The battery-powered conductor’s lantern becomes a symbol of paradox in all three novels of The “People of the Water” Cycle. In most cases, the paradox involves an effect that has no cause, due to the vicissitudes of time travel.

This sweet old hu item is metal-stamped under the glass chimney “EMBURY MFG. CO. WARSAW, N.Y. USA.” Atop the chimney, the metal cap is stamped “PAT. SUPREME JAN 9, 1924.” It would have required three D-size cells.