Saturday, 9 April 1870
Good news! My grand-niece, Patsy Oakes, will be moving into the house tomorrow. She will take up duties officially as Upstairs Maid, although until the rest of the staff is hired, she will assist me with other duties around the house. I am so pleased that she will be working with us.
Miss Namaste's young paramour, Nigel Graham, is coming to lunch tomorrow. Miss Namaste will be cooking a traditional hindi meal. The shopping excursion was quite the adventure! Miss Whitnell, Miss Mary, and Miss Sinclair spent much of the evening helping Miss Namaste choose appropriate attire for the date. It was quite refreshing to hear their laughter and friendly banter. It makes the house feel like a home again.
Sunday, 10 April 1870
The lunch was a success. Young Mr. Graham seemed to be completely bewitched by Miss Namaste throughout the meal. So enthralled that he scarcely spoke with Dr. Wilson, whose exploits the lad has long worshipped.
Patsy arrived today and we have gotten her settled in to her room. She is quite enthusiastic to get to know everyone.
Monday, 11 April 1870
Today was taken up with errands. Over the objections of his physician, Dr. Wilson returned to work at B.F. & C. Stein and Company. If one watches him closely one can tell that he hasn't fully recovered from his injuries, but he has made excellent progress.
Edward continues to express dismay at being promoted from Groom to Coachman. I can scarcely wait to see the reaction to the master's other surprise. Edward expressed a desire to take Miss Sinclair to the British Museum and show her his favorite places within the museum. Edward was quite excited in the evening to tell me which bookshelves he had taken particular trouble to she Miss Sinclair.
Miss Whitnell must journey to Strattfordshire to retrieve some heirlooms left to her by her great-aunt. Miss Namaste has agreed to accompany her on this errand. The master had Mr. Carstairs prepare the private railcar, so the two ladies could travel unmolested and have a safe place to spend the night, should the aunt's house prove inappropriate. They leave tomorrow.
Tuesday, 12 April 1870
After putting the ladies on the train bound for Stoke-on-Trent, the master went to Lord Greyminster's townhouse for the annual luncheon. Upon returning home, the master intimated that terse words had been exchanged, but nothing to match the disaster of '58. The Earl remains in excellent health, and asked the master to pass along his compliments. The master spent the rest of the day in his laboratory.
We have completed moving Dr. Wilson's belongings from his hotel to a room on the second floor. The change in living arrangements, besides being convenient for our work for Sir Anthony, proved a fortuitous decision when Mr. Charles Stein, of B.F. & C. Stein and Company, offered Dr. Wilson a lab and a research grant to develop rocket devices for Her Majesty's Navy. Edward seems as excited as Dr. Wilson. This may have something to do with Wilson's offer to let Edward help occasionally with projects at the lab.
We have nearly gotten the old nursery set up as a proper schoolroom to Miss Sinclair's liking. Edward proves surprisingly quick at learning his Latin conjugates, having surpassed my modest abilities in less than a week. Miss Sinclair seems to regard Edward's prodigious intellectual capabilities as a worthy challenge. I am reminded of the adage that a good instructor learns at least as much as he or she teaches.
Wednesday, 13 April 1870
The master's interviews with potential cooks continues without satisfactory results. The master spent most of the day in the laboratory, though he also spent at least two hours with Edward working on the 'Sinkable Boat.' Miss Whitnell and Miss Namaste returned in the evening, rather more loaded down with articles Miss Whitnell inherited from her aunt than she had previously anticipated.
They also told a harrowing tale of having to deal with a ghost who was haunting the great-aunt's cottage. It appears that the ladies were more than adequate to the task. I am relieved that they are both home safe.
The master received a strange letter today from a Mr. Aidan Ramsey, of the British Museum. I had not thought anything untoward when I recognized the return address, as I recall that Mr. Ramsey has been a curator-librarian at the museum for some years and that he and the master have had occasion to converse in the past. However, the missive was in regards to a member of the household. After consulting with the person involved, the master informed the rest of us of the unusual request, since it appears someone has become curious about the activities of the League.
It seems that Mr. Ramsey wishes to interview Miss Sinclair about the events of the evening in which the odious Madame Z attempted some sorcerous shenanigans against Miss Sinclair's former employees. Miss Sinclair has decided to write back, inviting him to tea for his interview. In the event that Mr. Ramsey is acting on behalf of allies of the late Jerrold Moriarty or some other enemies of society, the rest of the household has been instructed to be prepared for the worst eventualities.
Thursday, 14 April 1870
We received a visit from Miss Louella Pinker, Lady Constance's cousin. Miss Pinker had just arrived from the country yesterday to handle the final arrangements for Lord Greyminster's annual beginning of the season party. She seemed quite pleased that the master was no longer living as a virtual hermit. I fear that her visit unsettled Miss Namaste and Miss Whitnell, although Miss Sinclair seemed to take the inspection with her usual alacrity.
The post has become rather more busy. There were several letters for Miss Sinclair, Miss Namaste, and the master. Among them some thank you notes from Salmalin, still recovering in hospital. Thanks to the intervention of Miss Whitnell and Miss Namaste, Salmalin's medical treatment no longer includes debilitating doses of laudanum, for which he is grateful.
The master has informed me that we will have a new footman in a few weeks' time. Salmalin will not be put on trial for his association with Jerrold Moriarty's organization, but instead will come work for us, and indirectly for Her Majesty. I am further informed that Salmalin has volunteered to do the most menial scut work, if that is where he is needed. I begin to suspect that conversations with Salmalin will prove to be very interesting, indeed.
Patsy and I have nearly completed cleaning all the old rooms on the third and fourth floor. After many years of disuse things have gotten rather dusty.
Friday, 15 April 1870
The ladies of the household went off to visit our friends in hospital. Miss Sinclair reports, happily, that Mr. Frazer was released later today and will return to his duties with the metropolitan police on Monday. Miss Whitnell and Miss Namaste report that Salmalin is recovering nicely, and now able to carry on a meaningful conversation.
While the ladies were out Sir Phillip Bond paid a call on Miss Namaste and Miss Whitnell. I do not like to speak ill of my betters, but I must confess that the sudden interest of this man in two of the ladies of the household is quite disturbing. Rather than send his driver to the door with a pair of his calling cards and a short message, the gentleman came to the door and insisted upon coming into the foyer! He seemed intent on ingratiating himself to me. I found his behavior and attitude most unbecoming of a man of such high station in life. It makes me somewhat nostalgic for the old days, when I served as a footman in the service of Lord Greyminster. I remember a so-called gentleman of similar mien directing his attentions toward Lady Constance (this was, of course, before Lady Constance had become engaged to Sir Galen). The Earl drove the man off the property with a horsewhip.
The ladies were equally disturbed at news of the visit. Miss Whitnell mentioned having run into Sir Phillip at Maundy Thursday services the evening before, and having the definite feeling that it was not Sir Phillip's normal place of worship, nor that their meeting was a matter of pure chance. The master promised to take care of the matter.
After lunch we were visited by the Hon. Mr. Aidan Ramsey. In appearance Mr. Ramsey is tall and lean, with a slight hint of military bearing in his manner, and just beginning to show grey in his hair. He was polite, if a bit cryptic. He met with Miss Sinclair, Miss Whitnell, and the master. As instructed, when I wasn't actually in the room I was next door, listening with Miss Namaste, in case something untoward happened and we were needed.
Mr. Ramsey represented himself as a member of the Order of St. Jerome, a society for librarians who keep records of unusual occurences. He believed that the strange hallucinations so many citizens experienced last week were somehow connected to the strange happenings at the townhouse of Miss Sinclair's former employers. More specifically he thought that Miss Sinclair and Miss Whitnell had something to do with it. Miss Sinclair gave a slightly edited, though true, account of the attempt by Madame Z and her son to kidnap Miss Sinclair and her two charges. Miss Whitnell and the master filled in only slightly more information. Mr. Ramsey thanked everyone quite politely for their help and took his leave, but I daresay he was not entirely satisfied.
While Miss Whitnell was attending Good Friday services, the master received a letter from Lord Greyminster. The Earl has accepted the master's invitation to lunch, and suggested that next Tuesday would be convenient for he and Miss Pinker to 'meet the entire household.' The master was stunned, since in all the years since Sir Galen and Lady Constance's death, Lord Greyminster has never accepted an invitation to visit. It has set us in something of a flurry to make the household presentable. I had to let Miss Whitnell in on the secret that the seamstress who Miss Namaste went to for new lab clothes is also making her a new dress suitable for social occasions.
Saturday, 16 April 1870
I had entertained some hopes of enjoying a few slow days now that the upper floors are presentable, but the impending visit from Lord Greyminster has everyone bustling about to make everything perfect for the visit.
Mrs. Cuthbert and her Uncle came to tea in the afternoon, seeming to have a very pleasant visit with Miss Whitnell, Miss Sinclair, and Miss Namaste. There was a long discussion about a premonition of imminent harm that Mrs. Cuthbert says she received this last week while speaking with Mr. Robert Ditteridge, the son of Baron Ditteridge and the grandson of Baron Scarisbrick. I believe that Miss Whitnell and she have worked out a course of action to deal with the problem. Mr. Cuthbert and the master dozed off in the library while Miss Whitnell and Mrs. Cuthbert went to Easter vigil service. Patsy and I worked on preparations for Sunday meals. Mrs. Cuthbert stayed the night. I raised the prospect that it might facilitate things if she were to set up the spare room she has been using as a more permanent place, and learned that Miss Whitnell and the master had both suggested the same thing earlier in the day.
I almost hesitate to record this, but I can't help but notice that Lt. Wooster has not been hanging about the premises these last few days. I wonder if anything unfortunate has happened and is keeping him away.
Easter Sunday, 1870
It was a lovely service this morning.The pews were packed as always. Miss Namaste decided to attend, though her primary motivation seemed to be to practice moving about in her dress clothes. Let me say frankly that crinoline skirts have been her bane.
We had a marvelous Easter dinner, with young Nigel Graham in attendance. Afterwards he and Miss Namaste and Miss Whitnell went for a stroll in the park. There was a minor mishap and Mr. Graham was dunked in one of the ponds. However, he didn't seem to mind. We found some dry clothes for him while his wet things were wrung out and dried. I think he was happy for the excuse to stay late.
Tomorrow Miss Whitnell will take Miss Namaste in for her final -- or near-final -- fitting. The dressmaker has indicated that it will be ready, but we did ask her to rush it at the last minute, so we shall see.
Monday, 18 April, 1870
What a busy day we have had! What with the preparations for the visit by Lord Greyminster tomorrow, and preparing for the ball Wednesday. Looking back, I see that I failed to record earlier the rather unusual arrival of invitations to a dance ball hosted by Major General Sir Albert Phipps. Invitations arrived for Dr. Wilson and Miss Whitnell. Given Miss Whitnell's matrimonial history, and the typical response of people in Sir Albert's rank to that status, it is surprising that she would be included in an event whose primary purpose is to introduce elligible young ladies to prospective husbands.
Dr. Wilson's invitation is equally surprising. Having been in London only two weeks, and being the featured character in many of those shilling shockers, one wonders that the typical conservative parents of the gentry would consider him a good prospect so soon, when so few know him. Still, Sir Albert and Lady Phipps have been blessed with 13 daughters, of whom, if memory serves, only three have thus far found suitable husbands. Perhaps parents in such straits are willing to look past his sensational reputation in the fictional press to see the honorable man behind the myth.
Miss Whitnell received another letter from Mr. Ramsey, one which she described as "cryptic." The master found the letter equally troubling, and has decided to make inquiries into Mr. Ramsey's background, beginning with Sir Anthony's office.
Miss Whitnell and Mrs. Cuthbert visited the home of Baron and Lady Ditteridge this evening. I am given to understand that they were going to perform a seance or some other ritual to try to ward off the danger which Mrs. Cuthbert is convinced awaits the family.
Tuesday 19 April, 1870
Today was even busier than yesterday. Lord Greyminster and his neice, Miss Pinker, arrived at the appointed hour. Miss Pinker carried on a very animated conversation with everyone. Lord Greyminster was much more reserved. I couldn't help but notice he seemed most comfortable talking with Mr. Cuthbert. I am glad that Miss Whitnell suggested to the master that the Cuthberts be invited. Doubly so because I had a little mishap while serving the claret, and was nearly responsible for assaulting a member of the House of Lords with a wine bottle. Mr. Cuthbert's keen eye and quick reflexes saved the day.
Miss Pinker was getting along famously with everyone. She even seemed quite charmed with Edward. I daresay that if Lord Greyminster had not had to get to Parliament by 3:30, that Miss Pinker would have had everyone playing parlor games in the music room all night long.
Wednesday 20 April, 1870
Today was quieter than the last two. It was a welcome relief to be only preparing for a dance ball. Mr Frazer came to dinner, then he accompanied the master, Miss Namaste, and Miss Sinclair to the monthly meeting of the Naturalist Society. Edward will be driving them and waiting in the carriage at the London Library. Mrs. Cuthbert almost went with them, as the scheduled speaker is Baron Scarisbrick, the grandfather of the man whom Mrs. Cuthbert first had her vision about. Somehow over the last few days concern over empending danger for Mr. Robert Ditteridge has mutated into a belief that some dire fate awaits his entire family.
Mr. Cuthbert, Dr. Wilson, and Miss Whitnell have gone off to Sir Albert's ball, leaving the house nearly deserted, so I take these moments to record my day before I settle in with a good book.
~Later~
There is trouble afoot, though no one seems completely sure just what it all means. Just as the party was leaving for the ball, Edward drove up at high speed, bearing a note for Mrs. Cuthbert. Baron Scarisbrick did not come to London to deliver his paper, having suddenly taken ill. Instead his grandson, Mr. Robert Ditteridge, is to read the Baron's scientific paper tonight. Taking this as some sign that her initial vision was correct, Mrs. Cuthbert returned to the London Library with Edward, while the others went on to the dance ball.
At the ball, Miss Whitnell learned from Lady Ditteridge that the telegram she had received from her mother, the Baroness Scarisbrick, telling her of the Baron's illness, had been peculiar, as it mentioned the police. Miss Whitnell agreed that this was a most unusual detail to mention in connection to an illness. She endeavored to round up Dr. Wilson and Mr. Cuthbert to return to the house, sending a note to the master at the Naturalist Society. They also found Lt. Wooster, who was attending the ball in the company of a young lady, and recruited his help as well.
Meanwhile, Edward had had a most curious encounter with an organ grinder and his monkey. Edward was outside the library guarding the carriage. There were many carriages parked there awaiting other attendees of the meeting. The organ grinder seemed out of place in St. James Square even to Edward's rather broad-minded way of thinking. After performing for the bored coachmen, the monkey dashed under all of the carriages. The grinder raised a fuss about his valuable property being damaged by the horses. He kept pointing at places where the monkey wasn't, and directing the coachmen to help him catch it. Meanwhile the monkey climbed up the side of the library, and Edward followed.
Reaching the windows of the fourth floor, the monkey peered in at the Naturalist meeting. Edward called out to the monkey in his usual manner of greeting. The greeting alerted Miss Sinclair and Mr. Frazer that something was amiss. The monkey became upset, apparently glaring at Edward before leaping from the building. By this point the master, Miss Namaste, and Mrs. Cuthbert had also heard the sounds.
Miss Sinclair and Mr. Fraser reached the ground floor to find Edward running around on all fours sniffing the ground. He claimed that Mr. Frazer's dog had tried to intercept the fleeing monkey, but the monkey had done something to hurt the dog. Edward was trying to find the monkey. The grinder had already vanished down a side street.
Mr. Frazer convinced his dog to track the monkey, but the animal's trail ended at a location on the same side street to which the grinder had fled. Apparently the man had had a cab waiting. It was decided that Mr. Frazer would follow Mr. Ditteridge to his lodgings, making sure that he got home safely, and the others all came home. It took a bit of time to piece all of the strange events together, and while I admit they are a peculiar string of events, I have trouble seeing what the connection is.
Miss Whitnell and Miss Sinclair had Edward drive them to the Ditteridge house, for a pre-arranged meeting to examine the telegram. Meanwhile, Mrs. Cuthbert performed one of her rituals and came out of the room very upset. She says that she had a vision: Lord Scarisbrick is dead, and the police are investigating it as a murder. A dog was also in the vision, perhaps one of the herding dogs which the Baron is known to be fond of, and the dog had found something important, but the police and the family had simply locked the dog up. Mrs. Cuthbert burst into tears at the end of her story.
Miss Whitnell and Miss Sinclair arrived at just that moment with the horrifying news that the Baron was, indeed, dead, and the police were investigating the death as a murder. Lord and Lady Ditteridge received an urgent message at the ball, as, apparently, have Lady Ditteridge's sisters. Miss Whitnell has agreed to take the news to Mr. Robert Ditteridge, and had hoped Mrs. Cuthbert would accompany her on the errand.
Mrs. Cuthbert seems to think that the murder is her fault, since she had the oracular vision, but failed to interpret it correctly. I think, perhaps,she is simply distraught and not thinking clearly.
The master has agreed to accompany Miss Whitnell and Miss Sinclair to Mr. Ditteridge's lodgings to break the news. Mr. Caine revealed the rather startling detail that the young lady Lt. Wooster had accompanied to the ball was another grandchild of Baron Scarisbrick, Miss Angela Glossop. Caine suggested that he and the lieutenant should make haste to the Glossop residence, where Wooster can say that he heard the horrible news and has come to offer any help. This gives them an excuse to look for clues and keep an eye on the Glossops, in case there is, in fact, some conspiracy to cause harm to the entire family.
And so, once again, members of our household are running off into the city past midnight, trying to prevent a catastrophe.
Proceed to 2. The Fiery Phantom!
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