In reply to Catherine Harston (msg # 643):

Grimsby commented, "I daresay a charming young lady like yourself might be more likely to persuade the "doctor" to discuss his invention, but I should definitely wish to be present to protect you in case he was not sufficiently charmed to forget any sinister plans he might have." 

"Can't say as I disagree with your assessment of Catherine being the more charming of the three of us," Felicity added.

"I tend to use a different type of persuasion, and that can always be tried if Catherine fails to charm Dr. Solar."

In reply to Felicity Van Horn (msg # 645):

Grimsby remarked, "I daresay a putting a large revolver to the doctor's head might prove quite persuasive if more subtle methods fail -- assuming that is what you are contemplating, Miss Van Horn. For that matter, Miss O'Malley might simply read his mind and save us all the trouble of cruder alternatives."

In reply to Grimsby H. Baskerville (msg # 646):

     "Now, everyone, please," Joseph interrupts with a smile and a jovial tone, "As Aubrey, here, has pointed out--while a case for assault on Senor Fidalgo could probably be made against this Doctor Solar, nobody appears to be anxious to pursue such ends.  And while we can sit here and ascribe nefarious motives to Doctor Solar, the fact is, until we can find the fellow and make our own assessments of him, we really do not know what happened."

     "We have been assuming that Senor Fidalgo, for whatever reason, was the intended target of this freezing device of Doctor Solar's.  What if he wasn't?  What if Senor Fidalgo was struck by the effects of the device completely by accident?  If, as Aubrey and myself believe, Doctor Solar is not a Spanish Citizen, might he not have panicked and done the same thing--fled the scene, abandoning Senor Fidalgo, because he feared legal repercussion?"

     "The acts of a cowardly cad, I agree, but not the actions of some dark Mad Scientist, intent on freezing the world, as the Penney Dreadfuls would have us believe.  What say we reserve judgement on the fellow until we have met him, eh?  Let Aubrey speak with him about his device, Man of Science to Man of Science--find out why anyone would create such a thing, and inquire if the attack on Senor Fidalgo was accidental, or a poorly considered test of the device."

"Remember that we are not any kind of agents of the Spanish legal system--nor does Spain have a Criminal Bounty system similar to the one in the American Western Territories.  While what we did with that Road Bandit was justifiable as 'self-defense', any kind of 'apprehension' of Doctor Solar will be a different thing, indeed."

"Let us just agree to find the man and meet with him, for now.  We can put off any judgements of him until we've met him.  Agreed?"

"A gun to the head might work," Felicity responds, "but I've seen that ploy used to no avail. It sometimes works if you have two people you want to interrogate and you really have no qualms about killing one of them to get the other one to talk but even that doesn't always work."

"You'd be surprised how little violence means to those that use it all the time. It's almost like they think it can't happen to them."

"No, I was thinking using a persuasive whip. It's about prolonging the pain so that they know more is forthcoming."

"Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm all for civilized conversation. I'm just saying there are alternatives if it comes to that."

Grimsby admits, "I must confess to suspecting the fellow is more a "mad scientist" than a harmless inventor, but that may just be because my profession does not often bring me in contact with harmless inventors of potentially powerful weapons, or harmless anybody else, for that matter.
However, given that we have no legal status in Spain, it might be as well to let Mr. St.Claire chat with the fellow first -assuming we can find him. 'First catch your hare' as the famous recipe for rabbit stew begins."

OOC: The expression "First catch your hare" is a genuine Victorianism appearing in Thackeray's The Rose and the Ring (one of my favorite stories) though online experts deny it was ever part of a real rabbit recipe.

"You say 'mad scientist', I say 'misunderstood visionary'," Aubrey quips up. "Even in London's hallowed halls of academia, a touch of humor rears its ugly head now and then."

"More often when I'm around, I daresay. It's one of the reasons academia and I parted company. There was little to no room for humor in those halls. Everything had to be deathly serious."

"It does seem that the more we find out, the less we know. Every 'answer' just prompts more questions."

"Let's find this bloke and get some real answers."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:46, Thu 06 Dec 2018.

"Oh, thank you. You're all too kind" Catherine said modestly when Grimsby and Felicity said she was charming. She winced a little at the talk of violence. "Yes, perhaps we ought to just meet him, then figure out what to do."

The inquiries in the cantina gave you a section of the city where you could at least start to look for Dr. Solar.

Heading over that way, you have no problem finding the street where Solar was spotted. You walk up and down the streets and alleys but don't spot Solar or his wagon but there are several barns, stables or sheds where his wagon could be hidden.

However, as you reach the edge of the town, you come across a fairly large corral with several horses in it, including a golden palomino.

In reply to GM SteamRoller (msg # 652):

Grimsby eyed the horse with interest and remarked, "Where that horse is found, the doctor cannot be too far away. Is this corral attached to a place he might be staying?" He looked around to see if the corral appeared to be connected to a nearby building, and whether there was anyone who looked like an ostler or similar horse handler who might be in charge of the corral.

"Oh, we're hot on the trail" Catherine said eagerly. "I wonder if he'd leave his freeze equipment behind."

The corral is connected to three buildings, all of which appear to be stables or barns.

You don't see anyone out. However, as you watch, three men walk out from behind a building. They haven't spotted you yet. One of them matches the description of Dr. Solar.

They walk over the fence of the corral even as the golden palomino trots over to the fence and Dr. Solar gives his attention to the horse.

You can now see that at least one of the other men is holding a weapon on Dr. Solar.

You can't hear what they are saying, though; the distance is too great.

In reply to GM SteamRoller (msg # 655):

Grimsby slips his right hand into his pocket and grips his pistol, remarking, "I do not know whether those fellows have a legitimate reason for capturing 'Doctor Solar,' but I think we need to find out." He starts  moving towards Solar and his escort.

In reply to Grimsby H. Baskerville (msg # 656):

     In a low voice, Joseph adds to Grimsby's comment, "Right.  Grimsby, you and Felicity can handle the firepower over here.  I just spent the last couple months trekking through the Moroccan desert, and it's darkened my skin good enough to let me pass as a Spaniard, at a distance.  Plus the way I'm dressed I stand a pretty good chance of being mistaken for a groom, here."

     "Y'all continue on this way, like you were tourists.  I'll slip through the fence and head over there, across the corral, making like I'm a stable hand.  We'll surround 'em."

     Casually glancing towards Dr. Solar and his two companions/keepers, Joseph waits until all three have their attention focused on one another, then he slips through the rails of the corral fence and begins making his way obliquely towards the Doctor--he makes it look like he's checking the horses as he slowly walks, making clicks and soothing talk, reaching out to touch the horses that will let him, etc.

"How peculiar," Aubrey comments. "I must say, they definitely aren't Spaniards and they certainly aren't dressed as constabulary."

"By George, I think they're holding Solar hostage!"


The scenario that they'd been investigating had been confusing and made little sense and this new wrinkle seemed to offer an explanation.

Grimsby continued to move cautiously towards Solar and his companions, waiting for Joseph to be in position until he makes his move. He also tries to coordinate with Felicity so he and she are moving up on the party from different angles, so all in all they have the other group surrounded from three directions. At the same time, he whispers to Catherine "Best stay back a bit, dear ward, just in case there's shooting."

Catherine gasped at the realization weapons were being used and nodded to her guardian. "I'll be careful, I promise" she whispered. "Are we going to try to talk this situation out, or just..."

In reply to Catherine Harston (msg # 660):

Grimsby whispers back,"Once we are in position, I expect we will at least give them a chance to cooperate before shooting. Hopefully, they will cooperate. Otherwise --get well back."

The corral was connected to the back of three buildings that looked like stables or barns. This was helpful since the front side of the fence only had to run between the buildings.

Both sides of the corral had a gate, but there was none at the back.

The group had approached the corral from one side. You were maybe 20 feet away when the three men came around the corner of the building at the far side of the corral. They had walk along the side of the fence. Dr. Solar had stopped and called out, and the golden palomino had trotted over to him while he fed it something.

Other than going through the corral, which is what Joseph was attempting to do, you either had to go around the buildings to reach Solar and the others or go around the far end of the corral.

Grimsby, Aubrey, Brie and Catherine were starting to move around the corral end, while Felicity was attempting to circle around the front of the buildings.

Both Joseph and the others now had the advantage of the horse blocking them from the other men with Solar. Solar, however, would be able to see them within a few steps.

OOC: Thanks, GM! Like I need the exercise!


At Grimsby's suggestion, Felicity began running along side the building to try and circle around the three buildings so she'd come up on Solar and his captors from the opposite direction.

She briefly considered going between the buildings but that would have just brought her to the fence between them, which is where Joseph was supposed to be going.

She rounded the third building and was momentarily frustrated by the unexpected fourth building that was now in the way. Apparently it was a large tack and saddle shed, maybe with some feed storage as well.

She had to run around that one, too... probably making her late to the party!

"If we appear to be hurrying," Aubrey suggest, "it may cause those men to panic."

"Perhaps we should stroll more leisurely, as if we are shopping for a horse for Catherine and perhaps Brie as well."

In reply to Aubrey St. Claire (msg # 664):

Grimsby was already moving cautiously, but he nodded at Aubrey's suggestion and appeared to be taking an interest in the horse in the paddock.

As Grimsby and company move around the corral, they quickly come into sight of Solar who is still feeding his horse. The angle of the horse keeps them out of sight of the other two men for a bit... until they get about halfway around.

Solar spots them, naturally, and Grimsby catches a momentary look in Solar's eyes as if he's about to call out for help. Apparently, he thinks better of it. He casts a quick sidelong glance at his two guards to see if they spotted you, but it doesn't seem likely... yet. Then Solar's eyebrows raise in what could only be described as surprise, followed by a small smile of enlightenment. He may have figured out who you are.


Meanwhile, Joseph has made his way across the front of the barn, keeping out of sight behind the horses. The horses aren't panicking at his presence; they seem quite at home around people. One of them has moved over to join the palomino. This must be Solar's second horse.

Joseph has gotten close enough now that there's only one horse between him and the men. They'd certainly spot Joseph's legs if they looked under the horse, but they aren't suspicious enough to do so. Joseph can easily hear them now.

"Come on, Solar. We haven't got all day."

"The ship's going to leave soon... and we're going to be on it. It's just a dumb horse."

The horse at that point turns its head to look at the man who said that, almost as if it understood his words. In doing so, it clears a line of sight for that man to spot Grimsby.

"It's not leaving till after dark, now that Chalmers has supplied it. It's a long trip," the first man replies.


Meanwhile, Felicity has passed around the front of the buildings. The first stable appeared to belong to the house next to it, while the second barn appears to belong to the house across the street. It's barely a street--just unpaved dirt. The third barn has the tack shed attached to it, and apparently belongs to the adjacent house, separated by only a 5-foot wide path. That seems the likely place for Solar to have been kept.

As she nears the back end of the tack shed, she catches the words of the two men. Taking a quick peek around the corner, she sees that the two men have their backs to her. They are about 50 feet away.

"Don't rush me. It may be a long time before Butterscotch and Marigold get another treat." Solar responds.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:03, Mon 18 Feb 2019.

In reply to GM SteamRoller (msg # 666):

Knowing he may be spotted at any moment, Grimsby lets himself move more quickly toward the two men near Solar, and holds his gun ready in his pocket to be drawn. However, he does not openly draw it yet as he is hoping to give his allies a little longer to get into position.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:28, Sat 19 Jan 2019.

In reply to GM SteamRoller (msg # 666):

~Well that tears it.~ Joseph thinks to himself, ~This Solar fella is being hustled along by the two beefcakes.  But are they prison guards or body guards?  That is the question.  I'm going to need to get closer...maybe if...~

Joseph reaches down near his right knee and quickly undoes the leather tie-down for his gun holster, then he shifts his gunbelt around on his hips, trying to get the holster and the large LaMatte pistol in it, around behind his back as much as he can.  Once he's done that, he then slouches forward, between Solar's two horses, and approaches 'the Doctor'.

"Pardon, Senor, pardon!" Joseph says, mimicking the Mexican-American accent he'd heard so often in his youth, as he approaches "Pero ... eet eez thee time for to cleen los cascos of yoor caballos, thee, uh, Budderskootch y Mary-gold, si?  We cleen los cascos ... los pies--thee, uh, thee feet, si?"

Joseph attempts to amble up to Doctor Solar, where that gentleman is standing at the fence attending his horses, Joseph tries to keep his own face at something of an angle towards the two guards--hoping that the heavy tan he'd received after weeks in the Spanish Moroccan desert was heavy enough to let the two big men mistake him for a Spaniard.

"Te vas pronto?  You leave soon?" Joseph asked Solar, while making comforting gestures towards the two horses he was standing between, "You have paid al Jefe, si?  There eez no be trouble?"

Joseph emphasized the word 'trouble' while giving Solar a questioning look.