Chapter 6: The Death of Lord Bargrove

[Philulhu]

”A spot of lunch sounds like a topical idea,” said Captain FitzWilliam.

[HoneyDog]

The investigators return to the coach and drive to Bargrove. The only place to eat is The Bull and Bear, but they are warmly greeted by Peggy Ashburn, the landlady. As usual, a few locals are present, who look up as the visitors enter.

“Oh, you’re back!” she says. She pulls an ale for McKenzie who retreats off to the fire to warm up. “I hope our village is agreeing with you all. Have you found anything interesting? Our lunch is very interesting, if you enjoy roast beef.”

[aine]

"Roast beef sounds perfect". Isolde says. "Could you order me a sherry please, It might warm me up." She whispers to the gentleman as it isn't quite done for a lady to order at the bar.

[Mr. Handy]

"Aye, I always enjoy roast beef," said Alexander. "A sherry for the lady, and an ale for myself, if you please. As for finding anything interesting, we went by the stone that the workers had taken down, and we were surprised to find it standing up once again."

[HoneyDog]

Peggy frowns. One of the men at the bar looks over, interested. The investigators can sense that the other patrons are listening, too.

“Yes, it would appear so. Nobody knows how that happened. Let me see to your food.”

She heads in the direction of the kitchen.

[Mr. Handy]

"Do you know aught about the stone?" Alexander asks the interested man at the bar once Peggy is out of earshot.

[HoneyDog]

The man shakes his head

“All I know is its best left well alone. His Lordship should have known that, he were told often enough.”

[Mr. Handy]

"Who was it that told him?" asks Alexander.

[HoneyDog]

“Well, everyone! We said it’s better to stay away from Hob’s Field when he was trying to get some of the villagers to plough it for crops. But he wouldn’t listen.”

He finishes his drink and gets off his stool.

“Sorry, must be going now.”

[Rooter]

"Do those new arrivals his lordship hired to move the stone ever stop by here for a drink?" Percy asks the landlady.

[HoneyDog]

Peggy puts down the towel she is wiping her hands with.

“They used to” she says heavily. “But unfortunately they didn’t get a very good welcome. After the third or fourth fight, I had to ask them to stop coming.”

She looks around at the patrons, who are trying not to meet her eye.

“It wasn’t their fault, but there was a lot of anger after Sir William through the old folks out and put the newcomers in their cottages.”

[Mr. Handy]

"I'd imagine so," says Alexander. "What's to become of the workers now? Will they be leaving?"

[HoneyDog]

“That will depend on Lady Bargrove” Peggy replies. “She may manage the estate herself, or employ a manager. Probably not one of us, though, according to what I hear from the manor staff. She blames us for the death of Sir William.”

[Philulhu]

OOC,Is FitzWilliam too late to go after the man who spoke about Hob’s Field?

[HoneyDog]

OOC,FitzWilliam will have to run outside. With a successful Luck roll, he will still be able to see the man.

[Philulhu]

Wanting to speak to the man further, Captain FitzWilliam dashed to the door and out into the street. He quickly looked up and down, hoping to spot the man before he disappeared.

OOC,Luck (45%) [dice]0[/dice]

[aine]

"Maybe, if the local people helped us discover who did kill Lord Allingham, her Ladyship might be more disposed to favour the local community. Are there any men here who would make a suitable manager? I'm sure we can put in a good word up at the house." Isolde speaks loud enough to be heard by the other patrons.

[HoneyDog]

FitzWilliam,FitzWilliam spots the man on the other side of the village green. If he moves quickly, he should catch him.

“Well, that’s very good of you ma’am” replies Peggy, “but I wouldn’t want to show favourites. Let me get your food now.”

She disappears to the kitchen.

[Philulhu]

Captain FitzWilliam broke into a run across the village green, to try to catch up with the man from the public house.

”I say, Sir!” he called out. ”Might I have a word?”

[HoneyDog]

Philulhu,The man turns round in surprise. He is in his late ‘40s, dressed in coarse working clothes. He has the look of a labourer. [color=#BF4000]“What can I do you for?”[/color] he enquires of [b]FitzWilliam[/b].