From the date book of Mrs Cake, widow and chair of the altar guild of Edenfield Parish Church
Monday, 8 April
Was up quite late preparing basket lunch for Her Ladyship, then almost didn't make it to train station before they departed. She seemed surprised I was there to see her off, as if I would miss such an important event! She agreed that the baby is far too young to dance. He hasn't even learned to crawl, yet! Finally received the wool I ordered from London for the second blanket. I hope she likes it.
Tuesday, 9 April
Reviewed train timetables while seeing Mrs Earwig off at station. So much packing to do before going in to London tomorrow. Asked Mrs Earwig to give regards to Her Ladyship, Mrs Cuthbert &all.
Tuesday, 10 April
Awakened early this morning by most disturbing dream. Dead grass, tarnished gold coins, claws in the sky, a wind-up man walking in circles, a cross made of emerald, and strange piles of crystals. And all of this surrounding an image of Her Ladyship, Sir C, and all the rest dying in an unnatural fire. I must meet them in London and offer what help I can!
From the date book of Mrs Andrew Earwig, Esq. (Leticia), spiritualist
Tuesday, 9 April
Mrs Cake kind enough to see me off at train station. Requested I give regards to Mrs Cuthbert and Lady Cowperthwaite. I started to remind her that I was going to London, not Worcestershire. Then remembered with whom I was speaking.
Trip was quite pleasant, other than mildly disturbing dream when I dozed. Mrs Cuthbert conversing with a headless queen--the queen dressed in the style of the previous century, with perhaps a French cut to the dress.
Quite surprised to be met at train by Mrs Weasley. Have not seen her since last season. Requested my assistance with certain persons who have been disturbed by intense visitation of spirits. Many such instances throughout city in recent days. Introduced to a Dr Creven Siannaig, of Bethlehem Royal Hospital. Has charming Irish accent. Seems too eager to prescribe opium. Contrary to the beliefs of certain Primitives, such substances do not aid in the communication with spirits.
Visions full of disturbing symbols, though also many Seraphim. Are the Heavenly Hosts taking a new interest in our world? Or have they been drawn down to oppose a Great Evil?
The Headless Queen figured in many of the visions. I must consult my books for possible explanations of this omen.
Note to Mr Moody, Deputy Superintendent Guardsman of the Tower, from the Hon. Mr Aidan Ramsay, Order of St. Jerome
My dear Moody,
Received your note regarding Major Powell being dispatched to Worcestershire to assist the Cowperthwaites. Thank you for the information. I am leaving for Worcestershire immediately.
When I return, I intend to send a very sharp note to old Kenneth in the Lord High Warlock's Office. Major Powell is a menace and should have been sacked years ago.
Your servant,
Ramsay
From the day book of Mrs Dahlia Travers, Brinkley Court, Snodbury, Worcestershire
Tuesday, 9 April
The situation at Doverton Abbey became more worrying.
Not right to speak ill of the dead, but Sir Robert was always a sanctimonious ass. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the story of that poor girl and her intended was true. George Plank, I'm afraid, shares too much of his Uncle's arrogance. I am not at all sure things will be much different at the Abbey once he inherits. William Plank would be an ever-so-much more genial neighbor. And less likely to look down his nose at his tenants and the people in the village.
Our George has actually managed to keep Henry out from underfoot, though I did see him slipping Henry a few pounds surreptitiously in the hallway. Emily is aware of the loan, and rather than being properly outraged that her husband doesn't have the spine to come explain why he needs the money, is wavering in her determination to rein in his spendthrift ways.
She also expressed some apprehension at the idea of giving instructions to Mr Caine. When this is over, I shall have to sit down with her and explain that in a proper English household, the wife is in charge of all the indoor servants. The management of the household is her responsibilities. Of course, in a proper household the husband isn't a profligate moonraker, but we can't have everything. Mr Caine is an unusual case, of course, falling into the military chain of command when Henry is on active duty. That doesn't apply just now.
Shortly after everyone went off to have another go at the Abbey, a boy from the Abbey arrived with an urgent summons for Mrs Cuthbert and the Inspector. George Plank has taken ill, having been found insensible in his Uncle's study. William Plank fears it is a mortal illness and may be related to Sir Robert's death. I told the boy they were already on their way. Before the boy had disappeared across the meadow, Constable Betts arrived with similar news, intending to accompany the others to the Abbey. I sent him on his way.
An hour or so after the Constable left, a supercilious man whose card identified him as Major Alfred Powell arrived, inquiring after Inspector MacGreggor and Mrs Salmalin. I did not much like the look of him, but he was civil and appeared to be travelling on official business. I told him no more than he could have found out asking around the village: that the party had called on Doverton Abbey, to express condolences.
I sent a telegram off to Mr Willoughby, inquiring about this man, Powell's, credentials.
Then a rather out of breath Mr Aiden Ramsey (younger brother of Baron Culbin), inquiring after Mrs Salmalin and the Cowperthwaites.. I was not aware that he was acquainted with Sir Cosmo's circle, but was very happy to assist him in getting to Doverton Abbey.
The night has wore on rather late. Tom has asked me, twice, whether he had just imagined that we had a houseful of guests. I expect things have become even stranger at the Abbey. I've had cook leave some sandwiches and cold chicken where we can get to it easily, and had the boy's cot placed near the door, to let them in when they arrive, probably quite early in the morning, I should think.
Wednesday, 10 April
They did not arrive, but many of the inhabitants of Doverton Abbey did. There's been some sort of fire or coal gas leak at the Abbey, they say, and everyone had to leave. Cosmo's message indicated something more sinister afoot, but the coal gas story isn't a bad cover.
I instructed Mrs Patch the feed everyone and find places for people to bed down, while I had Chalk get the landau ready. Tom almost caught me slipping the gun into the carriage.
The milk maids were in a state. Rumours have it that some horrible thing with claws was seen in the sky over the road to Littleton. There were also gunshots heard, and possibly an explosion. Too bad the coal gas story won't work for a meadow in the middle of nowhere. Oh, well, I shall think of something.
It has been a few years since I've had to make something this large disappear temporarily. Fortunately I have far more resources here than I did in Thessaloniki. Also, in this neighborhood I am a respected, if eccentric, Lady of the Manor, instead of a newlywed foreign gell travelling with her indulgent husband.
It should be fun!
Excerpts from document claiming to be from the files of the
Lord High Warlock's office
...all the while that the young man claimed to have no memory of the incident, his hand moved as if trying to write. Once a pen was placed in his hand, the following appeared. He continued to insist he had no idea what his hand was writing or what it meant.
Matter stream received from planet surface. Two humans, female, transported aboard. No kosh fusion detected. Semkhet questioned humans. Younger human shows many promising aptitudes. Medical scan indicates Atlantean ancestry. Younger human assisted Semkhet in repair of primitive consciousness support device.
Second matter stream received from same location. Human foodstuffs and containers. Semkhet requests humans be allowed to examine transporter.
Matter stream activated from planet surface. Humans returned. Semkhet violated orders, returning to surface with humans. Consciousness support device also returned.
Awaiting instructions.
Matter stream received from planet surface. Semket has returned.
Urgent! Enemy vessel detected in planetary atmosphere. Request instructions!
Urgent! Enemy weapons activated in planetary atmosphere. High command alerted. Per standing orders, attempting to intercept.
Enemy vessel fleeing planetary atmosphere. Scan indicates signicant damage. No life signs detected. Vessel on automatic. Urgently request instructions.
Instructions received. Ending pursuit.
Proceed to Astonishing declarations
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