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Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:54 pm
by HoneyDog
London, Sunday December 10th, 10am
The companions meet again on a cold and cloudy day at Lockharts in West Smithfield near the Market. Although it might be a less salubrious meeting point for those of more refined tastes, it is fairly close to
Reg’s East London abode. Here the heroes can get a cheap cup of tea or coffee and some hearty breakfast, and discuss their plans for the day. Being a Sunday, the Market is closed, and the area is fairly quiet.
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 5:12 pm
by Rooter
Dr. Francis Preston
Preston lights his pipe. "As a physician it would not seem out of the ordinary for me to inquire after the colonel's health as I would on any house call. The recent deaths of two of his men is bound to have a detrimental psychological effect. I see it regularly in soldiers."
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 1:45 am
by HelplessBystander
Helena nodded. "I have seen many similar incidents as well, you would be surprised at how frequent mental detriments appear."
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 2:58 am
by Mr. Handy
"Yes, that strikes me as a good reason for a visit," says
Reg, pausing to take a sip of his coffee.
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 3:21 am
by HelplessBystander
"Good Doctor, shall we come along with you?" Helena asked.
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 7:10 am
by andyw666
Harry, resplendent in fine morning suit, has been happily tucking into a cooked breakfast of bacon and eggs, accompanied by coffee. He had been regaling the company with tales of the excellent and very strong Turkish coffee he enjoyed while training troops for the Ottoman Empire. "The Ottomans have a proverb, 'Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death, and sweet as love.' And they make very fine ice cream too."
He pauses at Dr Preston's suggestion. "So your plan, doctor, is to make a foray on the colonel's abode under cover of a house visit to a patient you do not have, and indeed have never before meet?"
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 7:45 am
by HelplessBystander
"I believe that is exactly what he is saying." Helena said, looking at Harry.
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 10:27 am
by Rooter
Dr. Francis Preston
"I merely venture to suggest that I am willing to give aid where it is necessary. He is, after all, your superior officer and whether he will be receptive to the advances of the lower ranks will depend upon his personality. A physician may be more readily accepted. But I see no reason to worry as we are all bound by ties of service, are we not? Our primary concern must be for the safety of these soldiers."
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 1:43 pm
by andyw666
Harry raises his eyebrows in doubt but waves his coffee cup expansively. "I'm not criticising your alleged plan of attack, just clarifying details. Don't let my concerns dissuade you."
"Happily, I shall be nowhere nearby. I shall be conducting some research into the history of the Buffs. If there is a connection between the murder of the sergeant major and the death of the second chap, and I'm still not convinced there is, the common element would seem to be the regiment. Which leads one to wonder if they made some enemies with very long memories and apparently the ability to strike even here on our green islands."
"I thought I might take young James with me."
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 5:18 pm
by HoneyDog
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 8:07 pm
by Rooter
Dr. Francis Preston
"Well, time is pressing and all this sitting around in clubs eating and drinking isn't getting us anywhere. We ought to have gone directly to the house since if the colonel is a churchgoer we may have missed him by now. I'll hail a carriage for those of us who wish to go." Preston gets to his feet.
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 12:31 am
by andyw666
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 1:22 am
by Mr. Handy
"Do we know which church is his?" asks
Reg.
"It might be worth paying it a visit and seeing if he shows up there. If he doesn't, that in itself would be cause for alarm."
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 1:39 am
by andyw666
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 6:07 am
by HoneyDog
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 6:38 am
by andyw666
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 7:24 am
by HelplessBystander
"Pardon me for the foolish suggestion, but couldn't you check the papers for the recent military events?" Helena suggested timidly. "Perhaps the London Times had covered these events, if I'm not mistaken. These events generally gets reported."
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 1:25 pm
by andyw666
Harry nods agreeably and puffs on this pipe. "I don't think it's a foolish suggestion and I should very much like to check back issues off the papers, but where does one go to check back issues? Does the Times itself have back issues available to read?"
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 4:39 pm
by HoneyDog
Re: Chapter 4: Mysteries of The Sudan
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 12:38 am
by andyw666