Chapter 5: The Search for Answers

[HoneyDog]

London, Monday December 11th, 10am

The day is another cold one. A mist hangs over the city, leaving everything covered in a film of condensation. The inhabitants of Britain’s capital trudge through the streets, wrapped up against the cold. The city is a sullen, dark place, full of mystery and foreboding.

The friends meet again at Lockharts near the great meat market at Smithfield, which today in contrast is a bustling hive of activity. Our heroes set about the task of fortifying themselves against the unpleasant weather with a filling breakfast. However the shocking events of last night cast a pall over the meeting, and it is certainly not the happy affair of last Friday’s reunion.

[andyw666]

Harry, resplendent in a fresh morning suit, indefatigably attacks another cooked breakfast, chatting about coffee being illegal in the Ottoman Empire a century ago. (And noting the restorative benefits of coffee in a hot climate filled with women expecting attentive adoration from the English chap come to train their soldiers, what.)

Once the eggs, bacon et al are dispensed with, he inserts his monocle and produces his little notebook and pencil.

"Right ho, what do we need to follow up? I'm thinking we divide and conquer."

"This afternoon - during visiting hours this time - perhaps someone should call upon the colonel. I suppose we should alert old Paice to be en garde. We also should speak with the other doctor, someone needs to look up the word abalad, we need to see about arranging access to the British Library and following up whether the Buffs ever made the papers of the day. Does The Times keep a collection of back issues?"

[Rooter]

Dr. Francis Preston

Preston paces restlessly, puffing on his pipe. "As I was saying last night, with lives at risk it is imperative that we communicate our suspicions to those concerned. There simply isn't the time for books and newspapers. Now, I concede that the Colonel will benefit from a more authoritative approach hence I will leave him to you. I will contact my colleague Dr. Sangster at once. That leaves Paice and Norton. We must warn each of them and ask if the name Abadan rings a bell. And I still say it may be necessary to keep watch on them if neither they nor the police take our suspicions seriously. But we shall see what they have to say about the Major's death."

[Mr. Handy]

"That sounds like a good plan to me," says Reg. "I can approach either Norton or Paice, and Miss Jerkins can speak to the other, whichever she prefers."

[andyw666]

Harry will ensure that Helena is up to date with the pertinent events of the previous evening.

[HoneyDog]

OOC,Mr Handy, please decide which person Reg wants to talk to, and I’ll set up a thread for you.

[Mr. Handy]

OOC,I'll talk to [b]Paice[/b], then. [b]Helena[/b] is more subtle, so she'd be better suited to talk to [b]Norton[/b].

[andyw666]

Harry is busy making notes in his notebook of who's doing what...

"My plan is to return home quickly, send off a request to the Library for access, then spend the morning scouring about wherever one might find people from North Africa. See if anyone had any views on the Sudan, or that word."

"I shall visit the colonel at 3pm sharp. Perhaps he would accept an invitation to drinks at the Army and Navy?"

"Chaps, someone very dangerous is out there. I intend to collect a more serious revolver when I go home. You should all give some thought to your safety."

OOC,Does Harry know where migrants from North Africa, Egypt, and particularly the Sudan might be found in London town? The ports perhaps?

[HoneyDog]

OOC,My knowledge is limited but I’m not aware of any African communities in London at that time. Harry could visit the docks in East London if he wanted. They could be pretty dangerous though.

[HelplessBystander]

"I...think I can volunteer to speak with Norton, that is, if any of you gents don't plan to do so." Helena volunteered quietly, her presence here had being largely in the background. She disliked being annoyingly passive, after all, nothing good comes of it.

[HoneyDog]

OOC,Okay, I'll set up individual threads for everyone: Preston will visit Sangster, who has offices in Harley Street (any doctor would know to look there; Harry will visit Hollingsworth (at his house I presume) at 3pm, after visiting the docks. Please, forget about the library! I've already said that you'll find nothing there. If anyone mentions a library again, I'll deduct Sanity. From myself. Reg will go to Paice, who will be at his shop, and Helena can visit Norton, who works at the Army & Navy Club. Maybe you can arrange to meet later this evening to discuss your findings.

[HelplessBystander]

OOC:   Sure. Whatever works.

[HoneyDog]

OOC,Sure. Let's say then you'll all agree to meet at Simpsons-in-the-Strand at 6 that evening.

[andyw666]

OOC,I was trying to preserve story continuity with the library reference. The idea was Harry sends off a letter of request which wouldn't be immediately responded to within the next few days, so he moves on to other avenues of investigation. Forget it though.

[HoneyDog]

OOC,I see Andy, I misunderstood. No offence meant.

[Mr. Handy]

"Then I shall visit Paice," says Reg. "I'll carry my knife at all times now, but I haven't a revolver, and my hunting rifle might draw some odd looks."

[HoneyDog]

6 pm, Simpsons-in-the-Strand

It is another cold, foggy December evening. The companions are together again at Simpsons, discussing the day's revelations.

[HelplessBystander]

Helena stayed outside for awhile, careful to observe whether she, or anyone else, had been followed.

[HoneyDog]

There doesn't seem to be any suspicious characters lurking around.

[HelplessBystander]

Helena enters the Simpsons.