Play@YSDC

McMorn Manor, Strathmorn, Inverness-shire
Saturday 21 March 1931. 4.30am.

The walk through the woods was eerie. Serjeant Lorimer seemed confident enough, but the two men he’d press-ganged seemed decidedly jumpy and there was some fiercely whispered arguments more than once on the way up to Manor House.

The sky was just starting to show the very earliest signs of dawn as they entered the clearing around the house. The main entrance was wreathed in shadows and a darkened mound was formed on the ground by the body of Willie Stewart.

”That’s wan o’ them, is it?” Serjeant Lorimer asked, indicating the body with his revolver as the two volunteers nervously looked around.

"Aye, 'tis Willie," says Bonnie. "He survived his first encounter with the beastie when he was here with McColl by staying in the hoose and not drawing attention to himself. This time he tried to shoot it with his shotgun. It didna end so well for him. Or for the shotgun."

”Aye, I can see that,” replied Serjeant Lorimer.

He looked up into the trees. ”And whereabouts are the beasties hiding?” he asked quietly.

Dr Douglas looked nervously at trees, something was tugging at the back of his mind, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Ascot points to the tree that scared them earlier as they finally escaped the manor. The tree that appeared to have the beast hiding under its bark when Ascot examined it.

"Sergeant, the trees like that one. I would be very wary of that tree, however, as you will see if you look a bit closer at it." Ascot speaks in a low, tense tone.

Did Sergeant Lorimer ask Ascot to hand over McBride's revolver? Otherwise, it's still in Ascot's coat pocket.

”Is that a revolver in yer pocket, Mr Ascot, or are ye just pleased to see me?” asked Serjeant Lorimer with a lascivious wink….

(No, he hasn’t actually noticed that Ascot is armed. Well, technically, he hasn’t mentioned whether he’s noticed or not).

Can I have a spot hidden, please?

1d%pHdd60%

Fail!

The Father Ó Shaban really really didnt want to be there, but he was also not going to stand anywhere near the body or the trees. This was complicated to accomplish but he would try. At the same time, considering the dead, he did start a prayer for the dead Willie.

"We only saw one beastie," says Bonnie. "I think it likes to hide in the African trees, but I dinna see it now. It seems to be nocturnal, so it may have gone to sleep for the day."

”Make sure ye dinnae disturb the body, Father,” said Serjeant Lorimer as Father Ó Shaban tentatively approached Willie and began to pray.

He turned back to the tree and studied it more intently. ”Ye say it hid in the trees? Well, it doesnae appear to be there now.” His hand tightened on the revolver as he glanced around at the clearing.

”So where’s the bugger gone?”

"All we know is that the creature only hunts at night, as that is when it has been seen..It luld.be anywhere. Maybe its gone inside?" Dr Douglas replies.

Sergeant Lorimer waved forward one of the men who was carrying a lantern. He took the lantern from him and said, ”Ye an’ yer pal stay here. Shout oot if anything moves.” The men didn’t look too thrilled but didn’t argue, either.

Lorimer handed over the lantern to Ascot.”Lead the way, Sir,” he said firmly.

Ascot takes the lantern and squares his shoulders. He starts in towards the manor, intending to head back to where whatever is left of McBride lies, up on the top floor.

"Very good, this way, eh? Did I tell you, Sergeant, I was in the Imperial Camel Corps during the War?"

"It must have a lair where it retreats during the day," says Bonnie, following. "I dinna ken where, though."

Following behind Bonnie Dr Douglas clutches the journal tightly to his chest, knuckles white as he nervously glances around the interior of the manor.

”No, sir. I don’t believe ye did,” replied Serjeant Lorimer, using the patient tone beloved of the British constabulary when responding to people who insisted on talking about themselves. He indicated that Ascot should light one of the rooms with the lanterns and he shook his head at what he saw.

Moving through the Manor House to the upper floor, Lorimer examined the body of Dr McBride with a sad shake of his head. Standing up, he said, ”Well, there’s no sign of this creature of yours, so I’m not sure what to think. If I’m any judge, though, the wounds on the doctor look like those on Donald McColl.” He looked around, scratching his head in a puzzled fashion.

As Father Ó Shaban murmured his prayers over the fallen Willie Stewart there was a sudden ’creak’ from one of the trees nearby.

”Whit was that?!” said one of the volunteers nervously.

"Aye, ye're right," says Bonnie. "Either it was the same beastie, or it was one akin to it."

"This surely proves that the young lad you jave in custody is innocent " Dr Douglas says to the Sarjeant.

Ascot remains tense, peering out of high windows into the pre-dawn murk.

"Well, if we live till dawn, we might help save that poor shepherd boy. Mr Price will be so pleased with that part, perhaps not the rest of our report, eh?"

"We just had to find out the truth of what happened, whatever it may be," says Bonnie. "He'll be pleased it wasna a ghost. We saw it was the beastie. I dinna think we're required to kill it. If we've driven it away, that should be good enough."