Opening the library door, they are easily able to flag down a servant to fetch their coats for them from the cloakroom and make their way back into the main hall, where Erica Carlyle can be seen chatting up another group of guests, with Grey hovering nearby.

Bishop looked at Dr Elias and Miss Ashcroft expectedly.

  Annabel took her coat, sorry that she had to leave the party so early. Oh well, it had been fun for how long it lasted; well everything but seeing that book that is.

  As she entered the hall with the others, she paused waiting. "I guess we should say our goodbyes, and tell them about the books. Won't they wonder where they are if they are already under the coats?," she asked. "I suppose someone could possibly distract them while the others leave with the 'ill gotten gains' if we really had to."

In reply to Annabel Ashcroft (msg # 189):

"There is no need for duplicity. We merely need to ask to take some of her brother's books for further study. They will understand the need for discretion,  I assure you." Bishop said.

Leo nodded at Stanley's take on the matter. "Just get Mister Grey's attention. We don't need to distract Miss Carlyle."

  Annabel nodded and went up to Bradley. "Mister Grey," she said to him all smiles and cheeriness. "We are finished in the library and now must be leaving. We found some books that would be must helpful to us in our investigation and ask if it is ok to borrow them for a little while. Of course we'll return them promptly to Miss Carlyle when we are done with them. I hope she won't mind." she said this with an eager hopefulness in her voice.

"Miss Ashcroft," he said, returning her greeting before listening to her query.

"A most unusual request. How many books are we talking about, and can you give me a list of titles?" From his inside jacket pocket, he retrieved a small notepad and a mechanical pencil and prepared to write them down.

"I could not give you permission to part with books from the Carlyle private collection, but I could ask her on your behalf."

  Annabel frowned and held her hand up in a gesture to wait, "hold on for a second." Going back to the others, she soon came back and gave Bradley the titles of the books in question. "As you can see, they are not particularly notable, but they could give us some much needed information. It's just they are so big, it will take time to go through them, more than we have tonight. I'll tell you," she added making a bit of a face, "I'm not looking forward to it, they look so dry. But what can one do, I'm the assistant and I must assist when necessary." She gave a cute smile at her little jest.

"I must confess, I've never even heard of these books. They must be quite obscure. Let me speak to Miss Carlyle for a moment," he said as he jotted down the names and other details given to him by Annabel and walked over towards the young heiress.

Managing to extract her briefly from conversation, he had a quick word with her, and returned to Annabel. "Miss Carlyle remarked that she has indeed seen Roger reading some of these books. She will make an extended loan of the books to you, but asks you to be sure to keep them in good condition as they may be collectors items of great value," he said.

"I trust Dr. Elias has a collection of his own, and that he would accord them the same care that he would his own books. When you have managed to give them a good review and study, please let us know when we can expect them returned."
This message was last updated by the player at 14:08, Mon 06 Apr 2015.

  Annabel brightened, obviously relieved that it was ok. "Oh Mr Grey, that's wonderful, I'm sure Doctor Elias will make sure no harm comes to them and will return them as soon as he is done with his research."

    As she prepared to leave, she takes his hand, giving it a squeeze. "Thank you again for helping us, and for the dance. I very much enjoyed myself. Maybe we will run into one another again, it's not THAT big of a city after all. That is if you can get away from Miss Carlyle," she said with a bit of amusement in her voice. "Maybe I'll even return those books myself to make it easier for you."

"I very much hope that we run into one another again. While I do work here at the estate from time to time - Miss Carlyle is one of our most valuable clients - the firm's office is in the city and I operate from there the majority of the time. Best of luck in your research efforts. If I can be of further help, or you have a question about returning the books, please do let me know," he said.

  "I will," said Annabel, "and thank you again Bradley."

     Saying her farewells to Bradley, Annabel left him and went back to the others. "It's all set, we have the books for as long as we need them Doctor; Miss Carlyle just wants us to return them unharmed when we are done with them." She turned and looked back at the party; "It's a shame to be leaving so soon, it was great fun, but work calls I guess."

Leo smiled at Annabel's report when she returned. "Well done, Miss Ashcroft! And you are right about the party. It has been fun. I will make certain to write a lengthy note of appreciation to Miss Carlyle."

He looked at the other two that appeared ready to depart. He gestured to the door. "Shall we?"

Bishop's thoughts were elsewhere when Annabel returned.

Snapping out of his trance "Best we be off. "

Bishop went ahead to get the car and warm up the engine. He was careful to look about as he did so.

OOC:

Sorry, I didn't realize folks were waiting on me.

Bishop can get the car, he looks around and it doesn't appear anyone is lurking around. He i able to get the car and everyone can get in it.

Where are they headed?

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 201):

Once everyone was in the car, Bishop suggested that it had been a tough few days and they head home to get some rest.

If no one objected Bishop headed back to Dr Elias' house.

Leo opened the door for his niece and assistant, and then clambered into the vehicle after he made certain the ladies were situated. His gaze lingered on the mansion as they left, but once they had passed the gates, he nodded his agreement with Stanley's suggestion. "Yes, home for some rest and light reading sounds like an excellent course of action."

With everyone safely onboard Stanley took the usual precautions heading home and when they arrived entering the building,

Back at her uncle's, Rosalie divested herself of hat and gloves and coat and moved into the parlor.  She rang for tea, thinking it would do them all good to sit for a moment and discuss the books they'd found.  "Annabel, I don't suppose you've kept up with your French?  One of those books is written entirely in the language."

Lawrence was there to take their hats and coats and put them away when they arrived, and just after Rosalie rang for tea, he promptly brought out tea and biscuits for everyone. "I believe Mr. Brandon's French is also quite strong," he volunteered, "though I am afraid he is asleep at the moment."

 Annabel looked a bit dubious as she helped herself to some of the tea. "I am passable at it, but I would not call myself fluent. Never got down there much to practice and you rarely meet any French people here. I can give it a shot though if Mr. Brandon does not want to."

  As she sat with her cup, Annabel asked with a curious tone, "What I want to know is who is going to be unlucky enough to have to deal with that horrible book; who knows what's in the thing." It was not hard to guess which one the young woman was talking about.

Leo thanked Avery for his diligence and considered the books that they had gathered. He looked at the others as they discussed how divide the work, and came to a decision with a nod. "I will look through that one, Miss Ashcroft." He certainly wouldn't ask anyone else to do so. A chill ran down his spine as he made the offer, but he stifled the urge to shudder. "What about the other two?"

After parking the car, Bishop entered the house and made his way to the study where he pour himself a whiskey. He had read all the books he was ever planning to read during law school.

He then placed a call to Pinkerton to hear a report of the last shift of operatives who he had watching the Elias home.

PM:

  While the others talked about who was going to deal with what book, Annabel stifled a yawn as she watched.

  "Oh dear, excuse me. It's been a long day and I feel it's time to retire for the night." She looks at the book she was given. "I think this can wait till tomorrow when I'm more alert and refreshed. It was a most fruitful day and I hope tomorrow will be likewise. I bid you all good night."

 Annabel went up to her guest room to undress and retire for the night; dreaming of fancy balls, dancing, and strange books.