Play@YSDC

Dr. Francis Preston

"As your master wishes," Preston says, turning to leave. At least they know the Colonel is safe, even if something doesn't seem quite right.

Unable to see the Colonel, the companions have no choice but to leave. They head towards the door.

Preston,Roll Luck at half.

In low spirits, the heroes trudge up the drive towards the gate, hoping to hail a Hansom back to London. The time is now 1 pm.

OOC,What would you like to do now?

Dr. Francis Preston

"I suppose we might meet again at the Army and Navy Club this evening. Perhaps we will run into some more accommodating faces." In the meantime he will head back to his practice.

"Yes, that's a good thought," says Reg. "Also, someone mentioned the British Museum before. It should be open in the afternoon."

OOC,Shall I move things forward to the club? As I said before, it’s not possible to browse the British Museum reading room, and you don’t really have anything specific to search for anyway. As Helena cannot enter the club and HelplessBystander is away anyway I’ll rest his character until he gets back. I think Juulm might have left us so I’ll retire his character for now. That will leave four of you but the character will be there in case he comes back.

In low spirits, the heroes trudge up the drive towards the gate, hoping to hail a Hansom back to London. The time is now 1pm.

Everyone decides to return to their own business, and reconvene at a later time. Helena decides not to come to the Army and Navy Club tonight and she has some of her own affairs to attend to. She requests that the others send word to her when she is needed.

The Army and Navy Club, 6.30pm

Reg and Preston return to the club that evening hoping to find Harry, who is still there and in good spirits. He informs them of the information that he learned earlier that day.

They also receive a note from James Winter – he has received notice to cut his leave short and return to the regiment immediately, the reason unspecified. He hopes that the others will continue to research the mystery and help his uncle in his absence.

Dr. Francis Preston

"Dr. Sangster, eh? Yes, I know the name though we haven't met. Certainly must be the reclusive type given not a great number of us former army medics live in London. And Hollingsworth certainly seems the hard line type from what we saw or rather didn't see today. Well, let us see if the Major has an opinion on these events."

"It would be worth looking Dr. Sangster up," says Reg, "perhaps on the morrow. As a fellow man of medicine, you have the best chance of approaching him."

At 7pm a man is shown to their table. He is thickset and formidable looking man in his late 30s or early 40s, although perhaps verging on the stout side, with an impressive moustache and beard. He is well-dressed in a tailored suit.

He eyes the investigators curiously. “I’m John Gower” he says in a deep voice. “I had a note from a Captain Addison? You wanted to meet me”.

Harry immediately rises and introduces himself formally to the Major.

"Major, so good of you to meet me. I am Captain Harry Addison, late of Prince Albert's Somersets, as indeed are my friends here. I believe we may have an acquaintance in common, a Mr Alan Paice, bookshop proprietor and formerly of the Buffs? I wonder if you could spare us five minutes of your time?"

“Yes, I remember Paice” says Gower, as he shakes hands with everyone. “May I sit down then? What would you like to talk to me about? Is it Paice?”

"Actually, it's about Sergeant-Major Crouch," says Reg.

“Oh yes, poor Crouch!” says the Major, signaling for the waiter. “Dreadful business! Why, do you gentlemen know something about it?”

Dr. Francis Preston

"We are curious about the fact that this killing occurred so soon after the death of another soldier from the Buffs in less than usual circumstances, one Reynolds. We attempted to speak with Colonel Hollingsworth but he has proved to be somewhat difficult to deal with. Given this connection of their regiment and service in Sudan perhaps you might share what history you know of those concerned. Does anything strike you as unusual?"

“Reynolds?” The Major furrows his brow. “I read about that, and I remember no foul play was suspected.”

The waiter appears, and he orders a carafe of Burgundy.

“A terrible accident, I believe. Has the situation changed now?” he enquires.