Chapter 9: Night of the Jackals

[HoneyDog]

The Hollingsworth Mansion is shrouded in winter fog as the companions arrive at the appointed time. It is a cold and miserable night and the fog seems to lay like a shroud over the house.

Instead of Fordyce, the investigators are greeted by an armed constable who directs them straight to the Colonel’s study. There they find that worthy fellow, together with Inspector Craddock, and Mounir Faez, wrapped up against the cold, and who greets them cordially but somewhat anxiously.

“I have been trying to entreat Colonel Hollingsworth to give up the mummy and entrust it to my care. It is far too dangerous and must be returned to whence it came” says Faez. “The Colonel objects, however.” He casts a meaningful look at the newcomers.

“All we need to do is kill those looking for the accursed thing” growls Hollingsworth from behind his desk. A shotgun lays in easy reach across it. “I’m not about to give up our trump card”.

[andyw666]

Harry nods affably to all present. Looking to pour oil on troubled waters (or colonels), he starts off in a pleasantly neutral manner. "Good evening."

"Mr Faez, perhaps you could assist us by telling us what you would prefer to have done with the coffin? And why?"

[HelplessBystander]

"Mr Hollingsworth, I do believe that explaining your reasoning behind why that mummy is so important to you would be prudent for the moment." Helena tried to speak neutrally to back up Harry.

[Mr. Handy]

"Good evening, Colonel," said Reg. "I want to catch the rest of these blighters as much as you do, but laying a trap for them here only puts your family at risk."

[HoneyDog]

“I will take the mummy back to Cairo” says Faez in response to Harry. “My colleagues and I can see that it will be disposed of correctly, using magical rites which they have knowledge of. I can sail this very day, if necessary”.

“I don’t want to put my family at risk” says Hollingsworth. “But they already are at risk. The sure way to maintain their safety is to keep the mummy here and destroy those who would take it. I personally don’t give a damn about the bloody thing, I only kept it as a curio.”

He gets a bit quieter and nods at Reg. “Your thinking is correct, Smythe. But I don’t trust this blighter.” He indicates Faez.

"Nor I you, Colonel" Faez replies, in a cold voice.

[HelplessBystander]

"I could travel along with Faez to make sure that he doesn't double-cross anyone, if needed." Helena volunteered, "As I gather, the problem at hand is not dying, right? So we do one thing here, and we send the accursed thing back. This should make the issue go away, right?"

[HoneyDog]

“I will certainly not be double-crossing anyone” says Faez angrily. “I can take the mummy, but you, young lady, and you others, you will just bring unwanted attention, It is better that I go. Hary Marcos has two of his cousins here working. They will help me.”

He stands and addresses Hollingsworth, his face and voice filled with passionate intensity. “Colonel, you must part with the mummy. You came across it by foul means, and it does not belong to you. You have brought shame and misfortune on your household. If you are an honourable man, you will cease to let your pride stand in the way of what you know to be right!”

Hollingsworth listens, as still as a statue and without comment. Finally he nods.

“Very well, I will entrust the mummy to you.” He slumps back in his seat.

[Rooter]

Dr. Francis Preston

Preston shakes his head. "By all means take the mummy away but not until we can be assured of safety from these jackals. Mr. Faez, you mentioned magical rites. Are you saying it is not enough to simply destroy the thing in a fire?" He peers closely at Faez, still unsure as to his intentions.

Spoiler:

Psychology 35%[dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

“No!” exclaims Faez. “Destroying the mummy in such a crude way will ensure the wrath of the cult. You will have destroyed their priest! It must be laid to its final rest in accordance with the ancient prophecies that we have recorded at the museum. Gentlemen, I beseech you! Please, do not tarry any further!” Faez is in anguish – he wrings his hands in his passion.

[Mr. Handy]

"Then let's proceed without further delay," says Reg.

[Rooter]

Dr. Francis Preston

"Wait. Why are you so anxious to take possession of the mummy, Mr. Faez? I wonder if we can trust this Hary Marcos and his cousins whom we know nothing of." Determined, Preston pulls out the revolver and points it directly at Faez. "Speak plainly, sir, what is your interest in all this?"

[andyw666]

"Good god, Preston, have you taken leave of your senses? Will you murder this man if he doesn't answer your question? Do no harm, isn't that what you medical chaps say?"

[HoneyDog]

“Easy there, Doctor!” shouts Craddock, his hand going instinctively to his pocket. “Let’s not be rash!”

Faez throws up his hands in horror, mouth agape. “Please sir, calm yourself!” he cries. “I want this horror to end as much as you do! I and my colleagues have the power to do this, we want only to help!”

He turns to Craddock. “Inspector, please believe me! All this can end! Because those men are Marcos’ cousins, it means they can be trusted! I will involve no outsiders! If you gave us an escort of two of your policemen, it would keep us safe.”

Craddock seems convinced by this reasoning, and nods his head. “That could be arranged – if this course of action is decided on.”

[Rooter]

Dr. Francis Preston

Preston lowers the gun and steps away. "I will abide by your wishes, Inspector. But I remain unconvinced. I can only hope I am wrong."

[andyw666]

Harry's head is reeling from the rapid change of events but he breathes a sigh of relief that Preston had put his revolver away.

"Inspector, I do not believe I am comfortable simply relying on Mr Faez's colleague's relatives to carry this thing away. I insist we be allowed to accompany it at least to the ship that will take it to Egypt."

"If all seems well, perhaps we shall watch it sail away and rest easy."

"And if the enemy should make a move in the mean time, so much the better as we shall be there to greet them."

[HoneyDog]

“Yes Inspector” Faez assents. “Perhaps we will need the extra security provided by our friends here.”

He stands, and bows. “I can understand your worry, everybody, but I am grateful for all your help. I will fetch the men I mentioned and return later tonight. I shall be back before midnight. Then we can begin our journey. Colonel, please see to it that the mummy is prepared for travel. I recommend wrapping the coffin in a durable material – canvas, perhaps.”

Faez is shown to the door by Fordyce.

“Bloody mummy” mutters Hollingsworth to no-one in particular. He lights a cigar.

[Rooter]

Dr. Francis Preston

Preston paces restlessly. "I am inclined to share such sentiments, Colonel. However, Faez is right about one thing. You brought this upon us through your own damnable actions in Abadan."

[Mr. Handy]

"We had best stay on our guard," says Reg, shouldering his rifle. "If the enemy is going to attack, it will probably be between now and when Faez returns. We need to be ready."

[andyw666]

Harry, casting one last concerned look at Preston, settles in a chair, pulls out another Simpson's purchased cigar, lights up and prepares to wait. "Waiting for something to go wrong. Now this feels like campaigning."

[HoneyDog]

The companions settle down to wait. The Inspector prowls the house, checking and rechecking doors and windows, while Colonel Hollingsworth rouses himself and prepares the mummy for its journey.

The time seems to drag slowly by. The mood in the house is very subdued, and the servants mostly stay in the kitchen, while Ramona Hollingsworth and her son have locked themselves away in an upstairs bedroom.

Not long before midnight, Faez returns in the company of two men of North African appearance, dressed simply and cheaply. The enter the study and the men, who Faez doesn't bother to introduce, take the coffin, now wrapped as per Faez’ instructions.

Suddenly there is a shout from below.

“Inspector! I saw something . A man in a mask! Outside the kitchen!”

Craddock hurries to the stairs, closely followed by Hollingsworth.

OOC,To give you an idea of the location, the kitchen is directly below the Colonel’s study at the back of the house.