Play@YSDC

Monday 8th August, 1881

Approx. 8.30 pm

Forby House

As night draws in, Forby, drawn inward to himself and looking more paranoid and feverish than ever, is carted off his room by the servants. He insists again that every door and window be securely locked and bolted.

Eventually, peace settles over the house, apart from the figure of John Meddler, who patrols the front rooms, anxiously looking out into the grounds beyond.

Isolde is good to her promise and feeds the captive subject of young George. But before the investigators can settle into any routine, Meddler gives a shout from his position at the kitchen window.

“I saw something moving out there!"

Harry whispers in Vic's ear, 'watch him', and bounds to the back door, pulling it open. 'Where?' he shouts to Meddler.

Vic takes up a position by the kitchen door, where she can keep an eye on both Harry and Meddler.

”What can you see?” she says to Meddler, quietly so that she doesn’t disturb the rest of the house.

"Out there!" shouts Meddler, pointing into the foliage in the darkness. "Come on!"

He runs out, heading in the direction he indicated.

Alexander hurries outside, following Meddler.

Vic watched as the three men ran through the door. Meddler had been the only person who had seen anything and she didn’t entirely trust him so she quickly decided to stay behind in case anyone tried to enter the house though the open door.

Stepping back into the kitchen, she grabbed the nearest heavy skillet she could find, and then stood in the shadows, waiting to see what developed.

Harry glances back to Vic, nods in acknowledgement, and hurries on alongside Meddler and Alexander.

Meddler runs across the courtyard and into the grounds beyond.

"There!" he shouts excitedly, he turns to beckon to Alexander.

"Quick man, follow me!"

He heads into the trees.

"Considering he's an army officer he's being a total dolt at a stealthy attack." Murmurs Isolde from the shadows, "Vic, I don't believe there is anything out there and he's trying to draw us away; keep watching but let the kitchen seem empty!" She draws back so she can peer into the kitchen from an adjoining room.

"We can't leave him to go out there all by himself," says Alexander. He hurries after Lt. Meddler

The night is dark but some illumination is offered by the moon. Alexander sees Meddler crash through the undergrowth and stop for a moment, looking around.

“There he is!” he exclaims excitedly, and takes off again, heading in the direction of the mausoleum.

Harry hurries on behind Meddler and Alexander.

Alexander also rushes after Meddler.

Meddler crashes on ahead. In the glare of the moonlight, the Forby mausoleum can be seen ahead.

Abruptly, Meddler stops, looking around. Sweat streams from his forehead.

“I can’t see him!” he hisses. "Where did he go?"

Harry looks around the undergrowth then stares sceptically at Meddler, 'What did you see man?'

"Could he have hidden inside the mausoleum?" asks Alexander.

Meddler is still scanning the foliage. The night is unusually warm, and Meddler mops his forehead with his handkerchief. He doesn't look at Alexander or Harry; he is intent on the undergrowth around them.

"It was a bulky figure, I couldn't make out any distinct features. I thought I got a view of the face though - it looked like a mask. At least I hope so".

'Watch him' says Harry to Alexander as he heads off towards the mausoleum.

Meddler turns around in a flash and starts after Harry.

“Watch who? Me? What are you insinuating?” he says angrily, an edge in his voice.

"I think he just meant to watch your back and make sure nobody sneaks up behind you," says Alexander.

Harry turns back to Meddler and puts his finger to his lips, he points towards Meddler and Alexander and gestures for them to stay put, he then starts back towards the mausoleum.

Meddler looks unconvinced by Alexander’s explanation, but he stays silent. The scowl on his face is visible in the gloom. He watches Harry as he moves towards the mausoleum.

Alexander remains where he is, keeping watch.

Harry heads over to the mausoleum, scanning the undergrowth for any intruder. When he gets to the mausoleum he checks the door to see if it is still locked.

The door to the mausoleum is firmly locked. Meddler makes an exasperated noise.

"Don't you think we would have heard that door close?" he says angrily. "I'll bet the blighter's long gone by now!"

'Well if it's the man in the mask we're looking for there's one place he is likely to be going' says Harry impatiently. 'Get some lanterns, we'll head down to the quarry and catch him stowing his costume'.

"What? Don't be foolish man!" snaps Meddler. "The quarry is far too dangerous at night. You'll end up breaking a leg, if not your neck. And you don't know for sure that he's heading that way. You can count me out."

Harry looks to Alexander, 'The quarry edge is treacherous. Should we wait until morning? If he is not able to return in the dark perhaps we could catch him early'.

OOC,I presume Alex knows I found the mask and so on in the building by the quarry so the intruder is likely to return there to stow them - if there was any such intruder - Harry might be able to tell if anything has been moved since he was last there

"Aye, best to wait until dawn," agrees Alexander.

The last traces of the sun have disappeared, and the grounds are wreathed in shadow.

Meddler takes one last look around.

"I'm returning to the house" he announces. "Maybe he'll be back later."

As Meddler walks back towards the house Harry hangs back and whispers to Alexander. 'I did not see anyone, how about you? I don't trust Meddler, there was something overly theatrical about events this evening. I would like to get back to the quarry and see if there is any evidence that someone has used that outfit. Unfortunately I think Meddler is right, it would probably be too dangerous to go in the dark. Either way we mustn't let him sneak out overnight. '

"I didna see anyone either," whispers Alexander, "but what could be his motive for deception?"

As it has been so quiet, Isolde leaves the kitchen and risks a look into the back yard where the stables are.

"That's something we'll have to investigate tomorrow," says Alexander.

The companions return to the house.

Isolde pokes around the courtyard and stables, but all is quiet.

Meddler spends the next couple of hours prowling around, looking out of windows, but the intruder does not return. Eventually he announces he is retiring for the night.

OOC,Would you all like to retire too?

Tired and irritable, it is all Vic can do not to brain Meddler with the skillet as he prowls restlessly past her. When he announces he is turning in, she drops the pan on the bench with a clatter and wordlessly heads off to bed.

Harry turns in for bed with plans to rise early and investigate the quarry before breakfast.

Isolde checks on the ferret and then heads up to bed.