Chapter 6: Day Three

[Mephistophilis]

'Thank you Bates, that will be very helpful. When looking for a hidden treasure it is always prudent to check the cellar and the attic' says Harry.

[Mr. Handy]

OOC,After I talk to [b]Harry Forby[/b], I'd like to get back to reading [b]Rhoda[/b]'s diaries.

[Philulhu]

OOC,I don’t think the secret passage is giving up any information, so Vic will join Alexander in the library to read Rhoda’s diaries.

[aine]

As the others leave and the remains of tea are cleared away, Isolde says to George, “Maybe you could take some of these crumbs to your ferret, George.” Hoping she might be left with Gertrude for a moment.

[Philulhu]

”I can help you with that, if you like?” Vic said to George. She picked up a serviette and swept some of the crumbs into a pile.

She smiled at the youngster and asked, ”Does your ferret have a name?”

[HoneyDog]

Harry goes with Bates to access the attic. Bates provides a ladder and lantern and Harry is able to enter.

It is stiflingly hot, almost unbearable – the sweat instantly starts to pour off his face. There isn’t very much it seems, as Bates said. Several items which could be furniture are draped and scattered around, while there are also a few boxes.


“Ferret?” queries Gertrude. “George, are you keeping those animals again?”

She looks angry.

“Last time one got loose and killed some hens, don’t you remember? You’re not to keep animals! Show me where it is, now!”

George looks distraught. As he is led away by his mother, he casts a hateful look back at Isolde.

“I thought you could keep a secret!” he shouts tearfully.

OOC,If you go to the library now, you'll need to roll English again to access relevant information.

[Mr. Handy]

OOC,Does this mean we can't talk to [b]Harry Forby[/b] now?

[HoneyDog]

Alexander meanwhile makes his way to Harry Forby's bedroom. The door is closed, so he knocks.

"What is it?" comes the voice from inside.

[Mr. Handy]

"It's Alexander," says Alexander. "I'd like to talk to you."

[HoneyDog]

"Oh, come in then" says Forby, gruffly.

As Alexander enters, he sees Forby sitting at a writing desk against the wall. He is still wearing his dressing gown, and looks irritated at being disturbed.

"What is it, Alexander?" he asks.

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm sorry to bother you," says Alexander. "I was hoping to smooth things over between you and your wife. She does love you, and she was truly upset that you were angry. She was apparently under the impression that you didn't want to join her for tea. I think it was all a misunderstanding."

[HoneyDog]

“Didn’t want to join?” Forby exclaims. “I was asleep! What choice did I get in the matter.”

But he calms down.

“You’re right of course, Alexander” he says more softly. “I’ve been an absolute beast. I will apologise for my outburst. To everyone of course. It’s this infernal heat! And my head! I can’t think straight. Sometimes I do wish it would all end.”

[aine]

Isolde runs after Gertrude, “Gertrude, wait!” When she gets closer she says, “George, please walk ahead as I want to talk to your mother.
Gertrude, Before I was a medium I was a governess and I’ve had lots of experience with small boys. This ferret is important to George and it is very good for him.

This is a difficult time for George with his father being ill; the ferret takes his mind off brooding and besides, it’s teaching him to be responsible and diligent.

If you’re worried about the ferret escaping then I’ll ask one of the gentlemen to help George build a proper cage for it; it’s better for everyone to be open; secrets can be very damaging in the long run.”

[Philulhu]

Vic sighed as she watched every troop off. She looked at the deserted picnic, shrugged, helped herself to another scone, and headed off to the library.

[Mephistophilis]

'As you said,' Harry shouts down to Bates, 'just a few boxes but I'll have a quick look through them.'

[HoneyDog]

Gertrude hesitates, and looks at George.

“Very well. You make a convincing argument, Miss Beauchant. Although you do realise that he’s only going to dissect it.”

To George, she says “Get Old Fred to make sure the cage is strong enough. And if it escapes, it’s on your head.”

“Thanks Mother!” says George happily, his spirits restored.

OOC,I'll assume that Isolde goes to the library now. Everyone who is looking at the diaries, please roll English.

Harry begins searching through the boxes. The heat is almost unbearable.

OOC,Harry won’t find anything so there’s not much point in spending time on this. I’ll say he’s up there for about 30 minutes, but he’ll need to rest afterwards due to the heat, so it’s about an hour in total.

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you, Harry," says Alexander. "Perhaps you will feel better once we've found the treasure. I'll see you this evening, and I hope your condition improves." He returns to the library and settles down to peruse Rhoda's diaries some more.

OOC,Own Language: English roll (90% base skill) reading the diaries: [dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

Alexander gets back to Rhoda’s diaries, picking up at the spot which had begun to describe the aftermath of Aleister’s death.

Rhoda makes reference to a document she found on Aleister’s desk after his death. Rather than destroy it, she sealed it in an envelope and gave it “to the man I trust most in this world”.

OOC,Both Isolde and Vic can still make a roll.

[Philulhu]

Vic joins Alwxander and Isolde in the library and starts reading Rhoda’s diaries.

Library use,Library use (50%) - [dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

OOC,You need to roll English.