January 13 - Venice station

[robertod]

The train arrives in Venice around midnight. Two parties wait for Maria Stagliani at the rail station. There are six Fascists, heavily-built thugs of military bearing in black shirts led by a pudgy bureaucrat in a suit. The six approach her, and the pudgy bureaucrat murmurs insincerely, professing sorrow and endearments, then attempts to lead her and her maid into a government motor launch.
Also waiting for Stagliani is a handsome young man of fiery temper who seethes from a distance. He races to Maria’s defense when it becomes clear that she prefers not to get into the launch. She calls him Giorgio, and begs him not to get involved. The Blackshirts loom threateningly. Maria casts about, sights the English travellers, and begs their assistance.

[Mr. Handy]

Felicity steps forward and addresses the man in the suit in flawless Italian. "It appears the lady does not wish to accompany you, Signore," she says. "She is traveling with us. I'm sure your offer of assistance is appreciated, but we must respectfully decline."

Using Flattery.

[Mephistophilis]

Andrew stands silently a little behind Felicity, his arms crossed, a smile on his face that suggests he wouldn't be entirely averse to swinging for one of them. These Italians, always taking a good idea like being organised and disciplined and taking it too far, he thinks, observing the blackshirts with disdain.

[aine]

Oh dear. Clarence thinks as he lifts two large suitcases onto the platform and watches the fascists uneasily. Still, they haven’t met our Young Felicity before.

[robertod]

The intervention of well-dressed, richlooking foreigners interrupts the disagreement. The young man, Giorgio, vanishes. The blackshirts leader, called Rossini , gives the investigators an evil look. He blusters, asking for their names and addresses. These young men radiate menace. They have military bearing from their age, attitude, and battle scars. They must have seen service in the Great War. Rossini talks to the investigators keeping a suspicious and threatening air. He speaks very bad English, but enough for him to ask for the information he demands. He wants to know who the investigators are and what they are doing in Venice.

Miss Stagliani reluctantly boards Rossini’s launch in order to prevent further commotion. Before she does, she asks the investigators which hotel they are staying at, with an offer of friendship while they are in Venice. She recommends the Gritti Palace, not far west from the Piazza San Marco. She murmurs thanks for their intervention. She accepts to be escorted home by her new friends. She explains to Rossini that these foreigners are friends of her late mother. Rossini does not even trouble to summon up a look of polite interest in this ploy.

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm Felicity Hayward," says Felicity with a smile. "Perhaps you've heard of me. That's H-A-Y-W-A-R-D. It always irks me when the press spells my name wrong. And there's also a girl who spells it H-E-Y. She has no sense of humour." She gives her London address. "Any time, Maria," she says to her. "The Gritti Palace sounds good to me."

[SaintMeerkat]

doctor.png (27.27 KiB) Viewed 192 times

"Doctor Archibald McElhaney, of the Brichester McElhaneys," he replied. "Currently residing in London, but taking a holiday in your lovely country. First, Roma, and now, Venizia..."

"Miss Hayward, I am afraid I must apologize. I have been pronouncing it Heyward all this time. I hope you can see it in your heart to forgive me."

"I can't wait!" he told the departing Maria. "Looking forward to it!"

[aine]

“Clarence Dalrymple at your service.” Although he hoped he wouldn’t be; he didn’t like the look of these fellows one jot. He kept a good hold on the suitcases.

[Mr. Handy]

"Quite all right, Doctor," says Felicity. "I couldn't tell the difference anyway."