Play@YSDC

"Well, well," says Abner Travisham. "This isn't the Houses of Parliament, but I suppose even Lord Godfrey Sommers has to mingle with mere mortals on occasion. In the company of strangers? And though he scurried out of here quickly like a rat, a solicitor? Why, pray tell, would we be needing the advice of a solicitor?"

Alicia,You've had the misfortune to see Travisham act this haughty and caustic on occasion. You can tell he's practically salivating to find out something scandalous.

Reginald Smythe says nothing yet, though he tries to size up the new arrivals at the table. He can only tell a little about Travisham, but it's enough to know that he doesn't like the man. The woman, on the other hand, seems interesting.

Alicia notices Reginald looking in her direction and reaches out her hand. "Alicia Douglas, pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Nothing that you need concern yourself with, Travisham. A minor matter only; one of my business interests is merging with another. Nothing scandalous, I assure you, so move on."

The newcomer narrows his eyes, evaluating the situation. "So certain? This has nothing to do with your son's encounter with the police a few evenings ago? These fellows aren't looking exactly like businessfolk."

Reg rises and takes Alicia's hand, bowing over it and kissing it. Though he is quite tall, she is nearly as tall as he is. "Charmed," he says with a smile. "Reginald Smythe, at your service. Please, call me Reg."

Gary also chooses to simply smile and not towards the new comers.

Richard Maurice, a known and wealthiest merchant in Africa and East Asia.
Richard replies to the arrogant man before him, indicating it with high confidence
The kind lord desires to expand his business with me and it will be rude of myself to share business secrets with others, don't you agree with me?
Richard say and nods to Alicia beside him.
My lady…

*A Fast Talk?*

Maud bows her head to the newcomers, then sighs and turns to Richard. "Uncle Richard, it has been very kind of you to bring us along to meet Lord Godfrey but Gary and I have really got more exciting things to do than listen to a business meeting, begging your pardon Lord Godfrey. In fact we ought to be getting along for dinner. Perhaps we could meet up later; if that's acceptable with you Gary, Reg?"

Gary stands, "Yea, if you will excuse us," and he holds out his hand to help Maud up and escort her out of the hotel.

Alicia smiles as Reg takes her hand. She tries to size up the group, and assess the dynamics of it.

OOC,Can I maybe try a Psychology roll or some such? Assuming my diabolical rolling doesn't continue :)

Fast Talk (1d100=58) - Success.

Goodbye my dear Maud
Richard reply to Maud and waves Gary and Reg

"Yes, I'd be delighted," Reg says to Maud. "Good evening, Lord Godfrey." He nods to Alicia. "Good evening, Miss Douglas. Mr. Maurice." He neglects to bid farewell to Travisham and walks out with Maud and Gary.

"Goodbye Uncle, we'll see you later then." Maud leans over and whispers "The Trocadero" to him as she gets up. "Unless other plans crop up of course. A pleasure to meet you Lord Godfrey." She turns to Alicia, "Maud Marrick, it was nice to have met you if ever so fleeting. Sir." She acknowledges Travisham briefly and then walks out with Gary and Reg. "Phew, what a troglodyte. Thanks for supporting my escape plan. I suggested we meet Mr Maurice at The Trocadero restaurant but we can always send a message if you have a better idea."

Once we have left the hotel/restaurant, "I would like to get over to Arthur's room as quickly as possible." Gary says.

Alicia,With you in the hotel right now are Richard, Travisham, and Lord Godfrey.

re: the key and the plan,That's fine, we can assume Richard's picking it up and when he meets with you he can give you the key. So is Maud's plan to go straight to the other restaurant, or to do something in the meantime?

OOC,This is just a quick post letting you know these couple things -- I've been on the run all day and I'm pretty tired, so I'll make a more substantial post tomorrow morning.

As they leave the building Maud stops by the concierge and asks for some paper. She quickly writes "We are going straight to the flat so hopefully meet you there soon as you can get away. Don't forget the key! Maud" and hands it to the concierge to pass on to Richard. She catches up with the gentlemen. "Richard knows to meet us at the flat instead. He's got the key."

"Sounds good. If we get there early, we can talk to the neighbors first while we wait anyway." Gary responds and they head to the flat.

Travisham looks at Richard and sighs. "Far be it from me to impede the wheels of progress from turning. I find commerce to be dreadfully dull and besides, it's time for me to be going." He walks back over to the table, collects his papers and briefcase, walks back to Lord Godfrey's table, offers a curt nod, and hands Alicia a piece of paper. "The time and place of our next meeting." He glances toward Lord Godfrey again and hurries out.

Alicia,The slip of paper Travisham handed does, indeed, have a time and place for a meeting on it (haven't quite figured the date out - we can base it off the end of this adventure) but also contains instructions: "Follow the ones who just left, but make it inconspicuous. Find out if they know anything about Blaylock."

Alicia waits for a moment while Travisham leaves, before saying "And I think it is time for me to be leaving too. If you will excuse me." She turns around and heads out of the hotel. As she leaves the building she looks for any sign of the others from the party, aiming to follow them discreetly.

Maud signals for a cab and a single-horse hackney carriage pulls up. "I'm not sure three of us can squeeze into one, I'll follow you in a second cab."

GM,Can I roll 'know' to see if I know the cab drivers in case it applies later on? [url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3239304/]1d100=70[/url] Know (75)

"Well, I do take up a bit of room." says Reg. "Are you sure you want to ride alone?"

"I'm sure I'll be alright, I know the driver, Sid. It's Islington we're going to isn't it? 14 Vincent Terrace."

Once Travisham is out of the way Richard again, shakes warmly the lord's hand, whispering to his ear that he will do is best. Then Richards goes out, intending to head straight to the flat after receiving the note from Maud.
If he is quick enough, maybe he can catch the rest outside, still trying to stop a cab. He will ofer them to join him. A man of his status, a wealthiest merchant, got his own personal driver.

Maud is just about to climb on board when she hears Richard behind her with his offer of his own carriage. "That makes much more sense, we can talk on the way." She turns to the two cab drivers and gives them some money. "Sorry Sid, a change of plan. Give my love to Betty and the boys won't you? Okay Richard lead on, we'll follow you. "

Gary thanks the carriage drivers and follows Maud and Richard. "Did you get the key Richard?"

Alicia has carefully made her way out of the building, and observes - from a distance - the discussion with the carriage drivers. She gets a cab herself, and asks it to follow the others.

"Yes, thank you," says Reg. He follows Maud, Gary, and Richard to Richard's personal carriage. "And thank you for the ride, Mr. Maurice."

BenTheRat wrote:Gary thanks the carriage drivers and follows Maud and Richard. "Did you get the key Richard?"

Yes.
Richard reply shortly and turns to his driver
Bill, take us to 14 Vincent Terrace my good man

Maud casts an eye over the horses as she climbs aboard feeling very grand. She is impressed; Mr Maurice must be very wealthy to afford such good animals, the carriage is very comfortable too. "Thank you Mr. Maurice, this is much more pleasant than bumping along in a hackney."

14 Vincent Terrace, Islington
June 18, 1900

Richard's carriage clatters through the fashionable West End streets, eventually turning into Vincent Terrace: a quiet, solidly middle-class row of homes fronting on a wooded park. The carriage pulls up at No. 14, and the investigators disembark. They detect the smell of running water - one of the city's rivers or canals must be in the vicinity, probably surrounded by the wooded area.

As they ascend the stone steps leading to the front door, a middle-aged woman, slightly heavyset and her once-dark hair shot through with gray, is attending to some flowers in a planter at a window in the sunken garden area to the right: "Good evening, sirs, miss. Can I be of help?"

Maud and Richard,As the carriage draws near and you disembark, you feel slightly uneasy, as if you're being watched...

Gary says, "Good evening, I'm a friend of Arthur's. His father asked us to stop by and make sure he is doing ok, he hasn't seen him in a couple days. Have you seen Arthur?"

Reg stands back and lets the others do the talking. Gary and Maud actually knew Arthur, and Richard was a better speaker than he was.

Richard takes the rear as he is the oldest of the group members. He instructs Bill (His driver) to wait with the carriage outside and begin to ascend the stone steps when the woman approaches and speaks to Gary.

He turns around and inspects the surrounding and down the street from both sides and the windows of the building to shake the feeling and assure him self that he is not being watched.

The woman thinks to herself. "Arthur, Arthur... ahh, you mean young Mr. Sommers. I've not seen him since the night that nice policeman came by, but let me ask my husband... as he's in and out of the house a bit more than I, he'd likely be more help to you." She turns her head back in through the window and exchanges words with someone. A moment later, the door opens and a man in his fifties, with steel-gray hair and a lined face comes out onto the stoop. He appraises the assembled party and extends his hand. "Jack Giles. My wife informs me you're asking after Arthur... last that I saw him was... ahh... I believe it was the day after the police were here. I was attending to our vacant flat here when he came in the front door and went up to his room. And that was the last I saw him... a few hours later, that odd Borelli man came running downstairs, waking my wife and I and insisting we get the police again. He was babbling on, but I can't recall what he said..."

Alicia stays in her carriage for now, at a distance, and watches the others enter the house. She notes down the address in her notepad, and waits for the others to come out again, judging - hopefully - that that might be the best time to reintroduce herself, rather than go into the building. Based on what she overheard at the hotel she is assuming that they are on some sort of investigation, and will be coming out again in due course.

On second thoughts Alicia decides to go and wait outside the house, beside the others' carriages. This way she is there ready for when they come out, and will hopefully have a good enough opportunity to reintroduce herself. She pays for her fare, and dismounts from her carriage, thanking the driver, before walking over to the building the others entered.

"So the police were called a 2nd time? I didn't realize that. It would be extremely helpful if you could recall what he was on about. We will be going into Arthur's room for a look around, we should be here a an hour or so in case you remember anything. Thanks." With that Gary heads up to Arthur's door and knocks.

He also takes a close inspection of the door, lock, windows, etc... in case it looks like someone broke in.

bribe?,if he was looking for a bribe to "remember" more, I might have got an inkling of it, but wasn't sure. [url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3246696/]psychology target = 5 (1d100=14)[/url]

"Reg Smythe," says Reg, stepping forward and shaking the man's hand with a firm grip. "Is Mr. Borelli at home, by any chance?"

Richard goes up after the others and waits to see if someone responds to Gary's knocking, if none is, he takes out the key from his pocket and hands it to Gary.

DM,Richard noticed anyone outside?

Maud smiles at Mrs. Giles, "Those are pretty flowers Mrs Giles. I'm Miss Marrick; I'm sorry we have disturbed you from your gardening. You can't have had much peace with all this coming and going what with the police visiting twice. I hope it wasn't too alarming for you?"

If there is no answer and the locks / door looks undamaged, Gary uses the key to open the door. He takes a look around before stepping in, making sure not to disturb anything. "Careful everyone. Let's disturb as little as possible."

Maud then asks Mrs. Giles nonchalantly, "Why were the police called do you know?"

Keeper,I rolled persuade in case it was needed(40) [url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3247553/]1d100=7[/url]

Gary and Richard head up the carpeted stairs towards Arthur's flat while the others discuss matters with the Giles couple.

"Don't fret about it, miss, I was nearly done here anyway," Mrs. Giles says to Maud. "But the police didn't bother me, not too much. That second time did scare me a bit, but... to be perfectly honest, miss, I couldn't even tell you what exactly had happened. As Jack said, Mr. Borelli came down in the dead of night and woke us both from our sleep. He was going on and on, saying things in Italian. We gathered that he thought he had seen something, but I couldn't say exactly what. He wouldn't leave until we had called the police, though..."

Meanwhile, Mr. Giles greets Reg and nods. "Mr. Borelli should be here, he doesn't go out much." He jerks his head back towards the stairs. "His rooms are up on the top floor." It's pretty clear that he doesn't think very much of Mr. Borelli. The fact that he had frightened Mrs. Giles likely had something to do with it.

Gary and Richard can move to the thread linked above.

"I suppose it's always better to have a conscientious lodger than otherwise Mrs. Giles; at least you know where you are with them. Well, if you don't mind, I'll leave you in peace and go visit Mr. Borelli." Maud climbs the steps to be with Reg. "What do you reckon Reg? How's your Italian?" Maud is a little concerned about visiting the temperamental Italian gentleman so hopes Reg will lead the way."I can't think of a good excuse for visiting him so let's hope he's as garrulous as the Giles' say." she murmurs.

"Thank you for your help," says Reg, leading the way upstairs to Mr. Borelli's flat. He replies quietly to Maud's query. "My Italian? I'm afraid it's all Greek to me - and I never learned Greek either. I only speak two languages: English and Cockney. Well, let's climb the apples and pears." He says this last with a grin.

Maud stifles a giggle. She follows Reg all the way to the top landing and, assuming nothing else happens, "Okay, I'll knock if you greet him." She raps the door loudly three times and then ducks behind Reg.

Alicia sits waiting for the others, and at several points she catches herself nearly dozing off. Another carriage comes along the street, stopping a few doors down. A man disembarks from the coach, and gives a few coins to the coachman, muttering something. The driver nods, settles down to wait, and the man moves along the street to the house in front of which Alicia sits. He looks at her with mild surprise, pauses, and heads over to the driver of the well-to-do carriage the others emerged from and engages him in conversation. The newcomer is fairly tall, with close-cropped hair and a rather severe look. He looks rather shabby for this area of London.

Gary looks down a bit surprised. "Alicia was it? What on Earth are you doing? Following us?"

Alicia nods, smiles and says, "Not following you with any evil intentions, I assure you... Gary, was it? I must tell you that I find Mr. Travisham to be quite as distasteful as I'm sure you do. At times, he seems to positively revel in stirring up trouble, spreading hurtful rumors, and destroying reputations." The man talking to Richard's driver walks across the street towards his own carriage, looking at the group with a scowl as he does so. "But he pays well enough. He'd like me to write a bit up about Peter Blaylock. It seems he has been struck with some illness. Do you happen to know him? I saw you with Lord Godfrey -- I understand that his son Arthur was involved in some row with Peter a few nights ago?"

Bill ?! Bill !
Richard strides quickly to his carriage, suspecting anyone that goes around here but his companions. He gives Alicia a troubled look but leave her to the smart guy Gary.
Who is that man you spoke to?

The second carriage drives off, the stranger glaring out at the others as it does so.

"Mr. Maurice, sir," Bill says as Richard draws close. "I don't rightly know who the man was, sir. He didn't give me a name. He just came over an' asked how to get to Eagle Wharf Road. I told him, he was on his way. Had an accent of some kind. German, maybe. Polish?" He thinks to himself and nods. "That might be it. Odd bloke, he was. Actin' kind of suspicious, like, kept lookin' this way and that while he was talkin'."

Oh, so in that case that is fine.
Richard embarks the carriage, placing the books and letters in a bag he holds there.
He takes a look at the others, as they speak to Alicia and decides to start reading the letters to the light of the street lamps.

Maud steps around the lady sitting on the steps. She nods politely and hurries over to the carriage, suddenly remembering who the lady was and wondering what she was doing. "Must live around here I suppose, strange that she's waiting on the step." she muses. She climbs aboard and sits by the window to surreptitiously overhear Gary's conversation while she tries to powder her tear-swept face. It's not much good with a small mirror and lantern-light.

Gary looks incredulous. "So you want to interview me here, on a doorstep, at this hour in the evening? I don't this so miss Alicia. While his money maybe good, I'd recommend finding better company to keep. Good evening, and please do not continue to follow us if that is what you were doing." And Gary heads over to the carriage.

Reg also boards the carriage. "What is this, Victoria Station?" he asks, bemused. "Everyone seems to be converging on this address, and I do not believe for a second that it is a coincidence."

Alicia calls to Gary: "I only followed you here because I wanted a chance to talk to you some more, not to interview you. I think we might have been able to help each other in the investigation, given my investigative skills. But I accept your reluctance to deal with me. I won't be following you again."

Alicia decides to head back to the newspaper offices, to find out as much as she can about Peter Blaylock before the night is over, the original lead she was given, and research things from that angle, herself. She walks down the road, looking for a carriage to take her to where she needs to go.

Gary, deciding he was perhaps a bit rude, and couldn't let the lady walk down the street alone. "Alicia, how do you think you can help?" Trying to decide if he can trust this woman. "Reg, I know your not a taxi service, perhaps we can give the young lady a ride home and find out what she knows?"

"I quite agree," says Reg sliding over to make room. "No lady should have to go unescorted. However, the carriage is not mine. Mr. Maurice?" He glances out at Alicia. "Miss, how is that you came here in the first place? Did you arrive in that other carriage?"

I will never say no to a young lady. It's going to be tight and crowdie but WE WILL MANAGE IT!
Richard reply with the last words intended to calm his probably frustrated driver Bill. He then address Alicia but still tries to keep the books and letters from her reporter's prying eyes
Miss Douglas, can you share with us your helpful information.

Relieved, Alicia smiles at the kinder welcoming words, and climbs into the carriage. "I came by another carriage, I'm not sure if you would have seen it. It left after you entered the building. I'm looking into Peter Blaylock and what has happened to him: he seems to have vanished completely, even his family don't know where he is now. My enquiries are still at the early stages, but I'd hope to find out more soon - I am good at ferreting out information. And then there's also the mysterious Russian woman I've heard word of, Countess Bogdansky or something like that, though that probably has nothing at all to do with this."

Gary can't believe his ears, "Peter is missing as well," he burst out before realizing what he said. Then he sought to recompose himself.
"What exactly have you heard?"

Reg listens interestedly, but says nothing as yet.

Alicia turns to Gary. "That Peter had a fight with a friend, and the police were called. And he has been missing ever since then, his family don't know where he is, and would like to find him."

Richard orders Bill to drive first to Alicia's flat.
So both Arthur and his close friend Peter are missing, what are the chances they are together?

He mutters to himself and turns to Alicia
Tell me Alicia, are you familiar with the name John Bidwell? It seems that our kind Arthur exchanged frequent letters with that man.

"Peter isn't a friend of mine, but I have been asked to look into his disappearance," says Alicia. "As for Countess Bogdansky, who knows! As I said I don't even know if there's any link to Peter and his friend - to be honest there probably isn't - but I have heard of this mysterious Russian lady who may be in town, and Russian agents are apparently seeking her in connection with unspecified crimes. I've never heard of the name John Bidwell before, sorry. Do the letters give any further clues to who he might be, such as his background and address, and why he was writing to Arthur?"

"Yes I believe it is highly possible Arthur and Peter are together. They were teammates at college and best friends." Gary says.

I found some letters Arthur and John exchanged with each other. The letters are poems about ghosts and spiritualism.
My plan is to go over and read them all, maybe this could be a link.
Richard takes out the pile of books and letters he took from Arthur's flat
I found several poems about "dark queen of Eastern splendor." - Hmmm.. disturbing....

"Miss Douglas," says Reg, "you said that you were asked to look into Peter's disappearance. By whom were you asked?"

Maud frowns, "I got the impression from Signor Borelli that the police seperated Arthur and Peter when they had the argument. I assumed Peter was sent home but... what if he stayed and had something to do with what happened later." Maud thinks on,"And if they are both sportsmen it would be hard to subdue both of them if they were together so... either one may well be in league with you-know-who."

"By Travisham, I regret," says Alicia, turning to Reg, "but apparently on behalf of his mother. I do not intend to turn this into a salacious article. I can only give you my word on that. I hope you'll trust me. Yes I write some things for Travisham's paper, but I also write others for more respectable (albeit smaller print) outlets, and my long-term goals are far away from the likes of Travisham. And in this case turning it into print is not my plan. I'm more curious myself, and would like to help his family. And that Russian lady, whether she turns out to be connected or not, intrigues me." She turns to Maud. "Who do you mean by you-know-who?"

"I had a feeling it might have been Travisham," says Reg. "Why is he concerned about Peter Blaylock, though? I doubt it's out of the kindness of his heart. What does he hope to gain? He seems to have something against Lord Godfrey. Perhaps he is seeking some sort of advantage over him."

"I honestly don't know," says Alicia, turning to Reg. "All I know is the information I've given you, and Travisham didn't give me any more clues to his motivation. Perhaps he wants me to dig up dirt that he can use, but that doesn't have to be what I do. I'm not his permanent employee, I work freelance, for a variety of publications, and it's up to me how far I take things, and how much and what I report back."

"Maybe we can help each other. I think our investigations will be running along similar lines. What if we work together, but say nothing of Arthur in any of your articles or to Travisham. Do we have your word?" Gary suggests.

"That would be superb," says Alicia. "Yes, I give you my word. So what have you found so far, and how best can I help?"

"That's good enough for me," says Reg. "It will be good for all of us to go over what we've learned so far. The police were called out here not just once, but twice. The first occasion was when Arthur and Peter had their argument, but the second time was different. Mr. Borelli, the upstairs neighbor, was a witness and the one who got the landlord to telephone the police. Arthur had received an unknown visitor - perhaps it may have been Peter, after all - who had arrived in a carriage. After nearly three hours, Mr. Borelli heard a second carriage approaching. He then heard the front door open, followed by a fight in Arthur's flat and a gunshot, followed by footsteps descending the stairs and dragging sounds. At first he couldn't move, but he was able to after he heard first the front door and then the carriage door open. When he looked out the window, he saw what he described as a 'narrow man' with a white face. He said he was only the height of perhaps a 16 year old boy wearing green rags, and with no eyes. He still sees 'narrow men' in the trees, poor chap."

"In Arthur's flat we found one room set up as a studio. I don't remember him talking to me about art before so maybe it's a new hobby, what do you reckon Gary? The pictures were mostly London landscapes and some portraits. More recent ones became macabre and frankly horrible in style." Maud shudders at the memory and then pulls a rolled paper from her bag. She opens it and shows it to Alicia. "We understand that Arthur was possibly thinking of engagement to an unknown woman. we also have your Russian Countess. Is she the same woman. Is she connected with the theatre and is this a portrait of his betrothed and or the countess?"

Alicia looks at the portrait. "Mmm, I wonder if it might be the Countess. At the very least it would be good to identify who this woman in the portrait was. Why do you ask about the theatre?"

"We believe the woman worked at the theater. We also found a letter asking letter to go to a pawnshop and meet someone. We need to follow up on both these leads. Gary was into art, that is how we met a couple years ago. However, this is the first I heard of the gunshot. Did anyone look for a bullet hole? " Gary asked.
"Arthur had a gun in his room but it had not been fired. If there was a gunshot in the room, it would have been in the living room. That was the only room that was disturbed."

"I also found this in Arthur's flat," says Reg, taking out the theatre program and showing it to Alicia. "It's for a production of The Duchess of Malfi at the Adelphi, from back in May. Someone underlined the name Frederick Milton on it and wrote 'Her escort according to A.T.' - the initials could possibly stand for Abner Travisham."

Do not forget the disturbing reading materials I found in the upside-down desk.
There are some letters and books ... as I told you before, a man can be understood from his reading habits
Richard remark

"Mmm, I wonder if it might be Travisham, or someone else," muses Alicia. "He didn't give any indication that he was more closely involved. So there are a number of leads to follow up. Would it be sensible to do this as a group do you think, or to split the task and pursue things in smaller numbers, or individually?"

Gary will be heading back to his small apartment that adjoins his workshop.

"I think it is best we split up. Lets start with the pawnshop and theater. I will head to the pawnshop, who wants to join me?" Gary says.

"I quite agree," says Reg. "I would like to go to the pawnshop as well. We should bring that letter with us when we go." He shows it to Alicia. "This Jakeswill fellow may be able to put us in contact with the blackmailer, who appears to go by the initial 'S.' It is likely to be dangerous, but the only way we'll find Arthur and Peter is to beard the lion in its den. And if Travisham is involved somehow, that would explain his interest in the matter."

Richard instructed Bill to drop everybody in their homes.
Richard will skim the reading material over night. He will let the young folk to approach the pawnshop. Beside it, everyone is welcome to meet in the evening for a tea and some honey rolls at Mauric's manor to discuss further actions.
It is depends on his progress with the letters and books if he will join the theatre or not.

Maud puts the portrait back in her bag. "I think it is too late even for the theatre. I'll go home and then head to the theatre midday. The stagehands will be about and everyone else will be sober by then so might be my best chance to get some sensible answers. I'll then head over to the manor to meet up for tea. It's probably best if the gentlemen tackle the pawnshop; they'll be able to handle any nonsense. What's your address Mr Maurice?"

"I would like to follow up Peter Blaylock, my original lead," says Alicia. "Going to his house to make enquiries seems like an obvious step. To be perfectly honest I am unsure from what Travisham said how much his mother knows. At the very least I could find out more about his relationship with Arthur, and any information she could give in that direction. I would be happy to meet up with you all again tomorrow evening, and compare notes." She prepares to go home.

"That sounds good to me," says Reg. "The pawnshop is most likely closed now, so we can go there in the morning. In the meantime, I'll go back to my flat after everyone else has been dropped off. It's on Derbyshire Street in Bethnal Green. Where and when shall we meet in the morning, Mr. Cupp?"

"Sounds good, how about we meet at the pawnshop around 9?" Gary asks.

Richard Maurice give the address of his small manor to the others, instructing them to arrive at sunset.

"Nine it is," says Reg. "We'll meet outside and enter together."

OOC,I'm guessing he means tomorrow, as I believe the sun has already set today.

Maud looks forward to getting to bed and rest,ready for what will be a long day of foot-work and who knows what else tomorrow.

Alicia prepares to depart, and will wish the others good luck in their investigations when she is dropped off at her home.

Thank you my good man
Richard says to Bill after dropping the last of his guests.
Tomorrow, after handling the horses, take some time free as I decided to remain home.

When they arrive home, after a late dinner, Richard decides to read the letter and then to go and catch some sleep. Tomorrow he will have enough time to skim the books and the other reading material.

OOC,Richard will go over the letters first, trying to extract as much as he can before he will go to sleep.

Richard finishes his dinner and sips his tea, poring over the letters to determine what he can.

It appears that Arthur was a social acquaintance of Mr. Bidwell. It seems that the two initially met when Arthur attended a party at Bidwell's house in August of last year. Mr. Bidwell apparently had some talent as a medium, and at the party he demonstrated these abilities to certain guests in a séance; Arthur was allowed to attend this as a member of "the Dionysians", although examining the letters Richard can find no indication of what the Dionysians are. The two also discuss a "Madame B." who attended the séance, and of whom Arthur seemed enamored -- Bidwell neglected to say who she was, save that she was a high-ranking Theosophist. Arthur seems to have been rather fascinated by Theosophy, a religion centered around astral projection, higher powers that dwelt in Tibet, and the lost continents of Atlantis and Mu. A few times Bidwell refers to a place called Oakdeene, at which he spent several years -- in the first few letters, Richard can't determine what this is, but he makes a mental note to search for it later. Mr. Bidwell also mentions a trip to Australia he took, and says that he found a relic of Mu there -- this seems to be connected with Oakdeene.

Interesting.
Richard thinks to himself, he keeps record and notes about what he read in the letters and goes to sleep. Six hours later he wakes up for his morning walk in the garden. After a nutritious breakfast he returns to his study room and begin to skim the books.

First he will decipher the language they are written. If he understands it, he will go over the books he is able to read and will read the first few pages to get understanding about the nature of the book.

À REBOURS seems to be a purely fictional book, and concerns a Jean des Esseintes, basically one of the "idle rich". He seems to be a Dorian Gray sort of fellow, doing things for the thrill. Fictional, but possibly relevant to Arthur's life.

The poetry from Baudelaire doesn't seem to have any direct relevance; it seems to have simply been something Arthur liked.

As to the poetry about the "Dark Queen", which appears to be mainly love poetry declaring Arthur's devotion to this woman, whoever she is, a closer examination reveals references to "the men that hide in the shifting twilight" and also a few to a "dark hand".

Within the first few pages, OCCULTISM UNVEILED goes over Richard's head. It's a heavy and dense text about the use of magic as practiced by groups like the Rosicrucians and the Golden Dawn. It doesn't seem to have been very well-read.

THE GOLDEN BOUGH (the letter was just hidden in Volume 2, but both volumes are here) -- is a lengthy work on various mythologies and religions across the world and pointing out similarities between them. Several pages are folded over throughout the two volumes -- a chapter on the cult of the Magna Mater and Attis, a bit on the Roman Saturnalia celebrations, and quite a lengthy section on the transference of evils to a person (scapegoating). Notes in the margins draw Richard's eye to a passage mentioning the "Old Mars" who was a man who would ceremonially be driven into the woods by priests of the Roman Empire. The passage also makes note of how these figures were associated with a Mars Silvanus, or Mars of the Woods. Arthur's notes draw parallels to the English Green Man.

It's noted that THE BOOK OF DZYAN is copied out longhand from a copy loaned to Arthur by John Bidwell, but what exactly the book is about can't really be determined from the first few pages. It's in a very archaic and hard-to-understand type of English, and Richard'll need more time to check through this one between deciphering the script and the writing style.

OOC,I guess that skimming the books took me an hour or so in the morning and since the others are out there, investigating and my real life are very busy I decided to role play RIchard at home. He will wait for the others to arrive in the evening. In the meantime he will begin to read THE BOOK OF DZYAN.

Richard places to the side the À REBOURS, The poetry from Baudelaire and the OCCULTISM UNVEILED. His instinct tells him that these books are not relevant for his research.
He places the letters from Mr. Bidwell, the poetry about the "Dark Queen" and THE GOLDEN BOUGH on another pile as relevant clues that must be researched further more.
He then instructs a maid to fetch him a cup of tea with some biscuits and that no one should disturb him unless it is important. He then opens THE BOOK OF DZYAN and begins to read.

Going to the toilet for a brief moment Richard calls Marge, the housekeeper.
Marge ... we are expecting guests this evening. Honey rolls, cheese appetizers, some fresh fruits, tea and wine please. Prepare the guest area...
Then he returns to his working room and sets on the next page of the Book of Dyzan

As Richard pages through The Book of Dzyan, noting down some interesting passages, he begins to have a creepy feeling, similar to the one he had before entering Arthur's house. It's as if he's being watched from outside.

Hello !? Who's there ?! Marge? Bill?
Troubled Richard puts down the horrible book of Dzyan. He was reading for a couple of hours and a break should be more then welcome. He goes to the window and peeks out.

Richard looks out the window and sees nothing. He's about to turn away back towards the room when he sees a movement on the top of his garden wall, but then continuing to look he sees nothing more.

Probably a street cat ...
Richard thinks to himself and goes to take a break. He goes to his working desk, folds his notes and tucks them into his pocket. He then takes the books and places them in a drawer, away from the servants prying eyes. He will go to the kitchen, seeing how Marge is preparing the food for the evening, probably slipping away one of the honey rolls for a quick snack. It is a matter of an hour or so before the others should come and the amounts of occult and freakish clues he obtained are many.

Richard is in the kitchen, sampling some of the food, when the crash of breaking glass resounds throughout the house. It sounds as if it's coming from the study...

"What was that?" Marge exclaims as she stops stirring the soup for a moment. Bill stands up and bolts up the back stairs. He returns a moment later with an old shotgun in hand.

Marge, check the locks on the front door.
Richard says and takes the rolling pin Marge used for the rolls. He then joins Bill to the study room.

Marge nods and bustles off towards the front of the house. Richard and Bill head back towards the study. As they approach, they can hear papers being rifled through and drawers being opened and closed. Bill creeps up to the door, slightly ajar, and peers in. He holds up two fingers in Richard's direction, pries the door open with the shotgun, and leaps in.

"You..." Bill says. "Who are you?"

Looking into the room, Richard sees two men by the window preparing to climb back out -- one with a large handlebar mustache and a bowler hat, whom he doesn't recognize, but the other is the short-haired man who was talking to Bill last night out front of Arthur's flat.

Burglars!
Richard calls out loudly, seeing that the man is after the papers, luckily, Richards kept all the important notes in his pocket.
Shot them Bill!
He calls again as he goes to engage the man with the rolling pin he holds, hoping the two men will obey when they will see Bill with a firearm.

Confronted with a shotgun and an advancing man with a weapon, the mustached man surrenders quickly. While the short-haired man seems reluctant and a bit hostile at first, he soon shakes his head and surrenders as well. "Please, do not shoot," short-haired man says in an Eastern European accent. "We mean no harm. Mr... Maurice, is it?"

On your knees! Bill shot them if they won’t obey.
Marge! Marge!
Richard calls out loudly. When she comes, he orders her to fetch some rope from the stables so Bill will be able to tie the two men. In the meantime, he goes cautiously to his personal locked drawer to retrieve his personal pistol. The rolling-pin always ready, to strike one of them in the head.

Identify yourself and tell me why you broke into my home?

The men drop down obediently, and when Marge gets back to the study with the rope, they offer little resistance as they are tied.

"My apologies, Mr Maurice, on our rude entrance," says the short-haired man, evidently the more talkative of the two. "We met briefly last night. You may call me Strizhakov. My dark, quiet friend is Varcholek. We are meaning you no harm. I believe we have similar aims, and we may be of help to each other. We wanted to see for ourselves what you had found."

You mean me no harm? Bah!. For now, I will mean you no harm unless you will convince me about the necessity of your rude entrance. You know, there is a door you can knock as I am a reasonable man that admires a good conversation on many topics. Entering like a sewer rat downgraded your integrity mr. Strizhakov
Richard reply to the tied men
Are you connected somehow to abduction of Arthur Sommers and how can you help me?

"My apologies," Strizhakov says. "We are not connected with what happened to Mr Sommers directly. But indirectly, of course. Last night I was going to investigate his rooms myself when I saw your driver's coach there and then saw yourself and your company emerging from the rooms with a number of documents. We are agents of the..." -- the mustached Varcholek shoots him a look -- "a continental faction, and are tracking a certain noblewoman who we have reason to believe is connected with the disappearance of your Mr Sommers. It seems we may have similar aims. We can lend to you our investigative help, and our... help in other ways should you encounter armed resistance to your inquiries."

Bill gestures with the shotgun towards the window -- another carriage is drawing near to the house.

When her carriage stops by the main entrance Alicia dismounts, pays the driver, and walks up to the house's front door to knock on it.

Marge, we have another guest!
Richards calls out aloud and turns to Strizhakov
Who is your employee? Mr. Travisham?

OOC,Richard will try to sense the truth of the man's words.

Marge nods and leaves the room, headed towards the front door.

"Travisham? We know this name, but the man has been nothing but an obstacle to our actions. No, not he." The other man reluctantly mutters something in Russian and Strizhakov nods slowly. "We are from the Okhrannoye Otdelenie, the Okhrana as you say. We answer only to Tsar Nikolai II."

Marge returns a moment later with Alicia and Maud in tow.

OOC,Richard thinks that Strizhakov is telling the truth, [url="http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3333717/"]but he can't be certain[/url].

Maud manages a quick 'hello' and smile to Alicia before they are ushered into the room. Maud glances around, impressed with the decor. She looks to see what is happening in the room.

Alicia smiles in response to Maud. She, too, looks around her in the room as they enter, surprised to see so many strangers. She tries to quickly judge who the strangers might be, from first impressions and what she can hear of the conversation.

Maud, Alicia ! I’m so happy to see you are here.
Richard says to the two women. He holds a pistol. Next to him stands his driver Bill, he holds a shotgun and points it to another two men that are tied and sit on the ground.
They are standing in what looks like Richard’s personal working room, cabinets and shelves decorate the walls. Books are lined across many of the shelves while the empty spots hold statues, vases and the like. A fireplace occupies the south portion of the wall, above it there is painting of a woman. The late Mrs. Maurice you presume. Above all, in the center of the ceiling is a crystal chandelier.

These are burglars, they came to steal the books and letters I took from Arthur’s flat. You caught me questioning them about their business.
Richard turns back to his two captives
Why do you want the books and the letters, what use are them for you?

Alicia is shocked by the scene before her, but relieved that Richard seems to have things under control. She looks towards the tied men with interest, waiting to hear what they say in response to his question, and wondering who they could be.

"Knowledge only," says Strizhakov. The other man, Varcholek, waves his hand, nods to himself and speaks for the first time since the men appeared.

"We have been on the track of this woman -- a criminal of the worst sort -- for a time now. A few months ago we learned she may have come to England. We needed to learn what you knew in order to gauge our response. I must apologize for the rude way in which my colleague and I entered."

Another carriage slows down and draws to a halt in the street outside, possibly the other guests.

"What is the name of the woman?" asks Alicia, taking care not to reveal her prior interest in the case, or probable knowledge about who they seek.

Reg emerges from the carriage and waits for Gary to join him before heading to Richard's front door and knocking.

"Good evening Mr. Maurice."Maud follows up Alicia's question with "Yes, who is this woman and do you have a picture of her? Maybe we might know of her. "

A plump older woman answers the door at Reg's knocking. "Follow me," she says upon hearing that the two newcomers are still more of her master's guests. "Fair bit of excitement we've had today, sirs, and I'm not ashamed to admit that it's unnerved me a bit." She leads them down a hallway to a large oaken door. "Your other guests, Mr Maurice," she says, sparing a glance for the two men tied in chairs before she spins on her heel and disappears out the door.

Meanwhile, in the study...

Messrs. Strizhakov and Varcholek

"Countess Irina Silvestrova Byragan is her name --" says Mr Varcholek.

"The disciple of Koschei!" exclaims Mr Strizhakov.

Varcholek laughs derisively. "That is superstitious nonsense, Anton!" He coughs. "As I say, Countess Byragan. Though we have reason to believe she may have changed her name upon arrival here to Bogdansky. You may find a photograph of her in my right jacket pocket."

Bill lowers the shotgun as he fishes through the man's jacket pocket, eventually removing a small black-and-white photograph which he passes to the ladies.

Maud,The photograph is of a woman who as you might have guessed looks remarkably like the sketch you found.

Reg, Gary ... welcome. I must apologize for not greeting you properly but we have a situation over here.
Richard, comfort somehow with the arrival of the big man Reg, nods to Bill to untie the two men, but to keep his alert.
Here, have a sit.

Is the woman you call Bogdansky is also known as the dark queen ?
RIchard asks the two men

"Thank you," says Reg, taking a seat and observing the two men. "I believe I recognize one of these fellows from last night. What have we missed?"

Maud looks at the photograph, passes it to Alicia and sits down rather weakly on the nearest stool. She is flummoxed and scared at how this evil woman seems to be connected with everyone she meets- even two discerning-looking burglars. She sits, twisting a handkerchief nervously in her fingers, listening to the gentlemen.

These two break into my home, trying to steal the books and letters I took from Arthur’s flat.
Richard replies to Reg
Now I’m questioning their motives. They were ordered by someone to investigate a woman that might be connected to Arthur’s disappearance. I found some important and disturbing clues and notes among the letters and book Arthur had and we must discuss my trouble finding. All was well, even the honey rolls and the tea were ready until these two arrived.

Turning to the others he say
Now, we can call the police, we can extract what information we can from these two or we can send them away with warning to lay off hands from the investigation.

Maud looks up. "Maybe we could discuss that over tea and buns. They seem quite nice for burglars; perhaps they would be happy to wait in another, secure, room? I'm sure it would be worth their while." She stares hard at Richard and then smiles at the two strange men.

"Capital idea," says Reg. He turns his attention back to Richard. "You said they were ordered by someone. Ordered by whom?"

I do not know. maybe you can ask them
Richard reply to the big guy Reg
Turning to Maud he add
We can lock them in the pantry, it holds a sturdy wooden door with no other exit.

"That sounds like a good idea," says Alicia, turning to Richard. "I do think we need to discuss where we are and what we have all found out, before we talk further to these gentlemen."

"The dark queen?" Varcholek asks, half to himself. "An apt enough description. Rather poetic, though."

After this he sits back and glances towards Reg. "We are agents of Tsar Nikolai II." Then he waits for the party's decision.

Reg nods. "Well, that complicates matters a bit," he says. "I think we should have that private conference now."

Maud nods in agreement to the conference. "agents of Tsar Nikolai II" doesn't make any sense at all to her.

Richards nods to the two men to stand and to Bill and Reg to escort the two to his pantry where they should be locked with a bar and a sturdy lock.
"Sorry gentlemen but we have to discuss some private matters before we decide what to do with you"
With that, he orders Bill to lock the door and guard it. To Marge he say to bring the prepared honey rolls, the cheese appetizers, the fresh fruits, the tea and the wine to his study room.

Once the two men are locked and the food and tea arrive, Richard closes the door to his study room and addresses the others
"There were some books that my instincts instructed me that there is nothing to be found in them. They were but scripts that Arthur likes to read.
I found some poetry, written by Arthur himself where he declares his love and devotion to a woman called the "Dark Queen".
I found some references to "the men that hide in the shifting twilight" and also a few to a "dark hand".
He grabs a book and shows it to the others
The OCCULTISM UNVEILED is heavy and dense text about the use of magic as practiced by groups like the Rosicrucians and the Golden Dawn.
He place down the book and takes the book "THE GOLDEN BOUGH" book.
This book is a lengthy work on various mythologies and religions across the world. Several pages were folded over, where Arthur must have been read. A chapter on the cult of the Magna Mater and Attis, a bit on the Roman Saturnalia celebrations, and quite a lengthy section on the transference of evils to a person. Arthur was kind enough to leave some notes in the margins. One of them is a passage mentioning the "Old Mars" who was a man who would ceremonially be driven into the woods by priests of the Roman Empire.
Richard leans forward and adds
These passage notes of how these figures were associated with a Mars Silvanus, or Mars of the Woods. Arthur guessed a connection to the English Green Man - sound familiar.

Richard them picks up another volume
This is "THE BOOK OF DZYAN". I did not have a chance to read it since the two men broke into my house, intending to take this book. I believe we can find more clues over here and I plan to read this book with diligence.

Now, I think that some woman caught the young man attention and I believe she puts him in great peril. The woman probably is a cult leader of some sort and her men are called the green men. She is extremely dangerous and with high charisma if she can influence people like Arthur and his friends and who knows how much more. These books and scripts hold the truth about the cult. I guess that Arthur himself researched about them extensively.

Richard pauses and grabs one of the appetizers, letting the others to digest what he said.

Reg fills the others in on what he and Gary learned as he eats cheese appetizers and honey rolls and sips at his tea. "Jakeswill pointed us to a disreputable doctor named Salt who deals in opium and is currently in hiding in the Jago," he says. "Salt sold opium to Arthur and was also apparently the one blackmailing him, but I don't believe he's the one responsible for Arthur's disappearance. He told us about this Bogdansky woman and warned us that we have drawn her attention. The green men are her servants, her eyes and ears. Salt went into the Jago to hide from her. That must be why he never collected the blackmail payment. He told us that Bogdansky has a larder where she keeps men that she collects for some nefarious purpose - he said she devours them - and that she is not human. He also said that one of Arthur's friends, a chap named Max who worked at the theatre and lives in Greenwich, may know more.

"It makes sense that two Russian agents would also be interested in Bogdansky, as she seems to be Russian as well. This has become an international incident now, and I think we're out of our depth. We should speak to Lord Godfrey and update him on what we've learned so far, and tell him about the two men. He would know how to handle them better than I would."

Maud tucks into the tea and buns with relish while she listens to Richard and Reg. Then she wipes her mouth on a napkin.
"I went to the Adophi Theatre in town. Up until recently it was run by a Freddie Milton, the stage manager, a bit of a rake, he held raucous parties at the theatre with a rabble of friends, then a new lady arrived on the scene who he fell for: Madame X is the lady in the portrait painted by Arthur. She attended the Adolphi Theatre regulary a few weeks ago during the production 'Duchess of Malfi'. She had a circle of followers and seemed to attract 'hangers on'. They had many wild parties backstage, caused a lot of damage to people and property, some people went missing and there was a lot of bad luck at the theatre; the production was 'cursed' they say.

Then Madame X moved on and Freddie killed himself. Another of her circle worked at the theatre a Bart Maxwell of 10 Haddo St, Greenwich. He's not been seen at the theatre since.

Also in the circle was a Miss Lily Foile from the theatre. She's a simple girl but she remembers seeing Arthur and Peter. She and Max were invited by others to the lady's house in Campden Square (which had a dark red or black door) for a party. They all drank too much and then were shown a 'withered arm pointing towards the sky.' Sounds like an orgiastic type of party. Lily tried to escape and was held down and cut with a knife. She said there was a stink and the sounds of crawling things. She was then taken to the empty house at Kingscross or St pancras train yards where her eye was made blind (all cloudy looking) and she had all but the thumb and ring finger cut from her left hand. I have sent Lily away to the country where I hope she will be safe. This Madame X is the same woman as in the burglar's photograph. She courted Peter, Arthur and Bart Maxwell, known as Max and, I agree, she is extremely dangerous."

Alicia listens to the others with interest. "It sounds like our separate leads are coming together. I think Madame X is Countess Bogdansky, and I had a lead on Bart Maxwell too. But what really surprised me is that Peter Blaylock is at home, not truly missing at all, but his mother is hiding him, probably in a state of shock herself. I'm afraid to say that Peter is hideously injured, his head totally covered in bandages, and barely able to speak, and only occasionally conscious. I was told by the doctor attending that he has little chance of any significant recovery. He was attacked on the way home the night he disagreed with Arthur, and was found in an alley near Marylebone Station. I was able to speak to him a little bit, and he warned me specifically against the woman and Max. His words were rambling and largely incoherent, but some of the things he said were 'She... Byogdin. Shurnog. Hammer, hands, mouth, teeth. She take... take... Teeth... take face...' And he also said, though I'm not sure if this was referring to his injuries, or something else: 'She... woman... not. Arm... dest... ry arm..'"

Alicia pauses for a moment, before continuing. "I then visited a colleague at The Times newspaper offices, an art critic who I have worked with before, to try to find more about the painter Peter was vaguely referring to. Charles identified the painter as Bart Maxwell, who fell out of polite society some years ago in a scandal, and has since worked sporadically for various East End music halls. He mentioned Mr Stoker at the Lyceum employing Max, as well as, most recently, the Adelphi, for their Duchess of Malfi production, as Maud found out. But Max hasn't been seen since. Charles thought that Max lived in Camden Square, and that he had a Russian mistress, who might be Countess Bogdansky who I asked him about, based on the lead I got from Travisham."

She looks at the others. "What has happened to Peter raises huge fears for me for Arthur, if he has fallen into the hands of this woman and her associates. Also I am unsure of the best way to proceed. We could for example try to trace Max, though that seems dangerous as well. But perhaps it would be wise to seek other advice on the best way to proceed."

"Perhaps Peter was telling you that we have to destroy the withered arm that Lily mentioned," suggests Reg.

"It seems odd that both Peter and Lily had certain parts of them taken." Maud shudders. "You could be right about the arm. I got an impression it was an important part of the party, almost like a totem at a ritual." Maud is thinking of a play she once saw set in a jungle. "According to Lily, the arm was at the house In Campden Square. We also have Bart Maxwell's address and we could investigate the house at the railyard; it's the only house there apparently." She frowns, "I can't understand why they say she isn't a woman or even human. How can that be?" She turns to Richard, "Do you think your burglars might be honourable? They could be like us; no different to Reg and Gary breaking in somewhere trying to get information." she grins at Reg.

"I think ritual is the right word," says Alicia, grimly. "This whole affair sounds quite incredible, but having seen what happened to Peter, so bad that the doctor would not tell me the true scale of his injuries, little would surprise me now. I wonder if it would be possible to find Max's house: that might certainly be worth investigating, whether he is still there or not. I was given a Camden Square lead for him, but from what you have all said that sounds more like the Russian woman's abode. Greenwich is rather vague to be going on with, though Max may show up in post office directories."

My best guess is that this woman hold Arthur. We must find Max as he might be our lead to her.
Richard reply
We can use the two men in the pantry on our side, maybe they know Max or where the Bogdansky woman is?

Reg smiles back at Maud. "Well, we haven't actually needed to do that," he says, "but I can see how it may become necessary. Yes, the Russians may have information we don't, and if the czar sent them after this woman, they could make useful allies, as long as we can trust them. We can use all the help we can get."

"I agree," says Alicia, who was nodding as Reg spoke. "The goal now must be to get Arthur back, as soon as possible, hopefully unharmed. The Russian agents may be able to help us do that. At the very least they should be able to advise us on how to tackle this woman, who seems to be very unusual, and extremely dangerous."

Agreed then, we should keep the information we just shared among us. We should not share it with the two Russians but we’ll convince them to work with us, our objective is to find Arthur alive, their benefit is to gain help from us to find the mystery woman.
Richard place his cup of tea on the desk and takes the book of Dyzan.
But I would like to read this one as I have a feeling that I might find some clues within it. Anyone wants to skim the letters and other books as well?
Without waiting for an answer he lowers the book on the desk and takes a sip from his tea
Anything else before I instruct Bill to free both men?

"No, I think that covers it," says Reg. "I'm ready to talk to them when you are."

"Yes that sounds like an excellent plan," agrees Alicia.

Richard escorts his companions to the kitchen and speaks to Bill as they stand before the pantry door.
Open the door Bill
As the driver obeys and opens the door Richard addresses the two Russians
I’m sorry for the misunderstanding buy I hope that you understand our precautions, especially when you two break into my home with such rudeness.
He motions the two to step out from the pantry and continue
I think that we might be able to help each other, we will help you to find Bogdansky and you will help us to find Arthur as I believe that we will find the two in the same place. Now, please, follow us to my study, have some tea and homey rolls and let us discuss on how to find Bogdansky and Arthur.

Varcholek nods.

"Of course we understand, Mr Maurice. I am glad you have decided that we should help each other in finding these people." The two Russian agents follow the others back towards the study once more. "Now, how may we help you?" Varcholek says as they sit.

OOC,As I said over in The Ninth Planet, I haven't been feeling up to par the last few weeks and I apologize for not having posted anything about that. I thought I did, but I guess not.

"Sharing what you know would be a good start," suggests Reg. "We're going to need all the information we can get."

Maud listens eagerly.

ooc,Welcome back Dr. Bloodworth, glad you're feeling above par again.

Alicia watches the Russians closely, eager to hear what they say, but also alert to whether they are telling the truth or not, and how much of it they are revealing or otherwise. She hopes that her journalist's skills at reading people might prove useful here.

With Mr Varcholek busily devouring a roll, Mr Strizhakov is the first to speak as he puts down his cup. "Twenty years ago, a sort of - well, not really a religion, more of a club of sorts, arose in Ekaterinburg. The members were mostly younger people. Mostly men, but not all. The Okhrana looked into this club, who seemed to be degenerates of the foulest sort - involved in all manner of immorality - but, as far as we could see, nothing that was of danger to the country as a whole." He looks toward Varcholek, who is still eating, and then continues. "Though some of the townspeople whispered about black magic. One day, there was an accident, and several of the young people in this 'club' were killed in a most horrible way. We initially suspected fire, but the rest of the house was unburnt. I believe there are cases of folk burning to death in an unburnt place? Perhaps it was that..."

"This is not relevant to what they seek, Gennadi," says Varcholek, around a mouthful of food.

Strizhakov nods. "A little over a month later, the Okhrana was contacted by church officials in Kiev saying that a raskolniki sect was present. We investigated and found the same sort of club had sprung up. Tsar Nicholas had us investigate more closely, fearing an anarchist plot, perhaps. We soon found that a woman had recently arrived in Kiev from Ekaterinburg and we suspected she was the key. The name she used at that time was Countess Marina Ivanova, though we were soon to discover this was not the case."

Varcholek gulps down his food and continues the talk. "To make a long and repetitious story short, we have been on the trail of Ivanova - whose name we determined to actually be Irina Byragan - for five years. She has travelled all through Russia and Europe, and her pattern is always the same. Set up in a city, start her 'club', then at some point there is an 'accident', and she changes her name and flees the country. Strange events are often reported from the cities where she is staying, leading some to believe the strangest of tales about her, like my compatriot here. I do not believe these tales. She is a woman only, though a wicked one, no doubt.

"London is only the latest of her stops."

"It seems she's been up to her old tricks here as well," says Reg. "Have you been able to learn anything of her past?"

So that woman started a club and Arthur decided to join in...
Richards throws his assumption to the air and waits for the Russian respond

"Gosh, so that's what was happening at the theatre." Maud exclaims. "Well we'd better hurry up and get on her trail before she vanishes again. Five years!" She looks sorrowfully at the two Russians and passes them the plate of buns.

"What is the precise nature of the 'accidents' associated with this woman?" asks Alicia, directing her question to the two Russians. "In other words exactly how much danger is Arthur in?"

"Our thoughts exactly," says Mr. Varcholek. "Countess Byragan - Bogdansky as she calls herself now - is likely preparing to move on. As to the accidents? There quite often seems to end up being some sort of mass death - sometimes by the burning that Strizhakov has mentioned to you, sometimes by other means. But if this woman does indeed have your friend, it is imperative that he be retrieved sooner, not later.

"As to her past, we've not been able to determine much. In Ekaterinburg she claimed to have been a boyar somewhere in the vicinity of Vladivostok, but there are no noble families by the name of Ivanov or Ivanova in that area. There are a few Byragans, we determined later, though there is no evidence they were ever of a noble station..."

With his mouth half full, Strizhakov excitedly bursts in. "The Manchurians in China do have stories of a demon queen from the north they call Hou Xuekou, 'Queen Red Mouth', and they said it was her - "

"Bah," Varcholek scoffs. "The Chinese are superstitious." Seeing quizzical looks, he continues. "The Red Mouths were a revolutionary group who nearly overthrew the Chinese throne centuries ago. They say that Queen Red Mouth resembled Countess Byragan, but doubtless they think all Europeans look the same. While I don't doubt involvement of some Russians, how could the Countess have survived for centuries?"

"That does sound a bit unlikely," says Reg. "Survived for centuries...sounds a bit like that book Dracula by that Stoker chap that came out a few years back. I doubt this woman is a literal vampire like in that novel, but figuratively it fits what she does. She will drain a man dry if given the chance. But yes, time is clearly of the essence. Have you found any leads so far?"

Being cautious not to reveal their employee and their motives, Richard lowers his glass and shares the following clues
Our investigation revealed that the countess Bogdansky abduct people for various purposes. A fellow named Max, a painter in the near past and a possible close friend of Arthur may know more, if he himself was not abducted by her. We can find out more at his residence at 10 Haddo St, Greenwich before we decide to confront miss Bogdansky.
He takes the bottle of brandy and pour some more to his glass and continue
The lady's house, according to Maud, lies in Camaden Square. This should be our next point.

Maud nods in agreement. "There's also the house in St. Pancras but I suppose we shouldn't split up too much in case we meet her." Maud shudders at the thought of being alone with the terrible Countess.

"I think staying together this time is wise," says Alicia. "We don't know what we might run into in any of the places. This is getting very dangerous."

"Agreed," says Reg. "Let's track down Max first and find out what we can, then prepare ourselves for the final confrontation. Time is growing short."

The two agents confer with each other in Russian, eventually nodding to each other. Varcholek speaks up. "We should be expecting anything," he says. "These men of hers are likely watching some if not all of us, and they are certainly not to be trifled with. I believe you are correct, miss, when you speak of us not splitting up. Does everyone possess weapons?"

Weapons?
Richard replies
Surely I was hoping to negotiate without any violence but I understand that the group we are to confront with are bodyguards of some maniac demonic in nature woman. I have my personal hunting rifle and knife, me and them had good days in India and Africa in the past 10 years.

"No, I'm afraid that I have no weapons," muses Alicia. "I've never had cause to use them before. Though if I could borrow one I might be able to wield it. Even carrying something simple like a hammer might be better than nothing."

"Ah, I've spent my share of time in Africa as well," says Reg, "though I was in the Sudan serving in Her Majesty's army and hunting rather different game. I do have my old rifle, but it's at home. I don't normally carry it around with me. I'm a rather good shot with it too. I also have a large knife, and even when unarmed I have a devastating right cross."

Maud shakes her head. "I'm afraid none at all. I can drive a carriage or cab well if we needed to escape quickly but that is all."

Strizhakov and Varcholek both nod. "Fine enough. I too would wish for a peaceful resolution, Mr Maurice, but we need to prepare for the worst as you say. So we are off to see this Max first, correct?"

"Yes, that sounds like a plan," says Reg. "We learn what we can from Max, then equip ourselves for the final confrontation and track this Jezebel down. We had best leave forthwith; we may not have much time."

Richards nods in agreement and calls for Bill to prepare the carriage and the horses for a ride.
I suggest we must leave now, in the evening. Arthur could be in real trouble and another day can be fatal for the young man. In addition, we can catch the fellow Max in his resident in the evening, who knows where he would be in the morning.

I have a spare pistol for you Reg
Richard says as he goes to a locked cabinet to take his hunting gear (rifle and knife).
I have another collection of old haunting knives that saw good days.

"Yes agreed," says Alicia. "Can I borrow one of your old hunting knives Richard? It would be better than being completely unarmed, should the worst happen."

"Thank you," says Reg, "but I have no training with pistols, only with rifles. I think it would be better to give the pistol to one of the ladies. They should have the means to defend themselves, and I have my own weapons already."

"I could take the pistol if one of the gentlemen shows me how to prime it." Maud says shyly. "It's best to have something as a last resort I suppose and it might scare them off if I just wave it about. Or something."

The two ladies take the weapons, and as the Russians show Maud how to use the pistol, Bill comes back in to tell Richard that the carriage is ready. All the assembled pile into the carriage; the two Okhrana agents arrange things so that they are seated at the windows, and they keep a close watch on the surroundings. The ride from Richard's house to Greenwich is a long and bumpy one. The address on Haddo Street proves to be an unused farrier's yard. A rickety wooden staircase leads to an apartment above the abandoned shop.

"Not the most hospitable looking of places, is it, sir?" Bill says as he turns to speak to Richard.

"It might look odd if all of us make the approach," says Reg. "Only a few of us should go up to the door, while the rest of us wait in the carriage and watch. I can come with to the door in case you need some extra muscle, but we should also bring someone who's good at talking to people."

Maud grins, "I'm usually pretty good at talking my way into places but I reckon Mr. Maurice and Miss Alice are the professionals."

I can talk him out or intimidate him if need should arise.
Richard replies as he climbs down from the carriage, holding his haunting rifle.

You follow me.
He say to Reg, Strizhakov and Varcholek
To others he add
Stay behind us or with Bill

"I agree that too many people approaching at once is unwise," says Alicia. "I'm sure that Mr Maurice can handle any negotiations needed. I will wait here in the meantime. Good luck everyone." She looks intently out of the carriage, trying to see as much as possible about the surroundings.

Reg follows Richard to the front door, keeping alert to his surroundings.

Maud waits with Alicia in the carriage.

Maybe you can check out the shop below the apartment in the meantime.
Richard reply to Maud and Alicia

stay down, beneath the staircase and hide
Richard say to Strizhakov and Varcholek and turns to Reg
Here, hold my rifle and stay behind me. conceal it behind your back.

With that he climbs the staircase to the apartment above the abandoned shop.

Reg nods, carrying the rifle behind his back as he follows Richard. It is only his huge frame that allows him to hide the lengthy weapon.

Maud looks at Alicia, "Well I suppose we could. But unless the door is miraculously unlocked we will be limited to peering through the grubby windows." She climbs out of the carriage and walks quietly over to the shop. She peers in at the window.

Alicia follows Maud, and like her approaches the windows, before considering whether the door is unlocked.

Richard and Reg move to the At the Door thread below. Alicia and Maud can stay in this one.

The doors to the shop are secured by a large chain and lock, and judging by the amount of rust on the metal, it seems to be pretty likely that the shop has been closed up for quite some time. Alicia and Maud move between the windows - owing to the proximity of Haddo Street to the river, the windows are a little bit cleaner than they would otherwise be. Looking inside, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot to be seen.

Both of you,Make me a Luck roll.

Luck (75),[url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3459592/]1d100=51[/url]

Maud takes out a hanky and tries wiping a spot on the glass. She then looks at her dirty hanky in disgust.

"What luck!" Maud whispers to Alicia, "Miss Douglas, I think I may have found a way in, there's a broken pane of glass." Maud wraps the handkerchief around her hand and gingerly puts her hand through the hole in the glass to the window catch and, hopefully, levers it up. "I rather think this is a job for the gentlemen but what do you think- go tell them we've found a way in or have a look ourselves?"

Alicia smiles in return to Maud. "Oh I think this is something we can handle on our own," she whispers. "Well done for spotting a possible way in."

Maud grins and opens the window. She hoists herself up to sit on the window ledge and looks inside. "It's very dark. Do we have a light of some sort? Maybe a lantern off the carriage?" She swings her legs up and over and drops down inside as quietly as possible whilst trying to save her skirts from catching on anything.

Alicia quickly nips back to the carriage and asks the driver if there is any sort of light they can borrow.

"Just a moment," the driver mutters as he retrieves a lantern and hands it to Alicia. As she returns over to the window, Varcholek disappears up the stairs into the apartment, while the Strizhakov heads over to the window. The Russian holds a hand up to Maud in a "wait" gesture and clambers into the now-open window after a moment's look into the gray light of the stables. After a quick look around, he takes the lantern and helps Maud and Alicia through the window.

"I see no danger here. Now, I should go keep watch on the street for any... visitors. Shout if anything happens." With that, he clambers back out the window and resumes his station at the stairway up to the apartment.

Maud raises her eyebrows at Alicia. "Well at least someone knows where we are." she whispers. She lifts the lantern and walks slowly about, looking around. She's especially interested in what sort of shop it is; if there are any ledgers or such, maybe in an 'admin' area and looking for other exits further into the building.

Alicia nods to Maud. Trying to adjust her eyes to the reduced light, even with their lantern, she starts to search around the shop too. She is looking in particular for any paperwork that might lead them to Max, the Russian Lady, and the kidnapped and hopefully still alive Arthur.