Chapter the Ninth: Paris

[SunlessNick]

"Let us hope the coachman remembers only a little of the ride back," says Ines drily.

[Rooter]

Lila murmurs in agreement. "It seems if we are to unravel this mystery then we must convince one who has the skill of animal magnetism to come here if we dare not risk letting the fellow be seen in public."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

This information related to Mister Witherly, he agrees to stay with the young man while the party seeks out one skilled in mesmerism.

Inquiries are made at the Sorbonne. There was indeed a French physician, one Charles Nicolas d'Eslon, author of the noted work Observations sur le magnétisme animal, who was a student of Franz Anton Mesmer. As it must to all, however, death came to this esteemed gentleman a few years ago. Fortunately, a medical student familiar with d'Eslon's work is found, and informed of the need for one learned in the method.

--I am at your service, if my poor skills may be of any benefit. Where is the patient, and what seems to ail him? --

[Mr. Handy]

"The patient is in a room at the inn where we are lodged, resting and recovering," says Henry. "He has suffered from a vicious blow to the back of his head which has induced amnesia. I am hoping that your skills will help him recover his lost memories."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The student agrees to make the short journey to the inn and examine the patient.

-- I shall attempt to induce a mesmeric state. --

The procedure involves moving small magnets over the patient's limbs in an attempt to increase the flow of animal magnetism within his body. Once this has been accomplished, the patient is directed to continue staring at a candle's flame while the student speaks to him in a low, soft voice.

-- Sleep --

The single word is repeated multiple times.

Spoiler:

I will treat this as equivalent to the Preternatural Effect Sleep. A saving throw based on Wisdom negates its effect. The young man has a Wisdom of 9.[dice]0[/dice]

After quite some time, the student shrugs.

-- Many persons are unable to enter the mesmeric state, possibly due to an inborn deficiency in animal magnetism. I am sorry that I cannot help you. --

The young man seems entirely unaffected by the procedure.

The student offers what advice he can.

-- Other than waiting for the passage of time to restore his memory, the duration of which is unpredictable, I can only suggest exposing the patient to persons and places that may stir his brain. What these may be, of course, is difficult to determine if he cannot tell you who he is and from whence he came. Aside from that, one could only seek preternatural intervention, if one believes in such things. --

With that he takes his leave.

[Rooter]

"Show him the letter regarding the child's parentage," Lila suggests. "Perhaps he will recognize it. What if he is truly the supposedly-deceased Chevalier LaMont? The description of a young man at least seems to fit."

[SunlessNick]

Ines does as Miss Davenport suggests, and produces the letter for the young man. She asks him, in English, to read it - the young woman in Rochester said she did not know French, which probably means the Chevalier knew English.

[Mr. Handy]

"Good thinking," says Henry.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The young man accepts the letter willingly and peruses it. As he continues, his lips move as if he is speaking, but he makes no sound. His eyes open wide. He clutches the letter in a firm grip, nearly tearing the pages as he nears the end. At last he stands up and tosses the letter to the floor.

"Of course," he says, as if to himself. "It all comes back to me now."

He blinks his eyes rapidly and looks at the adventurers as if seeing them for the first time. Without warning, he pushes Mister Witherly aside, nearly knocking him into other members of the party. In the confusion he rushes out the room and down the stairs to the main room of the inn. As the adventurers set out in pursuit, they can hear the startled cries of the innkeeper and what would seem to be the crash of furniture. By the time they reach the main room they hear rapid hoofbeats departing from the inn.

-- Stop him! -- one fellow cries. -- He has stolen my horse! --

[SunlessNick]

When the adventurers reach the street, which way are the bystanders looking and pointing? "The estate, do you think?" asks Ines. "Or the coast?"

[Mr. Handy]

Henry hurries outside after the man, accompanied by Ivan.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

From the excited conversations all about them, the party is able to determine that the young man is headed in the general direction of the LaMont chateau, although whether this is his destination or not is impossible to determine.

-- He rode as if the Devil were behind him. -- remarks an onlooker.

Several of the men present discuss the possibility of pursuit, while a few are inclined to believe that this would be fruitless.

[Mr. Handy]

"We must hurry," says Henry. "We should take the coach. At least we know where he's probably going."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

When the party arrives at the LaMont chateau, they are able to hear shouting coming from within. The voices appear to be those of the Chevalière and her servant, although the words cannot be made out. There is no sign of the young man or his steed, although there are obvious hoofprints about the place.

[Mr. Handy]

"Let's get close enough to hear what they're shouting," suggests Henry.

[SunlessNick]

"What are they saying Miss Davenport?" asks Ines. "Is he there?" Ines's mind is returning to the image of the old man who said she would lead 'him' to his freedom and destruction.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The party is able to draw near enough to listen to the argument coming from within.

-- How did he escape? --

-- I do not know, Madame --

-- Why did he come back here? Where has he gone? --

-- I do not know, Madame --

-- Fool! Do you know nothing? Do you not know how dangerous the consequences might be? --

-- Yes, Madame --

-- Is anything missing? --

-- A sabre, Madame, that is all --

-- That is all, you say! A sabre in his hands! He must be stopped! --

-- Yes, Madame. I will set out after him at once --

The servant can be heard heading away from the great hall. Not much later the sound of hoofbeats echoes through the air.

[Rooter]

"It seems our quarry has already moved on," Lila observes. "What if he truly is dangerous? Shall we follow Henri? Or shall we confront Madame LaMont while she is alone?"

[Mr. Handy]

"We don't know where he's gone," says Henri, "and we can't count on the Chevalière telling us. We have to follow the servant. If we lose him, then we can always come back and talk to her."

[SunlessNick]

At Dr North's words, Ines turns and fair runs back toward the coach.