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Howard's Quest.

Posted by The KeeperFor group 0
The Keeper
GM, 433 posts
Tony Stroppa
Thu 17 May 2012
at 04:17
  • msg #1

Howard's Quest

After leaving the pub, Howard diverted to a shop where he could buy a small top-clasp valise.

At a clothier's, he purchased items such as a tattersall cap, two pairs of leather gloves and a non-descript overcoat.

Returning to the hotel in the afternoon, he was informed his new room was ready.
Howard Lampton
player, 99 posts
Noted Author
Thu 17 May 2012
at 12:50
  • msg #2

Re: Howard's Quest

In reply to The Keeper (msg #1):

At the second-hand clothier, Howard changes his mind and buys an old-fashioned Inverness in a faded tartan.

Arriving at his new rooms, he puts up his wrapped parcels and spends a half-hour cleaning and loading his revolver. He places an extra twelve cartridges in a change purse.

After supper served in his room, he works through the evening, transcribing his notes. When he is finished, he folds them into an envelope and addresses it to Darlington at Scotland Yard. He finds stamps where Francis always kept them and affixes the proper postage. He'll drop it in the post box as he leaves the hotel in the morning.

He shaves and drinks a brandy, then lays out his garb for tomorrow.

He goes to bed early and sleeps the sleep of the just.
Howard Lampton
player, 100 posts
Noted Author
Mon 21 May 2012
at 13:02
  • msg #3

Re: Howard's Quest

I'm holding off for the others to advance to Tuesday.
The Keeper
GM, 438 posts
Tony Stroppa
Mon 21 May 2012
at 13:05
  • msg #4

Re: Howard's Quest

Howard Lampton:
I'm holding off for the others to advance to Tuesday.


Yeah, that's where I'm at, too.

Unless you don't mind going ahead a bit?

Tony
The Keeper
GM, 484 posts
Tony Stroppa
Tue 19 Jun 2012
at 09:52
  • msg #5

Re: Howard's Quest

Notably, the day dawned clear and sunny.

Howard awoke, although Simmons was no longer there to help him.
The Keeper
GM, 485 posts
Tony Stroppa
Tue 19 Jun 2012
at 09:52
  • msg #6

Re: Howard's Quest

Notably, the day dawned clear and sunny.

Howard awoke, although Simmons was no longer there to help him.
Howard Lampton
player, 102 posts
Noted Author
Wed 20 Jun 2012
at 11:30
  • msg #7

Re: Howard's Quest

Howard draws his own bath -- something he had done only occasionally for years. He hums quietly as he shaves, realizing as he wipes his face that the tune is The Battle Hymn of the Republic. While dressing, he quietly sings the words: "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored. He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword. His truth is marching on..."

He checks his revolver and carefully stows it on top of a few clothes in the small valise, twelve additional cartridges wrapped in a handkerchief in his trouser pocket. Looking in the mirror, he adjusts the cap so that the brim rests low above his eyes and puts a pair of smoked glasses on his nose.

He lifts the telephone receiver: "Front desk. I have two suitcases in my room. I would like them sent to the steamship office in Southampton, as indicated on the tags. Yes, today. Please, include the proper tip for the bellmen in my bill and send it around to my solicitor, Mr Bevans. You have that address. That's right. The rest of my belongings I would like held until I return. In about a fortnight. Thank you."

He steps from his door, locking it behind him, and strides quickly to the stairs, hurrying down the several flights and out the service corridor to the street behind the hotel. He walks two blocks before hailing a cab. He speaks the address of Tewfik al-Sayyid's shop in a carefully neutral accent, then settles back, humming Rule, Britannia! His hand rests lightly on the valise.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:34, Wed 20 June 2012.
The Keeper
GM, 490 posts
Tony Stroppa
Thu 21 Jun 2012
at 20:14
  • msg #8

Re: Howard's Quest

In reply to Howard Lampton (msg # 7):

The taxi stopped just outside the shop/apartment. The shutters were drawn and a CLOSED sign was in the window. Looking back at his passenger, the driver asked, "d'yer wants me ta stay an' wait fer ya, guv?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:39, Fri 22 June 2012.
Howard Lampton
player, 103 posts
Noted Author
Fri 22 Jun 2012
at 00:35
  • msg #9

Re: Howard's Quest

"For now, we'll wait for the shop to open," Howard says precisely.
The Keeper
GM, 491 posts
Tony Stroppa
Sat 23 Jun 2012
at 00:53
  • msg #10

Re: Howard's Quest

In reply to Howard Lampton (msg # 9):

"Right, guv'ner." He sighed and cut the engine. The driver started to read a paper while the meter continued to tick away.

OOC: Spot Hidden check, please!
Howard Lampton
player, 104 posts
Noted Author
Sat 23 Jun 2012
at 02:44
  • msg #11

Re: Howard's Quest

[Howard Lampton rolled 92 for Spot Hidden 35.]

Howard found his thoughts wandering as he waited for the shop to open.
The Keeper
GM, 494 posts
Tony Stroppa
Wed 27 Jun 2012
at 09:32
  • msg #12

Re: Howard's Quest

In reply to Howard Lampton (msg # 11):

They settled in to wait.

Some time later at about 10-11am, it became more obvious that Tewfik wasn't going to open shop that morning, if he was there at all.

OOC: In this case, Howard is set to leave the next day? Or whenever you like, as mentioned there are daily sailings from Southampton and Dover to New York or other east coast ports like Baltimore or Boston.
Howard Lampton
player, 105 posts
Noted Author
Wed 27 Jun 2012
at 11:04
  • msg #13

Re: Howard's Quest

Howard gives the driver an address a block from the Penhew Foundation. Upon arriving, he enters through the front door and asks to see Mr Gavigan.
The Keeper
GM, 497 posts
Tony Stroppa
Thu 28 Jun 2012
at 12:14
  • msg #14

Re: Howard's Quest

Howard Lampton:
Howard gives the driver an address a block from the Penhew Foundation. Upon arriving, he enters through the front door and asks to see Mr Gavigan.


In the daytime, the Penhew Institute revealed itself as a late Edwardian monstrosity, with a heavy Gothic influence.

A doorman let Howard in the front door, along with a scholarly-looking young man, there to either perform some research or view the exhibits upstairs. Their shoes clicked on the polished marble floor.

The ground floor atrium led off to the study rooms on either side of the entrance, with stairs up to the exhibit galleries and a door behind the front desk to the offices they'd been through the night before last.

A female secretary sat at the front desk, along with an armed middle-aged male museum guard there to prevent theft of the exhibits or unauthorised entry of the offices in the building's rear.

"I'm dreadfully sorry, Mr. Gavigan isn't currently available. He'll be out for the rest of the week. Shall I make an appointment for you at the earliest opportunity, Mister...?"
Howard Lampton
player, 106 posts
Noted Author
Thu 28 Jun 2012
at 12:25
  • msg #15

Re: Howard's Quest

"Mr. Simmons, returning his visit," says Howard, "Is there any way I can get in touch with him? I have something here that I must show him immediately." He hefts the valise so that the young woman can see it.
The Keeper
GM, 498 posts
Tony Stroppa
Thu 28 Jun 2012
at 13:00
  • msg #16

Re: Howard's Quest

Howard Lampton:
"Mr. Simmons, returning his visit," says Howard, "Is there any way I can get in touch with him? I have something here that I must show him immediately." He hefts the valise so that the young woman can see it.


She looked apologetic but firm. The guard, however, sat up and looked a little closer at Howard. He was armed with a revolver in a Sam Browne belt.

"Dreadfully sorry, Mr Simmons. He's completely unavailable, sir. I shall be more than happy to take your card and make sure he gets it when he gets returns?"
Howard Lampton
player, 107 posts
Noted Author
Thu 28 Jun 2012
at 14:54
  • msg #17

Re: Howard's Quest

"Very well then," Howard snaps. He makes a point of taking in the name on the deskplate, "When I finally do see Mr Gavigan, Miss Bulwer, I shall be certain to explain that this delay was your doing."

He turns and marches toward the door.
The Keeper
GM, 499 posts
Tony Stroppa
Thu 28 Jun 2012
at 23:43
  • msg #18

Re: Howard's Quest

In reply to Howard Lampton (msg # 17):

OOC: Fast Talk?
Howard Lampton
player, 108 posts
Noted Author
Fri 29 Jun 2012
at 12:04
  • msg #19

Re: Howard's Quest

Since Fast Talk is only 05, I'd prefer not to risk it. He's just covering his retreat at this point.

Once Howard is out of the building, he hails a cab and heads for the railway station.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:05, Fri 29 June 2012.
The Keeper
GM, 500 posts
Tony Stroppa
Sat 30 Jun 2012
at 10:15
  • msg #20

Re: Howard's Quest

In reply to Howard Lampton (msg # 19):

Miss Bulwer's voice followed him out.

"Oh dear, but Mr. Simmons, Mr. Gavigan really isn't here, and how can I let him know if.... oh dear..."

The rest of her rejoinder was lost as he exited the building through the door held by the doorman, who bowed politely at him.

GM Note: Make a Spot Hidden check.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:48, Sat 30 June 2012.
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