Deputy Beauregard hoped his pards had rest better overnight than he had. He slept, but it came in fits and starts, his mind active in trying to make sense of the clues that he and the professor had uncovered, not to mention re-playing conversations with suspects and witnesses.

Now, as he pulled on his boots and prepared to go down stairs for breakfast, he heard a thunderous sound.

A sound that everyone in The Flat would hear--or at least feel if afflicted by the loss of hearing. Folks such as Cole Trayne, who had served in a cavalry unit, recognize immediately the sound of many mounts pounding the plain.

As the hotel patrons gather for breakfast, the thundering herd continues. Randy Oldman, having just finished breakfast at Mrs. Owsley's and now making his way to Planters, catches glimpses of the cavalry on the plain to the south of town. Likewise, Jake Richardson who had just exited his hotel and was lingering near the Outfitters, thinking about his inquiry of a sling scabbard for his rifle, sees the column of horses passing from east to west, the rising sun behind them.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 1):

Cole awakens to the thundering of the hooves.. As he leaves his room for breakfast, he remarks to himself.

Gotta love that sound. Brings back some right fond memories

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 1):

As JEB prepares to go downstairs for breakfast he places the piece of metal that was lodged in the door lock to his suite and the telegram from Marshfield in his coat pocket. He has some business to attend.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 3):

ENS hears the thundering and places it after a moment. He dresses in his decent clothes and straps on his gun under his jacket. Best keep this with me, at least while we're involved in this investigation.

He finishes up his morning ablutions and heads downstairs to see who has arrived at breakfast.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 1):

"Hunh," Jake muttered, raising a hand to shield his eyes against the low, early-morning sun as he stared at the column of cavalry that was blazing past on the flat ground to the south of town, "wonder where they're headed in such a hurry at this time o' the mornin'?"

Things surely has changed since the War, Jake thought to himself. These days, the bulk o' the fightin' 'gainst the hostiles falls to the cavalry. Back durin' the War, the sayin' amongst the infantry, who was doin' the lion's share of the fightin' an' the dyin', was 'Whoever saw a dead cavalryman?'

Jake scratched at his chin-whiskers. All right, reckon I'll check an' see if York & Meyers is open yet. If they are . . . what was that lad's name who helped me with my rations? Jacob Winston -- that was it, sure enough. Jacob said that he'd speak with Mister Chapin 'bout my rifle-sling. So Chapin's the man I want t'be speakin' with this mornin', if'n he's in the store this early. If not, mayhaps I'll mosey on down to Hatfield's an' have myself a good breakfast, an' then double back for a palaver.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 5):

It looks like York and Meyers Outfitters is open for business, as the double doors are propped open with bronze horse-shaped doorstops. Jake Richardson steps onto the porch floor, which is an interesting pattern of grey and tan flagstone, rather than wooden planks. The quality and appearance of the wood-roof pales in comparison; nevertheless, the wooden support poles and overhead planks seem sturdy enough.

Flanking the doors are two windows, complete with windowsill flowerbeds. Just then, an attractive young woman with long black hair appears from between the Outfitters and the Occidental, stepping onto the porch and beginning to tend to these planters. She acknowledges Jake's presence with a glance and a friendly smile, but she does not speak, being preoccupied with her chores.

To enter the establishment itself, Jake notices the he must take a small step up from the porch. Someone has affixed an elaborately engraved placard to the left of the door at eye level, reading “Watch Your Step.”

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 6):

Travis awakes and engages in a variation of his morning recitation.  Words drilled into him by the Seargent Major of the 6th Michigan.

Another day in the Flat, every meal's a banquet; every paycheck a fortune; every gatheering a parade.  I love the Flat.

He rises, dresses, obsessively checks the functioning, and cleanliness of his weapons, ensures they are loaded and when all is in order seeks food.

He here's the thunder of the hooves which brings both pleasant and unpleasant memories to the fore.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 6):

That's downright int'restin', Jake thought, admiring the look and workmanship of the flagstone. Don't believe I've seen that afore -- not just for a porch.

All thoughts of the flagstone were quickly banished from his mind, however, when the attractive young woman stepped onto the porch and began tending to the flowers in windowsill flowerbeds.

"Mornin', Miss," Jake said, nodding amiably and touching the brim of his hat. "I'm lookin' for Mister Chapin. Would you happen to know if he's in the store this mornin'?"

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 4):

JEB joins Ringgenberg at breakfast and between biscuits shows him the small metal shank from the door lock, "What do you make of this? I found it lodged in the door lock to my room last night. Reckon someone tried to break in but I can't imagine why. Anything of consequence is on my person."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 8):

"Yes, Mr. Chapin is here," answers the young woman.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 9):

ENS keeps his voice low.

Perhaps they noticed their missing button and thought you had it. So the break-in attempt must have happened between about 7:30 when I left and when you got back. We'll have to ask the Swartz's if they heard anything. Are you sure they didn't get in?

ENS takes the metal piece and looks it over (Investigate) to see what he can glean from it.
08:52, Today: E.N.S. Ringgenberg rolled 20 using 1d20+7. Examine Metal Piece.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:59, Mon 23 July 2012.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 10):

"Thank you," Jake replied, again touching the brim of his hat as he turned to go inside. He took a moment to clean the mud off the soles of his boots as best he could, using the edge of the step as a scraper, then stepped inside the store.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 12):

Travis walks down the stairs and looks familiar faces.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 13):

Cole follows his noise as he glances about looking for his friends.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 11):

I only made a cursory search and nothing was amiss. I kindly request your help with a more exhaustive examination, after our meal of course.