Play@YSDC

"I have not yet tried to... punch anything with them on," replies Ines. "But the things you have invented, the machines on the cages at the menagerie, they have a... sense of craft to them... that I do not see here beyond that of any glove. And the way he could choose his gifts to match us. Though mercifully, that insight did not seem to tell him our true purpose there." She shakes her head. "Still, we must face him just the same."

"Though he is strange and perhaps even brilliant I perceive nothing of the preternatural about the fellow," Lila puts in. "I think it best if Doctor North and perhaps Mister Witherly were to approach the police on our behalf. Meanwhile if we are to explore the meeting place beforehand when shall we proceed? During daylight?"

Ines nods at the suggestion of daylight. "They have more need than we of night's secrecy."

"I agree, daytime is the best time," says Henry. "It wouldn't surprise me if Roterstein left traps there, so I should be on hand to try to disarm them. We should go to the police first, and perhaps while we're there we can enlist their aid in the raid on the Cathedral."

A brief interview with the Lieutenant General of Police is arranged. Impressed by the credentials of Doctor North, he is willing to be of assistance, but has not many resources to spare.

-- The poor harvest, you understand, and a fearful winter yet to come, if the prognosticators are to be believed. I must reserve my men to deal with food riots. --

He leans closer and speak in a whisper.

-- Not all of my men are to be trusted themselves, if they have not bread to sustain themselves. --

He continues in a more normal voice.

-- As well, to send my men into the Cathedral, even if it be used for traitorous activities as you say, is a delicate matter. --
-- I can offer you three men, no more. They will be armed with pistols and short swords. They will meet you in the morning at the Cathedral. --

As day breaks on the Eve of All Saints' Day, the adventurers find the assigned police waiting for them. They have been instructed to follow the orders of the assembled party, as long as to do so does not threaten the dignity of the Church.

"Be wary," says Henry. "Roterstein may have laid traps, and I'd be very surprised if he didn't. I believe he was responsible for the incident at the menagerie at Versailles."

The party is easily able to make their way back to the secret door and the corridor behind it. Soon they are back to the place where a man stood before two doors. There is no one there now. The two doors are heavy, but can be easily opened with a strong push.

-- How do you wish to proceed? -- inquires one of the policemen. -- Shall we divide into two parties, or stay together? --

Besides this interesting question, it also occurs to the adventurers that the doors are too narrow to admit two persons side-by-side, and that they must decide in what order to enter.

Lila volunteers to enter first, or at least with the first group if such is preferred.

"Splitting up could prove dangerous," says Henry. "We don't know if any of them are still here, or how many if they are, and there is also the possibility of traps. I should be near the front of the group, in case I need to deal with them."

Ines seems content to be where she is put.

[BTW, are Mr Witherly and Miss Carrow with the other three this time?]

Having arranged matters, for the moment at least, with Doctor North (his loyal manservant close behind) and Miss Davenport at the front, the three policemen behind them, and Ines bringing up the rear, it remains to be seen whether the party will open the door which led to the large meeting room, or the one which led to the armorer.

Are there sounds from behind either door?

The sharp ears of the Gypsy lass are able to detect muffled sounds from beyond the two doors.

From the assembly room there comes the sound of someone quietly sobbing, echoing off the walls of the large chamber.

From the armorer's room emerges a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton.

Henry inspects the doors closely to determine whether they are trapped.

Doctor North is able to determine that the doors are not attached to any mechanical contrivances and are safe to open.

Ines tentatively nods toward the door to the meeting room. "That may be someone in need of help, or able to help us," she suggests.

With her dagger near to hand Lila pushes the meeting room door open and steps inside.

Henry directs Ivan to enter next, then follows right behind him.

All is darkness within, the torches which formerly cast their light upon this chamber now extinguished. The sobbing sound may be now clearly heard, coming from the center of the room.

One of the policemen, having acquired the habit of inhaling the fumes of tobacco, an intoxicating plant grown in the New World, is equipped with a striker of flint and steel, as well as a small taper. With this he is able to illuminate the chamber, albeit in a dim and gloomy manner.

There is a figure seated on the floor, facing away from the party, hooded and cloaked in such a manner that one is unable to determine the person's age or sex. No apparent attention is paid when the adventurers enter, nor when the policemen cry out.

"Are you injured?" calls Henry. "I'm a physician."