August 1870

Thursday, 4 August: The League returns to Berlin, where Kapitan Wymms is less displeased to see the League than when they left. Delivered Gruber, filled in missing details of his report. Also: persuaded (with help from the British Ambassador), Archduke Wilhelm to return the Bull to the Ottoman Empire.

Friday, 5 August: a day to "goof-off" in Berlin for most the the League (Cosmo has some diplomatic things to attend to). Mr. Deverill and Hassan bid farewell to the League. Hassan gives Deveril ride to Wallachia to return the stolen book to the monastery. Mr. Hassan will continue to Istanbul to consult with other holy men about what to do, ultimately, with the Lion and the Bull. Some members of the League visit the library, others go shopping.

Saturday, 6 August: Last day in Berlin

Sunday, 7 August: Most members of the League travels by rail to Naples, in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The trip takes the entire day. Insp. MacGreggor and Mr. Frazer take separate train to the border of Belgium.

Monday, 8 August: In Naples, Sir Cosmo takes Edward, Miss Sinclair, and anyone else interested, to meet his correspondent, Mrs. Mary Fairfax Somerville, 80-year-old widow and author of ‘The Magnetic Properties of the Violet Rays of the Solar Spectrum', the second scientific monograph written by a woman to be published in the Journal of the Royal Society. She's most famous as the author of the four-volume _The Mechanism of Heaven_ in which she explains Galileo's laws of motion, gravitation, and the mathematics behind them. Insp. MacGreggor and Mr. Frazer arrive in Calais, France.

Meanwhile, the Luxembourg Conference convenes under the auspices of William, King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg, between the leaders of France, Prussia, Bavaria, Wurttemburg, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Belgium, and other parties to the recent war (the United Kingdom, Russia, and Denmark were only peripherally involved, as they were merely trying to preserve the neutrality of Belgium; they have representatives at the conference, but serve mainly as mediators).

Tuesday, 9 August: League rests in Naples. Insp. MacGreggor and Mr. Frazer arrive in London.

Wednesday, 10 August: League takes the new-ish direct rail line to Paris. In London, Insp. MacGreggor and Mr. Frazer file their reports.

Thursday and Friday, 11-12 August: For the League a couple of days to goof-off in Paris.

Saturday, 13 August: Final day in Paris.

Sunday, 14 August: The League takes early morning train to Calais, then the ferry to Dover. Arrive in London mid-afternoon.

Monday, 15 August: A day to unpack, relax, get re-acquainted.

Tuesday, 16 August: A day for the League to prepare for more travel.

Meanwhile, an official declaration is issued from the Luxembourg Conference that the war between France and her allies and Prussia is concluded. Also, in London, Insp. MacGreggor takes a few days leave to visit family. Unrelated, Lord Yaxley (grandfather of Lt. Wooster), apparently experiencing a slight improvement in his health, insists on returning to his country estate, where he insists the fresh air will make a new man of him.

Wednesday, 17 August: Most of Sir Cosmo's household (including Mr. Graves!) travels to Cosmo's country home in Lancashire, Edenfield Court. Miss Sinclair and Mr. Frazer, with Miss Whitnell as chaperone, take a separate train to Bridgewater, in Somerset, so that Miss Sinclair can introduce her fiancé to her family. Lt. Wooster reports for his usual duty at the Admiralty, where he begins an excruciating period of report writing.

Thursday, 18 August: Most of the League arrives at Goxhill Manor, in East Yorkshire, to be the guests of Lord Greyminster (Sir Cosmo's grandfather).

Over the next several days members of the household get to know a bit about the Goxhill parish, and the neighboring parishes of Sigglesthorne and Hornsea.

Saturday, 20 August: In Bridgewater, the Sinclair family hosts a party to celebrate the engagement of Miss Ruth Sinclair to Mr. Benton Frazer.

Monday, 22 August: Insp. MacGreggor, having returned to London, joins the investigation of the Brixton Horror, assisting Insp. Bucket and Sgt. Relf. Meanwhile, in Goxhill, Mrs. Andrew (Leticia) Earwig calls on Mrs. Cuthbert at Goxhill Manor. Sir Cosmo (with Edward driving), makes courtesy calls on several of the neighbors.

Tuesday, 23 August: In Bridgewater, Miss Sinclair's sister present her with a surprise.

Wednesday, 24 August: Miss Sinclair, Mr. Frazer, and Miss Whitnell leave Bridgewater by train. They stop that night near West Darlston, to check on Miss Whitnell's property. Meanwhile, in Goxhill, Sir Cosmo takes the household into the town of Hornsea to see the beach, the resort, and other places of interest. It is during this trip that Sir Cosmo buys one-year memberships to the Hornsea Reading and Conversation Society for pretty much everyone in the household (which gives them access to the lending library and the monthly readings/lectures). While visiting the town, Dr. Wilson discovers the Temperance Hall, which holds services regularly on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Thursday, 25 August: various London papers report that in the Dominion of Canada, an expedition led by Col. Garnet Woseley has engaged the so-called Red River Rebels near Ft. Garry. The fighting is reported to be fierce. Meanwhile, in Goxhill, Lord Greyminster hosts a garden party and croquet game.

Friday, 26 August: Lord Greyminster gives Miss Chigwdigeon, Edward, Mrs. Cuthbert (and anyone else interested), a more in-depth tour of the Manor and the village.

Saturday, 27 August: Miss Sinclair, Mr. Frazer, and Miss Whitnell leave Stoke-on-Trent by train for Goxhill. Miss Sinclair has an important conversation with Miss Chigwidgeon (results pending).

Sunday, 28 August: In Goxhill, Miss Whitnell joins the members of the household attending church at St. Wilfred's in Goxhill. In the afternoon, Edward gives Miss Sinclair and Miss Whitnell the official tour of his smithy. Mr. Graves returns to London to manage the townhouse.

Monday, 29 August: London papers report that the Woseley expedition has been forced to retreat from the forces of the Red River Rebels. At least one paper mentions "wild reports" of "strange beasts" fighting alongside the Rebels. Lord Greyminster takes his guests on a picnic on the shore of Hornsea Mere (the large lake north of the Manor).

Tuesday, 30 August: The Times reports that Col. Garnet Woseley was killed during the battle of Ft. Garry, and that the retreat of his expeditionary force was not entirely orderly. In Goxhill, Miss Whitnell brings an important question to Miss Chigwidgeon.

Wednesday, 31 August: Mr. Frazer returns by train to London to resume his duties. Meanwhile, the terms of the peace agreement between France and Prussia are published, in full, by the Times. Prussia and the North German Confederation will pay indemnities to France, Bavaria, and Belgium. The boundaries as they existed before the war are recognized.

September 1870

Thursday, 1 September: Insp. MacGreggor makes an arrest. Meanwhile, in Goxhill, Lord Greyminster hosts an outdoor dance party in honour of Sir Cosmo and Miss Chigwidgeon, to which the local villagers and farmers are invited, in addition to the local gentry and aristocrats.

Friday, 2 September: Mrs. Cuthbert has a dream in which Magda the Vampire Slayer fights and defeats a sorcerer and his demonic minions. She has the distinct impression that this happened in North America. Also, Miss Sinclair and Edward call on Sir Thomas Rossiter, a noted naturalist who lives not far from Goxhill Manor.

Saturday, 3 September: The Standard and Times both report a new offensive in the Dominion of Canada, under the command of the Duke of Cambridge (first cousin to the Queen and Commander-in-Chief of the British Army) against the Red River Rebels. Meanwhile, in Goxhill, as the weather is still holding, Lord Greyminster hosts another garden party.

Monday, 5 September: The early morning edition of the Times reports that the Red River Rebels have capitulated completely. Meanwhile, several papers report that in a ceremony before the Chamber of Deputies in Paris, Emperor Napoleon III has created Admiral Rene LeCoq the Duc d'Lorraine, and has restored to him the title and duties of Supreme Marshall.

Tuesday, 6 September: the Mediterranean fleet of the British navy encounters a heavy storm off the coast of Finisterre. At the time of the storm, the fleet includes two ships of experimental design: HMS Captain, designed by Cowper Coles (a retired naval captain), and HMS Monarch, designed by Edward Reed (former Chief Constructor of the Admiralty who resigned earlier in the summer in an argument about the instability of the Captain's design). HMS Captain sinks during the storm, taking 480 sailors and officers, plus the ship's designer (who was on the voyage to observe) as well as its commanding officer.

As the above news doesn't reach London on this day, the newspapers are filled with reports that King Wilhelm of Prussia has accepted the resignation of Otto von Bismarck from his three posts: Chancellor of the North German Confederation, Foreign Minister of same, and Prime Minister of Prussia. Wilhelm has also accepted the resignation of General von Moltke as Chief of the Army. Several other resignations and removals of government officials are also mentioned.

Wednesday, 7 September: first report of the sinking of the HMS Captain reaches London.

Thursday, 8 September: papers report that King Wilhelm has appointed Ernst von Bruck, former Finance Minister of the North German Confederation, and former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Hanover, as the Chancellor of the North German Confederation. Changes and appointments to other cabinet positions are "under consideration." Wilhelm re-appoints Bismarck as Prime Minster of Prussia, though without the parallel position in the Confederation cabinet, this leaves him with only internal administrative duties. The Times mentions the appointment of Siegfried Wymms, former Kapitan of the Berlin Police, as the new Commander of the Royal Police. The paper also notes that the King creates Wymms a Count, and mentions his forthcoming marriage to Lady Sophia von Rammkin, the last remaining heir of one of the minor ducal families of the North German states.

Saturday, 10 September: the Times publishes the full list of the 480 names of those believed lost when HMS Captain went down, on a single page printed with a thick black border. Special note is made in the facing article that Midshipman Childers, listed among the dead, is the youngest son of Hugh Childers, the First Lord of the Admiralty.

Monday, 12 September: several papers report that Hugh Childers, First Lord of the Admiralty, has been confined to bed, diagnosed with "mental collapse." Admiral Sir Sydney Colpoys Dacres, Senior Naval Lord, in response to questions from the press, says that a court martial will be convened as soon as all relevant witnesses have returned to Britain.

Tuesday, 13 September: Insp. MacGreggor nabs two baby farmers who had gone into hiding, posing as husband and wife.

Wednesday, 14 September: several papers report that the French Chamber of Deputies has approved a new Act of Succession, proposed by Emperor Napoleon III. The actual line of succession remains virtually unchanged, although one of the Emperor's cousins (who was recently convicted of murdering a journalist) is explicitly barred from the succession. The Act legislatively recognized Admiral LeCoq's position as godfather to the Imperial Prince, and provides that, should the Prince ascend to the throne before attaining legal age of majority, that the Admiral will act as Imperial Regent. The Act was approved unanimously.

Thursday, 15 September: Insp. MacGreggor takes an evening train to Oxfordshire, to assist one of his sisters working at the Uffington autumn fair. Meanwhile, in Goxhill, Edward makes a new friend.

Saturday, 17 September: several papers report the arrival of the Emperor, Empress, and Imperial Prince of France in Naples, to celebrate the recent betrothal of the Imperial Prince to the Princess Royal of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Meanwhile, in Goxhill, Lord Greyminster hosts another outdoor dance party in the evening.

Sunday, 18 September: Sir Cosmo, Edward, Miss Sinclair, Emily, and George, take the night train from Goxhill to London. Sir Cosmo will attend to various business interests in town, and Edward will get back to work on his special project at the B.C. & R. Powered Boat Company. Cosmo intends to return to Goxhill most Fridays for as long as Miss Chigwidgeon and the others remain in the country. Dr. Wilson and Mr. O'Flaherty probably return to London at this time. Dr. Wilson will return to Goxhill for weekends, though not nearly as regularly as Sir Cosmo. Miss Whitnell takes the train to Stoke-on-Trent and a carriage from there to West Darlson where she will spend the week. Insp. MacGreggor takes the night train from Oxfordshire to London.

Monday, 19 September: several papers have stories about the festivities in Naples surrounding the betrothal of the Princess to the heir to the French throne. Only the Globe notes, in a sidebar, that Prince Pierre Bonaparte, recently convicted of murdering a journalist, was guillotined that day; the Emperor having turned down a request for clemency before leaving the country. Meanwhile, Miss Sinclair may notice none of this, as her mother arrives at Sir Cosmo's townhouse, having accepted his invitation to come visit. She intends to remains for several weeks.

Wednesday, 21 September: Lady Ottoline Cornwall makes an appointment with Inspector MacGreggor to discuss a possible source of additional information about some of the missing suspects in the cases related to the Brixton Horrors. Meanwhile, at Sir Cosmo's house, Miss Sinclair and Mr. Frazer discuss possible wedding dates and plans.

Friday, 23 September: Lady Ottoline and Miss Bertilde begin interviewing young women. Mr. Frazer makes an important appointment. Meanwhile, Miss Whitnell returns to Goxhill Hall to find a letter from her mother and sister asking her to come to Cheshire for the sister's confinement beginning in October. Sir Cosmo, Edward, Emily, and Miss Sinclair(?) take evening train to Goxhill.

Saturday, 24 September: Lord Greyminster hosts another lakeside picnic at Hornsea Mere.

Sunday, 25 September: Sir Cosmo, Edward, Emily, and Miss Sinclair return to London.

Monday, 26 September: Lt. Henry Wooster is awarded a special medal for "The Preservation of Belgian Peace--1870." Also awarded this commendation are Captain (Commodore) William Moriarty, the captains and officers of the ships under his command, Brigadier George Peacock, Mr. Caine, and the three sailors under Wooster's command during the brief war between Prussia and France.

Wednesday, 28 September: Mr. Frazer and Miss Sinclair meet with Rev. Horton at the church of St. John the Evangelist, Drury Lane. Also on this day, the trial of Mrs. Jane Waters of Lambeth Road, the woman at the center of the Brixton Horror, begins.

Thursday, 29 September: Insp. MacGreggor arrests another former baby farmer on the lam. This brings the total to 14 people arrested by officers investigating the Brixton Horrors and related cases.

Friday, 30 September: Sir Cosmo, Miss Sinclair, Miss Bertilde, and Edward take an evening train to Goxhill.

October 1870

Saturday, 1 October: Miss Whitnell leaves Goxhill bound for Cheshire. The jury in the trial of Mrs. Jane Waters brings in a verdict of guilty on no less than 21 counts of murder. The judge sentences her to hang.

Sunday, 2 October: The first reading of the banns for Mr. Frazer and Miss Sinclair.

Monday, 3 October: The trial Mr. John Savill, a.k.a. Mr. John Waters, accused of aiding Mrs. Jane Waters in the murder of 21 infants and small children, begins. The same day, before different judges, the trials of Mrs. Harnett in Greenwich and Mr. Stevens of Norwood (both cases of multiple infanticide), begin.

Wednesday, 5 October: Mr. Spencer Cuthbert keeps an appointment at Windsor Castle, where he "receives his handle." His calling cards will henceforth read: Sir Spencer Cuthbert, Kt. (Members of the League may well decide to come down to London to throw some sort of celebration, though usually only one family member attends the actual ceremony with the subject). Meanwhile, in Cheshire, Miss Whitnell reflects on missing the festivities in London as Mr. Cuthbert becomes Sir Spencer. Meanwhile, the jury brings in a guilty verdict in the case of Mr. John Savill. Coincidentally, Mrs. Waters' sentence is carried out the same day.

Sometime during this week, Miss Bertilde comes to Edward with a special commission.

Thursday, 6 October: The jury brings in a guilty verdict in the case of Mrs. Harnett.

Friday, 7 October: Capt. Moriarty, Lt. Wooster, and several other members of Wooster's crew are honored at a small reception at the Belgian Embassy. Each receives a medal. Futhermore, Moriarty is made an Honorary Admiral in the Belgian Navy, and Wooster is made an Honorary Captain in the same institution. The party at the Bombards Club that weekend is one of their most rowdy.

Saturday, 8 October: The jury brings in a guilty verdict in the case of Mr. Stevens. Over the next four weeks, eleven others arrested in similar cases go to trial, all are found guilty; all save one are sentenced to death. Charles Hall, whose parents were convicted and sentenced to death before him, is deemed to have been under an evil influence of his parents from on early age, and therefore may not be fully responsible. He is transported to Australia and sentenced to hard labour for not less than 14 years.

Sunday, 9 October: Miss Whitnell attends church in Cheshire and seeing old friends and family together misses the League. The second reading of the banns for Mr. Frazer and Miss Sinclair.

Tuesday, 11 October: Mr. O'Flaherty is contacted by a Mr. Greaves, an instructor at the Hampstead Art School, about the possibility of hiring him from time-to-time as an art model for classes at the school. After looking into the school, Mr. O'Flaherty agrees.

Wednesday, 12 October: Miss Chigwidgeon receives some good news from her step-mother.

Friday, 14 October: Lord Greyminster hosts an outdoor party to which all the community is invited, to kick off the Autumn Fair. Miss Sinclair, Edward, Miss Bertilde, George, and Mrs. Sinclair take an evening train to Goxhill.

Saturday, 15 October: the Autumn Fair in Goxhill parish, where Sir Cosmo was to award prizes and fulfill other ceremonial duties. Unfortunately, Cosmo has to remain in London to deal with some urgent business at the shipyard, and somehow he wrangles Wooster into taking his place. Wooster appears on stage in his latest dress uniform, with which he happens to be wearing a Belgian-style hat (more plumage than the British Lieutenant's, doncha know). Many attendees say this was the most entertaining awards of any fair in living memory (and Widow Cropley is sure to recover, eventually).

Sunday, 16 October: Miss Whitnell attends church in Cheshire and is slowly going out of her mind with boredom. Miss Sinclair, Edward, et al, return to London by train. The third reading of the banns for Mr. Frazer and Miss Sinclair.

Thursday, 20 October: The Horrifying Incident of the Mechanical Bunny. Lt. Wooster is enjoying at evening at the Bombards Club when he is accosted by what he believes to be a demonic hare. A fight of titanic proportions ensues. Weeks afterward, members of the club are still taking turns trying to pull the fireplace poker from a flagstone, and arguing about how Wooster managed to embed it therein.

Friday, 21 October: Sir Cosmo, Mr. Reed, and others from the B.C. & R. Powered Boat Company attend a noon church service commemorating Trafalgar Day. Lt. Wooster (and a whole lot of other naval officers) attends a similar ceremony.

Friday, 28 October: Anne (Whitnell) Parks gives birth to a son. Miss Whitnell has a new nephew. Shortly after arriving at Goxhill Hall, Miss Sinclair and Mrs. Cuthbert approach Miss Wilhelmina about the possiblity of her attending the reading of the moth paper. The discussion does not go well.

Saturday, 29 October: Phillip Roger Parks is christened at home at the Whitnell country estate.

Sunday, 30 October: Miss Whitnell plans her return to London and is talked into staying for a few more days, because–baby cute! Sir Cosmo, Edward, Miss Sinclair, Sir Spencer, Mrs. Cuthbert, Miss Bertilde, Miss Chigwidgeon, Salmalin, and whoever else wishes to attend the reading of Miss Sinclair's paper and assist with the last few days planning for the Frazer/Sinclair wedding, leave Goxhill for London.

November 1870

Tuesday, 1 November: All Saint's Day. Miss Whitnell travels to London because while baby cute, family annoying (and she wants to hear the reading of Miss Sinclair's paper). After Miss Whitnell arrives, Miss Sinclair recruits her for a second attempt to convince Miss Wilhelmina to attend the reading. Sir Cosmo is drawn into a discussion and brokers a compromise.

Wednesday, 2 November: Miss Sinclair's moth paper is read at a meeting of the London Naturalist Society. Mr. Silas Scuddamore reads the paper. Miss Sinclair, Mr. Frazer, Sir Cosmo, Miss Whitnell, Edward, and many other members of the League are in the audience. The paper is warmly received, although one of the co-sponsors of the paper, Mr. Wroth, seems less than cordial during the reception following the reading.

Friday, 4 November: Miss Whitnell receives a moderately troubling note from Baroness Blackhall. Sir Cosmo, et al, remain in London–there's a wedding to attend, after all!

Saturday, 5 November: The Sigglesthorne Autumn Fair, at which Sir Spencer and Sir Cosmo give out prizes and fulfill other ceremonial roles. Miss Wilhelmina attends the fair in her new dress, which, it appears, she is already outgrowing. Since the Fair has landed on Guy Fawkes day this year, the fair ends with a bonfire onto which several local clubs and organizations place their Guy Fawkes effigy. Miss Wilhelmina's Guy is extremely special–launching itself into the air and exploding in a beautiful array of colours. The effigy's propulsion device bore an uncanny resemblance to Dr. Wilson's Steerable Rocket Belt, causing much teasing all around.

Monday, 7 November: In London, at the Church of St. John the Evangelist Drury Lane, Mr. Benton Frazer and Miss Ruth Sinclair are married. In attendance are many of their friends, including Mr. Frazer's father's old partner, now Chief Constable of Aberdeenshire, Duncan Frobisher. Afterwards, the party returns to Sir Spencer's house for the wedding breakfast and other festivities, until the happy couple board a train bound for their honeymoon at about 2pm.

It is also Opening Day for fox season. Near the town of Towcester, in Northhamptonshire, in the early hours of the morning, Frederick Wooster, Viscount Yaxley, Baron Towcester, sneaks out of his house (against doctor's orders) and joins the day's hunt. In midafternoon he is found, slumped over in the saddle, quite dead. Late that evening, Lt. Wooster receives the telegram informing him of the death of his grandfather.

Tuesday, 8 November: Caine pours Wooster onto an early morning train bound for Northhamptonshire. Meanwhile, way up in Carlisle, Cumbria, Mr. & Mrs. Frazer leave their hotel and board a northbound train. Back in London, Mrs. Sinclair announces she will extend her stay for a few more weeks so that Miss Bertilde won't be "so alone" in the house.

Wednesday, 9 November: the Earl of Greyminster and the Earl of Sidcup board an early morning train for Northhamptonshire. Meanwhile, far to the north, Mrs. Frazer takes what may very well be her only "bracing walk" outside the cottage near Alford, Aberdeenshire (besides, the cottage has those nice fireplaces, skuttles of coal, comfy chairs, divan, a nice, solid settle, big comfy bed…).

Thursday, 10 November: Lord Yaxley is buried. Lord Greyminster is not the only elderly member of the House of Lords who makes the journey to attend the funeral. When Lord Greyminster returns to Goxhill Manor, he may be overheard to comment rather sadly, "That's one fewer of us who remembers George the Third…" Meanwhile, in London, Miss Whitnell discovers Edward's latest experiment.

Friday, 11 November: Remaining members of Cosmo's household (including Dr. Wilson and Mr. O'Flaherty) return to Goxhill.

Sunday, 13 November: a severe storm sweeps in from the North Sea, making things quite unpleasant in Hornsea, Goxhill, Sigglesthorne, Great Hatfield and Little Hatfield. A ship runs aground on the shoals off the coast. Dr. Wilson was attending services at the Hornsea Temperance Hall at the time, and decided to assist the local Lifeboat Crew (a volunteer rescue unit). Using the new, steerable version of his rocket belt, he flies out into the storm and gets a line to the ship, allowing passengers and crew to be rescued via breakers buoy. Dr. Wilson later pronounces it a "mostly satisfactory" demonstration of the new device. Dr. Wilson remains in Hornsea for several days, discussing the needs of Lifeboat Crews, fisherman, et cetera, before returning to B. F. & S. Stein and Company with many new ideas for practical rocket products.

Monday, 14 November: Mrs. Sinclair returns to Bridgewater.

Tuesday, 15 November: Edward and his friend from the old neighborhood, Howard, bring a badly beaten boy who Edward calls "Wee Willy" to Sir Cosmo's for first aid. While Sir Cosmo, Miss Whitnell, and Graves are dealing with the injuries, Howard notices that Edward and George have both vanished. Howard guesses where he's gone, and runs off to find him before Sir Cosmo or Miss Whitnell can ask any further questions. A few hours later George, Howard, and Edward come limping back. All are battered and bruised. Edward is limping on both legs and has put her own arm in a sling. George's hand is bandaged. "Shoulda seen the other guy!" Edward proclaims. Howard and George tell the harrowing tale of having to pull an enraged Edward off of one of the members of the gang of boys who had beaten Willy. When Miss Bertilde gets home from her rounds, she's most irritated that she wasn't along to help with the thrashing.

Friday, 18 November: Mr. & Mrs. Frazer leave Aberdeenshire on an early morning train, which, due to careful planning on Mr. Frazer's part, allows them to catch the last evening train going from Hull to Goxhill.

Saturday, 19 November: Miss Whitnell replies to Baroness Blackhall's letter.

Monday, 21 November: Mrs. Whitnell and Miss Betty Whitnell, arrive in London. Mrs. Whitnell is accepting Sir Cosmo's invitation to visit. While in London she and her youngest daughter will be assisting the Society for the Support of Young Mothers and Infants in setting up the homes for the young mothers and recruiting volunteers, et cetera.

Tuesday, 22 November: Miss Whitnell meets with Baroness Blackhall.

Wednesday, 23 November London: Miss Whitnell meets with her solicitor.

Thursday, 24 November: Dr. Wilson, Mr. Piddingquick, and Henri (accompanied by Mortimer, Mr. O'Flaherty, and a small crew of technicians) come to Hornsea to test a revised version of the steerable rocket belt, plus prototypes of rescue rocket designs.

Saturday, 26 November: The Court Martial looking into the loss of HMS Captain reaches a verdict in which it rightly finds none of the surviving sailors responsible (the highest ranking survivor was Gunner William May – not a single commissioned officer survived). It falls short of assigning blame even to the designer or to senior officers. The verdict includes the extremely unusual observation that "the ship had been built in deference to public opinion, and against professional advice." It appears to the editors of the major papers that the Court was attempting to lay blame at the feet of certain Radical members of parliament within the Liberal Party who had fought force this new design on the Navy.

Sunday, 27 November: The Globe publishes what it claims is a memo from Hugh Childers, First Lord of the Admiralty, assigning blame in the HMS Captain tragedy to virtually everyone but himself, and tendering his resignation. The paper notes that Childers has been bed-ridden for weeks since the incident and seems to imply that the illness is a ruse by the First Lord to evade responsibility.

Monday, 28 November: a moderately severe storms sweeps the coast, giving Dr. Wilson, Henri, and Mr. Piddingquick an excellent opportunity to test the new rockets.

Tuesday, 29 November: The Times publishes an interview with Hugh Childers, in which he claims that the blame lies with Vice Admiral Sir Spencer Robinson, Third Lord of the Admiralty and Controller of the Fleet. It is clear to anyone who has been following the story that Childers has entered a state of deep denial, apparently having no memory of his rather spectacular arguments with the then Chief Constructor, and seeming to believe that the ship's only problem was a minor change to the height of the freeboard, which was made 8 inches shallower to keep the ironclad within budget.

Those staying at Goxhill Manor will overhear Lord Greyminster yelling and grumbling in his study each time new newspapers are brought in. He spends an inordinate amount of time through the following week composing telegrams and letters to colleagues.

December 1870

Thursday, 1 December: Dr. Wilson, Mr. Piddingquick, Henri, et al, return to London.

Friday, 2 December: Sir Comso, Edward, Miss Whitnell, et al, take evening train to Goxhill.

Saturday, 3 December: Mr. O'Flaherty is contacted by a Mr. Clark about modelling for the Kensington Art College.

Tuesday, 6 December: Mrs. Frazer finds Edward writing an R.S.V.P. for Mr. Scrooge's Christmas party and reminds him that the household has been invited to Goxhill Manor for Christmas. Edward promises to speak to Sir Cosmo about the situation. That evening, Ruth is telling Benton about how strangely excited Edward was about the party, which prompts Mr. Frazer to sheepishly admit that he has neglected to tell her that he usually attends Mr. Scrooge's party and dinner. "I usually help serve punch…"

Thursday, 8 December: Dr. Wilson files patent papers for the steerable rocket belt, now re-named "The Wilson Instant Ascender."

Friday, 9 December: Prime Minister Gladstone asks the Queen to call a special session of Parliament for purposes of filling vacancies at the Admiralty. According to the papers Vice Admiral Sir Spencer Robinson has refused to resign and accept blame for the HMS Captain tragedy, when he feels the blame clearly belongs elsewhere.

Sunday, 11 December: Lord Greyminster takes the night train to London. Miss Pinker may comment to the visitors that this is just what he needs. "I was beginning to worry, he was so depressed after Lord Yaxley's funeral. But he's got that fighting gleam in his eye. I feel sorry for the other party…"

Monday, 12 December: Miss Whitnell, Miss Chigwidgeon, and Salmalin travel to Miss Whitnell's cottage in West Darlson. Meanwhile, Mrs. Rose MacGreggor accompanies her two unmarried daughters to London, where they stay with their brother, Insp. MacGreggor. Also in London, Miss Mitzi hires Mr. O'Flaherty for a limited gig at the Cabaret Les Fantastique.

Thursday, 15 December: The Special Session of Parliament opens with the only business on the docket of the Commons being the composition of the Admiralty Board. The Commons disposes of the business in one day, despite a withering speech from Benjamin Disreali. The Commons' bill retires Vice Admiral Robinson, and appoints Captain Robert Hall, C.B. to replace him; it also accepts Hugh Childers's resignation and appoints George Joachim Goschen (Liberal Member of Parliament representing London, currently President of the Poor Law Board) as the new First Lord of the Admiralty. The Lords, on the other hand, debate long into the night, and refuse to ratify the decision of the Commons.

Friday, 16 December: The House of Lords continues to debate the Commons bill. Meanwhile, Miss Whitnell, Miss Chigwidgeon, and Salmalin travel from West Darlson to London.

Saturday, 17 December: Several papers publish the rather fiery speeches on the topic of accountability delivered by the Duke of Balmoral, the Duke of Richmond and Lennox, and the Earl of Greyminster.

Monday, 19 December: In the Commons, Benjamin Disreali calls for a vote of no-confidence in the current cabinet. The debate rages through the day, but when the vote is taken, Gladstone survives by only four votes.

Tuesday, 20 December: two cabinet members: John Bright, President of the Board of Trade, and Edward Cardwell, Secretary of State for War, announce their resignations from the cabinet, citing their strong support for the design of the HMS Captain (they retain their seats in Parliament). Gladstone introduces a new bill concerning the Admiralty board. The bill includes language suggested by the House of Lords, clarifying that the First Lord is the person ultimately accountable for Admiralty decisions; it retires Vice Admiral Robinson, but promotes him to full Admiral in recognition of his years of service and appoints Vice Admiral Lewis Phipps to replace him; it appoints George Joachim Goschen First Lord of the Admiralty. A second bill is passed naming W.E. Forester President of the Board of Trade, and Lord Hartington as Secretary of State for War. Late in the evening of the 20th, the House of Lords ratifies both bills. The Special Session is adjourned.

Wednesday, 21 December: Lord Greyminster returns to Goxhill. Miss Whitnell and Miss Chigwidgeon also return to Goxhill.

Thursday, 22 December: Mr. O'Flaherty makes his second stage appearance (since the incident with the song and dance demon), this time as Father Christmas in the cabaret's holiday pageant.

Friday, 23 December: Sir Cosmo takes the train to Goxhill. Edward remains in London with Ruth, Mr. Frazer, and others TBD. Insp. MacGreggor accompanies his sisters by train back to Oxfordshire. The second night of the cabaret's holiday pageant.

Saturday, 24 December: In Goxhill, Lord Greyminster's Christmas Party. In London, Mr. Scrooge's Christmas Party. Also, Dr. Wilson goes in search of George Pennifeather to discuss certain stories he has written about Kid Rocket (cf. "Kid Rocket Saves Christmas"). The third and final night of the cabaret's holiday pageant.

Sunday, 25 December: Christmas Day. In the wee small hours of the morning two of Father Christmas's helpers: Edward Elf and his trusty assistant, Howard, make some children's Christmas morning magickal.

Monday, 26 December: Insp. MacGreggor returns from Oxfordshire, and is immediately assigned to investigate the death of George Pennifeather, to help the coroner determine whether it really was a tragic accident, or something more sinister helped along by Dr. Wilson.

Tuesday, 27 December: The Hornsea Post, a weekly paper published in the town of Hornsea, publishes a story profiling the Letchworth Disaster – when an electrical train designed by the son of Sir Galen Cowperthwaite, exploded, killing 50 people, including Sir Galen and his wife, Lady Constance. At Goxhill Manor, several members of the staff and household go to great lengths to keep Lord Greyminster or Sir Cosmo from seeing the paper, but ultimately fail. Sir Cosmo shrugs it off. He gets into a disagreement, which doesn't quite become a full-fledged argument, with his grandfather when Lord Greyminster wants to go into town and give the editor a "right good ticking off."

Wednesday, 28 December: Miss Chigwidgeon receives a very excited letter from her brother, Fong, explaining that a play Nigel has written is to be produced in a London theatre this spring.

Thursday, 29 December: Miss Chigwidgeon receives a slightly less excited letter from Nigel explaining the same news, and thanking her for encouraging him to try to sell his work.

January 1870

Sunday, 1 January, 1871: Sir Cosmo returns to London on the last train from Goxhill.

Monday, 2 January, 1871: Lt. Wooster hears a rumour that Captain Moriarty may be promoted to Vice Admiral now that Phipps has been moved up to the Admiralty Board. There are further rumours that Wooster might be due a promotion thereafter. Miss Whitnell returns to London for last minute wedding shopping (and a break from Goxhill Manor). Meanwhile, Mr. O'Flaherty receives a job offer from Mr. Bialystok, which he regretfully turns down.

Tuesday, 3 January, 1871: Lord Greyminster leaves the manor very early to go into town and pick up the new edition of the Hornsea Post. The Post does not contain another article about Sir Cosmo. But it does print anonymous letters from two concerned citizen asking about rumors of Sir Cosmo's connection in the death of the Marquis of Dearingford and in the kidnapping of the two eldest sons of the Duke of Balmoral. Lord Greyminster sends off several telegrams, then has his coachman drive him to Great Hatfield where he consults with his solicitor.

Friday, 6 January, 1871: In London, Dr. Wilson is visited by Mr. Leslie Gallant II and a representative from the American Embassy. He is made an offer he cannot refuse. That afternoon, after packing hastily, he informs Sir Cosmo that a pressing family emergency requires his attention, and he has been promised no trouble from the law if he returns to the states. He adds, rather cryptically, that he would go settle this problem even without a promise of immunity. He turns in his resignation to B.F. & C. Stein and Company, makes sure that adequate severance pay will be going to Nigel and Mr. O'Flaherty, and boards an evening train for Liverpool.

Because all of this takes some sorting out, Sir Cosmo, Miss Whitnell, Edward, Emily, Mr. O'Flaherty, and others TBD, wind up taking an extremely late train to Hull, and from there a Special to Goxhill, so that they arrive well past midnight.

Saturday, 7 January, 1871: The coroner's inquest determines that Mr. George Pennifeather's death was probably an accident, as there is no evidence of violence to the body. The Echo, a newspaper owned by the same publisher as The London Illustrated Weekly (for whom George Pennifeather wrote a series of Kid Rocket stories) places this story on the front page of a special edition, under the enormous headline, "Inquest fails to convict Kid Rocket" and a subhead, "If innocent, why did American Outlaw flee nation before verdict rendered?"

Before Insp. MacGreggor has even left the building where the inquest was held, he is taken aside by his superiors and assigned to investigate another death. Before the day is through, he has interviewed a bereaved widow, an incensed son, numerous servants, several naturalists, and some railway employees.

Meanwhile, in Goxhill, Mr. O'Flaherty (possibly accompanied by Lt. Wooster and Sir Spencer?) heads out to a tavern in Hornsea. Also, Sir Cosmo receives two telegrams.

Sunday, 8 January, 1871: Insp. MacGreggor boards a train from London to Goxhill.

Monday, 9 January, 1871: Guests begin arriving at Goxhill Manor for the wedding, scheduled for Saturday, 14 January.

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Contents this page copyright 2004 by Gene Breshears. All Rights Reserved.