IC: Chapter Two- The Death of a Sea Captain

[OrionUK]

James turns to McRaven "I think he is referring to the stakeout we are doing here at the docks, we are going to try to find out what is causing the problems with the cargo lists"

[Charles Graves]

Graves taps quietly on the table, pondering the situation before speaking.

"I'll have a chat to one of my friends at the British Museum to see if they know anything about the missing passages and if not whether they know of any collectors or specialist dealers who may be able to help. I really believe that these passages would be of great significance. It's possible that there may be more chance of tracking down the passages by consulting experts in the States, he was an American author after all. While I'm making calls back to England, it may be an idea for you two to track down this library's expert in Poe to see what they know and perhaps if that draws a blank you could call the Smithsonian Institute in Washington."

With that the Professor goes off in search of a phone.

[Raiko]

New York Public Library – New York
The Afternoon – Wednesday 6th September, 1933

Outside the Reading Room

The Professor finds a row of public telephone booths on the landing, outside the reading room.

Meanwhile back in the reading room.

Gunnar looks at Sean, raising his eyebrows in amusement, “Well he’s certainly abrupt!”

[Henrik]

"Perhaps we should investigate this Blackman first, before we call him? Who is he? And what connection does he have with the late Douglas? If you wanted to research a person here in the States, where would you go?" Olof asks who never have done anything of that sort neither in Sweden nor in the USA. "I could do that with some help. It would be an interesting challenge."

[Decrepit]

"Yeah, I agree about Blackman," Jack says. "Just calling him out of nowhere and saying, 'Hey, I know you don't know me, but what do you know about Douglas's death, and just who the hell are you anyway?' probably isn't going to work terribly well."

He pauses for a moment. "There are a few places we could check. The library, for one, although unless this fellow's famous, we probably aren't going to turn up much. I can also call my paper, see if I can get someone to check our morgue--our archives, I mean. It's probably also worthwhile to check with one of my police contacts."

[Charles Graves]

After persuading one of of the librarians into opening the box of fines for overdue books in order to break Grave's $10 bill into small change the Professor enters the phone booth and closes the door behind him.

"Hello Tarquin, Charlie Graves here, how's things you old Cambridge reprobate. I'd heard you were at the British Museum these days, they really are taking on anyone now I see. Anyway, bit of a tricky situation in the colonies at the moment old chap, I'm in New York of all places and I was hoping one of your chums in the Reading Room could help me out with something. The Poe work, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym has had a large section removed in the past and I need to know what was taken out. I know it sounds like a strange question but believe me it is of vital importance, I'll tell you all about it over a brandy at the Club when I get back. I'm staying at the Amherst room 102 so if you find anything out I can be reached there. Oh, you might also want to check the specialist book dealers on the Portobello Road and James at Christie's to see if they can help. I really am at a sticky wicket at the moment Tarquin thank you so much for your help."

[Steerpike]

McRaven listens to the exhange intently, before speaking again.

"I'm not the bookish sort, I guess digging up information is more your line Jack. I'm willing to help out in any other way, if you need another set of eyes for this stakeout I'm in. If you need someone to back your play when you check out this bar, I'm there too"

[Ghost_1971]

"Ok. I'll make some enquiries about the 'Purple Cup' then." comments Callum. "I'll be using your phone for a while if you dont mind?" says Callum, passing a crumpled $5 bill to the security guard "That should cover the cost of the calls."

[BlackGoat]

Sean listens and then watches Graves leave in a swift step. He then turns to Gunnar.

"Yes indeed he did"

Sean let's out a short laugh before looking around the Library for a Librarian to consult with his new inquiries. Upon finding one he goes over to him.

"Good Evening Sir, I'm interested to know if anyone here could help me with information about Sir Edgar Allen Poe? Anyone here pride themselves on being a literary expert on his work?"



(OOC: My comment about Gunnar as an assistant was me refering to him as my research partner, assistant, etc =) Just clearing things up so you don't think I was confused about who he was. )

[Raiko]

New York Public Library – New York
The Afternoon – Wednesday 6th September, 1933

Tarquin agrees to find out what he can for Professor Graves, although off the top of his head he isn't aware of any unpublished chapters for that particular novel.

Back in the Reading Room:

"Yes sir, actually there is someone. Just wait here a minute and I'll see if she's available."

A few minutes later the librarian reappears with a tall dark haired lady, wearing gold rimmed spectacles, "Hello I'm Agatha Goodright, I'm told that you have an enquiry about Poe?"

[Decrepit]

Jack turns to Callum. "Hey, wait a second. I'm just remembering that the Purple Cup is this speakeasy by the docks in the Lower East Side. You're not going to want to go alone, I can assure you. Somebody want to go with him? I'm going to go back to the hotel and try to call Commander Douglas's brother."

[Steerpike]

"Ok, i'll go with him" Says McRaven, "I'm going to arrange for my stuff to come down from the hotel to the ship first. We may need some back up...and it's in my suitcase at the moment"

[Ghost_1971]

"Hahaha. It's probably a good thing that I didn't start ringing around trying to find the location of an illegal drinking den then! Thank you Jack, and thanks to you to Bill. Your company will be welcome. Any one else? What about you Nils?"

[Henrik]

"I could go to the library and see if I can find anything on this Blackman character in the local newspapers. I think you have a better shot at finding anything about him, Jack, but I don't like to be idle" Olof says.

[Raiko]

Pier 74 – New York

“I’ll stay here Callum, to keep an eye on the warehouse. I’ll see if Turlow is aboard the Gabrielle, and get my rifle back.”

Before he leaves the office Nils turns to the others and asks, “Jack, James, could one of you arrange for Gunnar to bring my gear from the Hotel? Isugtag are you staying?”


New York Public Library – New York

When Sean explains about the missing chapters of the Poe novel, Ms Goodright says “I remember that a supposedly unique copy of the book was supposed to be auctioned in the city about a decade or so ago, it was an original manuscript that supposedly contained material that was never published.”

“I was interested, and we considered purchasing the manuscript for the library’s collection, I’d never be able to afford such a thing for myself obviously.”

“Anyway when the date came around, the Poe manuscript was no longer part of the auction.”

At that moment Graves walks back over, having finished his telephone conversation with Tarquin in Cambridge.

[OrionUK]

"Of course we will arrange for your things to be brought from the hotel, I shall not be long! James replies to Nils

[Charles Graves]

Graves waits to be introduced to the librarian.

He managed to catch her saying something about an auction so hopefully Sean has been able to turn up a new lead.

[Ghost_1971]

"Ok. Nice one Nils. I'll see you later on then. Right, whenever you are ready Bill."

"Are you sure I cant tempt anyone else to join us? There may even be a drink in it! Only joking of course." Callum pulls on his jacket and waits to see if there are any takers.

[BlackGoat]

Sean looks to Graves noticing his approach.

"ah, Ms. Goodright this is a fellow expedition member of ours, Professor Charles Graves. Professor Graves, this is Ms. Goodright. The Libraries literary expert on Poe. She was just explaining to me about the Unique piece we're researching."

Sean shares the information he recieved from Ms Goodright with Graves.

"Ms. Goodright, do you know why the auction suddenly stopped? Also, who currently holds said unique copy, and further more i'm intrigued to know of your opinion on why this particular edition was not released on a large scale"

[Mister Juan]

Still busy stuffing tobacco back into his now empty pipe, the tall Inuit lifted his brown eyes toward Nils.

"Too many hunters will scare the game away."

He lit his pipe, took Douglas' letter back and folded it carefully back into his coat pocket.

"I will be at the hotel." he simply said as he pushed the door opened with his shoulder.