Wednesday, 2 August, 1871 (continued)
I advised Mrs Murphy to prepare more chocolate for others in the household. The master urged members of the league to get some sleep. Lady Cowperthwaite took the most persuading, but eventually most everyone had at least retired to their beds.
Stuart drove the master into the City to handle the most urgent business. While he was away, a messenger brought a letter from Mr O'Flaherty, addressed to the master. Mr Chadwick and I thought it likely to be a sensitive communication and left it for the master's attention. When he returned, he appeared understandably exhausted, but not in bad spirits. He had some instructions for myself and Mr Chadwick, then retired to his bedchamber with Mr O'Flaherty's letter.
I learned from Meadows that Mr Frazer had gone in to work after a short nap. Mrs Frazer had been up and down all morning, unable to sleep and fretting about some of her responsibilities. Emily also could not sleep, and was soon at the servant's table again, drinking some more chocolate and not quite controlling her emotions. Mrs Salmalin went in and attempted to console her. I am not certain it was successful.
When Lady Cowperthwaite rose for the day, she requested a carriage, as she wished to visit her Father. She specifically requested Mr Salmalin as drive and escort her. She did not say when she expected to be back, and I had to say as much to Mrs Salmalin later when she and Mr Chadwick were sorting out some of the correspondence.
Mrs Frazer came to call on Mrs Salmalin min-morning, having received news in the morning mail from someone they had become acquainted with during last summer's trip to the continent. Mrs Frazer then went in to speak with Edward. I was slightly surprised to hear them laughing together. I learned later that they had each received anonymous letters. Mrs Frazer's letter warned that the child she tutors is secretly controlling the criminal fraternity of London, while Edward's warned that an old enemy of his Grandfather's had taken an interest in his (Edward's) activities, and that help would be available if he needed it. As Edward said, "Not news. Not useful."
Then it was time for Miss Wilhelmina's and Mrs Salmalin's appointment to call on Sir Matthew Whemple. Mrs Frazer and Emily accompanied them. George drove their carriage. It seemed that had hardly left the house when the master had awakened. He was a bit surprised that most of the household had "scattered to the winds" on personal errands. He had composed a note to Mr O'Flaherty and asked to have it delivered by a reliable messenger before.
Then a constable arrived at the townhouse with an urgent note for the master. The master said the note was from Insp. MacGreggor, and that there had been an incident at the home of Sir Matthew. The inspector wished Sir Cosmo and Edward to examine certain devices at the house. He had also sent a note to Mrs Cuthbert, requesting her assistance as Sir Matthew had been injured in the incident and was gravely ill. The master, Sir Spencer, and Mrs Cuthbert quickly made preparations to drive to the home of Sir Matthew, Nile House, in Greenwich.
Lady Cowperthwaite arrived at the townhouse a bit after noon. I gave her the note the master had left for her, and did my best to explain all the comings and goings. Then she and Mr Salmalin were off to meet the others at Nile House.
The remaining staff and I had the rest of the day to attend to some chores around the house, as none of the household returned until Supper time, and they were in a state. Sir Matthew had been attacked by more of these "ninjas." This ninjas have carried off several valuable artifacts, including a terbinite dry cell, and one of Edward's friends, Davy Hawkins. Hawkins is an apprentice watchmaker who had been hired some months ago my Sir Matthew to reconstruct an odd ruined device which Sir Matthew or his father had brought back from Egypt. This devices is an elaborate destruction of copper, brass, gold, and rather frightening amounts of terbinite. Both the master and Edward believe it is some sort of battery, though of decidedly different design than they have previously encountered.
Sir Matthew was left incapacitated after the attack, though apparently due to one of the artifact which he and Hawkins had activated. Mrs Salmalin and Mrs Cuthbert believes these are ancient Egyptian mystical objects. Mrs Cuthbert was able to awaken Sir Matthew, though he wasn't able to tell them much more than they had learned through their own investigations already.
Mrs Cuthbert's attempts to locate young Hawkins have been somewhat frustrated, as Madame Lillian de Vere, Mrs Cuthbert's sister, appears to be thwarting her divinations. She and Mrs Salmalin have determined Hawkins' approximate location in the Plumstead Marshes. The master has asked permission to borrow Lt. Wooster and his ship, HMS Rhinoceros, to search for the boy.
Everyone is changing clothes, having a quick bite, and preparing for the search. I do hope that they have less frightful tales when they get home than this morning.
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