the slanted blade of the guillotine which hung menacingly above. The crowd sensed the intensity of the moment and suddenly became silent once more. A terrible cry rang out as the blade fell and a moment later, one of the men on the scaffold reached down and held in his outstretched hand, the head of Louis XVI. It was January 21, 1793, and the bourbon Dynasty had abruptly ended. The King’s execution was the moment that thousands of people in Place de la Révolution had anticipated as they embraced, sang songs and danced around the guillotine.

Confident that the crowd would help hide their true activities, they failed to notice that their lack of enthusiasm for the grisly end to the monarchy drew the attention of a certain member of the crowd. A young man, about 25 years of age with shoulder length brown hair, eyed them with curiosity and suspicion. He was one of the sans-culottes, a large group of people from the lower classes. They wore trousers instead of knee breeches which were worn by the upper class. Also, he wore a red ‘liberty’ cap. They enforced policies of the new government, often through violence against their perceived enemies. Their influence would be silenced permanently when their leaders were executed.

Robert and Lissette turned and walked casually toward the Tuileries Garden and the Louvre until he took her hand and abruptly stopped. As she turned to face him, he placed his free hand on her waist and pulled her closer to him. Lisette, when we walked away from Place de la Revolution there was a fellow, mid-twenties, who paid more attention to us then I would like. Let’s keep an eye on him.

Continuing to distance themselves from the jubilant crowd, they walked upon a graveled path around one of many pools. The statue lined path narrowed and Lisette paused where it split in two directions.

Now it was Lisette’s turn to act. Taking Robert’s hands, she stopped so that he could view the area behind them over his shoulder. Well, Major, I have two questions for you. Is our friend still behind us and which path do we follow?

Robert looked intently at the man who still advancing down the path. Yes, he is still with us, although now he has been joined by two others and they’re making less of a pretense of the fact that they are following us. From what I read, the building we are looking for should be awfully close and on our left. They are moving quicker now and so should we. The book said that Bernard was arrested in what is now the Museum of Decorative Arts and I believe we have found it, nodding in the direction of the building. We need to move quickly.

The building stood three stories tall with columns on either side of the entrance. Its dark slate roof was separated from the roofline by a series of alternating arches above. Only 20 meters of a gravel covered path separated them from the building and their friend Bernard.

Approaching the door, Robert noticed a reflection in a window of three men heading toward the building from the opposite direction. They had stopped to speak to the men pursuing Robert and Lisette and they pointed directly at them. The group of sans-coulotte from the Place de la Revolution had now grown to six and were advancing rapidly.

Robert opened the door and grabbed Lisette’s arm. Studying a map on the wall, he pointed toward the marble staircase. Swift as you can, Lisette. Climb those stairs and when you reach the landing, turn left. His office should be the first door on your left.

Lisette quickly ascended the stairs as Robert spun, picked up a broom leaning against the wall, forced the broomstick through the door handles, and ran up the staircase two steps at a time. His feet had barely touched the landing when he heard the first attempt at opening the door, wondering how long the broomstick would hold. He did not have long to wait. Their fourth attempt to enter snapped the broomstick, sending it to the floor. Continuing down the large hallway, his footsteps echoed against the high vaulted ceiling and he found Lisette standing in the doorway.

Is he here? his attention divided between the sound of heavy steps on the stairs and Lisette’s information.

Her worried expression, wide eyes and parted lips told Robert that entering the office may be no improvement to standing in the doorway.

I told his assistant we were here to see Bernard and when I addressed him as Monsieur Badeau rather than Citizen Bernard, she rose from her desk so quickly that her chair slammed against the wall. She began screaming that I should not use that bourgeoise term to refer to someone and began calling me an enemy of the Republic and then she opened a drawer. Oh, she has a weapon.

Robert put his hand on Lisette’s waist and pulled her into the room. We have no choice but to enter. The group of men searching for us are in the building, so we must go forward. Lock the door or jam a chair against it.

A large, brilliantly woven tapestry hung next to an office door. An unoccupied oak desk, long and narrow, sat near the center of the room where an odd assortment of objects had been carelessly strewn about.

Movement on his right revealed a stocky woman who regarded them coldly and stood before a closed door, her arms crossed, defiantly brandishing a very large cleaver. It looked well used and her grip on its handle suggested that she was no stranger to how to wield it to inflict considerable damage.

Smiling broadly, Robert approached the woman even as she raised her cleaver, preparing to attack and spoke to her in a reassuring voice like she was was a child.

Good morning citizeness. My name is Robert Dubé. My wife and I are here to see Citizen Badeau on urgent business that cannot wait.

The sounds of men yelling in the hallway revealed their continuing search for their quarry as Lisette locked the door and slid a chair under the handle. It’s locked but it won’t take much effort to break it, she shouted and moved swiftly across the carpeted floor. Robert’s smile didn’t seem to alter the woman’s determination to stand her ground. Her attention was now focused on the door and the sounds of men shouting as she drew a deep breath, her eyes widening and her mouth opened.

Suddenly, Bernard appeared in the doorway, nearly filling it. Exhibiting a pleasant look and deep-set blue eyes, he was shorter than Robert but plump and stocky. He was not dressed like the sans-coulottes but wore a white ruffled shirt with breeches and colored waistcoat. The alarmed look on his face gave way to excitement and he looked first at his unexpected guests.

Robert, Lisette, what a surprise, he exclaimed as he surveyed his assistant’s raised cleaver, and the sounds of men shouting in the hallway and the door being violently attacked as a deep voice called out, Annette, what in the world is happening in there? It was obvious that the men had located the room they were searching for and that the door would not remain intact long.

They’re …, she shrieked as Robert closed the distance between them in an instant, twisting her wrist with one hand. As the cleaver fell to the floor, he placed his other hand over her mouth.

I won’t hurt you, Robert whispered calmly. We’re not here to harm anyone. Men are chasing us; we do not know why. If I release you, will you please be quiet? We need to talk with Citizen Badeau. This relaxed her, and Robert withdrew his hand from her mouth as she nodded yes.

Bernard, we don’t have time to…, as Annette’s screams obliterated his words.

They’re in here, please help me!! came her shrill cries.

In an instant, Robert saw Lisette move from his side, followed immediately by the sound of someone being hit hard.

Bernard and Robert turned in time to see Annette slumping to the floor as Lisette stood over her, ready to strike again. Bernard grinned and nodded as he raised his forehead. Very impressive, Lisette. I never cared much for her anyway, he said dismissively.

Robert led Lisette into Bernard’s office and closed the door behind them. Lisette, do the same with this door, please.

The sound of a breaking door, and loud voices meant their pursuers were closer than ever. Bernard, we need to leave this place now, Robert said with extreme urgency. Bernard immediately turned toward his desk, next to a window overlooking Rue de Rivoli.

Yes, of course my friend, and he began walking toward his desk, ignoring the sounds of the violent attack on his door.

There’s no time for that, Bernard, Robert shouted as he pulled on Bernard’s sleeve. Lisette, get over here, this needs to happen now, withdrawing his device from his pocket.

Yes, yes, this won’t take a minute my friend. This book is especially important. People’s lives will be lost by the information in that book.

There is no time for the book, Bernard, Robert yelled as he held out his hand for Lisette.

The chair that had been propped against the door shattered, spreading bits of wood and fabric across the floor as six angry men charged through the doorway, each menacing them with a weapon.

A broad shouldered, bearded man stood in the center of the group, while the others aimed their pistols. With a fanatical look, he shouted out loud and clear, Bernard Badeau you have been denounced as an enemy of the Revolution. Come with us now or face the consequences.

Bernard moved toward the desk, a useless and fatal tactic. Four pistols fired at once, filling the room with a deafening noise and clouds of smoke at the instant that Robert depressed the button of his device. Three rounds from the pistols that should have easily hit their targets instead tore into the wall, sending plaster and wood across the floor while the fourth smashed through a window facing Rue de Rivoli.

The smoke settled and no one spoke, remaining mute and stunned without any explanation how their prey had escaped justice.

Annette’s gloating expression at the revenge she expected, quickly vanished as she pushed her way forward and looked on as dumbfounded as the men standing behind her. Where are they? she said, pronouncing each word slowly like in a dream.

Bernard paced frantically around the center of this unfamiliar room before Robert placed his hands upon Bernard’s shoulders. Welcome to Paris.

Bernard’s eyes narrowed as he looked inquisitively at Lisette and Robert.

Welcome to Paris? We were already in Paris and now this. What is this place? Casting a curious glance at a crystal lectern, attached to a chrome post and glowing platform, beside a chair filled with books. Bernard blinked and rubbed his eyes. A keyboard was embedded in the lectern and when Robert tapped its side, the interior walls came to life as ‘Mercure’ was displayed around the room.

Lisette hugged Bernard and looked at her husband. Robert, I believe it is time we explained our present situation to Bernard, don’t you think?

Bernard picked up the books and deposited himself into the chair, took a deep breath as his forehead furrowed. An explanation Robert, really? My friend, we met near the harbor in La Rochelle and I officiated at your wedding in the first days of the Revolution. I hear nothing from or about you for four years and now this unsettling experience! Yes, my friend, I believe you have a great many things to explain to me.

Robert breathed deeply and paused to carefully consider what he was about to say. He first looked at Lisette and then back to their friend. Before I begin we should relax, and turned toward the wall.

Danielle, would you please bring in the food and wine? Our friend has arrived.

Danielle’s image filled the wall as Bernard fell back into the chair and the books tumbled to the floor. In a moment, Dr. Dubé. His struggle to comprehend any of this was magnified when the door opened, and the woman who had just appeared on the wall entered the room. She had dark brown hair, bright brown eyes and a polite expression. Following her was a very thin young man and woman with warm hazel eyes and a thin smooth face, each carrying a silver tray. The man placed his tray on the table with salad, various cheeses and bread as the woman filled glasses with wine. Bernard raised his right hand toward his mouth as Danielle offered him a wine glass.

Yes Bernard, when we first met near the harbor in La Rochelle I had just arrived to visit the home of my ancestor in La Chapel-Thémer and you became my guide to Paris, for a fee of course. What I didn’t tell you then was that I was born in Syracuse, New York and I am not a farmer like my ancestor. I am a scientist with a degree in Theoretical Physics. My colleague, Ron Maxwell and I built a time machine and when you and I met in 1789 I had just arrived from the 21st century. Also, we are presently still in Paris, but not during the Revolution in 1793, it is 2048. This is the period where Lisette and I live now. Bernard felt that his confusion was complete as he returned his salad and raised his wine glass.

But my friend, I performed your marriage ceremony just after the Bastille fell. Does that mean that your wife is over two hundred years older than you? That is very disturbing, my friend, he said with a puzzled expression.

No, Bernard, traveling through time doesn’t make me younger than Lisette or her older than I am. We are just from different time periods. Consider this, we just traveled from 1793 to 2048. Do you feel 255 years older? Let’s begin your visit with an example of just how much and how little Paris has changed.

Robert turned and faced the wall, Window open.

Bernard looked on in astonishment as the entire wall was transformed into a crystal-clear window. He calmly placed his glass next to his salad and picked up the bottle. Walking across the room, his pace slowed until he stood before the window and gently tapped the glass.

He gazed from left to right and then toward the sky. This is Paris? I fail to recognize any of this.

That massive building before you is La Grande Arche, Robert explained. Nothing of the Paris you remember will be familiar to you in this room, but from its roof you will. First, we need to change our appearance. The room on your left has a set of clothes for you. We all need to be less conspicuous.

Bernard seemed more energetic now and headed quickly toward the room with his wine. When he emerged, Robert and Lisette had changed into their clothes as well.

"This is nothing like the clothing I wore as a magistrate, my friend. I have buttons on my blouse and trousers and a belt. And what am I wearing on my feet?

Lisette looked on approvingly. Those are called sneakers, Bernard. The objective is for you to not appear like a French official from the 18th century. Now let’s show you a part of Paris you are familiar with, as she put her arm through his.

Bernard stared in amazement at Danielle’s desk, shiny and metallic, it appeared to float in air. He struggled to descend to the lobby on an escalator and slowly exited the building between walls and a ceiling composed of black mirrors. La Grande Arche stood 100 meters high, with five enormous sections of mirrors framed by marble that stretched the width and height of this cube. Mesmerized as the images of the surrounding buildings were caught in its reflective exterior, he stared up as far as his neck would allow. This was the first time Robert could remember Bernard being speechless.

As Bernard’s gaze reached the clouds, Robert rested his hand on Bernard’s shoulder. La Grande Arche is the centerpiece of La Défense. However, it’s not the only amazing building here and I promise you that a view of Paris from its roof is something you will never forget.

Bernard remained rooted to the pavement, staring up at the clouds. From its roof, my friend? Up there?

Lisette led him toward an open area of the plaza where Bernard was afforded a wider view of the surrounding buildings. This is difficult to believe that this is the same city, my friends, as he looked slowly across a horizon dominated by a variety of buildings of distinctive designs. Some were cubes and rectangles, but many were curved, sloping or spherical. The mirrored surface in every building reflected the image of its neighbor. A small marble amphitheater was situated in front of La Grande Arche where several people sat on its steps. Some were involved in discussions, but most were looking intently at a large sculpture of metal and granite while several students were busy sketching.

This is a central focal point of access to buildings and the metro, buses and taxis. While I am always amazed with the variety of these buildings, I watch people constantly gather to study this sculpture by John Van Alstine. In this amphitheater, one can sit on the top steps and look down on the sculpture or sit on the descending steps and look up at it with the clouds in the background and the concentric steps offer a 360-degree view.

Dozens of people gathered on the marble steps leading to the open courtyard inside La Grande Arche. Robert led Bernard toward an elevator, pausing to present his identification to a uniformed guard. The guard nodded as they stepped into a glass enclosed rectangle and the door closed silently behind them. Bernard intently looked at graphics of Paris displayed on the walls when Lisette touched his shoulder.

This is an elevator, Bernard, she explained. This will take us to the top of La Grande Arche. It is normally closed to the public, but as they say it helps to know people. I would suggest that you hold onto the rail.

Bernard could only utter, Why… before the floor fell away and he felt the effect of the rapid ascent on his body. In a panic, he saw one row of windows after another fall into the courtyard below as the