The investigators skim through the middle books in the series of folios, which range from around 1817 to 1825. The bulk is of sketches and notes on his work, but the location is new.
Nicholas, his wife
Alison and their servant
Bains live quietly at Forby House, and
Nicholas partly recovers his health. His friend, artist
Christopher Lehman, is a frequent visitor.
Nicholas notes that he now uses bronze for his ceilings, and uses a casting pit at the back of the house to make statues.
But his health begins to deteriorate again, and he loses the use of his legs.
Bains becomes “indispensable” –
Nicholas calls him “my limbs”, and insists that
Bains be included in a portrait of him that
Christopher paints.
Nicholas sketches the frame he makes for the portrait. His philosophy becomes darker in the face of persistent pain and disability. He also notes finding a secret passage from which he can observe other rooms, particularly those of
Alison and
Christopher.
An entire section has been cut from the end of the last of these middle books, some time ago it would appear.
Alexander goes upstairs and knocks at
Forby’s bedroom door.
Gertrude answers, her face brightening when she sees him.
“Yes, Doctor” she says softly.
“What can I do for you?”
