Wednesday July 16th 1930, 8:20 PM.

You change to the Newcastle Express at York, then after a discussion with a taxi bureau at Newcastle station, engage a cab to take you to Blenheim House.

Close to sunset, after a bewildering trek through the Northumbrian countryside, you find yourself driving along a bumpy track, following the directions provided by a passing crofter a few miles back. After ten minutes of rolling moorland dotted with herds of sheep and cattle you begin to appreciate the extent of Jonathan's new wealth.

As the driveway crests a low rise you catch site of Blenheim house for the first time, nestling in a shallow valley. The red brick manor seems to glow blood red in the setting sun, giving the estate a distinctly menacing atmosphere. A dry stone wall bisects the drive at this point, and your route is blocked by a heavy iron gate. Your taxi driver, Bill is forced to stop the car, and gets out to open the gate, but it is chained shut and secured by a large padlock.

Bill looks apologetic. "Sorry sirs, can't go any further with the car till we get that gate open".

You get out to stretch your legs and look down at the manor house below, perhaps a quarter of a mile away. The place looks uninhabited and you see no sign of any activity.

You can still discuss the diary in The Reading thread, will not close it for now.

Jonathan looks at the padlock in the twilight, "Doesn't seem very welcoming, does it? George, how hard will it be to break it open with the tools we have?"


He looks down at the house. Are there any lights or smoke or does it seem empty?

The driver opens the boot and pulls out a hefty tyre iron. "Beggin' you pardon, but we could shift it with this sir"

You notice a tiny plume of smoke from the rear chimneys, so evidently someone is home.

In reply to Great Old One (msg #3):

Kit steps out of the car, pulling out a cigarette and a pack of matches. "Maybe if we sent up smoke signals…" he jokes.

He looks he house over, pulls out a notepad and starts sketching it.

As he walks around the front of the car, he tilted his head toward Kit and rolled his eyes at him - all be it with a friendly grin.  And then continued walking over to the gate.

Frowning over Bill’s shoulder, Father Alden says, “It seems such a shame to break in needlessly.  After all, this is all your property now Jonathan.”

 He sighs and looks at the manor house, then back at the iron gate, “I don’t think there is any way they would be able to hear us no matter how hard we yelled, and I don’t think climbing over the fence is a good idea.  We may look like poachers or worse to whomever is in the house.”

“Unless you received a key somewhere in our travels, I suppose the iron may be our best option.”  He frowns and squints at the manor house in the distance.

"That's a thought, though, Father," Jonathan replies, "Driver, lean on the horn a few times and we'll see if we can rouse them, instead of breaking the lock or chain.

"It seems a bit odd to have the gate padlocked. You rarely see a padlocked gate on an estate in America, right, Uncle George? Of course, there's just the two of them way out here, so perhaps it's a wise precaution. I expect tramps or poachers would just scale the wall in some lonely spot. The only ones this keeps out are those arriving by car."

Kit quips, "Maybe they're Luddites, cousin. Or they like their guests to get a bit of exercise."

He ruffles through his pockets, and pulls out an odd-looking key. "Try this. Got this from a fellow I interviewed once for one of my stories. Says it got him out of a jam once or twice."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:18, Sun 04 Mar 2012.

It turns out Kit is the only one with the skill to use the skeleton key. After a minute or two he springs the padlock and hauls open the gate. Back in the taxi, you head off down towards the manor in the dell below, a mournful drive flanked by a stand of windswept yew trees.

Bill pulls up his taxi on the gravel drive in front of the house and starts to unload your cases, as you examine the house with interest. A broad U-shape with two blunt wings, it appears to be a mixture of many different styles, but you remember the oldest parts are over 400 years old. There are several outhouses further along the drive, as well as an old stable block. Just as you are about to approach the imposing front door, a baby-faced, slovenly dressed man appears from around the side of the house and starts walking swiftly towards you, his face a mask of aggression. You notice with alarm he is holding a large axe in one hand...
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:35, Sat 03 Mar 2012.

George smoothly draws the 1911A1 from its shoulder holster and points it at the ground in from of the man [safety still on].

"This is a fine welcome!  This is Lord Deville man!  Drop that before someone gets hurt..."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:34, Sun 04 Mar 2012.

The hulking figure with the axe totally ignores Yate's warning and weapon and advances with an almost comically aggressive mien. Suddenly, an imperious voice rings out.

"Hold Walter!"

The man stops dead in his tracks and you all turn to face the source of the command. Standing just outside the front door, now half ajar, is an old woman, dressed in black. She is short to the point of dwarfism, extremely wrinkled, with wispy grey hair half-covered by a musty old scarf. Despite her evidently advanced age her voice is clear and her ice-blue eyes twinkle with vigour and intelligence.

"Well well, little Jonathan is back... I remember when I used to wipe your baby arse clean. I reckon I'd 'ave 'ad to do it again if I 'adn't turned up to call off Walter".

She cackles madly at her off-colour joke.

Jonathan smiles and advances slowly toward the woman, keeping a corner of his eye on the young man and his axe. He touches George on the arm as he passes him.

"I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage," he says in a cheerful voice, "My own memory of those days obviously isn't as keen as yours, Mrs...

"What shall I call you then?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:00, Sun 04 Mar 2012.

George glares at the axeman, slowly replacing his pistol...

Kit, on the other hand, walks right next to his cousin, his eyes narrow.  "Yes, exactly who are you?"

Walking gingerly over beside Captain Yates, Father Alden addresses Walter nervously, “I say, has there been trouble around here lately?  You seem as if you …. Uh…. Felt the need to defend yourself.”

He pauses and leans a little closer to Walter, “Are you all right my good man?”, he asked with concern.

Kit puts his hand on Father Glenn's shoulder. "I would keep your distance, reverend," he whispers.

The old woman gives Jonathan a long' appraising look then breaks out in a jaggle-toothed smile.

"Might as well call me Nana like your father and grandfather did. Pay no mind to Walter here, he's a bit soft in the head"

The man looks blankly ahead as Nana talks, showing no reaction to her unkind words. Up close, you realise he is older than his baby-faced looks initially suggest, perhaps in his forties. There is certainly an unpleasantly degenerative cast to his features.

At this point your driver Bill chimes in. "Beggin' your pardon sirs, but will you be wanting a taxi in the next day or two?"

Kit walks over to Bill. "Yes, my good man, why don't you check back here in the morning to see if we're needed. I'm almost certain I'll want to go into town."

He nods knowingly to the Captain.

"Nana," says Jonathan with a smile, "I almost seem to remember your face. Tell me, is there a working telephone in the house?

"Hold on a moment, Bill, will you?"

Nana cackles wildly again. "I never could get the hang of 'em and Walter's too dumb to need one. No telephones here"

Kit's eyebrow shoots up, looking at his cousin.

Taking Kit’s advice, Father Alden backs up a few steps from Walter.  He absent mindedly grasps the cross necklace he wears and gently rubs it as he looks back and forth between Nana, Walter, and Jonathan.  He is …….. surprised, would be the polite word, at the inhabitants of the manor.

Silently chastising himself, he turns his attention to the manor and gives it a visual once over.

"Well this is very touching," Says George sardonically, "but can we continue the family reunion inside"

George eye Walter the whole time.  He reminds him of one of his old troopers who was invalided out after getting kicked in the head by a horse.

"I wonder, Bill, if we could persuade you to stay overnight. It would save you a couple of long drives and save us a deal of waiting tomorrow.

I expect we'll need to get our own automobile. Perhaps you know of a business where we might find one available for lease or sale. Might be needing a driver, as well."

He turns to 'Nana' again, "Yes, let's get inside and see what Blenhaim House has to offer the weary traveller.

"Walter, please help Bill with the luggage."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:30, Fri 09 Mar 2012.

Kit's eyebrow drops a bit. He knocks some ash off of his shrinking cigarette. "Cousin, a word, if I could?" he says casually, waving the young Lord over.

"Of course, Kit. Nana, I haven't introduced everyone, please forgive me.

"These are Father Glenn Alden, George Yates, and Christopher Alden that we call Kit. Mr. Yates has been a friend of my Mother's family since before I was born and Kit is my cousin. Father Alden's sort of a 'father confessor' to me.

"Will you show Father Alden and Uncle George inside? I'll join you presently." He steps over to his cousin.

"What's on your mind, Kit?"

Kit pulls the young Lord over and whispers:

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"Say, now, do you think it wise to stay here ourselves? I would rather we reconnoiter the place, have a 'spot of tea' as the Brits like, and head back to the city."

---

This message was last edited by the player at 15:30, Fri 09 Mar 2012.

Jonathan speaks quietly with Kit.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"Kit, it's dark and we've been travelling all day. Perhaps we should have stayed in Newcastle and come here in the morning, but I don't see the harm in staying tonight." He grins teasingly at his cousin, "Afraid of the family ghost?"

---

This message was last edited by the player at 16:05, Fri 09 Mar 2012.

Kit chuckles and then continues whispering.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"I only fear deranged fellows with axes. We need to hide anything that this manservant of yours could attack us with."

---

He walks back over to Bill. "What do you say, Bill? Can we persuade you to spend the evening here, for, say, twice your normal fare?"

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"I don't think Walter meant to be threatening. He was probably cutting kindling and absent-mindedly carried the axe along when he heard us arrive. Absent-minded is apparently a fairly constant state."

---

"Double? By God, Kit, you're awfully free with my money!" Jonathan laughs.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:13, Fri 09 Mar 2012.

Kit grins and drops his cigarette on the ground, snuffing it out with the toe of his shoe.

Walter stares blankly at Jonathan, until Nana barks a guttural command. Walter picks up a case, then, after another word from Nana, puts down the axe and picks up a second.

Jonathan, Kit and Bill remain outside for a few moments more. "Very generous of you sirs, but I was planning to sleep in a layby somewhere tonight în any case. I'll happily accept your offer of a bed, no need for double the money. But, beggin' your pardon, after I've helped with the cases I'd like to see if I can move the car into one of those outhouses, the morning dew play havoc with her engine"

Kit nods. "Certainly, Bill, certainly."

He moves quietly in the direction of the house.

"Splendid! I appreciate it, Bill." Jonathan gets his briefcase that contains the various legal and business papers he's been given (including the journal) out of the car and goes into the house, looking for Nana and George and Father Alden.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:52, Sat 10 Mar 2012.

Jonathan bustles into the cavernous entrance hall. The room  is very dark, as the filthy windows block most of the fading daylight. The ceiling above is festooned with cobwebs and the furniture is covered in dust and grime. A solitary candle on a rickety wooden table provides the only illumination. Opposite the door is an imposing double staircase leading up to the second floor landing, and Jonathan catches up with the others and they ascend.

"You'll 'ave to slum it gents, there's just me an' Walter lookin' after the place".

She leads you down several winding, dusty corridors, the weak candlelight doing little to dispel the gloom. The walls are bare of decoration, with the occasional square mark showing where pictures once hung. Presently Nana stops outside a heavy oak door and leads you into a musty parlour with several adjoining rooms

"You can all sleep here if two of you don't mind doubling up" says Nana and she goes about the room lighting a few candies. "You'll want to air the rooms out I be bound. No hot water I'm afraid but with the weather we've been 'aving you wont' need any. I'm making some stew later if you've a mind to eat something"

Father Alden scanned Blenheim house as the group followed Nana to the rooms.  He was….. quite disappointed.  If the place had been kept up, it could be lovely.  But in its current state the house was more of an eyesore than anything else.  Not wanting to discourage Jonathan he kept his thoughts to himself ….. for now.

Father Alden nodded his thanks to Nana and said, “Some warm stew would be most welcome later.  I for one, would be happy to partake.  Thank you.”

To the rest of the group he said, “I come from a large family, so sharing a bed with someone else would be no trouble at all for me.”

Kit follows the others in momentarily and catches this. "While you all seem like good chaps, I think maybe I should bunk up on my own, or on the floor."

He looks about the place, running his finger along the grimy window-pane. He then pulls out a hankerchief and starts dusting off one of the chairs.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Wed 14 Mar 2012.

"Yes Father.  If you've seen one barracks, you've seen them all."
George makes what he can of the facilities.

Jonathan is somewhat depressed by the condition of his ancestral seat, but makes the best of the accommodations and the fare. "George, we'll have to engage a staff and set about putting this old pile to rights, eh?" he says over the stew.

After dinner, once Nana has withdrawn to her kitchen, Jonathan brings out a bottle of brandy he brought with him from London and a box of cigars.

"You've each had a chance to read my father's journal. What do you make of it?"

Kit tests the chair and sits, pulling out his cigarettes. "Would you like the practical answer, or what one of the heroes in my stories would say?" He grins strikes a match.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Wed 14 Mar 2012.

Father Alden declined a cigar, but did take a small snifter of brandy.

Father Alden sighed, “I believe in being practical.  Jonathan I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, but your grandfather was clearly mentally unstable.  He fell under the sway of a medical quack who attempted to root as much money out of your grandfather as possible.”

He looked down and with a somber tone continued, “I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I feel being forthright is the best way to deal with issues like this.”

“The part I can’t quite understand is how it affected your father.  I know revenge can lead a man to ruin, but there seems to be more to the story here than we know.”

In reply to Christopher 'Kit' Cavendish (msg #40):

"I want to know what you make of it, Kit, honestly."

Kit laughs. "Both answers are honest, cousin. The practical side sais we should see if you have enough money to hire a staff to replace these people, clean up the estate and leave well enough alone regarding what your father wrote about."

He knocks some ash off of his cigar into the ashtray. "But the hero in my mind thinks we should buy a couple more guns and head straightaway for Axbury." The glint in his eye tells Jonathan which way his cousin's mind is leaning.

"I didn't know your dad well, cousin, but my father spoke of him in the highest terms. I would like to see justice done just in case foul play was involved in his...well..." He sits back and takes a sip of his liquour, looking quite serious.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Wed 14 Mar 2012.

Father Alden frowned at the mention of guns, “I don’t know that firearms are necessary, but it does rankle a bit that this charlatan may still be at large.  Who knows how many other people he may have swindled?”

“I would advise getting things in order here at the house first.  But I wouldn’t be opposed to a trip to see if this Soran is still up to his old tricks.  Then if we see that he is, we can notify the authorities.”

"My first impulse is to pursue the matter and bring any guilty parties to justice. On the other hand, at this late date even finding the truth will be difficult, let alone proving it in a court of law. I haven't decided whether I will stay in England yet, though I want to see this old place restored to something like its former glory in any case."

He rings the silver bell Nana had left to summon her. "Nana, ask our driver to step in here for a moment. I need to ask him something."

Nana takes her sweet time in answering Jonathan's summons, then grumpily insists she hasn't seen 'hide nor hair' of the driver since she showed you to your rooms.

Kit frowns. "Well, we should go find him! Where is Walter, Nana?"

"He's long abed" answer Nana shortly.

He cocks his eyebrow. "Is he, now? Rouse him. We're going to need his help looking for the driver."

Father Alden slowly lifted the brandy snifter  upward, then stopped and reversed direction with the snifter.  He  listened with some interest to the interchange between Kit and Nana.

“Am I imagining it or is the house keeper rather surly”, he thought to himself.

Jonathan gets up from the table, "We'll need lanterns, Nana. Fetch them to the kitchen." Turning to his friends, he adds, "We should search for the car first, I think. It shouldn't be too hard to find."

"Wake up Walter, fetch the lanterns... make yer bleeding minds up" mutters Nana as she heads off to the kitchen. A few minutes later you grab the lanterns she has provided and head out front while Nana shuffles off to wake Walter.

Outside it's a warm, starlit night. The taxi hasn't been moved from where Bill dropped you off...

Jonathan crouches by the car, examining the dirt.

Jonathan Cavendish rolled 2 using 1d6. Outdoorsman +2 spend = 4.

"You're better at this than I am, Uncle George. Does the ground tell you anything?"

George had been cleaning his Springfield 30/6 when the discussion had begun in the house.
The rifle was now loaded and cradled in his arms as he checks for tracks.

20:47, Today: Captain George Yates rolled 6 using 1d6. Outdoorsman.  Do I roll over?

Kit stays just inside the house, watching Jonathan and the Captain while waiting for Walter...

George picks up two sets of prints in the gravel. One heads towards a tumbledown shed, the other to an old stables block that is evidently still in use as the double doors to the front are open.

"Got two trails here.  One heads towards that shed, and the other to the stables.  The double doors are still open."

George heads off slowly towards the stables, rifle ready.

The stables is obviously empty of horses, but a couple of tool-strewn workbenches testify to its new function. Close to the door you see a large pile of picture frames in the process of being chopped into firewood. Perhaps that was what Walter was doing when you arrived.

What catches both Jonathan and George's eye however, is the heavy indentation in the gravel leading towards the side of Blenheim House. It looks very much like someone dragged a body away from the stables...

"Come  on!" Jonathan shouts, lifting the lantern higher.

George training kicks in suddenly.

"Wait, Jonathan!  Get behind me, I'll go first.  Kit, keep your eyes on my back!"
George follows the gouge carefully, rifle ready

Kit tears out of the house at George's call and heads out to follow the Captain, watching the area carefully.

Walter had better show himself quickly.... he thinks...

The trail leads to an arched window set low in the wall of the manor, evidently leading into the cellars. Your lanterns illuminate a slice of the grimy room beyond but no sign of Bill. You can all squeeze through the window if you don't mind ruining your outfits.

Kit pushes through, feet-first....

Father Alden’s head bobbed as his eyelids closed for what seemed the twentieth time, until Kit ran out of the room.  Father Alden trailed behind Kit somewhat mystified as to what was going on.

He came around the corner of the house, just as Kit attempted to slip through the window.

“What in heaven’s name is going on?”, Father Alden asked in a puzzled manner.

"Kit, wait!" calls Jonathan, watching his impetuous cousin disappear from sight.

Kit lands in the cellar, into a small room thick with dust and dirt. There are several doorways leading to a maze of old rooms and passages. However, even a city boy like Kit can follow the trail in the grime where the body was dragged. It leads deeper into the cellar...

Kit squints, and then moves back to the window. "Someone clearly dragged someone else into the basement," he whispers.

"Stay with him, Uncle George. Father, we'll go around and down the cellar stair." Jonathan runs to the nearest door and into the house.

"Quick, Nana! Where is the door to the cellar?"

George carefully takes off his jacket and hangs in on a nail, rolls up his shirt sleeves, grips his rifle and crawls down.

“Was Bill injured?  Why didn’t anyone tell us….” Father Alden stopped mid-question and dutifully followed his young charge.

Once inside he tried to gain his bearings and remember if he had noticed a doorway or passage that lead down to the basement.

Kit stands up, hands open, listening. "Captain, shall we go searching further or wait for the others? I am, as usual, torn on the matter."

Father Alden, heading through the maze of rooms towards the others, suddenly encounters a knife-wielding Walter, who glares at him venomously before loping onwards in the direction of the cellar stairs. Jonathan, Glenn and Kit are hot on his tail.

Jonathan, Kit and George just before you bumped into Father Alden you heard him shouting something about a fire...

Kit is a bit short of breath after helping George. "We have to get OUT of here. That madman took a couple point-blank shots from the Captain's gun and lived. We have to run for it, even if he disabled the auto."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:07, Sat 28 Apr 2012.

“And Nana set the house ablaze.  Everything is on fire back there.”  He motioned in the direction he came from.  “We have to get out of here while we still can.”  He  shouted urgently.  He motioned for the others to head up the steps while he held the lantern so everyone could see the steps.

"Damnit!  I'm getting my kit from the library - if it kills me.  I'll be dead without some of that stuff anyhow."

Stay close to Jonathan and I'll see you at the main gate in 5 minutes.  Do not fight anyone, just run!"

Jonathan grabs Father Alden's arm. "Did Nana get out?" he asks, urgently.

Kit whirls. "Jonathan, with respect, who cares? She has been housing an indestructible madman and letting your house go to hell. Forget her! Let's get OUT of here!!"

Father Alden shook his head from side to side.  “She …. She… lit the room on fire while she was in it.  I am afraid only God can help her now.”

He slid his arm to Jonathan’s back and very gently applied pressure in the direction of the steps.  “I think we should follow Kit’s suggestion, we can do no more good down here.”

Jonathan allows the priest to direct his steps, looking back down the dank corridors behind them, seeing an orange glow, "But... the fire... my house!" He stumbles up the steps.

Kit helps the Captain up the stairs, doing his level best to get them out of the deathtrap that is this house!

You stumble upstairs to the kitchen. The air is already thick with smoke and you can hear the roar of flames as the ground floor starts to burn.

You probably have time to retrieve your overnight bags from the suite, although you might have to find an alternate exit.

Jonathan pauses at the top of the stair and assumes leadership: "Kit! Get George outside! Father, come with me and we'll get the bags!"

He takes the stairs to the upper floor two at a time.

George will retrieve his overnight bag, and the holdall containing his weapons/tools/ammo.
George will put a chair through a window if egress is required.

Kit complies and helps the Captain outside as quickly as possible.

Father Alden attempts to reply, but only ends up coughing on the smoke in Jonathan’s direction.  Despite being older and less spry than Jonathan, the adrenaline helps him keep up with Jonathan as they retrieve the bags.

After they pick them up, Father Alden heads towards a window to see if it unlatches in anyway.

Kit dissuades Captain Yates from going upstairs and leads him outside, while Father Alden and Jonathan head back to their suite in one of the wings.

Splitting you up again for a while.

As the central section of the manor is aflame, Kit drives round to the left wing of the manor, where you suite was situated. Sure enough he sees Jonathan and Father Alden trudging towards you, both limping slightly and laden down with overnight bags...

Stoically Father Alden carries his bags as quickly as his injured ankle will allow.  As he gets near the car he yells to Kit over the engine noise, “Where is Captain Yates?  He hasn’t been injured has he?”

As the car approaches you make out George slumped in the passenger seat.

Father Alden's eyes widen as he sees the good Captain slumped over.  An "Oh Dear" escapes him before he throws the bags into the back.  He assumes the worst and waves Jonathan over towards the car with some urgency.

Then he manages to collect himself and quickly utters a quiet prayer.

"I shot him...  I shot him twice with my 30 odd 6.  Once in the head! No one can survive that."
George sounds delerious and is not making sense...

Jonathan stows the rest of the bags in the trunk. He looks back at the conflagration and sighs heavily, "Farewell, Blenheim House."

Getting in beside Father Alden, he slams the door. "First things first, Kit. Let's get to the village and find a doctor for George."

Kit nods solemnly and punches the accelerator. He has a look in his eye that leaves one to the conclusion that he is determined to break down the gates if he finds them barring his way...

Father Alden asks quietly in hopes he won’t disturb Captain Yates, “Did he say he shot someone in the head?”  With a hopeful tone he continues, ”He is just delirious from the pain ….. isn’t he?”

Kit shakes his head. "No, Father, it happened just like he said. He shot the man in the head twice, but he didn't die." His jaw is set as if he is controlling himself carefully.

The gate is still open, and you speed away up the drive as behind you the burning manor house lights up the night sky.

After twenty minutes drive or so you reach a small hamlet clustered around an ancient pub.

Kit hops out quickly and walks into the pub, moving briskly but not running.

He takes in the scene in the doorway before heading in...

Jonathan brushes past Kit and gets down to business: "I am the new Lord DeVille. Blenheim House is in flames and I have a seriously injured man in the car outside, another dead at the house, perhaps several.

"I need a doctor and a constable. And is there anything like a fire brigade in the neighborhood? I expect it's too late for the house though."

Father Alden hops out of the back of the car and rushes to Captain Yates. He pulls open the passenger door carefully in case Captain Yates was leaning on.

“How are you holding up Captain? “, he asks as he does a quick visual inspection of the Captain's wounds.

"Oh I'll live father.  Just had better days, that's all."

George gets out the car carefully.  George's training and physique should allow his to perambulate normally,
but he wouldn't be dancing for a while.

It is now sunrise the next morning, and you are standing with a couple of police inspectors watching the still burning shell of Blenheim House. Most the the outbuildings escaped the fire, although the old stable where Bill's trail led is now a pile of blackened rubble.

After Jonathan's dramatic revelations in the pub the locals spring into action. Several of them piled into the taxi to direct you to the nearest telephone in next village, where the authorities were informed. After a detour to the nearest doctor, who stitched up George's wounds, you rendezvoused with the emergency services at the blazing manor. With no real means of stopping the fire, the crowd of locals could only watch the building go up in flames.

The police have taken statements from all of you, their attitude respectful, although George is asked for the name of the officer who granted him the firearms licence.

"It's going to take a lot of time to dig down into the cellar to find the body" comments the senior officer, inspector Hammond. "It in circumstances there is no need for you to remain in the area, but I need you to keep me informed of your whereabouts in case we need to interview you further"

"Thank you, constable," Jonathan replies, "Keep in mind that Nana's body should be in there, also, and perhaps Walter's. Where is the nearest hotel or inn. I think we need baths and breakfast and some sleep."

[ooc - Jonathan wants to find James Black, the estate manager, to learn who Nana and Walter were and why Blenheim House was allowed to fall into such decay. We also need to advise the car hire place in Newcastle about Bill and about returning their vehicle.]
This message was last edited by the player at 11:55, Sun 27 May 2012.

"You can check my veracity with Inspector Teal of Scotland Yard sir."  George informs Inspector Hammond.

Kit hangs back, nervous. He would much rather have not returned to this place at all.

OOC: Fine with Jonathan's plan.

It turns out that James Black is part of the crowd of locals and once he finds out you are here he hastens to meet you. Black is a young man coming dressed in dark farmer's tweeds. His square face, strong chin and tightly curled jet black hair give him an air of determination and authority.

"Lord Deville, it is a pleasure to meet you. I only wish it could be in better circumstances. I brought all of the lads as soon as I heard, but I'm afraid the house is beyond saving"

"Just the man I wanted to speak with!" Jonathan draws him apart from the crowd before asking, "Precisely who were Nana and Walter, Mr. Black? And why was Blenheim House allowed to deteriorate so shockingly?" The stand with their backs to the conflagration.

Father Alden stays near the constable and waits for a time when he can ask discreetly, “So were Nana and Walter in any trouble previously?  Or had there been any reports of unusual behavior – for them or near the manor?”

I will use my one point of Cop Talk it if is of any benefit

Mr. Black's expression changes to match his name, but the young man's voice remains composed. "I'm afraid the administration of thew manor was not in my hands. Had I any choice in the matter those two would have been thrown out years ago. I have never seen the inside myself, so I cannot comment on its condition"

Meanwhile, Father Alden gets chatting to the constable, who unlike Hammond is a local. It seems the pair were not well liked in the area. Walter was arrested several times for assault, but the charges were always dropped.

No need for a Cop Talk spend this time Father Alden.

"I see. That must have made things difficult for you," says Jonathan, reasonably, "Tell me, Mr Black, if you did not employ Nana and Walter, who did? And who was responsible for the manor house itself? To whom did you submit your requests and make your reports?"

Father Alden thanks the constable, shakes his hand, and walks over to hear what Mr. Black has to say.

Kit nods vigorously. "Yes, do tell!"

"You father's estate was managed by his lawyers throughout his illness" answers Black. "Everett, Everett and Hobbes"

"Then that is where I must direct my questions and my complaints," Jonathan says. Smiling at Black, he continues, "My thanks to you, Mr Black, for your long efforts on my behalf. I will call on you again when matters are more settled.

"Tell me, where would you recommend we stay for the rest of this night before we return to Newcastle with this car?"

"That’s rather surprising.”, Father Alden mumbled in a disappointed voice.

“I thought the firm, especially Julius Everett, seemed quite efficient.  I wonder how it is that they engaged Nan and Walter?”, he asks of no one in particular.

"I smell a rat in lawyer's clothing," growls Kit.

"I can certainly vouch for their efficiency sir. In fact, as I understand matters, those two came with the estate" responds Black.

Kit's eyebrow shot up. "And they never sent anyone to check on the place? To see the state it fell into? I've got a lot of questions."

"Where can we get some breakfast and some sleep," Jonathan asks.

"I would be honoured if you would let me put you up at Blenheim farm your Lordship" answers Black "and if you have time I would be delighted to show you a little of the estate, if only to demonstrate that not all of your inheritance has been entrusted to rogues"

Father Alden’s head nodded in appreciation.  “That is very kind of you Mr. Black.  I for one should like to see the estate.”  Father Alden looked to the others to see if they felt the same way.

"Thank you, Mr Black, I'm delighted to accept your hospitality, provided it is not too great an inconvenience. Come, gentlemen, let us go."

With Kit at the wheel, we follow Black to Blenheim Farm.

Kit, clearly tired, mumbles something under his breath but manages a smile for his new host as he gets behind the wheel of their commandeered car to head out.

With Black giving directions it takes about half an hour to get to Blenhiem Farm, along a bewildering series of country roads and tracks. The farm, a collection of barns, hayricks outhouses and stables, sits in the bottom of a valley surrounded by fields dotted with grazing cows. Black directs you to a guest cottage, with enough room for all of you. You sleep till midday, and re served a mammoth full English breakfast that's the best thing you've eaten since you arrived in England. Black joins you after breakfast and repeats his offer of a tour of the estate.

"I'm eager to see it all, Mr Black, but I think we'll have to forego the pleasure for now, as there are things that we must attend to. If you can give us directions to the road for Newcastle, we must get this automobile back to its owners and make other transportation arrangements.

"Uncle George, do you feel up to activity today or would you prefer to convalesce here until we return from Newcastle?"

"I've certainly felt better Jonathan.  Perhaps if I stay here and rest.
If I feel upto it I'll go on the tour with Mr Black later and report back to you when you return from Newcastle?"

OOC - George can function alright, but another wound and heh'll be hospitalised?!?!

Kit nods to Jonathan. "Coming with you, cousin."

“Then allow me to help the good Captain.” Father Alden says. “My ankle could stand the rest.”  Apologetically he says to Captain Yates, “I am afraid I am not a proper substitute for a nurse, but I do make a mean cup of tea, if I do say so myself.”

Black takes a few minute to write Kit precise directions, then the young lads are on their way leaving Glenn and George at the farm.

I am assuming you want to hire a car/engage a taxi, let me know if there's anything else if not we can skip forward to your return.

Jonathan will express his condolences for the death of the driver and provide the name of the investigating officer. Then he wants to hire a car (until one can be purchased).

He will also wire Mr Everett to let him know that Walter almost killed George and Nana burned down Blenheim House and he is most unhappy with the firm's stewardship of the house, though Black seems to have done a fine job with the land.

Any chance of purchasing (and permitting) a revolver in Newcastle? Or at least getting the process started. A shotgun also seems like a prudent investment, with ammo and a bag.

Otherwise, I'm fine with getting back to George and Father Alden right away.

To help the group out, Kit has words with the local folk to see if he can borrow or rent an automobile for his newly ennobled couisin...
This message was last edited by the player at 17:37, Tue 12 June 2012.

Kit does not have far to go to find a car for sale. After some whispered consultation among his colleagues, you are offered Bill's old taxi for sale. There is much talk of his poor wife and daughter, so you do not have the heart to bargain too hard. None the less, as far as you can tell you are being offered a fair price.

Ex-taxi OK with you Kit?

Jonathan manages to find a gunsmith only too happy to sell Jonathan a shotgun once he lets slip a few details about his title and estates.

That will be a 1 point Spend from Credit Rating Jonathan.

Returning from the gunsmith's with the shotgun under his arm and two 25-shell boxes in a sack, Jonathan is surprised at Kit's initiative, but not displeased. He insists on adding an extra twenty-five pounds to his cheque for Bill's family.

"Well, Kit, old man, let's get back to the others."

“Ah, here we are.”  Says Father Alden as he looks inside a worn box.  “It is a little worse for wear, but all the pieces appear to be here.  Do you play?””  Father Alden asks as he shows Captain Yates a very worn chess board and pieces.

Kit, who was not pressing the price too hard anyway, uses the opportunity to talk uo the generosity of the new Lord with the locals before driving his well-armed cousin back to rendezvous with the others.

During the course of the day George and Glenn are given a tour of the estate, which is obviously well-managed. Black is clearly a popular figure. He insists of calling another doctor, a friend of his, to change George's dressing and check the stitches. The wound, although still painful, seems to be healing well.

In game terms you are back on full health George, the wound is still there for roleplay purposes of course.

Jonathan and Kit arrive just before sunset in the new car.

Kit hails the pair as they enter the estate. "George! How do you feel, old man?"

“He seems to be coming along nicely.”  Father Alden replied before Captain Yates had the chance.
“Mr. Black was kind enough to send a doctor to check in on the good Captain and he told us things are healing just fine.   But I should allow the Captain to tell you himself.”

"I'm glad to hear you're on the mend, Uncle George, I knew nothing could keep a good man down," Jonathan smiles at the older man, "Especially with a capable nurse like Father Alden.

"Has there been any word on Walter yet?

"We have a car now, so we can get around on our own. What's our next move? I mean besides supper."

George is now walking with the aid of a fine silver capped cane, to aid his recover.

"I've never seen anything, in all my years, that could survive a point blank shot to the head.  And with a 30odd6 too!"
George shacks his head yet again in amazement.

"I'm going to rely on cold steel from now on!"
George indicates the Bowie knife at his belt, and his old cavalry sabre sticking out of his hold-all.

"Just make sure I'm behind you when you fire thta scatter gun Kit!" quips George.

Kit laughs and then scratches his nose. "If I see Walter again, I'm running him over or dropping something heavy on him.

He turns to Jonathan. <Green>"We should visit town and socialize a bit. I think we need to cement your social status a  bit and learn the heartbeat of the town. I also need some drinks to fortify me so that we can talk to these lawyers tomorrow."

"I'd suggest going to the races Jonanthan.  Anyone of any importance goes to the races, wherever in the world you are!"

OOC: Horse Racing, of course.

Kit's face splits in a smile. "Now, THAT's an idea. I second the motion."

Begrudgingly Father Alden had to admit horse racing in England was an excellent opportunity for Jonathan to meet the locals and the well to do.  “Despite my views on gambling, I must admit it would be a good opportunity for you John.”

"Hang on," says Jonathan with a grin, "Mr Black, are there any race meets anytime soon?"

"If I might make a suggestion Lord Deville" says Black hesitantly. "If you want a feel for the local community I would head for the village pub. Newcastle doesn't figure very highly in our lives, and the same goes double for them. And may I suggest you visit York's racecourse rather than Newcastle's. You're much more likely to meet other members of the aristocracy"

Kit nods sagely. "What d'you think, your Lordship?"

"Mr Black, I would be very pleased to stand you to a pint at the local," Jonathan grins, "We'll leave the races to happier times, eh?"

Father Alden was somewhat chagrined at the pub suggestion and was unable to keep to keep his emotions hidden on his face, but he realized the wisdom of the suggestion.  He offered an arm to Captain Yates, “Would you like a hand there Captain?”

In reply to Father Glenn Alden (msg # 148):

"I'm fine now that I have my waling stick Father." winks George.

Kit, clearly fortified by the suggestion, claps Fr. Glenn on the back. "Come, now, Father, I'll keep the drinking to moderation. Let's go down to the pub. Gentlemen, to the Devillemobile!"

He merrily leads the group to the auto and off to the pub, following Mr. Black's directions....

Father Alden couldn’t stifle a chuckle.  Kit’s enthusiasm was contagious.  “Very well Kit, lets get our first taste of a public house.”

Black directs you to your local, around five miles drive away, although he assures you it is closer on foot. The village is called Nettlestead, the pub The Speckled Pig. It is slightly larger than the pub where you raised the warning yesterday, but none the less at the height of the evening there were only around two-dozen patrons, many of whom came in later once the word of a free pint got around.

While Jonathan stands pints and plays darts, the other three companions work the crowd. After a lively evening you return to the farmhouse having learned enough gossip to fill a book the following pertinent facts:

- the fortunes of the estate have changed since Black has been in charge. He is well liked.
- the few locals that had met Jonathan's father had nothing but good things to say about him. The few gaffers than knew his father didn't have much to say at all. You get the impression he was not well-liked.
- Nana and Walter had a bad reputation in the area, but there seems to be some reticence to talk much about them. If anyone (ex Jonathan) wants to make a 2 point spend on reassurance you will get more info on this.
- No-one has heard the name Soran.
- The local priest isn't present ("teetotaler", sniffs one local).
- The village is too small to have an information broker, but there are plenty of gossips. You think you've pretty much covered all they know.

George persuades a toothless old gaffer to open up a little about Nana and Walter. It seems they have connections with some shady types  - "gyppos and thieves and worse". Several times Walter has been involved in assault, and only stayed out of prison as the victims declines to prosecute - under duress being the subtext. Also (and here the gaffer lowers his voice) there are some who think the old woman a witch. The gaffer swears that Nana was an old woman while he was still a nipper...

Friday July 18th 1930, 8:30 PM.

After another hearty breakfast you are ready to take your leave of Mr Black.

"Well, felows, shall we drive to Newcastle and find a garage to leave our car? Then we can take the train back to London. This has been a pretty useless trip."

Kit drums his fingers on the table, taking a drag from his cigarette. "I don't know. This whole affair with Nana sticks in my craw. It makes me want to go looking for their gypsy friends or some such."

“I have to admit it rankles me as well Kit.  Although it seems like there isn’t any avenue left to pursue with Nana and Walter.  Might I suggest we stay around for an extra day or two?  Then we will be on hand to identify any remains if the police require and I would have time to check in with the local parish priest.

However Jonathan if you are in a hurry to get back to London, I could always talk the local priest at another time.”

"I doubt the police will lack for someone to identify any remains. There are people hereabouts who have known them for years. We didn't spend a day in their company.

"Still, if we can accomplish anything by staying another day, I'm willing."

Kit nods. "That's the spirit. Let's see what else we can dredge up around here."

Fahter Alden couldn’t help but chuckle at Kit’s exuberance. “Perhaps we could invite the local priest for tea and introduce him to Jonathan and then see if there is anything to this gypsy nonsense before we head back?”

Kit scraches his chin. "Seems reasonable to me. Your Lordship, what do you think?"

The local priest proves a washout, an effete young man in his first parish. He is simultaneously overly pious and indifferent to the area's history and traditions. After lunch, back at the farm, you do receive some news. First, Black informs you the body of Bill has been recovered from the ruins of the manor and hands you a telegram from the lawyers.

Must discuss situation with you soonest. Julius Everett.

“I can hardly believe it.”, Father Alden said dejectedly.  “I hate to use the word about that young priest, but he was rather …… disappointing.   What are they teaching those young men these days?”

After a few seconds he perked up, “Perhaps he just needs someone to take him under his wing.”  He looked up towards the ceiling, tapping his upper lip with his fore finger, absent mindedly planning his next move.

Jonathan shows the telegram to the others.

"I guess we'd better get back to London. How long do you think it would it take us to drive down?"

George pondered his new knowledge of England after perusing a map yesturday...

"Two days I should think, with an overnight stop over.  Any quicker would need yo be by train."

Kit stretches his arms and cracks his knuckles. "I'm up for the jaunt. Let's pack our things and get going, gents."

He fires up a cigarette as a motivator and nods to the Captain.

"I expect we'll be better served making an early night tonight and leaving first thing in the morning."

Kit grins. "How about a medium-early night prefaced by some drinks, eh? And perhaps a chat with the town lovelies?"

"Let's have a compromise!  Drive to York, have dinner and a few drinks, book into a hotel, then drive on first thing?"

“I agree Captain.  I believe that is time better spent.  “ he shoots a scolding look at Kit.

"Very well, Uncle George, your suggestion carries the day.

"Mr Black, farewell, my appreciation for your hospitality and I look forward to repaying it one day at the new Blenheim House."

Kit tips his hat to Mr. Black and heads out the door to the car.

Father Alden shoulders his bag, nods a thanks to Mr. Black and follows Kit towards the car.

Despite the sabbath, Everett is eager to meet with you. After a tiring few days of travel you arrive at his office and are shortly joined in the meeting room by Everett and his son, both gentlemen looking extremely chagrined.

"Lord Deville, I fear we owe you an explanation and an apology for what happened at Blenheim House. And you shall certainly receive it. But first I am in the invidious position of being the bearer of more bad news. As soon we heard the news about Blenheim House, we took it upon ourselves to start the claims process with your insurer, Royal and Caribbean. The policy was substantial, as apart from the house I'm sure you noticed the extensive art collection in situ. However, ahem, it seems as if the insurer in question is insolvent, and their holding company is filing for bankruptcy. Of course, well will do all we possibly can to pursue the matter in court, but at this point there is a distinct possibility you may not be fully reimbursed. What is worse, it seems that some of your longer term investments are similarly impaired. I have asked Mr. Paine to join us, and he should be here presently to provide more intelligence on the matter"

Kit rolls his eyes. "Intelligence seems to be lacking all around in this situation, so any that he brings would be welcome."

"We should engage another solicitor immediately Jonathan, and sue these idiots for malpractice and gross incompetence.  Don't even say another word.  If we get to Fleet Street early doors Monday, maybe we can find some real help?  I take it the threat of a counter law suit played out daily in The Times is sufficient motivation?"

George carefully takes out his 1911A1, unloads it, makes a cursary attempt at cleaning it, reloads it and replaces it in its holster.

"Failing that we can take all the cash, bonds, stocks, shares, properties and vehicles theses fellows have in compensation and call it even?"

We do things differently in the States.  Merit walks, money talks...

Jonathan gives Kit and George a restraining look.

"Please forgive the impetuosity of my companions, Everett," says Jonathan, "I trust there will be no need for recriminations, let alone law suits, but that, of course, remains to be seen." He ostentatiously pulls back his cuff to look at his watch.

"When do we expect Paine -- an apt name at the moment -- to join us? While we wait, why don't you explain how a senile, pyromaniacal woman and her feeble-minded, homicidal son were employed to safeguard my property? Without even the most cursory supervision by any member of this firm, it seems."

Father Alden dearly wanted to rap something on the wooden floor and shout Hear! Hear!, but Jonathan’s calmness in the storm of emotion helped the good Father keep his control as well.

As they waited for an explanation, Father Alden looked at  Jonathan in a new light and couldn’t contain his look of pride and admiration.  Keeping his head about him when others were not, perhaps the boy had become a man – and a leader to boot.  Well done lad, he thought to himself.  Well done.

Everett senior is becoming visibly agitated, and his son lays a calming hand on his shoulder and takes over. "Their employment in perpetuity was specified in your grandfather's will. And, as we discovered yesterday, the many letters from Black and others on their conduct were handled by another partner, Graham Hobbes, who is, I am afraid to say, unwell and unable to attend today. Regrettably he did not deem them important enough to bring to our attention"

Kit frowns. "I am sorry to hear of your partner's ill health. How long since he's taken ill?"

"Only a day or two, as I understand it. We have been endeavouring to discuss matter with him ourselves" answers Everett, glancing at his father. "But in any event we have transferred his duties vis a vis Lord Deville's estate to myself. I apologise for this error of judgement on the part of our firm, and we will do all in our power to see this matter resolved to your satisfaction"

Kit nods appreciatively, though Jonathan can tell he's actually biting his tongue. He looks at his cousin and tries to follow Jonathan's lead for the moment.

“What do you recommend as the next course of action then?” Father Alden asked the father and son pair.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:17, Sat 08 Sept 2012.

The pair exchange a glance again. "Obviously we will be pursuing all the legal avenues for recompense" replies Everett junior. "Anything else would depend on the desires of our client" he continues, turning to Jonathan.

"Where is Paine, Mr Everett? There seems little reason to continue this discussion without the details he can supply?"

Jonathan is determined to keep his temper in check until he knows the full extent of the firm's failures.

You wait in an uncomfortable silence which is thankfully soon broken by the arrival of Mr. Paine. The banker is sweating freely as he delivers the bad news.

"As you know Lord Deville, most of your capital was held in stocks and bonds, and the brokerage we have been using has provided handsome a return on your investment. After I heard about the fire at Blenheim House I conjectured that you would have need of some liquidity, so I executed an order to realise some of your holdings..."

Paine goes on to explain that he subsequently discovered the brokerage, Court & Mellon, is a shell company, and the broad equity and bond portfolio that has been providing such good returns a pure fiction. Jonathan has been defrauded out of around half a million sterling. Paine has of course informed the police and financial authorities, and feels confident that in the fullness of time the money can be recovered, at least in part. None the less Jonathan's assets at the bank now consist of around fifty thousand sterling in his deposit account.

After taking a few seconds to absorb this shocking new information, Father Alden thoughtfully surmised, “Jonathan all of these events are more than random circumstance.  In my opinion, there is a sinister and evil hand behind every single one of these occurrences.  And I believe we know who that is.”

Kit's face is dark. "And that would be?"

"The mysterious Dr. Soran, I feel his malevolent presence all about this business."

Kit nods solemnly. "It's too much like a dime novel for my liking, but you're right. Let's take this conversation somwhere private."

He turns to Jonathan. "Anything else to discuss with these fellows, your Lordship?" He jerks his fingers at the lawyers.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:52, Wed 19 Sept 2012.

"I'm afraid, gentlemen," Jonathan says to the lawyers and accountant, "That I will have to seek an outside opinion regarding this matter. I am quite disappointed with your stewardship of my affairs. However, I will not seek court action, as yet. Please keep me advised regarding your attempts to recover my assets.

"I would also appreciate a written statement of my current assets and liabilities before the end of the week. Good day."

Jonathan rises and leaves the Everett & Everett offices. He is silent until they get back to Blenheim Place. He asks for brandy and cigars in the library. Once Mrs Hendersen has left the room, he pours for everyone and offers the cigars.

"Well, my friends, quite a blow. On the other hand, I'm still about a quarter of a million dollars richer than I was last month, let's keep that in mind.

"Now, how do we proceed vis-à-vis my father's enemies? And mine. Shall we decamp for Axbury and Soran's place in the morning? Or should we up stakes and head for the good old US of A and leave the old world to stew in its own juices?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:16, Wed 19 Sept 2012.

Kit blows smoke from his cigarette and sniffs. "Let's remember what happened to yoru dad when he went charging in after Soran. We need to find out more about our enemy before heading out after him. We need to find out more quiet-like, and specifically see if he has any enemies. An enemy of my enemy..."

His eyes are cold and very, very serious.

“What about the authorities?  Are we sure every possible avenue has been looked after?”

Kit grins. "What makes you think this guy hasn't gotten to them already? At least the local ones?"

“How does one become so jaded at such a young age?” Father Alden sniffed.  Toning down his comments somewhat he carried on, “ I suppose you may be right Kit, but I do think we need to try this course of action.  It’s the right thing to do.”

Kit rolls his eyes. "I write pulp novels. I was born jaded. I think it's a terrible idea, given the web this doctor's spun, but I'll defer to Jonathan. It's his estate and his dad's legacy at the end of the day."

"You know, fellows," says Jonathan quietly after a sip of brandy, "It's not the title and estates and money that troubles me. It's what was done to my father and grandfather and, really, Mother as well. I aim to get to the bottom of that infamy.

"I'm guessing that this trail is too cold for the authorities, honest or not. If they could have -- or were inclined to -- do something about this Soran, I expect they would have long since. That's why I say we need to track him to his lair and see what's what.

"Uncle George, you've been very quiet. What do you think?"

"I am bothered Jonathan, and I want some payback.  Just point me towards one of the villains and I'll do the rest..."

Kit holds up his hand after blowing some smoke. "Now, that's noble sentiment, Captain, but let's remember what happened to my uncle. He went charging after this guy himself and never came back. Do you want the same to happen to us? No, we have to cultivate some allies and get ourselves a little cadre of conspirators together to take this guy on.

Father Alden turned from Captain Yates to Kit in some confusion.  Had Kit just been the voice of reason?

“I am forced to agree with Kit” he managed to say without choking.

Kit grins like the cat that ate the canary.

Jonathan's hand slaps the tabletop. "I'm damned if I'll wait any longer!" he explodes, "Begging your pardon, Father. I want to get some answers and I want them right damn now. Let's beard Soran in his den."

Kit looks his cousin in the eye. "Give me just one day, cousin. I promise I'll make it worth your while."

Jonathan looks sheepishly at the tabletop and brushes away some imaginary crumbs. When he looks up at Kit, he has a rueful grin.

"Sorry Kit, this is just getting my goat. Sure, take some time; you too, Father. See if you can find someone willing and able to help us.

"Uncle George and I will see about getting our gear in order and replacing anything we lost. It'll give us all a chance to lick our wounds as well."

He raises his brandy in a toast to his companions, "To friends."

"To friends," toasts Kit, smiling grimly. "And to putting that criminal Soran in stockades when this is all done."

With a nod of agreement Father Alden raises his glass in a silent salute and drains his glass as well.   Then tries to blink away the tears in his eyes as the spirited drink hits his system.

Good Lord that was stronger than I expected, Father Alden thought to himself.  I need to be more careful when I am around these three.

After a few more minutes of conversation you retire for a sound night's sleep. The next morning Jonathan and George set off to procure supplies while Kit and Glenn head to the British Library. Here, in the archives of the Evening Standard, you discovered the fate of Soran. But did he cheat his fate? Glenn's researches uncovered the story of Ludwig Prinn, who allegedly survived being burned at the stake...

George and Jonathan have the car packed and ready to go when the pair return, and soon you are speeding through the Surrey countryside, the suburbs of London a distant memory. You motor through tiny picturesque hamlets, sun-dappled woodland and rolling pastures and arrive at Axbury just before sunset, the sky a riot of colour. The village pub, the Stone over Water, has roomed to rent, and soon you are ensconced in the saloon bar enjoying a plate of colds cuts and the local brew.

Kit makes a point of sounding at the locals, and his sympathetic manner and exotic accent soon has tongues wagging at the bar. The villagers still remember Soran with little affection and are of the general opinion that he got what was coming to him. The ruins of the hospice have a bad reputation hereabouts. A pair of local children were killed exploring the fire-blackened building a few years ago, "by the time they were found wild animals had eaten half the bodies, terrible it was". Since then the locals steer well clear. You manage to get directions to the spot, a few miles outside the village in the middle of a fair-sized wood.

Kit, in the circumstances Reassurance was a better spend than Streetwise, which doesn't really apply to this sleep Surrey hamlet.

Kit's hands grip the wheel of the car tightly. "I can't say I'm looking forward to this trip much," he says. "Reminds me of visiting a graveyard."

“Those poor children”, Father Alden shook his head, “like that devil hadn’t caused enough trouble.”

Wait is this earlier in the day or are you on your way to the Institute at 11 in the evening? No reason why you shouldn't be I suppose but I was assuming you'd wait until tomorrow.

"What sort of predators roam this county?" Jonathan asks, after standing the locals to a round, "Just foxes and badgers and vermin or wolves or bears? Forgive my ignorance, but I'm not from these parts."

There is an uncomfortable silence at Jonathan's question. "Nothing bigger than foxes" one local answers, then glares meaningfully at the other patrons.

Jonathan, want to spend a point of Reassurance?

I'll spend a point for Reassurance.

The mood seems to have change and the locals swiftly finish their drinks and drift away. The reason becomes clear when a toothless old gaffer, the last to leave, sidles up to Jonathan and spills the beans on the coroners report on the dead children, which identified most of the bite marks as human...

The next morning you eat a hearty breakfast and are soon on your way. The glorious summer morning in stark counterpart to your sombre mission.

The exchange between Kit and Glenn above happens now.

After a few minutes road leads into a forest, and a mile or so inside you spot a half overgrown gate to the side of the road with a half visible sign. You can just made out the word Soran.

Kit reverses the car and stops in front of the gate, leaving the engine running. A faded and weatherbeaten sign reads "The Soran Institute - No Trespassers". The gates have been padlocked and another sign has been nailed underneath the lock. "Danger! Condemned property. Strictly no admittance"

Jonathan leans forward to speak to Kit and George in the front seat: "Kit, look for a side turning where we can leave the car and come back on foot. I trust you're both armed?"

[ooc: What's the terrain like -- forest or open fields?

Is the gate set in a wall or fence or simply blocking the road? If wall or fence, what is it made of and how high is it? As we drive past, Jonathan will watch for it to end and/or turn away from the road.]

The road is forested on each side. There is an old rustic fence stretching away in both directions from the gate, but the undergrowth is a better barrier. You drive on for a mile, with no end to the fence or side turning. You have passed several places you could leave the car without blocking the road. Carry on to the end of the fence?

Kit steers the car until he finds a suitable place off to the side where he parks the car. He then hops out of the car. "Anyone have some light?"

"Damn right!  I'm not getting my arse bitten again."

When the car is parked George opens the trunk to reveal a 4 feet long leather case.  It is a big scorched but serviceable.
Inside are the Springfield Rifle, a pair of 1911A1 Automatic Pistols, with more than enough ammunition, and his 1860 Light Cavalry Sabre.
George loads the pistol, frees the blade and straps both to his leather baldrick.  The Rifle is loaded and slung over Georges shoulder.  Pouches in the baldrick hold extra ammunition.

OOC - I can blow points on Preparedness if required.

"Bullets didn't seem to do much the last time.  We'll try the cold steel this time."

Father Alden  reaches for the small cross hanging on a chain around his neck and absent mindedly rubs as he watches Captain Yates arm himself for war.  Then feeling rather inadequately armed he looks around the area to see if there is a branch that could serve as a walking stick and double as a  cudgel if necessary.

Leaving the car in a shady lay-by, you prepare your equipment and trudge back down the woodland lane, the fence to your right. You reach the gate in twenty minutes, and in that time do not see anyone else on the road.

Father Alden  carefully scans the surrounding area and into the forest and brush as far as he see, looking for an signs that the party has been noticed.  As he does so he quietly says a prayer to St. Christopher.

Having taken one of Captain Yates' automatic pistols, he flips the safety on and sticks it in his belt and follows the others in.

He stops the group and shines his light ahead, seeing if he can tell if the gate is locked.

The gate is padlocked, and doesn't look to have been opened in a long while judging by the thick patina of rust.

Kit pulls out a bit of wire from his pocket and starts working on the lock...

Jonathan scans the gate and the fence to assess how difficult it would be to climb.

[ooc: How is it constructed, how tall, etc?]

The gate is little more than a farm gate and would be little trouble to climb, as would the fence on either side which is just over a metre high.

Father Alden peers over the top of the gate and then seeing nothing amiss asks, “What do you say lads, shall we just hop over?”

Kit blinks and chuckles. "Well, by golly, that would be just as easy, eh?" And, with a bit of a hop, Kit is over. He pulls out his torch and waits for the others....

"Here, Father, I'll give you a boost," says Jonathan, before clambering over himself.

With little difficulty you scale the gate. The woodland is a remnant of the vast forest that used to cover the south-east of England, and it is so overgrown and gloomy that you cannot see more than a couple of dozen yards into the undergrowth. The driveway beyond the gate is bordered by rhododendrons, and it gently curves to the right until it disappears into the greenery.

You soon arrive at the end of the driveway, which widens out into a large forecourt in front of the burned-out remains of the Institute building. The forecourt is thick with weeds poking through the gravel, and what remains of the hospital, little more than the exterior walls, can best be described a fire-blackened pile of rubble. To the right, you can see an old wooden barn that seems to have escaped the fire, although the elements have taken their toll and it looks pretty dilapidated. On either side of the house you can see the remains of formal flower beds, now totally overgrown in a riot of colour.

Kit looks at the natural scene around the ruin and mutters, "Pretty, like a cemetary in spring. Got to remember that scene."

He points at the barn. "I say we check in there first."

Father Alden shrugs his shoulder and nods, “Seems as good as place as any to me.” Then he looks at Jonathan and Captain Yates to see if they show any signs of disagreement.

"Well, it's pretty clear that the place was destroyed by fire. Not much chance of finding anything in the way of records, I suppose." He follows Kit in the direction of the barn.

Kit turns and looks at his cousin. "Unless someone stored something in the barn. I'm willing to bet a dime that we'll find something useful in there. Call it a hunch."

You approach the barn, and stand just outside looking through the half open doors. The original horse stalls are still intact, but there is little remaining of the furnishings save for a thin covering of dirty straw on the floor. It is immediately clear that someone has sheltered in this building in the not-so-distant past, as in the middle of the barn are the blackened remains of a campfire.

You also notice what looks like a couple of bones in the straw nearby the fire...

Kit's face hardens. He pulls out his gun and enters the building cautiously, waving the Captain in after him.

In reply to Christopher 'Kit' Cavendish (msg # 236):

"Didn't work before, I'm gonna rely on the cold steel this time."
George slowly draws his 1860 Light Cavalry Sabre, with a soft scrapping noise.

Even a visual inspection is enough to tell you the bones are human. The marrow has been split, and not a scrap of meat remains. Teeth marks are clearly visible. There is an arm and a leg bone as well as several ribs.

The floor under the straw is stained with blood in a large circle around the bones.

Jonathan or George, there are tracks to be found with a point of Outdoorsman.

"I don't think any  dog or pack of dogs did this."

Jonathan hunkers down to peer at the dirt and straw.

[ooc - I'll spend the point.

How long to get to the car and back, if I want to get the shotgun in the boot?]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:50, Thu 13 Dec 2012.

KIt pulls out a kerchief and wipes his brow, gulping a bit. "Well, then. Captain, it's time to show us how big game hunters operate under the circumstances. Though it might be prudent to get reinforcements, as well," he notes.

Looking at everyone in an uncomfortable fashion Father Alden asks, "So you mean there is a larger beast out there then?  What like some sort of mountain lion or such?", " the good pastor asks, not sure if he really believes what he is asking, but desperately wanting to.

Kit winces. "I'm hoping not, but I'm a bit worried that may be it."

There are clear signs that something was dragged out of the barn and around the side of the burned-out hospice. The trail is fairly easy for an experienced woodsman like Jonathan to follow.

The round trip to the car will take around 45 minutes.

Father Alden looks at his makeshift walking stick with a wry expression then shrugs his shoulders slightly.

I would do more damage with a firearm than without anyway.  It’s best to leave those things in the hands of those that know how to use them, he thinks to himself.

Jonathan decides not to spend the daylight going back to the car to arm himself, though he regrets not bringing the gun. He looks around the barn for any old tools that might serve as a weapon before he starts following the drag marks.

Jonathan arms himself with an old but still serviceable pitchfork, then begins following the trail. As you skirt the hospital, the overgrown remains of the formal gardens come into view. The ornamental pond(G) is stagnant and covered in reeds while the ancient flower beds(E) are an overgrown riot of wildflowers. The gardens are set on a terrace below the level of the house. A stone balustrade(H) overlooks the pool while a pair of ancient, crumbling steps(F) lead down around 12ft to the level of the pond.

Still following the trail, the four of you descend the steps leading to the ornamental pool. As Jonathan reaches the bottom step he notices a scrap of clothing at the base of the ivy-covered wall to his left. Bending down to check he sees there is an old wooden door set into the wall at the foot of the stairs, so overgrown with ivy that it is practically invisible. The bottom 8 inches or so of the door have been smashed so that someone could slide through the ivy and under the door. The trail leads inside...

Kit brandishes his gun and then visibly hesitates. "So…shall we break the door down? Or stick the pitchfork inside the gap at the bottom of the door? I must confess I am struggling to imagine what one of the heroes of my stories would do."

“If we decide to go in, why wouldn’t we open the door?”  Father Alden asks in a confused voice.  “We aren’t animals after all.”

Changing his thought he asks, “Does anyone have a flashlight?  It may be dreary in there.  Or if not perhaps I could wrap some cloth around my walking stick here and use it as a torch?”

Kit hoists the flashlight in his pocket and hands to Father Glenn. "Take a peek. I'll cover you."

Father Alden gives Kit a startled look.  He wants to object, but can’t find a valid reason.  So he says a silent prayer, stiffens his resolve and attempts to open the door.

Father Alden pulls away the ivy handful by handful, showing himself with prickly dust. Once the door is exposed he finally manages to open it, although it requires a few stiff kicks as the frame has warped over the years. A rank and foetid smell wafts out of the darkness...

Inside you can see a small, perhaps 10ft square room, stacked with rusting gardening tools, pots and unidentifiable debris. You can just about make out what looks like a half-open door on the far wall, leading to a pitch black tunnel beyond.

"What do you say, Uncle George," Jonathan asks, trying to keep his voice steady, "Shall we take the time now to get a shotgun or two from the car before we stick our heads in there?

"I guess it'll be 'armed trespass' or some such legal foolishness, but after what we experienced in the cellars at the manor, I admit I'm a bit nervous." He gives the pitchfork a doubtful shake.

[ooc - What's the orientation of this tunnel? Does it seem to run back toward the foundations of the burned out ruins?]

The tunnel does indeed run under the gardens towards the burned out hospice.

The casual observer may not notice, but Father Alden seems relieved at the momentary reprieve as he waits to enter the building.

"I'm trusting in steel and courage this time, as the lead had little effect.  Shine a torch down there and I';ll lead - we won't waste any more time."

Sabre in hand George waits for some light before descending.

In reply to Captain George Yates (msg # 255):

Jonathan tightens his grip on the pitchfork: "Alright, I'm with you."

Kit leads the group in, holding his flashlight in hand. He moves in and starts moving forward uncomfortably in the tunnel...
This message was last edited by the player at 14:14, Sun 06 Jan 2013.

Momentarily taken aback, Father Alden takes a deep breath, grabs a firm hold of his walking stick and follows everyone else inside.

The passage is low and narrow - your shoulders brush the walls on either side and you have to bend your head to avoid grazing the slimy roof. The walls are made of ancient brickwork, and are in pretty poor condition, with plenty of broken bricks littering the floor. It seems clear that this passage is as old as the house, not a recent addition.

After around 50ft you estimate you are under the ruins of the hospice. The air smells even worse here, with a disturbing undercurrent of rotting flesh. Ahead, just as the corridor widens out into a room, the way is blocked by a pile of lumber and rubble from a collapsed ceiling. However, on closer inspection there is a small tunnel leading into the wreckage, that has certainly been cleared by hand...

Father Alden starts to whisper, " The Lord is my sheperd...."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:37, Tue 08 Jan 2013.

Kit grits his teeth and, holding his torch in one hand as he gets down on all fours, starts crawling in, shining the light before him.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:35, Tue 08 Jan 2013.

Kit crawls into the wreckage, and soon is wriggling through a convoluted tunnel of masonry, timber and scraps of metal. The way is sometimes claustrophobically narrow, and progress is slow, but eventually Jonathan comes to the end of the blockage and sees the last few unburied feet of the cellar just ahead. A doorway leads onwards.

Kit, make a Sense Trouble roll with whatever you want to spend.

Kit, about to wriggle out of the wreckage, stops suddenly. Perhaps it is a rank smell in the air, perhaps it is the slight hiss of indrawn breath, but Kit is sure that someone is waiting out of sight to the left, ready to ambush him as he pops out from the tunnel...

Kit starts backpedaling as fast as he can...
This message was last edited by the player at 20:36, Fri 18 Jan 2013.

"Kit! You alright?"  Hissed George.

Kit starts frantically wriggling backwards, but the tunnel twists and turns, and is so narrow he cannot shine the torch behind. It feels like a nightmare where you can only move at a snail's pace, and the flashlight swinging back and forth adds to the sense disorientation. Then your heart skips as beat as you hear the sounds of something coming in after you, seconds before the beam of the flashlight picks out a pair of wizened hands with inch long claws reaching out, with a mercifully blurred face behind them, all jaggled teeth and decay...

OK Kit, first up make a stability roll. Roll d6, target is 4, please put however many points you want to spend as a plus in the dice roller.

Kit wriggles backwards as quickly as he can.

"George!  GEORGE! SOMETHING'S AFTER ME! GET READY!!"

George can hear the scuffling and heavy breathing from Kit.
He stoops down in expectation, ready to grab Kit feet if called for.

The clawed hands lunge at Kit's head at he momentarily freezes in horror. Kit gets an arm up in defence, but the claws lay open his forearm - they are razor sharp!

2HP damage Kit, also see the Meta thread.

"Jonathan, Kit and the good Captain may need your assistance shortly, I am going to see if I can find something to help us make a torch or a fire." Father Alden told his young charge.

Father Alden starts to frantically search the room for a cloth, rag, or anything he can tie or wrap around the end of his walking stick to light and use as another light source.  Or lacking that, something he could use to start a small fire in a corner of the room away from the door - he didn't want to block their escape.  If they were going to have to pull Kit out of the tunnel or fight something coming out of it, another light source would be useful -  Especially if whatever this thing was feared fire.

If there is anything I can spend to increase my chances I would like to spend it

Jonathan stands to one side of George, his pitchfork held at the ready for whatever might follow Kit from the tunnel.

"Kit get back!  Draw it out into the open!  Show me your feet and I'll haul you out."

Faced with almost certainly having his face clawed off by this...person if he backs up, or risking having his face clawed off fighting the fellow, Kit swallows hard and pulls out his gun....

Kit fends off the ghoul with one hands while struggling to unholster and bring his gun to bear with the other. Sharp claws lay open Kit's arm once again, but fortunately he avoids the assailant's snapping teeth.

Another 2HP damage Kit. You may now open fire.

His arm bleeding, kit points the gun right in the ghoulish being's face and pulls the trigger!

With a deafening bang the gun blows a huge hole in the creature's torso, causing it to hiss in agony. Despite the horrific wound it still frantically claws at Kit, and this time lays his forearm open to the bone. Kit is close to passing out from the pain, but can fight on for now.

7HP damage Kit, you are now on 1HP. However, one more hit will finish off your opponent.

Kit's gun misfires....

The attack continues, but your assailant seems to be slowing down from the initial frenzied rush. Kit manages to fend off his claws and teeth without further injury.

Gritting his teeth from the pain, Kit clears the gun, points it right at the fiend's face and fires!

Meanwhile, back in the storeroom, Father Alden has found a rusting iron can of tar, sticks, and a bucket full of rags, enough to make several torches.

"Good man Father!"
George will put his outdoorsman training to good use and begins fashioning torches...

Kit manages to bring his gun to bear for a crucial second, then pulls the trigger. The bullet takes the top of your assailant's head off, splattering brains over the crawlway behind. For just a moment before, his face is clearly visible in the beam of Kit's discarded flashlight, and with a start of recognition Kit recalls the photograph in Jonathan's safety deposit box - the terrified old man chained to a bed.

Kit gapes in horror at the figure before him, then at his arm. The pain hits him like a hammer as the adrenaline in his veins subsides.

"E-everyone, I'm coming back out! My arm…is hurt…" he shouts in the loudest voice he can manage, which still sounds pretty shaky to him. He starts moving backwards, cradling his arm to his chest and watching his life blood sprinkle on the tunnel on the way out.

When the others see Kit next, he is clutching his bloody arm to his chest and looks quite pale....
This message was last edited by the player at 18:21, Thu 31 Jan 2013.

Jonathan is shocked by Kit's injury: "God above, Kit, what got you, a badger?" He leans his pitchfork against the wall and stoops to help his cousin, "Uncle George, can you bandage this?"

George has seen wounds worse than this, and people who'd survived worse, but this was still a very nasty cut!
George gets to work as best he can.

Kit cringed as the captain starts to work on his arm. He waves Jonathan over.

"God save us, Jonathan. God save us. It wasn't an animal that attacked me--it was a man. Or he used to be a man, once. Do you remember the old man strapped to the table in the picture in your father's files? Remember him?"

Kit's eyes grow wide. "IT WAS HIM. He attacked me. His hands were like claws, and his mouth." Kit shuddered and closed his eyes. "Heaven is my witness, cousin, but I think that doctor turned this poor man into some kind of beast."

“Dear Lord”, Father Alden exclaims as he sees the wound Captain Yates is bandaging on Kit’s arm.

Then as Kit’s words sink him he takes a step backwards in shock.  “Surely Kit you must be mistaken.  Perhaps the dim light from the shadows made it seem that way?”.

Father Alden mimics Captain Yate's torch making actions as he speaks.

Kit's face screws up in anger. "Father, as I live, it was the same man. If you want proof, crawl in there and fetch his body. I..." He fights back a lump in his throat and forces the words out. "I had to shoot him dead or he was going to kill me."

Father Alden opens his mouth as if to disagree, but doesn’t respond.  He looks at Kit thoughtfully and then turns back to preparing the torches.

I think I had better do just that, he thinks to himself, to make sure the stress hasn’t gotten to the lad.

Jonathan squats down to peer into the tunnel, using Kit's flashlight to try to see the attacker.

"I'm not sure anyone should crawl into that hole again. How certain are you that he's dead, Kit? He might just be playing possum."

Kit looks up at his cousin, his eyes wide with horror. "Heaven preserve us if that is true, cousin. I shot him right in the face. Nobody should be able to survive that--but, with everything I've seen, I can't promise that he didn't."

Father Alden shoulders his way to the hole with a lit torch, “Jonathan, allow me please.  Nothing could have survived that.  And someone should see to the dead…I think I am best suited for that task.”

Borrowing Kit's flashlight, Father Alden worms his way through the pile of wreckage until he reaches the body. There a no signs of life from the rapidly cooling corpse. It will clearly be unpleasant work to clear the tunnel, as the body will have to be pulled back or pushed out the other side...

“You poor thing, what happened to you?” Father whispers as he bends down.  He bows his head and says a prayer over the fallen….person.

Calling back through the tunnel he says, “Kit was right, he… or it.. didn’t survive.  If someone else can come through here I think we can manage work the body through the tunnel by working it from both sides.”

While he waits for an answer, Father Alden shines the flashlight around the chamber to see if there is anything of interest.

George will help to man-handle the corpse back into the room.

Jonathan looks around the room: "Is there any rope? We could tie it around the body and pull it through. Ithink it'll be easier tugging it head first than pushing and having the legs and arms tangle up."

Kit sees if he brought some rope.

"Here, Father, let me give it a try."

Jonathan scrabbles into the tunnel until he meets the obstacle of the dead man. He feels around until he has a good grip on one arm, then begins to wriggle backwards, letting his arms and the corpse's extend full out before tugging and pulling until they are in close proximity. He keeps repeating the process until his feet emerge.

Jonathan spends fifteen very unpleasant minutes dragging the corpse back through the narrow and twisting tunnel. With the body in full view, you can see an old wound, a grapefruit-sized hole the chest grisly with scar tissue. It matches the spot on the photo of the old man was that overexposed...

Kit frowns down at the corpse. "I don't suppose anyone wants to hazard a guess as to why he has that scar? I know what I'd write if I was penning a penny dreadful, but this...." He shudders in horror.

"Or perhaps more importantly, how in the world he survived a blast like that." Father Alden mused in a concerned voice rubbing his chin thoughtfully.  "Quite frankly that isn't..... well human."

"It almost looks as though something...tore out his heart." Jonathan is unable to quite keep the horror from his voice.

Kit blinks. "I beg your pardon? What on earth do you mean? He was moving around rather as if his heart was there. How do you live without a heart?"

Kit seems incapable of wrapping his mind around this revelation.

On closer examination, the wound is not right over the heart. You cannot be sure, but it looks like some of the scarred tissue within the wound is from the lungs...

"If you'll lend me your flashlight, Kit, I'll go through the tunnel," he smiles wryly, "My suit's ruined anyway."

Taking the light, Jonathan crawls into the narrow opening and starts to wriggle through, pushing a couple of feet of the pitchfork out in front as he goes.

Kit stops his cousin and hands him the gun that he is carrying. You might need this. Whatever you do, don't take any unnecessary risks. Apart from crawling in there in the first place, I suppose."

He then slumps against the wall and closes his eyes for a moment, wincing from the pain of his wounds,

Jonathan shakes his head with a grin, "Thanks, Kit, but I can't juggle a flashlight, a revolver, and a pitchfork while crawling through there. You hang onto the artillery."

He starts crawling.

Seeing that Kit seemed to be in good hands with Captain Yates, Father Alden followed Jonathan through the tunnel dragging his walking stick along.  He left his torch with Kit and the Captain.  He called ahead to Jonathan “I don’t recall seeing anything of interest in here, but I daresay I was preoccupied with the body before."

George quickly and efficiently bandages Kit's wounds. Although his arm hurts, with the resilience of the young Kit is soon feeling ready to carry on.

Meanwhile Jonathan crawls his way through the wreckage, and ten minutes later wriggles his way out of the other side, his clothes covered in grime, soot and fresh blood. He emerges in a narrow brick-lined corridor, about 5ft wide, leading onwards for 10ft or so before reaching a junction with turns to the left and right. The walls are covered in soot and a faint but unmistakable smell of corruption hangs in the air...

"I'm... through... into... another... room," Jonathan calls back to his companions, trying to make each word distinct. Taking a step or two away from where he emerges, he turns the flashlight on the floor to see if the drag trail continues.

Father Alden drags himself out of the tunnel, looking at the ground where the "person's" body previously lay.  As he walks over tl Jonathan he attempts to dust himself off and then realizing the fruitlessness of it all stops trying.  He looks up at Jonathan, “Anything interesting?”
This message was last edited by the player at 13:25, Sun 10 Mar 2013.

Kit peers into the tunnel, wincing at the memory of his last trip down it. "Careful, gentlemen.. Don't linger if you see anything bizarre.," he says into the hole at his associates.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:20, Sun 10 Mar 2013.

Jonathan can clearly see the tracks on the floor; they continue to the left at the junction. After a few minutes father Alden crawls out of the wreckage to join him.

"Whatever was dragged in here from the barn was taken down that way," says Jonathan, pointing to the left at the junction.

He crosses to the tunnel, calling to George and Kit: "Come...on...through."

Kit winces but then takes a deep breath, screwing up his courage. He then gets back into the tunnel and heads in...

While Jonathan and he wait for Kit and the Captain, Father Alden walks over the right of the Y.  He hunches is head and peers off in that direction. "Just a quick reconnoiter of the other direction", he mutters to himself.

George will bring up the rear, aware that he was now alone and ready with his sabre drawn.

Father Alden moves to scout out the junction while Kit and George emerge from the crawl-way to join Johnathan. To the right, the corridor continues a half dozen feet before a flight of steps leads upwards, but the way is immediately blocked by a huge tangle of fire-blackened rubble and timber. The passage to the left extends around 15ft, and ends in a heavy iron door that is standing half ajar. A few feet along there is an alcove in the wall, where several doctors' coats, once white but now coated in soot and mold, hang forlornly.

Jonathan hands the flashlight back to Kit with a word of thanks.

Taking his pitchfork in both hands, he approaches the iron door. "Give me some light down this way, Kit," he says quietly.

When he gets to the door, he sets the tines of the pitchfork against it and slowly pushes it all the way open.

Kit pulls out his gun with his right hand and then shines the flashlight on the door for Jonathan, watching and waiting nervously...

With an eerie creak the door opens fully, revealing a dank chamber beyond, which is perhaps 10ft wide and 30ft long. Your flashlight plays over old hospital beds and a bare stone floor, before fixing on a nest of torn mattresses and old bones in the far corner. There is a heavy iron door at the far end of the left wall, close to the pile of bones.

Kit turns pale. "Was that...." he says, indicating the nest, "Where he....it....lived? And what kind of bones are  those?"

"I think this was its lair, Kit. Those bones are what's left of its prey, I reckon."

Jonathan studies the ground, looking to see whether the drag marks continue: "We still haven't found whatever it dragged from the barn."

Kit nods.  "True. Well, lead on, your Lordship," he says, trying to make his tone sound light, though he is hardly in a casual state at the moment.

Father Alden follows the two young men, but pauses by the pile of bones to confirm his suspicions that they are human like the bones the group found in the barn.  He says a prayer for their souls before he looks to see what the light of the flashlight can show them.

The net, made up of a foetid, mouldy mattress and several rotting blankets, is scattered with well-chewed bones. Some from animals, an some others that make you recall the tale of the missing children you heard last night...

One set of bones is clearly newer than the others, with flecks of gristle still attached, clearly the remains of whoever was dragged here. The victims skull, picked clean of meat, rests on top of the pile.

You notice in passing that several of the beds have sets of rusting manacles still attached to the frame.

Jonathan shudders at the skull and manacles, then turns his attention to the other door. "Give me some light here, Kit, would you?"

He looks at the door to see whether it has a latch or knob, whether it opens toward him or away, whether it seems to be locked or bolted.

Kit, who has lost all appetite, shines the light where Jonathan instructs him. He holds his pistol firmly in his other hand, his eyes wide and wary......

Father Alden drops to one knee involuntarily.  “Dear Lord in heaven, No.  Not the children. “, the words escape from Father Alden before he even realizes he has said them.

“What can possibly drive someone to do something like this?”, he asks aloud of no one in particular.

As Jonathan begins to inspect the metal door, Father Alden uses the heavy walking stick to push himself back up into a standing position and faces the door with grim resolve.

The heavy door has a single iron ring as a handle and a fairly large keyhole. There are scratches around the lock and hinges that look like the work of sharp claws. As soon as you care to confirm it, you discover the door is locked or barred from the inside.

Kit sighs. "Well, I wonder why someone would want to lock the door against a feral madman who was intent on eating me?"

He shudders. "I suppose this is the part where I could offer to pick the lock. IF you really want me to. There's also part of me that wants to leave whatever is in there well enough alone, thank you."

Father Alden puts a gentle hand on Kit's shoulder, "There may be someone in need of our assistance on the other side Kit.  We may be there only hope."

Kit winces and nods wordlessly.

"Open the door for us. Kit, if you can." There is determination in Jonathan's voice.

Kit winces, hands the flashlight to Father, and tries to open the door....

Father Alden shifts to the side and attempts to aid Kit by shining the flashlight towards the door and lock without blinding him.

The key has been left in the door on the other side, which would normally make it much easier to pick, but the lock is so stiff that it takes Kit a good fifteen minutes to finally turn it. The door opens with a puff of dusty, sour-smelling air.

The room beyond is small, perhaps 10ft by 15ft. Your horrified gaze is first drawn to the corpse lying in the middle of the floor, dressed in the remains of a doctors coat. The body has decayed almost to the bone, although some scraps of flesh remain. In the opposite corner of the room is another skeleton, but this one is manacled to an iron bedstead.

In the other corner of the room are three large glass tanks resting on cast iron stands. Finally, against the wall next to the door is a wooden workbench, covered in jars of chemicals, archaic-looking lab equipment and several books and piles of mouldy paper.

The smell of decay is almost overpowering, and the chamber seems to exude a palpable feeling of evil. Motes of dust dance in the beam of the flashlight. The air inside is thick with the stuff.

"Wait!" Jonathan says urgently, "Who locked the door? Could it have been this fellow?" He gestures with his pitchfork at the corpse on the floor.

After saying a prayer for the deceased, Father Alden walks over towards the books, ”Perhaps this can give us a clue as to exactly what dire events happened here.”

Kit gulps a this sight. "That poor fellow, I Ithink," he says, focusing the flashlight on the skeleton in the doctor's coat, "was our quarry. The bad doctor seems to have died."

Father Alden approaches the desk. Most of the loose papers are almost ruined by mould and damp. You can see scribbled chemical formulae and equations, as well as disjointed notes in some odd language that you do not recognise. There is a leather bound journal on the desk that seems fairly well preserved. Inside there are pages and pages of handwritten text, all in some form of pig Latin. In the middle of the journal there are around a dozen pages that were evidently torn from a much older book. The pages are brown with age, but the Latin text, also handwritten, is fairly legible. There are also several carefully drawn diagrams within the text, which look like anatomical renderings of some fantasy, octopus-like, creature.

Jonathan joins the priest where he is looking at the papers. "What does it all mean, Father?"

Kit stands watch, his curiosity in "ebb" mode at the moment.

George scrambles through the tunnel and stand guard while the others read.  He has his sabre drawn ready.

Father Alden starts to look more closely at the documents, but then both him and Jonathan and wracked by coughs. The dusty atmosphere is clear getting to them...

Father Alden hurriedly pulls a handkerchief out of his pocket and unsuccessfully tries to stifle a rasping cough for a few seconds.

Father Alden shakes his head from side to side as he slowly removes the handkerchief, “I am not sure Jonathan.  There are some notes written in Latin and some appear to be in an almost homemade code.  And then there are a few pages that have come from another book entirely.

But there isn’t enough fresh air in here.  Might I suggest we takes these along and take a longer look at them in a more suitable environment?”

Kit nods vigorously. "Seconded. Let's finish searching here and get out. We need to tell the authorities about the corpses."

Jonathan looks around for a bag or box to put the papers in.

"Kit, see if you can retrieve the key from the door so we can lock up."

Kit nods and attempts to do so.

Jonathan spies a wooden box for the book and papers and Kit takes the room key without difficulty.

At the moment I'm assuming you haven't looted the corpses or rooted through the numerous jars of chemical reagents. Apart from that there appears to be little more to search.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:15, Tue 16 Apr 2013.

Kit blinks and winces. "I suppose it would be wise to go through the pockets of the corpses. Though I feel like I'd need a pair of gloves before I touch 'em."

Father Alden nods his agreement as he stifles a rasping cough.

Kit proceeds to do so...

Kit carries out the unpleasant task as quickly as possible, gagging on the dusty air. He finds nothing but mouldy lint in the pockets.

By the time Kit has finished his gruesome task, Jonathan has the papers and books packed in the box.

"I guess that's it," he says, carrying the box into the outer room., "Let's get going."

You exit the room, Kit locking the door behind you, and return to the tunnel, where you wriggle uncomfortably back through the rubble. After what seems like an age, you finally exit the old storeroom and stand blinking in the sunlight. It is just before midday.

Kit turns to the others. "So, off to the constable, then? We need to tell them about the bodies."

“That seems prudent,” Father Alden pause, “although I suppose the constable will have questions.”  He shrugs his shoulders, "But when he sees what we have found I can't imagine they will care how we came to be here."