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Henry Glynn

"I suppose someone at the Miskatonic might be able to identify these substances. I mean if we think it's important?"

Henry takes out a notepad and pencil and scribbles down some notes:

Miskatonic?
Magnesium etc. Important?
Ross's Corners - Law
Extra blankets!
Mrs Rourke - rent

Balzac delicately picks up one of the candles and sniffs it curiously, trying to identify any odours. He compares the powders and candles to the instructions in the papers and the notes in the late professor's journal, to see if everything matches up.

"Is it not strange to imagine the professor as a young man fifty years ago, using these items to try to summon some kind of ghost?"

OOC:   Arthur, Chemistry 40: Chemistry: 1d100 36

Arthur fixes the substances with a critical eye. He takes a large magnifying class from his bag and proceeds to examine the powder from the metal canister closely. "I have a little experience with chemicals" he states.

After a while he speaks."No, not magnesium" he says slowly. "At least, not in substantial amounts. I would say that this is mostly a mixture of sulphur, and some kind of copper oxide. Of course, I would need a proper microscope to make a definite analysis" he says modestly.

He turns to the talc in the wooden box, which he examines for a long time. He then places his glass slowly down on the table.

"I'm afraid I cannot tell you what this is. It's completely new to me". He rubs a little on his fingers. It adheres and seems greasy."Like graphite" says Arthur. "But not!"

He turns to Balzac. "Doctor, I believe that our friend Putnam was being truthful to us. He was a sincere man. Perhaps we should find out what this substance is? It might be important."

"That's a good idee," says Alice. "It must be that powder of Abu Ghazi or whatever it was called. Everything else we need was thoughtfully provided in the box, so I'd be surprised if that wasn't too."

OOC:   Yes, they have a Chemistry Department and you could probably get help, but please think carefully about whether you really need to go there.

Arthur

"I think you mean Ibn Ghazi, Miss Alice, but yes, this could well be it. What they used for their pentagram. It seems... unnatural".

He visibly shudders and stands up.

"I'm very sorry everyone. I know that you will think terribly of me, but I do not wish to dabble any further in these matters. No good will come of it. I implore you to go back to your daily lives. Although the Professor was a special man, I will not risk my life for this."

Arthur places some bills for his lunch on the table, grabs his hat and bag, and leaves the restaurant.

"I know people at the university," says Alice. "I could probably find someone in the Chemistry department who could analyze the powder, but is it really necessary? We have all the materials, and we know what we have to do. All that remains is to do it."

Isadora Carmichael

"I, for one, am not giving up!" she comments on Arthur's departure.

"I agree with Miss Alice. Time is running out... We don't need to know the exact chemical characteristics of this powder to use it."

Henry Glynn

"I didn't think Vivar would be so easily spooked!" says Henry

"Suppose this horror shows up - and I for one expect we'll encounter nothing worse than our friend with the table leg - don't we need some magnesium to burn to perform the 'exorcism'?"

"I'd forgotten about that," says Alice. "If it's not in the box, I'm sure we can obtain some in the Chemistry department."