Play@YSDC

"All right," says Alexander, stopping. "We'll wait until they've gone their separate ways, and then speak to the doctor."

Crozier:

"I bow to your instincts, Miss Isolde." Crozier gives the asylum doctor a glance. "But if they all leave together, we shall have to approach that doctor come what may."

Not to fear, the doctor seems to show no signs of wanting to accompany his fellow Malbray colleagues, who exit without him.

Crozier:

"Excellent, let us introduce ourselves, Dr Campbell."

Crozier approaches the doctor and politely raises his top hat. "Doctor, my name is Captain Crozier, I am a merchant mariner. And this is my colleague Dr Campbell, a natural philosopher. I'm sorry to intrude unannounced but we must speak with you most urgently."

The doctor nods warily, tired eyes blinking..

"How do you know that I'm a doctor?" he asks, suspicion in his voice.

As the three men left, Vic slipped to the doorway, to see which way they went.

Although the area is crowded, the tall man makes it easy to see where the men are going. They are leaving the school grounds for the street outside.

Harry sees Vic leaving after the men and decides to tail at a distance. He's not very comfortable with her seeing them alone but suspects his presence won't help things either.

Alexander lets Captain Crozier answer. He only knows the man is a doctor because the others told him.

Crozier:

Crozier regards the doctor with earnest concern. "I am no dissembler, sir, I shall speak straight and plain, as is my way. My colleagues and I are seeking answers to these terrible murders. We are amateurs in the best sense of the word and we have no connection with the authorities."

"One of my colleagues is an enquiry agent who was investigating two ruffians connected with your asylum and who seem interested in these coroner's hearings. While making enquiries regarding them, he observed and then spoke with you. You identified yourself to him as a doctor at the asylum."

"Doctor, we do not seek fame or publicity or money. We hope that our skills and expertise might help put an end to these murders. Anything you can tell us may help. Nothing is too outlandish, no story will be treated as unbelievable, if it can help solve the mystery."

"And as a gentleman, I give you my word we can keep any secret you share with us private and confidential, unless lives are at stake."

Crozier’s impassioned speech clearly moves the doctor. He opens his mouth to speak, but shuts it again. He casts his eyes down.

“I’m sorry” he mutters. “I don’t think that I can be of any help.”

He makes to move on.

Crozier:

"Doctor, please, further lives may be lost. If you fear for yourself or others, we are not without connections and can protect you."

"If you think we will not believe you, I can assure you my colleagues only enquire into the most bizarre and difficult of situations. I myself have spent nearly 40 years sailing the world and have seen wonders incredible and terrifying."

"Will you not give us the benefit of the doubt?"

The doctor hesitates again.

“Have you or your colleagues talked to the other men from the asylum?” he eventually asks.

Crozier:

Crozier nods. "As I said, I shall be completely honest with you. I tried last Wednesday to speak to the two fellows who have been attending most of the hearings. I even offered them a few coins if they would assist but they were having none of it. They refused to talk to me, were abusive, and departed."

"I see" says the doctor. He looks from Crozier to Alexander, and back again. "How many are in your party?" he asks.

Crozier:

Psychology 40%,[dice]0[/dice] [ooc]Fail.[/ooc]

"Well, we belong to a society with more members, needless to say. Specifically involved with the matters arising in these coroner's hearings, there's me and my colleague here, Dr Campbell. You've met Brown, the enquiry agent. There are also two well educated young ladies and Dr Campbell's maid-servant."

The doctor nods slowly.

“You are unconnected to the authorities? What is your interest in these murders?”

"Melody is more than a maid," says Alexander. "She's my housekeeper and laboratory assistant. Anyhow, some concerned citizens brought the first murder to our group's attention and requested that we investigate. As we began to do so, more murders occurred. We want to make sure the citizens of East London are safe, and that the murderer - or murderers - is stopped from killing and brought to justice."