Play@YSDC

”I think we have done all we can for today,” said Vic to Isolde, glancing at the clock above the mantle. “I desperately need a wash and some clean clothes. This heat is stifling.”

"First thing in the morning for the telegram then, that will give Percy most of the day at the library." Isolde agrees with Vic and follows her up to the room to prepare for another unappetising dinner.

Alexander tries to identify the substance, but it defies analysis.

Dinner is served at 6pm. As usual, it is an unappetizing fare, made with the ailing Harry Forby in mind. Cold boiled beef is served with cabbage and parsnips, followed by bread and butter pudding.

Forby again is served liver, to his annoyance. He is obviously suffering; he is pale and wan, and seems disinterested or unable to concentrate much on the people around him. Gertrude is present, as is Bates in attendance. George is absent, confined to his bed, but Lieutenant Meddler has returned from his trip to London, and he is eager to hear about the companions’ investigations.

“I say” he declares. “What news do you fellows have? Have you found anything about what's going on?”

”Isolde and I have spent a good part of the day in the library, trying to find out more about Nicholas,” said Vic. “We have some more work to do though, so I don’t wish to say to much just yet.”

Isolde nods to support Vic's statement, she also thinks that she must remember to feed the ferret after dinner.

"We're making some progress," says Alexander. "I believe the treasure is hidden in one of the fireplaces based on the clue, but the one I searched didna have it. There are still plenty of fireplaces left, though. Harry found clothing apparently left by whoever's been sneaking about. We also took a look at the mausoleum. There were flecks of a green substance about Nicholas Forby's neck, but I couldna identify it. Do ye know how he died?"

At the mention of the clothing Harry gives Alexander a kick under the table and looks at those in the room for a reaction to the news, particularly Lt Meddler.

Forby looks like he will be sick at Alexander’s talk. He turns green, then white. Noticing his condition, Gertrude hastily says;

“The church in the village has the necessary records. Perhaps the doctor’s too. I suggest looking there.”

Meddler gives a start.

“Clothing you say? Really? What kind of clothing?” he asks.

'Just some rags' says Harry hastily.

"Aye, thank ye," says Alexander to Gertrude. "We'll have to do that tomorrow."

"Just rags?" Meddler continues. "Where did you find them? Was someone here last night?"

He looks concerned.

'Well, a sack that seems to have been cut into a sort of rudimentary smock. I found it past the ice house in some trees. I thought perhaps the intruder had been wearing it, but it could just be an itinerant'. He looks at Forby's discomfort, 'perhaps we can share our speculations at a later date when we won't spoil everyone's dinner'.

Gertrude nods.

"Yes, John. We had a visitor again. We didn't see who it was."

"I thought you found the clothes at the quarry" mumbles Forby. "A mask, too".

"Green flecks could be verdigris." Says Isolde. "Which reminds me, I noticed the ceiling in the hallway is peeling quite badly, are you due to have decorators in for it?" She asks Gertrude and Forby, hoping to take their minds off the more sordid discussion at the other end of the table.

Isolde watches Meddlar carefully whilst secreting a bit of beef into the napkin on her lap.

"Erm, perhaps sometime soon" replies Gertrude absently, not really paying attention to the question.

Like Isolde, Vic was also taken by Lieutenant Meddler’s response to the news of the clothing that had been found. Perhaps if his brother-in-law was incapacitated, Meddler might somehow find himself as lord of the manor?

She studied him carefully to see if he gave away any signs of what he was thinking.