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? "
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

In reply to Albert (Padre) Juhasz (msg # 649):

"Cain't say as I rightly know," Jacob commented on Padre's musings.

The Texican continued his very relaxed pose, flat on his back on the floor, his eyes closed, and his ankles crossed up on the window-sill.

He wondered how long it would take for the cool evening breeze to make his socks-clad feet smell as fresh as if they were washed with that new-fangled 20-Mule Team Borax soap.*

---

OOC: *Per Mr. Google, it looks as if the iconic 20-Mule Team cleaning product was introduced in the 1890's -- technically later than our game. However, it seemed to be in the "close enough" range to reasonably include this reference in the Texican's ponderings. :)

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 648) and Thomas Pearce (msg # 650):

"I never actually talked to them myself," says Harlay, in reply to the professor's question. "They were reticent, is all I heard."

"I am no sleuth, sir," Harlay mutters, seemingly a little uncomfortable with Pearce's overture. He seems to consider something for a moment. "Nevertheless, I am willing to help. Foremost, you may say I sent you. I shall give you a telegram to deliver to Taylor in Grafton. Something about a delayed shipment from Hite, perhaps. Yes, that will do."

He steps to his work area and prepares the telegram, handing it to Pearce with an air of achievement.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 652):

Earnest shakes his head.

No offense Mr. Harlay, but I don't think the invaders would react well if Tommy here tells them he has a telegram for someone when they think the lines are cut...

Harlay shrugs. "It is the best I can do. Obviously, you know more about the situation than I. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Earnest shakes his head.

Just pass the word to the powers that be about the Legionnaires... anything else Tommy?

Tommy replies to Harlay
"If you don't mind letting me take a couple of extra blank sheets of that official telegram paper, otherwise that's all. Thank you, we are very appreciative of the assistance"
Turning to Earnest "ok Professor, let's get back to the others and see if we can pull this off"

Earnest tips his hat to Harlay.

Yes, thank you for your help Mr. Harlay!

He turns to join Tommy and Daniel, they mount up and start back to Rockville.

OOC: Take it away Judge!

The telegraph operator looks a mite uncomfortable with Pearce's request for official company materials, but he sighs again and nods in acquiescence. Only a ungrateful sod would deny such a modest request from one of the men who helped drive off the invaders.

The three men ride back to Rockville, meeting their other three pards at the boarding house. The Matron has made a warm bath ready for any of the heroes, should they choose to avail themselves of it. Although no one can be completely certain what prompted such a kindness, Richardsen can't help but wonder whether his Excelsior System is inherently flawed.

Regardless, it's nighttime in the town, and mostly quiet. The men have time to discuss their plans for the morrow.

OOC: Okay, take it away players. Remember, Red Shirt has departed; whereabouts unknown. The Judge is giving time for the players to revisit things, but you don't need to come up with a master plan. It seemed there were differing opinions on how to proceed, so giving time to reach consensus.

Earnest avails himself of a bowl of the warm water from the bath, which he then uses to wash and tend to his wounds while talking with the others.

Well, we could go with the courier idea using Mr. Harlay's telegram, but whoever does it should be prepared to be detained and questioned by the invaders... meaning, he would need a good cover story.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 659):

Tommy was eager to talk with the others and get things sorted out for the morning but still warm baths were few and far between in these parts
~I'll make it quick ~ He availed himself of the bath for just a few glorious minutes and then joined the others

"I guess my idea is to play dumb. Just a guy who agreed to deliver a message to Grafton for a few pennies. Hopefully just deliver the message, look around a bit, talk to Taylor and leave"

"Like you said Earnest they will surely be asking questions and searching the man top-to-bottom. I had a thought we might use the blank stationary to make a message about something that would peek the invaders interest, maybe distract them in some way. If anyone's got a good idea for that ruse let me know"

"What do you think it should say, Mister Pearce?"

Daniel seems interested in the idea, even if a mite skeptical.

Jacob had pulled his feet down off the window-sill, and was now standing. Secure in the knowledge that his feet now smelled evening-breeze fresh, he had not, however, stepped back into his boots.

He listened as his pards discussed the idea of Eirish carrying message to Grafton, including wondering what the message should say.

Scratching his chin-whiskers thoughtfully, the Texican mused "What if'n we was to let on that some uhv the Legion was spotted comin' accrost the river, up from Mex-icoe? If'n these hard-cases are truly dee-serters wishin' to staey clear uhv them that might hang them, we might can tell that from their ree-ackshunn."

"On the other hand," Jake added, "if'n they seem ihn-clined to reach out an' maeke con-tact with them that's suh-possedly comin' accrost the river . . . waal, that'd be a-tellin' us sumpthin' diff'rent."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 662):

Earnest winces as he pokes at the wound then nods at Jake.

That seems like an excellent idea Jake! It could be very telling! Daniel, you said you know of an overlook where we could keep an eye on Tommy as he enters town?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 663):

"There are few places, professor. Depends how close we want to be. Perhaps close enough to ride in if things go awry?"

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 664):

Tracy nods enthusiastically at the Texican's suggestion, a stronger reaction than normally elicited from the investigator. "I think that's brilliant, Jake."

Then, Windham turns to Daniel. "Yes, that would be best. How far away is the closest spot?"

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 665):

Padre agrees with the Pards. Mr Richardsen and Mr Pearce had been concocting well.

Even if it didn't clear them out it may cause them to send a couple of 'em to scout it out.

Padre rubbed his whiskered chin and twiddled his chained cross in his fingers.

Yes... This is a great idea..

In reply to Albert (Padre) Juhasz (msg # 666):

Earnest finishes his wound tending and cleans his hands.

Let me see the message Harlay gave you please Tommy... and one of the blank sheets.

OOC: Earnest will craft a message using Harlay's style informing Taylor that a squad of French Legionnaires were observed crossing the Virgin River between Rockville and Springdale... Do I need to roll anything?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 667):

OOC: Yes, make a roll for Academics. Glad to see everyone chiming in. After the professor's roll, you all need to confirm the time of your departure, based on Daniel's next post.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 665):

Daniel continues to listen to the other men, nodding when Windham asks his question.

"If we head out before daybreak, I believe we can reach a ravine that will hide us roughly 50 yards away. That is, we can reach that spot without being seen by any sort of patrol."

OOC: It will take 2 rounds to travel 50 yards on horseback.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 668):

Here's the roll:
06:47, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,8 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+2)8.  Academics - Prepare "telegram".

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 670):
"Spot on Jake!...that's exactly the type of thing I was hoping for"
Tommy removes the two slips of offical message paper from his interior vest pocket and hands them to Earnest
"Here you go Professor, best I think if you keep the second one safe and at the ready in case we need another message to be fabricated"
Tommy goes about preparing himself to impersonate a messenger. He carries only his Webley revolver and sheds his bandolier. Swapping his Australian outback hat in favor of a more American style one he borrows from the kindly matron who offers him one left behind by an earlier guest. "I think maybe I should also switch horses? he asks aloud ...just in case I run into that rascal who got away and he recognizes it"