Play@YSDC

London, Tuesday 12th December, 10am

The British Museum, Bloomsbury
After breakfasting, the investigators meet outside the famous British Museum, a collection of priceless cultural artifacts collected (or stolen if you prefer) from around the world.

The day is cold but clear. However, another event has clouded the companions hearts, announced that morning in the daily papers, which chills them to the very bone.

Dr Elliot Sangster was murdered in the early hours of yesterday evening outside his house in Marylebone. It seems that he was lured out of the house by a noise, and then strangled by what his hysterical wife described as a ‘wolf-headed man’. She is said to be in deep shock and largely unresponsive. Inspector Craddock of Scotland Yard is in charge of the case. More details will be revealed as they appear, but one columnist asks whether werewolves have made an appearance in London.

Dr. Francis Preston

Preston is distraught at the news of Dr. Sangster. "I was wrong. I assumed those who weren't directly involved in the Abadan raid would be safe. And now this means Paice may be killed, too. Who can this wolf-headed man be?"

"We'll need to visit the crime scene later," says Reg, looking downcast. "I don't believe there's any such thing as werewolves. Must be a man with a wolf mask on his head."

Dr. Francis Preston

"Well, hopefully we can glean some information here. I believe there must be a particular department related to Egyptological studies. Perhaps it might be better to inquire directly there than risk being fobbed off or having to make an appointment or somesuch. I haven't visited in years so am not certain how best to approach the scholars."

An information desk is located inside the entrance. Visitors are able to make inquiries there.

Harry is well turned out in coat, grey morning suit and bowler this morning. He barrels up to the information counter.

"Good morning, I was hoping to speak to Mr Geoffrey Jordan. I wonder if you could direct me to him or if he is available to attend this desk?"

The lady behind the counter, a smartly-dressed, intelligent-looking woman, check through a registry of names.

“Dr Jordan was on staff here for a while, but reverted to being a consultant” she informs our heroes. “It doesn’t look like he’s been with us for several months though. I do have contact details for him if you'd like.”

She gives the companions an address in Clarendon Road, Bayswater.

Dr. Francis Preston

"Thank you. Do you perhaps also have any record of a fellow called Mounir Faez working with the Egyptian relics here? Also, would you happen to know if there are any Egyptian exhibits or relics connected to a place called Abadan presently at the museum?"

The woman consults her records again.

“We had a visit from a Mounir Faez about three weeks ago, but it doesn’t seem he’s been back since. He was visiting from the Museum of Cairo. I’m sorry, you’ll have to visit the Egyptian Wing to get any details about that area.” She smiles apologetically. "I don't have any specific information".

Harry tips his bowler to the lady in thanks then wanders a few paces away to have a quick chat with his friends.

"Well, Dr Preston, you are right to be concerned about acting promptly it seems, as our Buffs are all dying on us. Perhaps today we should divide and conquer? Some go and have a look at this Egyptian knick-knackery, some go and chat to this Dr Jordan? What do we think?"

"You're right, time is of the essence," says Reg. "I don't know much about Egypt, so I'll be part of the group that talks to Dr. Jordan."

"Good plan, Sergeant-Major. As it happens, I read history at university, so I'd quite like to stay here and explore the Ancient Egypt section."

Dr. Francis Preston

"In that case I shall go along to see Dr. Jordan. Hopefully we can meet again later in time to put something in place to safeguard Paice and Norton tonight, perhaps with the assistance of Inspector Craddock, since the killer has taken a new victim every night. We could set a trap, even."

"That seems a good plan, although I'm blessed if I know how we can ever get the colonel to cooperate, should we decide to include him. Shall we meet back at the Club? Norton will already be there."

"Miss Jerkins, shall you be happy to visit the Egyptian Wing with me?"

"All right, let's regroup at the club afterwards," agrees Reg.

As Harry, James and Helena discuss their next move, an exhausted Reg and Preston appear, ravenous and in need of a stiff drink. Both parties relate the day's events and news, to assorted consternation and horror.

OOC,Please read the other Chapter 6 thread if you haven't already.

Disbelievingly, and maybe because he just doesn't want to believe it, James asks the doctor, "Are you sure he was already dead? I'd rather think that the strain of fresh combat might have put you off your mark."

Dr. Francis Preston

"I only wish that were the case," Preston replies somberly. "What is to be done?"

Harry orders a round of straight whiskies for everyone, to help steady the nerves as they contemplate this strange tale.

"You both acquitted yourselves very well," he adds by way of toast.

James raises his glass towards the Doctor and Sgt Maj. "Hear hear! Undead ghouls or no, we are all glad you made it through that kafuffle intact and upright. I, ATCHOOOO!" A few drops of the whiskey splash out of his glass and land on the remaining half of his steak.

"Ugh, pardon my condition. Well, if this translation here is to be believed - and since that other medico was nearly done for over it, at least the scoundrels seem to think it is - that statue of the Colonel's needs to be dealt with.

"Like I told Harry, I haven't met the man, but he did seem to be more open to talk the second time you visited with more evidence, and with this translation..." James points to the papers on the table. "...and the story you two just told, AND maybe if we get that police fellow to go with us and back it all up, well that's pretty damn convincing stuff if I do say so. Maybe leave out the part where the dog-masked men were already dead, make it a tinge more believable. We could tell him to post it back to that Morcos, was that what you said his name was? The Egypt contact of Faez? Or hell, the Colonel might just toss it into the fire. I'd like to see the blighter resurrect from that!

"And maybe if we keep you away from his wife, you old buck." James gives Harry a wink.

"Or would anyone rather just say 'to hell with it' and break in and burgle the bloody thing? Do it for his own good and my uncle's, and damn the consequences?"

"Thank you," says Reg, joining in the toast. "I always was a dab hand with a knife. I think we should stay on the right side of the law. What we need to do is go with Inspector Craddock and the police to see Colonel Hollingsworth. He can't refuse us then. As for the mummy, Colonel Hollingsworth burgled it himself. It's stolen property, and that's reason enough for the police to confiscate it."

Harry did look very doubtful when the topic of dead man walking was discussed but held his tongue, leaving the issue for now.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, I do admire a bit of good knife work."

"But I'm not sure it's fair to say Hollingsworth stole the treasure and mummy. Spoils of war and all that. If we counted everything brought home at the end of a battle as stolen, trust me, the British Museum would be empty."

"We do need to talk to Hollingsworth though. Question is when? I doubt he'll talk to us at this unsociable hour. Would we be better rugging up and watching this chap Faez, make sure he does nothing untoward, then seeing the colonel tomorrow?"

"Or else, as the good doctor has suggested before, posting a guard tonight on chateaux Hollingsworth?"

Dr. Francis Preston

Preston distracts himself by mixing a linctus for James' cold.

"I don't think Colonel Hollingsworth can wait until morning," says Reg. "The enemy may strike this very night. If we want to talk to him tonight, we'll have to have the police with us. If not, we at least have to guard Kandahar House to ensure nothing untoward happens, but the sooner the mummy is secured, the better. We know they're after it."

"Well, um, doc, thanks for the... tonic. Cheers." James eyes the drink suspiciously, then shrugs and knocks it back. He downs most of it, but gags toward the end and sputters a few drops, which turns into a brief fit of coughing and nose-blowing. He uses his handkerchief back to mop up any remaining moisture.

"My goodness, pardon my rudeness, Miss Helena. That was a doozy." He takes in a deep breath through his nose. "Hooo! Seems to have done the trick for the moment.

"I'm with Reg, we thought it was probably one, maybe two men, or at least I did, and it turns out there were four just at Dr Jordan's. Who's to say there aren't more? Let's call on the Inspector and move tonight, unsociable hour or no."

honestly I just made a half mug of this,I didn't have sage so I substituted herbes de provence. Of course I don't know the proportions, but it came off like a mild herb tea, not that bad. James totally overreacted. Should he get his 1hp back?

Harry raises an eyebrow at the tonic related shenanigans but does not comment. He occupies himself knocking back oysters.

"What say we rug up and guard Hollingsworth's digs tonight, with a view to confronting him tomorrow? With or without the constabulary."

OOC,Beyond wearing lots, is there anything our heroes can do to avoid freezing overnight? Did Harry see anywhere they could guard Kandahar House from that might provide any shelter or warmth?

Dr. Francis Preston

"Medically I would advise against prolonged exposure in these conditions. I don't want to end up sawing off any of your frostbitten toes. You say you traced Faez to the Somerset Hotel? Why not beard the lion in his den, so to speak?"

James screws up his face in thought for a moment, then with a slight grimace, he says "I know this might come as a bit distasteful to we military men used to chains of command, but we are no longer all together members of His Majesty's Armed Forces. I say we put it to a vote.

"Option A: we ask the Inspector to join us at the Colonel's tonight. Confront him, reclaim the statue and either burn it or ship it back to Africa, perhaps after consulting Mr. Faez as to the best course.

"Option B: we wait to see the Colonel tomorrow, and engage with Mr Faez in the meantime, see if he can enlighten us further regarding.... this." He gestures to the translations.

"I hesitate to split up again, as we are faced with multiple enemies of unknown... constitution, and there is safety in numbers."

"Option A gets my vote," says Reg.

OOC:   Whoa! Hang on, we're coming up to what feels like an important decision. Rather than jump to "let's take a vote", Can the PCs discuss for a bit longer and everyone have a chance to have some input?

Harry looks frostily at James, putting down an oyster.

"Why, Mr Winter, you surprise me. I had not thought that I had ever once pulled rank since the day I resigned my commission. I should have said since then we have always acted by consent and agreement."

"As to the options, let me be clear that I do not trust Faez any further than I could throw him. He is currently a mystery and until we know more about him, I shall consider him one of the enemy."

"Also, I do not know how you will find that inspector chap at this time of night, I imagine he's gone to his home. I suppose most of us could head to Hollingsworth's house while one person tries to find the chap."

"Or else we confront Hollingsworth ourselves."

Dr. Francis Preston

"I agree with the captain, Faez seems a likely suspect who would have an interest in the scrolls stolen from Dr. Jordan."

He checks his pocket watch. Is it feasible to visit the hotel tonight without attracting undue attention?

mummy,I know but James is easily confused

James is quickly apologetic. He grabs the Captain's other hand if it is not holding an oyster shucking knife. "Harry, I am very sorry. I meant no rebuke to you. If I've given offense, then for that I apologize.

"I merely meant, since the hour is growing late, to present our apparent possible choices of action, and bring about a group decision. If anyone has any other ideas, I'd entertain them, but what else can we do at this point?"

"I doubt very much Inspector Craddock will be resting tonight," says Reg. "Those two dead men we provided him with this afternoon are an important lead for him, and if I read the man right, he'll still be working on the case. We should at least see if he's around at Scotland Yard."

Harry waves away James' concern with a put-upon sigh. "Very well, apology accepted."

"What about this. One person go find the inspector. A second makes discreet enquiries about Faez at his hotel without attracting attention. The rest of us go straight to Hollingsworth's house."

"I volunteer for Hollingsworth. I haven't seen any action yet today and that seems the pointy end."

"Only question with that plan is do we confront Hollingsworth immediately or wait till the Metropolitan Police arrive?"

Dr. Francis Preston

"Very well. Since I have not met Faez previously I will be the one to make inquiries at his hotel. Afterward, all being well, I intend to take a room for the night at the Army and Navy Club, as after what happened to Dr. Sangster I am still worried for the safety of Paice and Norton. You can find me there. I wish you luck with Hollingsworth." Preston calls a hansom to take him to the Somerset Hotel.

Harry hasn't really been paying attention, mostly he's been focused on his war against oysters. Replenished by shellfish and wine, he looks ready to take on the world.

"Should we take those scrolls things with us to show old Hollingsworth?"

"The killers got the actual scrolls," says Reg, "but I managed to find Dr. Jordan's notes and translation. It wouldn't hurt to bring them, I suppose."