Chapter 4: Bargrove Hall

[Mr. Handy]

"Perhaps Lady Amanda ordered them to set a watch," suggests Alexander. "You're right, I can't imagine they'd want to do it on their own." He heads down into the cellar to look around, also suspecting a secret passage that would allow someone into or out of the house.

[HoneyDog]

Melody,Melody can confirm that there is nothing out of the ordinary to be found.

[Raiko]

"Yes, I expect the servants will have to do whatever Lady Allingham or Mrs. Beddowes ask of them. It's interesting that the disturbances still occurred unnoticed when a watch was posted."

Melody finishes looking around the cellar, but does not notice anything unusual, she makes her way back up to Isolde, "That's not so surprising though, after all keeping watch is not going to stop a ghost."

[aine]

"Quite." Says Isolde. "And they strike me as unusually unsuperstitious - for servants. Normally they'd be the first ones to attribute unusual activities to supernatural entities. Especially the maids."

[Rooter]

"A conspiracy among the staff, eh?" Percy says, nodding. "I like it. Well, shall we move on since old Howard seems to have fallen down a hole somewhere?"

[Philulhu]

”Where next?” asked Captain FitzWilliam. ”Do you think there is anything else to see downstairs or do we take a look outside?” He glanced out of the kitchen window to see if a coat would be in order.

[HoneyDog]

The rest of the rooms on the ground floor in the East Wing appear to be unused, mostly filled with covered furniture, with the exception of a trophy room. This contains various sporting and hunting memorabilia and trophies. The only other room is the Parlour, the scene of last night’s meeting with Lady Amanda. The First Floor has yet to be explored.

[Philulhu]

”Shall we take another turn around the parlour? We didn’t get much chance to look at it yesterday.” said Captain FitzWilliam.

[aine]

"I don't suppose the parlour will offer much; it seemed more in the modern taste than most of the building but let's pass through before going upstairs." Says Isolde walking quickly along the corridor.

[HoneyDog]

The Parlour seems much the same as it was yesterday. Empty right now and with the fire unlit, it feels cold and forbidding. The portrait of Sir William glowers at the companions from its position above the fireplace.

[Philulhu]

Captain FitzWilliam studied the painting. Whoever had painted the portrait had certainly captured Lord Allingham’s brooding intensity.

FitzWilliam remembered something he had once read about secret signs in portraits - discrete indicators towards religious persuasions - and stepped forward to look at the painting in more detail.

OOC,Are there any secret symbols? [dice]0[/dice] Spot hidden is 25%.

[Mr. Handy]

"Shall we proceed upstairs?" asks Alexander.

[Rooter]

Percy nods. "Yes, that painting gives me the willies."

[Raiko]

Melody follows the others looking around the parlour, again she looks around for anything that looks out of the ordinary, although it seems unlikely as they were all here the previous evening.

OOC,Melody - Spot Hidden(60%): [dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

Melody,Melody can clearly see that everything is in order - there is nothing strange about the room or the painting.

The companions head upstairs. Next to their rooms is another room, which appears to be the bedroom of a woman, judging by the clothes and assorted items. Next to that is the schoolroom. The voice of Josephine Ducray can be heard. She appears to be lecturing to another occupant.

[Mr. Handy]

"She must be teaching her young student," says Alexander. "We do need to talk to them, but I don't know if we should interrupt the lesson."

[Philulhu]

”Perhaps just put your head around the door and ask if they are all right to talk? If not, we can always come back later,” suggested Captain FitzWilliam.

[aine]

"Let me go in, wait here." Isolde walks to the door, knocks gently and walks into the classroom. "Please continue, Mme Ducray." And she goes to sit in a window seat until the governess has finished.

[HoneyDog]

Isolde,[color=#804000][b]”Miss Beauchant!”[/b][/color] says [b]Josephine[/b] in surprise. [color=#8000FF]”May we be of any assistance?”[/color] [b]Ursula[/b] is looking up from her books in interest at the intruder.

[Rooter]

Meanwhile, Percy scouts around to see if there are any other rooms which may be of interest on this floor.