In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 624):

Pearce remembers Taylor. Slender fellow who has a habit of touching the shoulders of his customers as he guides them through the labyrinth that is his general store. A bit of an odd stick, Taylor, but he seemed like a smart businessman. He serves as the postmaster for the three towns, and knows the telegraph operator here in Springdale.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 624):

"Yes, of course, Mr. Pearce. I shall introduce you presently, before he winds up today's business."

The young Knight motions towards the door.

OOC: The Judge is assuming Tommy will go with Daniel. Sounded like Earnest was interested, too.

The heroes should declare whether they accompany Pearce and Daniel or do something else.

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 627):

Padre liked the idea of a courier.
How would someone from the Pony Express know there was something going on in Grafton, anyways? He'd just be going bout his duties.

Padre harkened to one more thought
Back where Im from in Western PA, we were all mightily afraid of the Pinks from Chicago. We could pose as them. Id be surprised if the reputation doesn't precede us and we can waltz right in.

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 627):

Earnest stands and prepares to go with Daniel and Tommy. He pauses to speak to Padre.

Interesting notion... but does anyone have any idea about their reputation with Mexico or the French? They might just start shooting!

"We had them Pinkerton men sniffing around for a man named Brown back when I was with the Union Pacific Railroad, it was before we got to the Rockies ,somewhere near Fort Kearney if I remember correctly. Their reputation is well deserved but no way to know if that means anything beyond the border. These Foreign Legion thugs might be a bit more impressed if we said we were checking things out for the U.S. army.

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 627):

"I do bee-lieve that I'll staey here an' git me some more shut-eye," the Texican drawled.

"I learnt pretty damned quick durin' my soljerin' daeys to grab some sleep whenever I got the chance."

An' my druthers are to be good an' fresh when it comes tieme to laey down cards an' claim the pot."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 631):

By the time we get back from Springdale, it'll be too late to start out for Grafton. We should just meet up this evening and plan, get a good night's rest, then deal with Grafton early tomorrow... How does that sound gentlemen?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 632):

Aye, that sounds fine to me.

Padre meant it.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 632):

and

In reply to Albert (Padre) Juhasz (msg # 633):

The Texican nodded. "Yep, me too."

Once they had settled on their plans, half the men went to retrieve their mounts and the other half lingered at the boarding house.

Richardsen and Juhasz agreed to get more rest while the getting was good. Windham seemed lost in thought, as he sometimes was, but he also retired to one of the two rooms graciously provided by the Matron and the grateful townsfolk. All three men suddently realized they had lost track of Red Shirt once again. He hadn't gone with the trio on the way to Springdale, nor had he remained at lodgings as the men discussed their ideas after the supper. Somehow, he had slipped out unnoticed.

By the time the trio of Tommy, Daniel, and Earnest ride to Springdale, the sun has disappeared behind the hills to the west. It's dark in town, except for the few lamp lights along the main thoroughfare and by the chapel.

The young Knight dismounts and ties his horse to a rail along the main rowhouse, before leading his two pards to the door of the telegraph office. A two-story parcel of the long rowhouse, the office is located downstairs while the operator's living quarters are upstairs. As it happens, the rather rotund man in a plain shirt and trousers--his jacket hanging awkwardly on the coat rack--was just ready to grab his coat after winding up his affairs for the evening. He holds the ring handle of a small oil lamp when Daniel enters and introduces the two men and states their purpose.

Both the telegraph operator, whose name is Harlay, and Daniel look to Pearce and Ringgenberg. Harlay seems open to any question the men may have, knowing of their reputation in liberating the town from the invaders.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 635):

Back in the bedroom, Tracy notices Red Shirt's disappearance. He smirks and shakes his head. ~I gotta figure out how to do that.~

The investigator lays back and closes his eyes. The daze of the past few hours begins to leave him.

~I think this plan is about the best we could have.~ He had one question, however. ~Did we agree on the courier? I'd volunteer myself. I'll ask in the morning.~

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 635):

Earnest tips his hat to the man as Daniel introduces them. When they look over, he nods and then starts.

Thank you for seeing us Mr. Harley, can you please tell us what orders, if any, the invaders gave to you about communicating with other towns?

The telegraph operator replies in a pleasant baritone voice. He is a mite soft-spoken, but his words are clear.

"They did not need to give orders, sir. They simply cut the telegraph lines into this office."

He glances toward his machinery and then tilts his head toward the door. "It took most of the day to repair the lines. Just before you arrived, I completed a test with Hite." As if the mere thought of the labor makes him perspire, he wipes his head with a kerchief from his pocket.

The heroes remember the town Hite: east of here, the location of El Presidente's trial.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 635):

Jacob was lying on the floor of his room on his back, with ankles on the window-sill above him and his feet -- clad only in socks -- sticking out of the window. If one cared to suppose, they might reckon that the Texican was airing out his feet after removing his boots.

Jake looked relaxed and comfortable, with his eyes closed and his head resting on his bedroll. He observed to anyone within earshot "That Red Shirt is a wonder, ain't he? Let him outta yore sight for more'n an instant, an' he's as likely as not to be gone next tieme you look, an' you din't never hear him traipsin' off."

"Wonder if'n he got tired uhv our shilly-shallyin', an' he up an' went oh-ver yonder to Graf-ton all by his lonesome so as to grab a look-see for his ownself?"

---

OOC: Wasn't sure who is in the room with Jake and his as-of-yet-unpatented feet-airing-out methodology (not the John Wesley Capital-M preachin' sort, mind you), so I left it so that any pard within earshot of the Texican can chime in. :)

Edit: Edited the OOC comments a little -- nothing substantive.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:39, Mon 22 Apr.

OOC: From the Judge's perspective, can be Tracy or Padre if they want to be in earshot.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 638):

Earnest nods.

I see... So was the Springdale to Grafton courier still running while the invaders were here?

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 639):

"He probably did. Just like he had already gone ahead to follow that horse."

"Jake, you have any idea why these men want to take over these towns so badly? I don't understand how it benefits them really." The investigator pauses a moment. "Maybe the Legion is trying to invade US territory without declaring war?"

Windham searches his mind for anything he can remember about previous engagements between the two nations.

OOC:

10:41, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 4,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max ((4,4)).

Tommy looks around the small office while Earnest begins questioning Harlay. Looking over the desk and the telegraph setup he's careful to restrain himself and not begin poking around with the equipment. Tommy looks for anything that might help lend legitimacy to the impersonation of the messenger
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OOC- 21:59, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 2,9 using d6,d6, rerolling max ((2,(6+3)9)).

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 641) and Thomas Pearce (msg # 643):

Harlay shakes his head in response to the professor's question. "No, sir. The invaders put a stop to it. I thought you were asking about contact with other towns down the line."

The telegraph operator sighs. "I have not seen either courier in the last few days. Ned was due the morning of the attack but he never showed. Jim was in Grafton last I knew, the day before that. I hope they are both well."

While listening to the conversation, Tommy looks around the office. The equipment is fascinating, but the mechanic keeps his mind on the task at hand. He sees a ledger open to a page dated two days ago, with notes about the invasion. Peace sees neatly written notes which seem to corroborate the operator's spoken words -- "lines cut" and "Ned Turpin and Jim Duly whereabouts unknown." On the opposite page is today's date, with a note in fresh ink: "Lines repaired. Test messages exchanged with Hite."

The Irishman had hoped for more, but he realizes the professor is on a track that may help, now that he has heard the names of the couriers and seen them identified in the ledger. Perhaps he could pose as one of the men -- unless they were already in Grafton and known to the invaders. Perhaps if he learned more about them from Harlay ....

OOC: The Judge enjoys this sort of role-playing, but doesn't want to drag out the scene. Earnest and Tommy may continue speaking with Harlay, or we can summarize information if needed. You might think of something the Judge hasn't, so don't want to cut off the RP unless the players are ready to move on.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 644):

Earnest turns to Tommy.

This was my concern Tommy, if anyone shows up in Grafton as a courier, the invaders would probably stop them immediately.

He turns back to Harley.

I'm glad to hear that you've re-established contact with Hite... Have you reported what has gone on here? Any response from the authorities about it?

OOC: Understood about not dragging it out... Earnest's questions are about done.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 642):

"That's a good quest-chunn," Jake replied to Wool-verine's wondering why these troublemakers were seemingly attempting to take over the local towns.

"Oh-ridge-uhnally, I had them pegged as dee-serters from their Lege-uhn. But if'n that was the case, it seems lieke they'd be layin' low an' crawlin' ah-round ohn their bellies -- so to speak -- ihn-stehd uhv hoppin' ah-round lieke they been doin' an' drawin' ah-ten-shunn to theirseves."

"So . . . mayhap it is all some sort uhv a land-grab on the part uhv the Frogs . . . sendin' in troops that they can  swear off havin' enny oh-fish-al coe-neckshunn to if'n don't go ay-cordin' to plan."

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 645):

Harlay sighs. "Yes, I reported the lines were cut by the bandits, and then restored today. The company will send an investigator."

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 647):

Earnest rubs his chin.

It may be a bit more severe than that...

He informs Mr.Harley about the Legionnaire camp south of the towns and their possible relationship with the invaders.

Have you heard if any of the captured invaders has said anything informative?

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 646) and In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 642):

Padre listened to Misters Windham and Richardsen debate the presence of these bandits.

Could it be both, do you suppose? They were unwelcomed by their Legion and decided to slice off a piece for themselves?

I wonder if they are being sought by more than just us... Maybe if the Legion at large knew where they were...

Padre trailed off as he mused on the conversation.

"Aye Professor that will make it harder...but if we have a message for the bandits themselves they may never catch on"

Tommy turns to Harlay, he puts his arm around the telegraph man's shoulders and lowers his voice just a touch:
"Harlay, you seem an upstanding type of man and I'm going to take you into our confidence. Grafton may or may not be under the control of the invaders with their townsfolk suffering as you did. We aim to free them too but first need to assess the situation without causing any alarm. As the Professor alluded to we'd like to take some messages over posing as a new courier....."undercover" as the detectives call it.

We would be very appreciative of any assistance you could provide us? "
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OOC
10:40, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 6,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3.  Persuassion roll - convince Harlay to help.