Play@YSDC

The graveyard around the Kirk was well-tended, with the grass neatly cut and any flowers looked relatively fresh. Some of the older graves dated back to the late 1700s and names such as Stewart, McPhee, McCallam, McMorn and McIntyre could been seen. The inscriptions on the graves read ‘Taken from us too soon’ or ‘In the arms of the Lord’ but there was no indication as to the causes of the deaths.

The most recent grave was that of Donald McColl, which had a simple wooden cross with his name, date of birth and date of death.

You wouldn’t normally expect to see cause of death on a gravestone.

Ascot finishes looking at graves and wanders over to the kirk itself, politely knocking on the main door.

There was no immediate response but the door wasn’t locked.

Ascot decides not to enter but instead looks about to see if there is a manse or rectory for the local minister.

A path through the graveyard lead to a relatively small manse next door. If Ascot was any judge he reckoned it was probably only two bedrooms, barely bigger than most of the houses seen in the village so far.

Satisfied with his scouting, Ascot decides to leave ministerial interaction to the weird priest. He heads back to the hotel to find his colleagues, pausing to politely greet any locals he sees along the way.

Bonnie makes her way to the manse with the others.

Dr Douglas walks through the graveyard to the to the manse. Walking around the building to see if there is any sign of the Reverand.

Through a window of the manse, they could see Reverend McCallan reading at his desk. He looked up at they drew nearer, appearing slightly taken aback at having strangers approaching the manse, but then stood and walked from the room.

Moments later the front door of the manse was opened and the Reverend emerged onto the step. ”Hello. How may I help ye?” he asked.

"Thank ye, Reverend," says Bonnie. "I'm Miss Bonnie MacKenzie. My companions and I would like to talk to ye aboot the murder, if ye have the time."

”Ye had best come in,” replied Reverend McCallan. ”I’ll ask my housekeeper to make some tea.”

He lead them to the study and bade them sit down. ”I guess ye know who I am,” he said. ”Perhaps we should start with some introductions and then ye might explain what brings ye here?”

"Thank ye kindly," says Bonnie, coming inside and taking a seat. "I've told ye my name. I'm from Inverness, but the others are from farther afield. One of them is a man of the cloth as well. We were recruited by a gentleman named Harry Price to conduct an independent investigation of the murder."

”I havenae heard of a Harry Price,” replied Reverend McCallan. ”What’s his interest in the murder?”

Philulhu wrote: ↑Mon Oct 24, 2022 9:19 am ”I havenae heard of a Harry Price,” replied Reverend McCallan. ”What’s his interest in the murder?”

The Father, not being very subtle by nature answered quite directly.

"Zere have been rumours of... Subrranaturral action. And some arre interrested on de veracity of such, yes?"

”Supernatural action? Why I believe that tae be the case, Father,” replied Reverend McCallan, sitting forward.

”It is my understanding that the McLeod boy spent the night at the manor. It is well-known tae be haunted. That his actions should come about as a result of some sort of demonic possession should be a surprise tae nae one!”

”I heard that Donald was injured but I was not aware how badly,” replied the Reverend. ”There are nae wild animals around here, nor even in all of Scotland, that could injure a man in that way. The only thing that might hae injured someone like that would have been a wolf, but they have been extinct for two centuries.”

”As tae the Manor being haunted, it has been that way since Alexander McMorn returned from his travels in Africa more than one hundred years ago. He brought back a native servant, a Godless man, whose influence upon Alexander was malign. He stopped attending the kirk on a Sunday and his own father died not long after, leaving him as Laird of the Manor, but Alexander himself disappeared within a few years. Since then, the manor has fallen into disrepair and is said tae be haunted, haunted by the ghosts of the family who see tae protect the family treasure.”

”I warned the villagers tae stay away, not tae risk eternal damnation by going there, but it seems that young McLeod paid no heed and he and Donald McColl will both pay the ultimate price…”

"Do ya ken if there any journals? documentation of his trip to Africa?" Asks Dr Douglas.

"What became of the servant?" asks Bonnie.

”The servant was reputed tae have disappeared around the same time as Alexander McMorn if I remember correctly. It was a very long time ago. Certainly there’s nae one alive now who was around at the time,” said Reverend McCallan. ”As for a journal… ….” He paused for thought and then stood and said, ”Follow me.”

He lead the group back to the kirk, pushing open the heavy wooden door to let them in. He lead the way over to a plaque on the wall and pointed to the names written there. ”Archie McPhee was Reverend at the time. He will hae kept a journal. That might tell ye what he want tae know, not that I know where it is. I’ll counsel ye not tae visit the Manor House though. Nae good will come of ye going there and stirring up the ghosts!”

"I'm Hugo Ascot, Reverend, and I'm an Africa man myself, although I asure you I'm an honest protestant. Do you happen to recall what part of Africa this servant chap was from, or where this McMorn fellow travelled to in Africa? "

”I’m sorry Mr Ascot, but I have no idea. It was a century ago so unless it was recorded in Reverend McPhee’s journal, I really wouldn’t know,” said Reverend McCallan briskly.

Philulhu wrote: ↑Tue Oct 25, 2022 2:37 pm ”I’m sorry Mr Ascot, but I have no idea. It was a century ago so unless it was recorded in Reverend McPhee’s journal, I really wouldn’t know,” said Reverend McCallan briskly.

"So fazerr... What kind of demon do you zink haunts ze house. Ze man of ze Afrrica, was from ze Land of ze Paraos?"

Father Ó Shaban, priest of an african religion, was very convenient for this context.

"Thank ye, Reverend," says Bonnie. "Our investigation may not be complete if we dinna visit the manor, though perhaps that could at least be postponed, and we would appreciate your prayers. We shall of course study the journal before we proceed."

Reverend McCallan blinked as he processed Father Ó Shaban’s question. ”I am nae familiar with the demons of Africa,” he replied. ”But I do know that demons are the work of Satan and they seek to tempt ye from the path of righteousness. I only know what locals tell me about the village but it is reputed to be haunted since Alexander McMorn disappeared. As such, and as the minister for this village, I forbid ye from visiting the manor lest ye stir up trouble for the local people.”

"May we see the journal?" Asks Dr Douglas , "Oh, one more thing, do you know of a Duncan? we believe he was friends with the deceased and his wife."

Reverend MacCallan looked slightly exasperated. ”I didnae say I had his journal, I said he will hae kept one. Where it is now though, is anyone’s guess. Although… …” He stood and looked at the list of names on the board for a moment, then said, ”Ye might well ask Gordon, who runs the Post Office. He’s a McPhee.”

”The only Duncan in the village is Duncan Brodie. He’s a neighbour of the McColls.”

Ascot is keen to calm the reverend. "Thank you, Reverend, you have been very helpful with all of our annoying questions and I hope we haven't distressed you. Your warning shall be headed."

"Can I trouble you for one more question? I agree that no native predators are left on these isles that could do such damage, all were hunted out centuries ago. Big game hunting is my trade in Africa, you see. But might there be any well-to-do landowners hereabouts with an exotic pet from foreign parts? Lions, tigers, other big cats, bears?"

"It's a more popular idea in America but you can never tell what craziness people will get into their heads when they have a few spare pounds."

"Thank ye again," says Bonnie. "We shall seek out Gordon McPhee. Do ye know Duncan and the McColls well?"

”I know all my parishioners,” replied Reverend McCallan. ”It’s a small village so not much escapes my notice.”

”There’s nae ‘big game’ around here, Mr Ascot. Earl Cawdor wouldnae hear of it, what with turning his land over to hunting and shooting. I shouldn’t imagine ye’ll find so much as a fox within five miles.”

"We've heard a rumour about Duncan and Mrs. McColl," says Bonnie. "I thought you might know whether there was any truth to it."

Bonnie could see the colour rising in Reverend MacCallan’s cheeks. ”Is that what’s it’s come tae?!” he snapped.”Poor Mrs McColl a widow not yet a week and people are already spreading scurrilous rumours!”

He turned and walked off angrily in the direction of the door. ”I’d advise ye not to go around repeating such tawdry accusations. That poor woman! As if she hasnae suffered enough! I’m spent enough time here - ye’s can show yerselves out!”

"Well that went swimmingly i think."Dr Douglas mentions to the group."Maybe a change in tack is in order when we visit Mr McPhee. Talk less of the supernatural and maybe more on local history if we are to hopefully see this journal. No doubt word of investigations will have spread throughout this village."

BoyBlunder78 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 5:04 pm "Well that went swimmingly i think."Dr Douglas mentions to the group."Maybe a change in tack is in order when we visit Mr McPhee. Talk less of the supernatural and maybe more on local history if we are to hopefully see this journal. No doubt word of investigations will have spread throughout this village."

"Forrgiveness if I am inabrobiate, yes. But I dunt zink zat my prresence herre allows ze relaxation of ze rumourrs. I have heard quite a small town tale, farr away forreigners don't tend to bring, ze tranquility."

Ascot looks at his companions with amusement. "Please tell me you made arrangements for our having some supper before you annoyed the lady at the hotel. We don't seem to be doing so well with tact and diplomacy here."

"Aye, we did," says Bonnie. "I'm sorry about that. Let's go to the post office now before it closes. I shall keep my mouth shut this time."