To the Manor borne… (everyone)

[BoyBlunder78]

"Its neen a long night, why dont we go back to the hotel and get some much needed rest and a bite to eat? I wouldn't mind going back to the library ams seeing if i can find any information on what we found in this journal,
and also these trees" Dr Douglas walks gingerly over to where Ascot shot the tree, looking fir a big enough piece of bark to pick up and examine.

[Philulhu]

The tree swayed, its leaves rustling with the impact of the bullet. Some bark fell away but no creature burst forth.

As the sound of the shot fell away, they heard a stern voice from behind them. ”So, whit’s goan on here, then?”

[Snapper]

OOC:   What time is it? I had the impression it was still morning.

Slightly disappointed not to see some critter racing out of the tree with its tail between its legs, Ascot holds his rifle at 'port arms' and looks around to see who has spoken, his expression indignant.

[Philulhu]

It’s now about 9.30am, approximately 2.5 hours after Dr. Douglas last ate and the lack of food is making him delirious…

They turned to see a rather grim-faced policeman observing them. He looked at the guns being carried and his brow furrowed. ”One of the Earl’s shooting parties, are ye? Ye’ve wandered off his land,” he said.

[BoyBlunder78]

obviously the the viscous assaults on my sanity have addled the good doctors mind...

"Morning officer, my companions and I were just looking around the Manor grounds, and just examining these extraordinary trees. They don't look indigenous to these parts Do you know what type they are by chance?"

[Philulhu]

The Constable looked at the bullet hole in the tree, then back to Dr. Douglas. ”It seems a strange way to examine a tree, and no, I don’t know what type of tree they are,” he replied.

[Snapper]

Ascot deftly flips the safety on and slings the rifle over his shoulder. "Spot of target practice. Just keeping my eye in. Don't think the tree cares over much."

"It was our impression this manor is abandoned, constable. Obviously, we wouldn't have intruded otherwise, eh?" Ascot's accent is even thicker than usual, and he tries to adopt the look of clueless colonial who doesn't know better.

[Mr. Handy]

Bonnie also slings her rifle, but she decides it's best to keep her mouth shut.

[Philulhu]

The Constable glanced at the Manor House. ”Aye, it’s been abandoned many a year,” he replied. “Even so, I’d like ye to save your shooting for the birds,” he continued. “”The Earl has beaters to watch which way you’re firing.”

[Mr. Handy]

Bonnie nods, her lips firmly sealed.

[BoyBlunder78]

Gesturing to the house, " Beautiful building, what can you tell us about the place?"

[Philulhu]

”Mair functional than beautiful, I reckon,” replied the Constable. ”And other than the facts it’s abandoned and the locals reckon it’s haunted, then that’s all I ken.”

[BoyBlunder78]

"Haunted you say? I do love a good ghost story."

[Philulhu]

The Police Constable looked at Dr. Douglas disparagingly. ”Be that as it may, I’ve got mair important things to de than be standing around telling ye ghost stories,” he replied sharply. “Get yerselves away down the village and I’m sure one of the locals will be all to happy to help ye.”

“Now, if ye’s have finished taking potshots at the flora, I’d be obliged if ye’ll take yerselves back to the Earl’s lands. Ye can carry on with yer shooting there and I can get on with my rounds.” He nodded in the direction of a path through the woods towards the shooting grounds, and stood waiting for them to leave.

[BoyBlunder78]

Dr Douglas picks up pieces of the bark and pockets it and trudges back to the group. " I wonder if McColls body was found near these trees? Like the sheep?" whispers Dr Douglas.

[Philulhu]

McColl’s body was found on the outskirts of the village, not up near the Manor House.

[BoyBlunder78]

OOC:   Ahhhh......knew it was the outskirts just wasnt sure if the Manor House cohnted as the outskirts. Thank you.

McColl’s body was found on the outskirts of the village, not up near the Manor House.

[Mr. Handy]

Bonnie nods again and walks toward the indicated path.

[BoyBlunder78]

"If possible i would like to.rerurn to the library and try and corroborate the information in this journal if i can."

[Snapper]

"Thank you, constable. Apologies for the trouble." Ascot steers the group in the direction indicated by Scotland's finest.