Play@YSDC

"Well, that's who he said he was, anyway," says Diane. "Detective Sergeant Mulverhill. Big bear of a man, bushy black mustache, carries a walking stick. We were in the study when he came in, apparently not expecting to find us there. Nobody'd told him we were staying the night as guests. He didn't question us or anything, just let us off with a caution, removed a book from the scene as evidence and left. He barely even looked at it, though, so how would he know...unless perhaps he'd seen it before?"

"That is indeed Mulverhill," Detective Sergeant Craig replies to Miss Siddons. "Always thought there was something a little odd about him, myself."

As if sensing Miss Poole's contempt, Inspector Cleveland draws himself up, then smirks at Reverend Somerhayes' entreaty. "So you all still cling to this notion that the butler was acting in self-defense when he murdered Mr. Bidwell, then? Or perhaps you subscribe to that foolish psychic's occult rambling? Allow me to enlighten you. Last night, police constables in the Limehouse borough picked up a young Chinaman named Li Zhao for suspicious actions. He was found running frantically through the warehouse district, babbling in Chinese. When we questioned him this morning with an interpreter he told us quite an interesting tale.

He says he was one of three youths who followed a lone Occidental man through Chinatown and into the warehouse district, where they had planned to rob him. When they confronted the man near Emmett Street, however, he lashed out at them and savagely snapped the necks of Li Zhao's two friends. Li Zhao managed to escape the crazy man only to be arrested when we found him.

At first we didn't believe his story. Perhaps he was on opium at the time and thus not in command of his senses. But then he gave us the description of his Occidental attacker. The description perfectly matches that of the missing butler Hanson Bartlet, already a suspect in one murder, now apparently with two more on his hands."

He smiles triumphantly at you. "Indeed, since you all seem to be so interested in the case, I invite you to accompany myself, Detective Sergeant Craig and Constable Baker to Limehouse to see justice in action. As witnesses to the first attack you will be able to help identify Mr. Bartlet once we've nibbed him."

"We would gladly take you up on the offer to accompany you, Detective. But I do assume you can guarantee our safety? As I understand correctly, you have not yet been able to apprehend he man?"

Ann Veronica

"In other words, you want us to be present when you arrest him? You know where he is?"

"We have not as yet located the fugitive," Cleveland admits. "But as we are certain he is hiding somewhere in the warehouse district it is only a matter of time. We have a large number of men patrolling the area already so there will be no danger to your good selves."

'Nibbed' is of course the local slang meaning 'arrested'.

Ann Veronica smiles demurely.

“Well, with so many dashing gentlemen for protection, what could go wrong? I would like to come too, Inspector.”

She consciously tries not to roll her eyes.

Absolom Peredue Somerhayes

Absolom nods, “My thanks inspector. Too often today people like to think of our police as being nothing more than bully-boys in uniform, it is most gratifying to see that it is not so” He tugs at the bottom of his jacket in a feeble attempt to smarten his appearance, then turning towards the two ladies he smiles “Shall we?” However his attempt to play the ‘gallant’ fails as he begins a series of dry coughs which soon drive him to produce a much worn handkerchief.

Ann Veronica pats him gently on the shoulder.

"Reverend, are you sure? Perhaps you might want to retire home now. I worry that these events are too exerting for you".

Although not one eager to engage in roughhousing with a violent maniac, Gordon has a great deal of respect for the police, having being acquainted with more than one of the brave men of the North-West Mounted Police while visiting the wilder part of his native land.

"I, for one, would be honored to assist in identifying the culprit," he says.

"I too would be pleased to assist," says Diane. "I'm sure we'll be safe surrounded by so many policemen."

Absolom Peredue Somerhayes

The coughing fit, stifled by the poker dot handkerchief, ends in a tight smile which does little to mask the obvious signs of pain in the clergyman’s eyes. “Just the remnant of a childhood illness my dear. I have learned to endure it over the years, it is now more of a nuisance than sufferance. Still the Lord had to endure much worse and did so with a smile I believe”

Ann Veronica

“If you say so Reverend” she says, doubtfully.

“Why don’t we set off for Limehouse then, Inspector?”

A short time later you find yourself seated aboard a somewhat crowded carriage, heading at a brisk pace through the streets of East London.

The borough of Limehouse is known to most by reputation at least. Encompassing Chinatown and dock and warehouse areas, as well as opium dens and other seamy establishments, life is cheap in this seedy, lower-class area.

As Inspector Cleveland promised there are a number of police constables in evidence when you arrive but otherwise the scene is that of a typical day's bustle. A large proportion of the inhabitants are of Oriental extraction; you pass Chinese restaurants, laundries, shipping companies and other, less-recognizable establishments.

The carriage draws to a halt in Emmett Street, the approximate location of last night's alleged attack, which lies in the heart of the warehouse district, not far from the dockyards. Warehouses in various states of dilapidation surround you on all sides.

"I shall leave young Constable Baker with you as guard," Inspector Cleveland says. "Feel free to look around but don't stray too far. We'll inform you once the fugitive has been apprehended." He and Detective Sergeant Craig head off together.

Everyone:

Being from the Medway, Ann Veronica is no stranger to dockside areas, but this is her first time to visit the notorious Limehouse. She looks around with intense interest at the teeming streets. The reputation of this area should not be taken lightly, especially after dark.

“I wonder why Mr. Bartlet came here?” she says. “Perhaps he has some connection with the area? Maybe he has family here? Or is he looking for passage?”

A hundred questions race through her mind.

Idea,Idea 90: [url=http://orokos.com/roll/536189]Idea[/url]: [u]1d100[/u] [b]78[/b]

James looks around, accosted on all sides by unfamiliar sounds and smells. His natural habitat are the more well-to-do areas of London, so he feels a bit out of his depth. Still, his curiosity with respect to last night's events, not to mention the strange revelations on the past of his old friend, drive him on. There must be some clue hidden in these streets...

Gordon is fascinated by this glimpse into a part of London not often seen in the Canadian press. As he studies the passing crowd, speaking now and then to an interesting person, he has what seems to be a fortunate encounter.

Diane looks around in wonder. She has never been in a place like this, and it is very different from the West End. Already she is coming up with ideas for plays that will never be written - unless she writes them. She knows she doesn't have the skills to be a playwright, but perhaps one day she will.

OOC,Luck roll (current level 75) at the scene: [dice]0[/dice]

Absolom Peredue Somerhayes

The area has little that Ambrose hasn’t seen in other areas of deprivation throughout the city, although the oriental flavour of this area does have a colour and vibrancy of its own. The modern age with its ever advancing industry certainly creates a marked divide between the rich and the poor of society. Ambrose gazes around, he knows only too well the unsavoury reputation of Limehouse. For a few moments he scratches his chin in thought, now why would the miscreant flee to this place, was it something to do with the occult nature of the artefact he had carried away with him?

Idea,[url=http://orokos.com/roll/536349]Idea Roll 85%[/url]: [u]1d100[/u] [b]79[/b]

Cecil Copeland

More used to wandering around megaliths in Wiltshire, Cecil feels rather out of his depth. However, he is quite enjoying this escapade from his usual routine.

Led by the keen curiosity of Mr. McKerry and Miss Siddons, the group explore the area with a watchful Constable Baker following at a short distance.

In a dingy part of the warehouse district a short way from Emmett Street, Professor Powell spots a sign which, while in itself unremarkable, seems to hold some significance. The sign, evidently a company name hanging above the entrance to one of the smaller warehouses, reads "Dunnigan's".

Miss Poole, Reverend Somerhayes and Mr. Copeland have the same thought at that moment: that the name recalls the words of the psychic Godfrey Williamson:

"...something to do with Duncan, or Duggan, something like that."

Dunnigan's Warehouse itself appears to be derelict and abandoned. The main entrance is boarded up but there is a narrow wooden door at one side, standing slightly ajar.