Session II: Fungus and Furrowed Brows

Too late to call upon the home of Reginald to show what Seamus had uncovered, Marion decided that he needed rest, starting the day with a few hours under his belt seemed to be the best way to fulfil another day of investigation.

Waking from a dreamless sleep, Marion did feel somewhat relieved to not witness another glowing eyed, rodent shaped monster in his subconscious, he got dressed and began his normal grooming routine. Pulling the morning paper from his mail slot he was shocked at the news headline, “Robbery at the Norris Hotel”.

*

Finishing his morning cup of tea and making his way to the door, hailing a Hansom Cab and giving instructions to the home of Reginald Lockhart.

Singh answered the door and kept Marion waiting in the foyer as he explained that Reginald had not yet risen from his sleep. Explaining the matter at hand, Marion requested Singh wake Reginald who then disappeared up the tall staircase.

Reginald strode down the stairs briskly, greeting the doctor with a mix of vigour and surprise, pushing Marion towards the breakfast room, Reginald led the way, not wishing to discuss the investigation until he had ingested some food and coffee.

Running through the news story regarding the Norris Hotel, followed by what Seamus had discovered having followed Dr Granger, Reginald summoned Singh to retrieve his coat as he remembered the list of books he had recorded from the library.

Reginald allowed Marion to finish his analysis of the news story before mentioning the conversation with the Cabman regarding the pick up location of the Albert Docks from where Mr Windebank started his trip to Hyde Park Police Station.

Both men momentarily pause their conversation to enjoy the toast and bacon on their plates, washing it down with coffee and tea. Clearing his throat, Reginald believed that their best course of action was to go to the police, believing that their investigation warranted informing Inspector Jones before getting themselves in deeper. Marion was puzzled by the notion, however the threats made by Dr Granger about creating an impact for Reginald in social circles clearly struck a nerve.

Agreeing that it was the wisest of the paths before them, Marion suggested that a phone call to Scotland Yard would be in order. Marion ran down the list of handwritten notes made by the library clerk regarding Dr Granger’s requests for books, noticing something odd in the titles. Quigley’s encyclopaedia of exotic diseases, a book Marion had seen already on one of the book cases in Granger’s office, yet he was requesting a second copy.

Reginald and Marion continued their conversation regarding how to further their own investigation, Marion had the fleeting notion that pursuing the title of ‘Enquiry Agents’ could be a way around running into police entanglements. Reginald scoffed at the idea, thinking that being an Enquiry Agent was somehow beneath him. Withdrawing from the table, Reginald left Marion in the breakfast room while he dressed himself in his room. 

Returning downstairs, Reginald picked up the telephone and was connected to Scotland Yard. Enquiring after Inspector Jones, he was informed that the Inspector was overseeing the investigation in Bridge Street and was currently not present in the yard. Marion and Reginald sat quietly in the Hansom cab on their way to number 14 Bridge Street. The further East the cab drove, it was becoming clear to Reginald that if wanted to continue his investigation, he would have to dress less formally and in attire that he did not mind getting dirty.

Exiting the cab with some haste, Reginald and Marion could see a single police constable standing guard in the street. 14 Bridge Street was a two storey building, its windows dark and cracked, timber splintered and showing signs of heavy rot. Walking the perimeter of the building Marion and Reginald split off, Reginald engaging the constable in conversation while Marion conducted a more thorough inspection of the exterior of the premises. Discovering a rear alley, a freshly painted “Don Not Enter” sign hanging from the rear door, the door itself slightly ajar as the timber surrounding the lock had almost rotted completely away.

Pushing the door slightly, Marion covered his face with his handkerchief, stepping inside the rear entry way. The dark room catching the dull and gloomy daylight of the London sky. A staircase leading up and a second leading down appeared in the blackness. Stepping back out of the doorway, Marion made his way back to the front of the house to inform Reginald who was deep in conversation with the constable. Enquiring after Inspector Jones to the constable, Reginald was showing his usually impatient behaviour while waiting for the constable to fetch the inspector.

As Marion joined Reginald, he quickly informed him of the rear door and the interior staircases before Inspector Jones appeared, exiting the front door of number 14. Reginald immediately engaged the inspector who seemed to doing his best to place Reginald’s face. After going through the history of the previous two days, the inspector finally remembered who Reginald and Marion where in relation to the current events.

Reginald continued to explain the involvement of himself and Marion, taking him through the details of what they have discovered. At the mention of the word ‘Evidence’, Inspector Jones’s ear pricked up, cutting Reginald off mid sentence, Jones conveyed his understanding of Reginald’s curiosity as a “civilian”, however as this was a police matter, he was not welcome to be involved. The quiet rage in Reginald’s eyes at being called a civilian was proving difficult to keep down, Marion handing him the diary of Alfred Windebank as a distraction and to push the conversation forward.

Reginald shoved the diary into the hands of Inspector Jones who briefly skimmed through its pages. Looking pleased with himself, Reginalds muttered to himself yet in an audible enough volume regarding how a civilian would not be so helpful and robust. Closing the diary, Jones’s face was full of frustration, exploding at Reginald and Marion, demanding to know where this diary was found, how they came across it and how they are now being ordered to cease their activities unless they are charged with obstructing a police investigation.

Taken aback by the Inspector’s threat of obstruction, Reginald puffed out his chest and argued his point that the police are not acting quickly enough. Jones, while speaking in raised tones, conveyed his appreciation for the evidence provided, keeping himself for further threatening the two civilians before him, closing the conversation by reminding the two men to cease their investigation, turning on his heel and walking to a waiting police carriage.

Returning to their Hansom Cab, Reginald instructed the cab to drive around the corner and wait. Marion and Reginald both agreed to enter number 14 Bridge Street, Inspector Jones’s warning not deterring either of them from pressing onward. Reginald took the lead through the back door, moving slowly and quietly so as not to notify the single police constable who still stood guard at the front of the house. The Newspaper article stating two men were found in the basement, Reginald began dissenting down the staircase Marion had seen on his first intrusion into the house.

Darkness was everywhere around them as they descended the staircase, Marion picking up one of the loose bannister posts, wrapping his handkerchief in a tight ball around one of its ends, pulling a packet of matches from his waistcoat pocket, he lit his handkerchief like a make-shift torch for the two of them to see by.

The stairs stopped at a small landing or creaking floor boards, the light of Marion's handkerchief flickering out just as Reginald could make out a wooden door with police seals across its frame. The seals themselves broke as the police had clearly been inside and outside of the room several times.

As the torch light gave way to blackness, both Marion and Reginald could see a faint glow shining through the underside of the door, a second slither of light from the top of the door barely visible.

Pushing the door open, Reginald and Marion were relieved to see a single storm lamp hanging from the rafters of the basement, its dull light meaning that they would not have to investigate by match light.

The basement of the building was damp and musty, a heavy smell of decay in the air. As Marion waved the lamp across the room, in the far corner, a bundle of rags covered the shapes of two dead bodies dressed as tramps, their chests and heads exposed. Reginald held his ground halfway across the room, Marion however made his way closer, the lamp in his hand that he removed from the ceiling beginning to stutter. The light revealed that the men on the ground were covered in blisters, the same as Alfred Winderbank, lifting the lamp to reveal the faces of the two men, both were shaved bald, yet their eye sockets were also hollow, the familiar blue ooze leaking from them. Continuing to move the lamp around, blue spores were also visible on the ground around where the men lay, tiny and dust-like against the damp air.

Returning the lamp light to the faces of the men, Marion looked closely for any distinct differences between these two and Alfred Windebank. Almost invisible, a line running down the side of the men's faces revealed itself as Marion moved the light to different angles, a surgical scar, a straight line with no stitching running across the vertical axis of each man's head. Reginald let out a noise of disgust as he watched from a distance as Marion inspected the two men. The lamp light was failing, Marion held it closely to the man's face as he pulled a pencil from his breast pocket and used it to touch the skin of the corpse's face where the line seemed to begin at the ear.

The lamp light extinguished itself, plunging the room into blackness, for a brief instant, the touch of Marions pencil against the side of the corpse’s face caused the entire front to slide off.

Sternly telling Reginald to get out of the room, both men made their way to the staircase, up the stairs and back into the alley outside the rear door of the house. Marion rewatched in his memory, the entire front section of the man’s skull sliding free, the line around the face that looked surgical was just that, a surgical segmenting of the skull, the brief instant of seeing the internals of the skull and brain before the light went out.

Marion removed his brown gloves that he was wearing, discarding them in the gutter, removing anything that came into contact with anything that the men may have touched, including the lamp. Knowing his shoes would also be carrying trace amounts of the spores, he would have to remove them as soon as possible, advising that Reginald do the same. Heading back to the waiting Hansom Cab, Reginald and Marion both cleared their throats in an attempt to steady themselves. The cab came to a halt outside the Morgue, Marion rushing in to speak to Dr Spencer who was elbow deep in a cadaver. Marion began to explain that they had observed more cases of the blue substance and evidence of surgical procedures. Moving immediately to the large trough sink, Dr Spencer washed the blood from his hands, cleaning himself up, donned his hat and coat, grabbed his bag and began to head for the door when he paused to enquire as to what Marion and Reginald were doing at Bridge Street. Marions face was blank, allowing Reginald to explain that he had dragged Marion to the address for a medical opinion.

Not fully understanding why, Dr Spencer left the morgue, advising he was heading for Bridge street to examine the bodies. Reginald followed Dr Spencer, advising Marion he was headed back home to change his clothing and freshen himself up. Taking the opportunity to clean himself up thoroughly, Marion drew the curtain to the rinsing station, usually used to wash down bodies, Marion disrobed and began scrubbing himself from head to toe with the soap before dressing himself in the spare clothing he kept in his office for when his long nights at work turned into mornings.

Singh answered the door, allowing Marion inside, Singh guided him to where Reginald was sitting calmly in his library. Reginald, having also changed and bathed, now sipping a glass of brandy and reading the newspaper, looked up to welcome his guest. Joining Reginald, the two began to voice their opinions on what to do next, Marion talking of Dr Granger and the package he had been seen carrying out of the premises. Reginald speaking of returning to the Norris Hotel. After a brief period of deliberation, the library seemed to be the most prominent lead, both agreeing to head in that direction.

Marion took the lead in the questioning of the clerk, asking about the books Granger had borrowed, reading the list that Reginald had provided to him from his previous visit the night before. The clerk was not helpful in accessing any further titles other than what was already listed on the handwritten list.

Moving into the library, Marion picked up the copy of Quigly’s encyclopaedia, the completely outdated book that showed medical terminology, procedures and practices of the 18th and 19th century. Marion had studied the book on and off over his medical career, often comparing the practices of modern medicine to the primitive forms described in the encyclopaedia, Chapter 14, “The Sumatran Blue Death of the Fearsome Cannibal Battiks”.

Marion could not believe that he had stumbled across the possible cause of the plague that they were seeing. Grabbing Reginald by the shoulder, he pulled him towards the book. Reading furiously, Marion could see descriptions of exactly the symptoms that every infected person had been experiencing, the removal of eyes, the loss of hearing, smell and taste, the blue oozing of fluid and the replacement of inner organs with fungus-like material. Reading on Marion let out a sigh of relief to see a subheading entitled “Treatment and Cure”. The description of the cure was somewhat puzzling to Marion, “4 ounces of Blue Stone ground to powder mixed to a solution with the urine of the infected can cure the symptoms at any stage, unless the eyes have been eaten away.”

Marion found no mention of what the item known as “Blue Stone” was referring to. Reginald offered his insight of diamonds and sapphires, yet Marion’s thought went directly to the beetles and moths sent back with the Windebank’s belongings. Reginald continued to vocalise his accusations towards Dr Granger, expressing that if anyone knew what was going on with the “Blue Stone” and had any form or answers, he needed to be further interrogated.

Marion shared the notion that the two of them needed to get back inside Granger’s office, seeking out the “Blue Stone '' would be of the utmost importance not only to discover Granger as the cause, but to shield themselves in the event of infection. Marion contacted his colleague Seamus, they needed his expertise to enter Granger’s office, both Marion and Reginald were not comfortable breaking into an establishment without the knowledge of how to do so. They needed to make sure Granger was not on the premises and Seamus would need to get them all inside.

*

The Hansom Cab Ride to the Albert Docks was a quiet ride based on the previous cab rides shared by Marion and Reginald. Monitoring his health, Marion noticed his blood pressure was higher than usual, Reginald’s also elevated. Marion did put the symptoms down to the discovery of the “Sumatran Blue Death”, reading the nature of the infection and the lack of cure in their possession causing them both mild alarm.

Instructing the driver to move through the docks, both Reginald and Marion were scanning opposite sides of the streets they were traversing, looking for the possible location where Albert Winderbank could possibly have been picked up from on the day he died.

After an extensive grid search of the area, Reginald instructed the cab driver to head to the London Docks. Sighting the cruise vessel the ‘Marie Louise’ from the window of the cab, Reginald rushed towards it once out of the cab, Marion close behind. Reginald singled out one of the crewmen who were busily working on getting the ship ready for the next voyage. Reginald bartering with the crewman to gain access to the ship, he enquired if the man knew the Windebanks who were aboard the last cruise departing Batavia, via Singapore before arriving in London. The crewman was familiar with the name, escorting both Reginald and Marion to the cabin the couple had occupied. The cabin itself was spotless, the crew having already cleaned the interior of the vessel. After searching the room thoroughly for any signs of spores and similar evidence of infectious substances, both Marion and Reginald were disappointed with the lack of evidence.

Thanking the crewman for his assistance, Reginald tipped the man generously for his time before departing the ship.

As the evening began to creep across the sky, Marion and Reginald took another cab back to Reginald’s residence as they both were feeling like they needed to fill their stomachs before the potential criminal activities they had planned for Granger’s office later in the night.

Marion departed as soon as he had finished the filling roast meal that Reginald’s staff had prepared, not staying for a drink, he decided to get to the University campus before Reginald in order to see if Granger was still in his office before any activities they had planned were to continue. Reginald gave little resistance to the idea, sitting back in his chair and sipping his fortified wine.

*

The dull light of the street lamps gave off little warmth as Marion stood in the shadows of the tall trees. After a few minutes he could make out what window would belong to Granger’s office, and all lights in the wing of the university were off. With no sign of movement, Marion decided to take a risk, moving to the building and walking through the large external door.

Immediately stopped by a short man named Josiah, a porter for the university, Josiah enquired as to the purpose of Marion’s visit. After a few minutes of back and forth conversation relating to Dr Granger, Josiah explained Dr Granger had left the premises earlier in the day, luggage and papers all in his possession.

Josiah was fond of being helpful, he volunteered every part of information available to him, Dr Granger was assessing plague victims at the docks and Bridge St, Marion’s introduction of working with Dr Spencer and the police allowing Josiah the opportunity to show his usefulness.

Thanking Josiah for all of his help, Marion made his way back out of the building and returned to where he was watching and waiting in the shadows of the trees. After a short time waiting, Marion sighted Singh and Reginald exiting a Hansom Cab a short distance away. Walking towards them , Singh immediately took a defensive and protective stance until he recognised Marion.

The three briefly discussed what they had seen inside the office during their previous visit, where best to look and where any information would most likely be found. Keeping an eye on the building, Reginald sighted movement, a man appearing from the far side of the quad and heading towards them. Marion turned to see the familiar walking motion of his friend Seamus, striding towards the huddle.

Marion greeted Seamus who had a confused look on his face when motioning to Singh and Reginald. Marion conveyed that they needed access, at the very least Reginald and himself, Singh was potentially a look out. After reassuring Seamus, the four moved in single file, following Seamus’s movements as he led them to a rear door that he had already unlocked. Seamus conveyed that they would only have 10-15 minutes inside the building before they needed to go. Seamus led the way through unfamiliar corridors and up a flight of stairs, Marion and Reginald recognised the door to Granger’s office, Seamus agreeing to wait outside.

Marion and Reginald immediately turned the gas lights on, both seeing that the petri dish they had seen on the window sill was gone. Looking around the room where thy had sat with Granger, everything seemed in place, furniture was where it previously was, all cabinets and displays all in order.

Moving inside Granger’s private office where he conducted his research, the office looked like it had been packed in a hurry, papers strewn across the desk of old research. Books fallen from the book case and not put back, anything of interest was gone without a trace.

Marion noticed a bunch of paperwork scrunched in the waste paper basket, reading them aloud the Reginald who was scouring the room for anything useful, the papers were the drafts of resignation letters to the university, advising replacement professors and arrangements. The letters also communicated that Granger would be continuing his research privately, the letters addressed to the Vice Chancellor of the University.

Believing there was nothing of use in the office, Reginald and Marion decided that this was a waste of time, heading back to the main door, Marion detouring to a large oak book case, taking the copy of Quiglies Encyclopaedia for himself.

Safely off the University grounds, Marion and Reginald paid Seamus handsomely for his work in getting them inside before watching him disappear into the darkness of the dimly lit streets. Singh, Reginald and Marion all began to walk in the direction of Reginald’s home, Marion and Reginald discussing what they would do next, both were in agreement that Susan Windebank was still of keen interest. Following the paths they had laid out in their minds, Reginald could not shake the feeling that Granger was still in the city, even though packing for a long trip according to the porter Marion had spoken too, Reginald stil felt that the danger was local.

Bidding each other good night on Reginald’s front door, Marion hopped into a passing cab and headed straight for his work place. Reginald turning in for the evening, still muttering as he entered his home, walking up the stairs, pouring himself a drink and sitting in the library with Singh.

As Marion strode into the Morgue, only two clerks performing the cleaning duties could be seen. Marion moved to where bodies were stored, the drawers the bodies had been stored inside now sealed with the police seal. Knowing he could not break the seal, Marion moved to Dr Spencer’s office where he immediately began reading the reports about the two victims.

Everything seemed to be identical to Alfred Windebank, to Marion’s frustration, everything seemed to be exactly as written regarding the Sumatran Blue Death. Leaving Dr Spencer a handwritten note about the disease named in Quigly's Encyclopaedia, Marion then pulled the copy he had removed from Granger’s library, opening to chapter 14 to see that the pages had been ripped from the book.

Leaving the Morgue, Marion headed back to his home, eating a small meal of brie, cheese and a glass of wine, he read through as much of the Encyclopaedia as he could before falling asleep.

*

Waking to see a thick fog across the city, Marion looked from his window to barely be able to see the street. Reginald standing at his bedroom window, tea in hand shared a similar view, his usually clear sight line across the park was completely shrouded in a thick, cold haze. The morning edition of the Newspaper took both Marion and Reginald’s attention from the fog as the headlines demanded their curiosity.

*

Reginald called to Singh, demanding his clothing for wet weather, he needed to visit the scene of the crime. Marion pulled his warmest coat on, his medical bag slung across his shoulder. Opening his front door, Marion was greeted by two constables on his doorstep, Marion’s surprise at the police at his door gave him little courage, both constables asking him to join them as Inspector Jones had summoned him. Marion quietly agreed to go with the constables, his hand grasped firmly around his medical bag.

Reginald was quickly eating his second helping of bacon and toast from the breakfast table, yet he was still standing, drinking a small coffee with his free hand, all under the guise of trying to leave quickly, yet seemingly taking longer than he usually would to eat and make himself presentable.

A loud knock at the door took his attention, Singh opening the door and calling to Reginald that the police had arrived. Inspector Jones pushed past Singh, taking a seat at the table and pointing Reginald to do the same, leaving three helmeted condtables standing in the hallway.

Taking a seat, Reginald was oddly quiet in the presence of the Inspector, the rage of being referred to as a “civilian” still swirling around in his mind. The doorbell rang loudly, Singh opening the door again to more police and Marion who was yet to raise his eyes from the floor at his feet ushered directly to where Jones was sitting. Both men were sitting across from Jones who began asking the questions that would normally be reserved for the interrogation rooms. Both Reginald and Marion gave vague answers to questions regarding location and corroborating parties regarding their movements, Reginald the first to fire a verbal warning shot, demanding to know why Jones had intruded into his house with these questions.

Jones rose from his chair in response, pulling a card from his pocket. He threw it on the table in front of Reginald, explaining that the card, Reginald’s card, was found at the scene of the body found by the river and in the morning newspaper.

Jones took the opportunity to place Reginald and Marion at scenes they were not supposed to be present. Hyde Park, Bridge Street and now attached to a dead body, Reginald also rose to his feet, raising his voice and going head to head with Jones, both men refusing to back down. The five police in the hall sweating at the raised voices and the large, Indian man watching them in close proximity.

Marion called for calm, placing a hand on Reginald’s shoulder so that he would sit down. Jones followed suit, asking Marion for his version of events. Marion calmly recalled, step by step the events and search they had been conducting. Placing particular emphasis on how everything the two of them had been doing was due to self preservation, both men fearing exposure and searching for a cure.

Jones continued his rant regarding how Scotland Yard was the ultimate authority regarding the investigation.

Marion again interjected calmly, doing his best to allow Jones his right to chastise them, yet describing how helpful the two of them had been to the yard over the course of the investigation.

Jones sat back in his chair, nodding his head yet furrowing his brow, Reginald finally spoke regarding Dr Granger, his accusations seeming to cut through the silence. Jones, Marion and Reginald struck an agreement, Jones would allow the two of them to continue, yet they would not be attached to Scotland Yard or the police in any way. Also agreeing that anything discovered by themselves would immediately be reported to Inspector Jones, Marion and Reginald both recognise that Inspector Jones may have come to Reginald’s home with different motivations.

Satisfied that Marion had his head on straight, Reginald possibly being the loose cannon, Inspector Jones agreed that the two of them could continue, as long as he was informed and nothing illegal was transpiring. Standing and turning, Jones vacated the home followed by the five police constables.

Both Marion and Reginald breathed a sigh of relief as the police vacated. Reginald immediately smiled and asked if Marion would like to accompany him to the river to inspect the most recent death, his smile covering the genuine concern for the cabman he had met, Jarvis, praying that it was not him who was now dead. 

*

The foot of Emsworth Street and the Albert Docks was the scene visible in the thick fog that was yet to lift. Marion and Reginald approached the line of constables that were doing their best to cordon off the area and limit civilian intrusion. Looking to the people present behind the police line, Inspector Jones was already on the scene, as was Dr Spencer, Marion called to the inspector, requesting access, in response, the inspector waived both Reginald and Marion through the police line.

The body lay motionless on the banks of the river, not submerged, not hidden, just displayed for what seemed to be no purpose. Dr Spencer had staked the ground roughly a foot long around the body to make sure no one got too close. Reginald cast his view to the river where he could see river police along with divers who were searching the nearby area. Marion joined Dr Spencer, conversing with him regarding his findings. The cabman was showing all of the signs of being infected, his eyes replaced with blue, fluorescent fluid. Reginald was pacing around the area, looking carefully at the ground, the amount of footprints making it hard to determine any kind of traffic pattern.

Reginald squatted close to the head of the corpse, staying outside the staked area, he was searching for any sign that this was his cab driving acquaintance. Inspecting the hair colour, facial features, the remaining features did appear to be Jarvis, Reginald rising back to his feet, his fists clenched in anger.

Marion came to Reginald’s side, then dropping to his haunches also, looking for anything different than the previous crime scenes. Unable to see anything he had not seen before, he watched as the blue spores began to take form in the mud around where the corpse’s head lay, yet no blistering seemed to have taken hold of the skin.

Reginald moved towards the inspector, asking for details regarding the cabman, cab company and what they may be able to act on. Inspector Jones informing Reginald that the cab has not been recovered, who immediately called to Marion, repeating what Jones had told him, Reginald led Marion away from the ears of the Inspector, desperately conveying his belief that Granger was the passenger, Granger was responsible, there could be no other explanation.

Events 1891

•  1891
• Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria and Italy is renewed for 12 years, Kaiser Wilhelm failing to persuade Britain to join Franco-Russian entente
• New Scotland Yard opens as new home of Criminal Investigation Department of the Metropolitan Police Force
• Prince of Wales, as a witness in a libel trial, admits playing baccarat for high stakes
• Oscar Wilde’s Picture of Dorian Gray published
• The adventures of Sherlock Holmes begin publication in the Strand magazine
• Zipper invented
• Free public education established in England.

Another Plague Victim

 

Robbery at the Norris Hotel

 

Plague Threatens East End

 

Windebank Diary

 

Passenger Receipt

 

Alfred and Susan Windebank

 

Toby Norton

 

Dr. Arbuthnot Granger

 

Jenny Brown

 

Session II: Expectations and Expeditions

As Reginald and Singh sat quietly in the study, Reginald’s blooms of smoke from his pipe filled the air as his mind wandered across the events that had taken place at the police station and the conversation he had shared with Marion.

Singh was equally stressed due to realising first hand how easily he was caught up in the events of the small riot. Marion sat quietly at his desk, his gaze constantly straying to his employer’s office, looking for any sign that the glass of blue ooze was being examined.

Both Reginald and Marion were avid readers of the local newspaper, both in their respective homes, opening the paper for any information concerning the corpse that presented itself at the Hyde Park police office. Only a single mention of the body was visible, the police were looking for information regarding the identity of the bandage clad man. Revealing his name as Alfred Windebank who was on board a steamship from the East Indies Steam Company.

*

Marion woke in a cold sweat, remembering distinctly the dream he had just experienced, standing in a large, cavernous space, the dim light of the lamps giving little visibility. At the end of the space, a strange figure was visible, almost rat-like in appearance, at least the size of two men, three glowing eyes visible on its face. Marion could feel its gaze scanning the space, becoming more aware of his presence, as Marion felt his safety at risk, his eyes opened. Looking at the clock, it was almost time to begin getting ready for his morning duties. Washing the sweat from his body with the washcloth and icy water he ran into the basin, he dressed himself for another long day at work.

Reginald woke from his deep and easy sleep to the lavish breakfast he was used to having served to him at the table. Joined by his wife and children, Reginald proceeded to glean the morning edition of the newspaper only to find little to no change in the requests for information regarding the situation he had been caught up in.

Finishing his breakfast, Reginald dressed himself appropriately for his daily duties, he took his leave of his wife at approximately noon and began his gentle stroll towards the Army and Navy Club that he was a member of. The brass end cap of his cane clinked gently on the stone street as he walked.

Entering the club, Reginald’s booming voice echoed across the open spaces, greeting his friends and fellow ex-military men. After handing his coat and hat to Toby Norton, an ex-soldier and fellow member of the Buffs who works at the club as a dog's body, Reginal took a seat in one of the numerous lounges, Reginald began retelling the story of the disruption in the park followed by the events of the police station. The gentlemen who were listening to the story took every chance to interrupt, doing their best to interject their own tales of war and mystery during their time on the battlefield.

Finishing his story to see several men half listening as they smoked their cigars and sipped their whisky. Shaking his head, Reginald took his leave, entering one of the gaming rooms, his voice booming again as he began to tell the story again to a new crowd.

Marion was physically agitated by his lack of involvement in the daily duties of the morgue, the body of Alfred Windebank had been laying on the autopsy table all morning. Dr Spencer entered the morgue at lunch time, immediately summoning Marion to his office, instructing Marion to write a letter of summons to Inspector Jones, including Constable Walker and anyone else who had contact with the body.

Sending out the telegrams immediately, he sent two to the police station and one to the house of Reginald, his address printed on the calling card he had given Marion. Singh immediately picked up the house phone, calling the Military and Navy Club in order to summon Reginald home, advising he had received a telegram from the police mortuary.

Excited at the news that there was information regarding the corpse, Reginald bid farewell to the club and strolled home with a spring in his step, meeting Singh at his front door, the two boarded a carriage and headed towards the Morgue. As the clock on the wall chimed for two o'clock in the afternoon, the door to the morgue burst open, Reginald pushing past assistants, exclaiming that he had been summoned. Marion stopped Reginald at the entrance to the room where the body of Mr Windebank was being kept, greeting him with a strong hand on the shoulder. Looking around, Reginald could see Inspector Jones and Constable Walker speaking in hushed low voices. Greeting Marion somewhat awkwardly, his brain doing its best to remember the name Marion amongst several other strange names he thought did not suit their owners before coming to the correct conclusion.

Demanding to know why he had been summoned, Reginald was keen to join the conversation going on behind Marion. As the two calmly entered the room, the three men and Dr Spencer ushered the men towards his office. Taking a seat behind his desk, three chairs had been placed for Inspector Jones, Walker and Reginald, Marion, as an employee was used to standing at the rear of the office.

Dr Spencer began to reveal to the room his findings regarding the autopsy he had performed on Mr Windebank, stating that his findings were important enough to summon the men to his office.

He enquired as to how the men in front of him were feeling, Dr Spencer’s tone was serious and concerned. Instructing them to report any changes to their health immediately to himself. He went on to explain there was some sort of fungal infection that was the cause of death, advising the removal of stressful activity and steady diet as the cause of death was somehow introduced into the bloodstream, resulting in small parts of the brain dissolving and being replaced with an unknown, fungal-like tissue. The tissue mimicked the activities of the brain that had been replaced. Reginald was growing more and more worried, demanding answers and asking questions at an alarming rate. Dr Spencer continued with his explanations, ignoring the interrupting gentleman as best he could.

Making it clear that the late Mr Windebank could certainly not see or hear as the parts of his brain that controlled speech, eyesight and hearing had all been replaced with the fungal growths. Marion and Reginald were both unnerved by this news as Marion was sure that he heard the man speak, “Save my Susan.”

Dr Spencer concluded his findings by advising the men to not leave London, that each man was to be isolated and that he was arranging public health inspectors to call on each of them over the coming days and weeks.

Dismissing the men from his office, he also motioned that Marion take a day or two out of the office as he needed to isolate. Before leaving the Morgue, Inspector Jones was called to the side of Dr Spencer, Marion doing his best to listen to the conversation from a distance.

Avoiding panic was the main concern, the possibility of a pandemic on his mind. Reginald pushed his way into the conversation, breaking up Dr Spencer and Inspector Jones, letting out allegations of the ridiculous disease of “Fungus Brain!”

Dismissing the men again, Dr Spencer waited for all members of the meeting to leave the main entrance before returning to his work.

Reginald and Marion watched as Inspector Jones and Constable Walker disappeared from view before starting their own conversation regarding the whereabouts of ‘Susan’. Reginald could not stop himself from drawing as much attention to himself as possible, ignoring the inquiries Marion was suggesting as he was trying to make it seem like he was suffering from some strange illness. Marion dismissed the ramblings of Reginald as purely attention seeking and sent him home, advising that he needed a large drink to calm himself. Boarding a carriage with Singh in tow, Reginald returned home, demanding his servants to make up a room for him separate from his family. Marion also returned home, heading straight for the book cases filled with medical journals and textbooks, searching for any kind of information regarding blue fungus or any encounters with fungal infections that damage the brain.

After a few hours segregated from his main house, Reginald was driving his household staff insane with his demands, drinks, food, newspapers, everything and anything to be an annoyance to them, even Signh was becoming frustrated with Reginald's attitude. 

As the hours past, Marion’s search was less than helpful, nothing revealing itself within any journal or book he had in his collection. Marion picked himself up from his chair, grabbing his coat and hat, unable to think clearly in his stuffy apartment, he decided to go out for a walk to clear his head. Walking the stony streets, he was drawn to the piece of paper he found on the floor of the cell that had fallen from the pocket of the corpse. “Two passengers, 5 large crates, the Marie Louise, departing from Singapore”. Finding himself at the Library, Marion began searching the British library for any kinds of Flora and Fauna relating to Singapore and the possibility of Blue Fungal emissions and plants.

After another hour or searching Marion decided to cut his losses and exited the library, walking the streets again, absent minded and letting his mind wander. The familiar clinking of Reginald’s cane on the cobblestones filled the air, Reginald had also taken leave from his home, isolation did not fit well with the outdoorsman. Reginald picked up the afternoon Newspaper from his local street vendor, looking through the section regarding war correspondence before flicking through the busy pages.

Marion entered the large door of his local pub, a pint of bitter in his hand within moments. Looking at the unattended afternoon paper that laid open on the bar, he flipped through the pages until he found the article relating to the Windebank case.

“Alfred and Susan Windebank, recently returned from their voyage sponsored by the National Geographical Society, residing at the Norris Hotel in London, if anyone has any information relating to Susan Windebank’s location, please come forward.”

The article went on to name several witnesses who had come forward, the Captain of the steam ship, representatives from the Dutch Embassy, members of the Royal Geographical Society, members of the student body and faculty of the University of London, all coming forward as friends or colleagues of the Windebank name.

Marion’s mind stirred towards new lines of enquiry, who to ask about what may have happened, leaving his pink half drunk on the bar, Marion set out in search of the Norris Hotel, a place he had never heard of in the city, however with what he may find ever pressing on his mind, he headed for home first, his medical bag of chief importance.

As Marion trudged home he asked every newspaper vendor and Hansom cab driver if they had heard of the Norris hotel, only one cabman advised that it was west of the city centre.

Reginald continued to read the paper as he walked aimlessly backwards and forwards through the park close to his front door. Deciding he had done enough sitting on the sidelines, Reginald called for Singh and hailed a Hansom cab, checking the address on the card he was given by Marion, Reginald gave the cabman instructions to head to Wandsworth. Reginald conversed with Singh, mainly by loud procrastinations, advising him that a Doctor would always be useful in any situation and that as a sharp young man, Marion was a good choice of companion for such events.

Exiting the cab at the address, Reginald was not impressed by Marion’s current lodgings. A thin terrace type home, squeezed in between two larger residences, thin to the point where the staircase would have to be over half the total size of the home. Shrugging off his momentary hesitation based on the appearance of the home, Reginald knocked his cane on the door, his calls unanswered. Moving to the next home where the door was answered by a serving lady, Reginald was following his usual abrupt nature with the woman who clearly had no idea of the comings and goings of her neighbour.

As the familiar London drizzle of rain began to fall, Marion turned the corner to his street, his newspaper held over his head to shield him from the rain. Looking up he could see a Hansom Cab outside his residence, the familiar figure of Reginald standing at the door of he neighbour’s house, his loud voice announcing that he had sighted Marion.

After enquiring as to why Reginald was at his home, Marion listened as Reginald informed him that the police seem to be dragging their feet by his standards and that he was here to do his own investigation. Marion agreed, Reginald sent Singh home as he often did, waiting inside the Hansom cab for Marion to join him once he had retrieved his medical bag.

Marion entered the cab, his small medical bag slung over his shoulder, able to be tucked under the folds of his overcoat to be protected from the rain. Reginald asked the cabman to take them to the Norris Hotel, after a few moments of pondering, the cabman began to move. Remembering that the Norris was close to Kensington, west of the city. In the back of the cab, Marion and Reginald did their best to converse with each other as two clear members of different classes. Marion learned of Reginald’s wound, his slight limp caused by an injury sustained in the war, a bayonet carving through his thigh. Reginald also regaled Marion with the tale of how he was saved by his servant Singh, less a servant and more a companion and confidante.

Reginald was the type of man who enjoyed spinning tales about his own exploits, Marion was happy to oblige, asking question after question to pass the time.

As the Hansom Cab stopped Reginald and Marion looked around the area, the clean looking brick building sorting a small sign of the Norris Hotel, across the road from the Edison St Station.

The Hotel looked strange considering its surroundings, more of a refuge amongst the dark and damp surrounding buildings. Wasting no time, Reginald requested the Hansom Cab wait for them as Marion straightened his tie and walked towards the front entrance of the Norris Hotel.

The Desk clerk looked up from his newspaper to see Reginald and Marion standing across the counter, Marion asking the whereabouts of the rooms of Alfred and Susan Winderbank. Enquiring about who the men were, the desk clerk also advised that there was no one in at the moment. Answering the clerk about who he was, a Doctor sent by Hyde Park police station, Marion continued to question the clerk who was less than helpful, refusing the two men entry. Reginald barked at the clerk, demanding access as Alfred passed away on the floor of the police station. The back and forth of the conversation made it clear that Marion and Reginald were not going to get access to the rooms. Letting it slip that one of the employees by the name of “Jenny” had just checked the room and no one was inside. Demanding to speak to Jenny, Reginald’s face was turning a darker shade of red as the clerk again refused to be helpful. Managing to get the basic information from the clerk regarding ‘Jenny’, Marion was relieved to hear she was on her lunch break and may be found in the pub across the road.

Standing on the steps of the Norris Hotel, relieved to be away from the clerk, Marion and Reginald agreed to head across the road to the Red Lion pub where ‘Jenny’ may be located.

Pushing the door open, Marion asked Reginald to call out her name loudly, to see which patrons turn their head as a means to identify her. Happy to obliged, Reginald let out a loud request of who is named Jenny.

Only one woman looked shocked, sitting alone in a corner of the establishment. Walking across to her, Marion introduced himself, followed by Reginald. Asking permission to sit with her, Marion began asking questions of the Windebanks and their possible whereabouts. After a few minutes of free flowing conversation, Marion and Reginald learned that she had not seen Susan Windebank for a few days. She also witnessed on the day that he died, Alfred was searching for Susan, walking the halls of the Hotel, covered in bandages and calling for her loudly. She also said that they both were missing for days at a time, Alfred first, then Susan, Alfred returned, bandaged and cloaked and using the term ‘madman’ frequently, yet Susan had not been seen for nearly a week. Thanking Jenny for her information, Reginald pressed the issue that they required access to the room occupied by the Windebanks. Jenny was most unnerved by the request, she was only three months into her employment and did not want to compromise her income by allowing two men who were strangers to her into a room she cleans. Marion pressed again for any information about where Susan may have disappeared to. Jenny racking her brain as he spoke aloud her thoughts regarding passing comments made by Mrs Windebank, the most solid memory being that she mentioned she would search for Mr Windebank at the premises of a Doctor. Marion perked up thinking that his knowledge of London physicians would help him recognise the name. Jenny recalled Mrs Windebank stating she would ask a Doctor “Ranger”. While the name was not familiar to Marion, he knew it was a starting point.

Jenny recalls that this Doctor may have ‘wronged’ the Windebanks in some way. Pushing once again for access to the room of the Windebanks, Reginald continued to insist that she allow them in. Jenny, finally giving in, informed them that the back door of the Hotel was unlocked, upstairs, room 104 was currently being rented by the Windebanks. Reginald gave her nod and smile as he took his leave, paying for Jenny’s lunch and leaving some extra money for her services. Marion also stood from the table muttering to himself where he may have heard the name ‘Ranger’ before, drawing a blank.

Reginald returned to the Hansom cab, asking the driver if he knew of the medical rooms of any practitioner named Ranger. Without an address, the name was blank to the driver, instead pointing to the closest medical practice near the train station down from the pub they had just exited. Marion took the lead, heading into the practice and asking the clerk at the desk if they were familiar with a ‘Dr Ranger’, the clerk not knowing of anyone by that name.

Both Reginald and Marion were becoming equally frustrated, choosing to keep the information regarding Doctor Ranger on the back burner. Instead Reginald chose to follow the lead they had regarding the docks on the other side of the city. The customs house where goods would have to be registered from the East Indies Shipping Company. The Hansom Cab ride was long, much to the delight of the driver, Reginald and Marion discussed their investigation, both of them now referring to it as such. Both quite pleased that they had beaten Inspector Jones to their discoveries at the Norris Hotel, they could only hope to be the first on the scene to the office of the East Indies Shipping Co.

Exiting the Hansom Cab to the squelch of mud under their feet, both Reginald and Marion looked around them at the heavily used streets in front of the shipping offices. Carts and heavy vehicles alike bustled about one another, throwing up mud and filth with every passing.

Sighting the office of the East Indies, Reginald took the lead, having advised Marion that he would need to act with stronger authority so as to not repeat the event of being turned away at the front desk like within the Norris Hotel.

Entering the office and wiping his shoes briskly, Reginald grabbed the attention of the closest clerk he could find. Reginald began making demands of information regarding the shipping containers that were in the possession of Mr Windebank. The clerk was struggling to keep up with the demands, simply requesting paperwork regarding the inventory so that he could locate the desired items. Reginald advised that the paperwork was not present, however if the clerk wanted to contact Scotland Yard and ask for Inspector Jones, he could arrange that immediately. The clerk becoming shy at the mention of Scotland Yard, the clerk quickly began looking through ledgers.

Marion informed the man of the name of the vessel, the date of arrival and all information regarding the crates listed on the paperwork he had witnessed on the corpse of Windebank. Eventually finding the listing for ‘Windebank’, the clerk advised that four crates were currently being stored containing 2800lbs of goods. The clerk remained defensive at allowing the two men access, yet Reginald’s reply coming in the form at eight pound sterling seemed to satisfy the clerk and snap him into immediate action, summoning one of the junior clerks to escort Reginald and Marion to the location of the crates.

Marion and Reginald strode through the racking of crates, boxes and shipping containers, all tagged and labelled, coming to a stop in front of 4 large wooden crates labelled Windebank. The clerk summoned several labourers to remove the crates from the racking and place them on the floor, each man then taking a crowbar, leavering off the lids, breaking the seal that gave the location of the port of origin, “Batavia”.

Raising his handkerchief over his mouth, Marion stepped forward to examine the first crate, as the lid was removed, the contents were smaller, wooden boxes of standard weight. Marion removed the first box, opening the lid and finding hundreds of specimens of beetles within. Looking closely, Marion took one of the beetles from within the box, examining it closely before wrapping it in his handkerchief and placing it in his pocket. Taking a second box from the crate, this time, the smell of damp and dust emanating from within. Opening it, inside were moths, yet they were not as well preserved as the container of the beetles. Continuing through the boxes, many species of insects revealed themselves, their specimens in varying degrees of decay, whoever had packed them clearly lost interest in preserving the contents.

Moving to another one of the larger crates, Reginald could see a variety of books, religious texts and learning materials for children to young adults, its was clear that someone who was with Mr Windebank was doing schooling for local children. Books of a fictitious and personal nature also became apparent, a framed photograph of what appeared to be the Windebanks also within the crate. As Marion joined Reginald, a leather bound book took his eye, opening it, the handwritten diary of Alfred Windebank. Agreeing with Reginald that all of the contents should remain for when the police arrive, Marion tucked the diary inside his jacket, Reginald distracted the clerk as he thanked them for their work and requested they close and reshelve the crates.

Alfred and Susan Windebank, in happier times

As Marion and Reginald exited the shipping office, Marion requested Reginald to drop him at home so that he may further examine the diary and beetle he had pocketed from the crates. As the sun began to go down on London behind the dense clouds that constantly threatened to rain, the Hansom Cab came to a stop outside Marion’s home. Reginald followed Marion up his front steps, curious to inspect the lodgings of his fellow investigator. A small and modest apartment, each wall of the downstairs area filled with bookcases loaded with medical journals and textbooks. The small office space at the front of the house was a clutter of papers, low hanging light fixtures, books and reading equipment. Reginald seemed uncomfortable in the small space, much preferring to stride around a room than to sit in one spot.

Marion took a seat at his desk, removing the beetle from his pocket. He placed it under one of the brighter lights he had set up, pulling his magnifying glass across the table to closely inspect the specimen.

Reginald took his leave from Marion, extending him an invitation to share breakfast at his residence the following day. Thanking Reginald for his offer and seeing him to the door, Marion started to pour over the diary. From the writings, it was clear that this was the writings of Alfred Windebank, his referencing Susan and colleagues coming through in the handwritten text.

*

The clock chimed 11pm as Marion finally placed the diary down on his desk, closing the cover and thinking hard regarding what he had just read. His mind raced with the idea that this exotic disease that had struck Alfred down in Hyde Park could have a source abroad. Knowing that he would have to inform Reginald in the morning, Marion made notes as best he could to spare Reginald any of the writings that may cause him to lose interest. Enjoying a night void of dreams and disturbances, Marion was keen to join Reginald for breakfast, a meal that he usually skips apart from a cup of tea that is usually cold by the time he partook.

Heading to the Morgue, Marion spotted the Hansom cab waiting for him, he nodded to the driver, signalling that he had to run inside for a moment, Marion headed directly to Dr Spencer who was sitting at his desk. Spencer seemed agitated as he addressed Marion, advising that he was not home when the health inspectors visited his home the previous day. Offering a dim excuse, Marion then explained he was feeling fine and volunteered to check in on Reginald.

Before leaving the morgue, Marion was briefly shown by Spencer a series of slides, revealing a closer view of the spores that he had extracted from the brain of Mr Windebank. Marion closed the door of the morgue and hopped straight into the waiting cab, the driver given instructions to go directly to Reginald’s property. After the brief cab ride, Marion was immediately impressed by Reginald’s entry way, Singh standing by the door, walking up the front steps, Singh gave a nod as Marion passed him into the foyer, the polished floor almost showing a reflection. Singh pointed to the dining area as he could see Marion was clearly lost in the finery of his current surroundings.

Reginald’s booming voice calling out for Marion to identify himself, joining him at the table, Marion was struck by the volume of food laid out across the table, eggs, bacon, toast, black pudding, everything he had always dreamed a breakfast to be. Sitting together and eating their fill while discussing the notes Marion had made regarding the diary, Reginald rose to his feet with a sudden outburst “It’s not Dr Ranger! It’s Granger!”.

Devouring another handful of bacon before standing from the table, Marion set off to locate the whereabouts of Dr Granger. It did not take him long to determine that Dr Granger was a sitting professor at the University of London, the information coming through his enquiries within the British Museum and Geographical society.

Walking side by side with Reginald, who seemed to have a spring in his step since discovering the link between Ranger and Granger, stroking his own ego, Marion seemed lost as he did his best to locate the office for the Geographical society. After consulting with the administration office, Marion made a good presentation recounting the expedition to Singapore and beyond in order to acquire the information regarding the Windebank expedition. After a few moments, the clerk returned with a Mr Wilson, a man who was intent on answering any questions that Marion and Reginald may have as he was the liaison to the police who had visited on the previous day. Advising that the Windebanks had returned from their expedition in Sumatra, Dr Granger was sponsored by the University of London as the expedition was a joint venture in the field.

Mr Wilson volunteered the information that Dr Granger was a leading professor in the field of Tropical Medicine, the study of diseases. After a brief discussion regarding the terrible shame regarding the passing of Mr Windebank, Mr Wilson could offer little further as he was still waiting for the crates held at the East Indies Shipping Company. 

Walking across the academic grounds of the University, Marion and Reginald did their best to maintain the presentation that they belonged on campus, despite Reginald’s obvious facial expression that he was ready to go toe to toe with Dr Granger based on the writings of the Windebank diary.

As the two of them approached the building to the North East end of the Campus of Gower Street, one of its brass plaques showed that it housed the school of tropical medicine. After a stone staircase, Reginald and Marion went to the office of Dr Granger, his administration clerk asked for an appointment and was dismissive at the notion that one had not been booked. Reginald pressed the urgency of meeting Dr Granger as information pertaining to his recent expedition is currently in their possession. Ushered to leather arm chairs in the sitting area outside the main office of Granger, the walls of the room were littered with books, swords, expedition souvenirs, an entire surplus of fossils and findings regarding a lifetime spent abroad.

Walking around the office space, Marion inspected the bookcases, volumes of medical encyclopaedias, research journals and publications regarding exotic illness and diseases, maps from almost every chartered nation on every charted continent, it was clear that Granger was a well travelled man. Continuing to pace the office Marion spotted a strange sight, on the windowsill a small glass culture sample dish. As he walked closer to the window it became apparent to him that this was looking more and more like the responsible party as the culture dish held within it a sample of a semi luminescent blue spore pattern. Across the empty space of the same windowsill, dust had begun to form on the shadows of what looked like two identical dish markings that had recently been removed.

The door to the office space swung open quickly, allowing a well dressed man to enter who was somewhat out of breath, introducing himself as Dr Granger as he exclaimed his hasty return from the library. Offering both men a drink as he explained that Inspector Jones was sitting in the same seat Reginald was currently occupying the previous day. Sitting opposite Reginald and Marion, Granger began to regale the two with his account of the expedition.

Advising that Alfred took ill shortly after their arrival at basecamp, he had taken up with a local witchdoctor, attempted to dismiss all of the porters and staff. Marion and Reginald looked concerned as Granger's account reflected so many similarities of Alfred’s diary, only Granger being the culprit of the offences. Marion continued regarding Alfred coming to see Dr Granger within the previous days, a puzzled look on the face of Granger followed by a denial.

Reginald could not stand to sit in the company of the Professor without interjecting his own form of conversation starter. The denial of Granger sparking Reginald to lash out verbally, naming Granger all manner of insult, liar, cad, fornicator and criminal before standing and wrapping his cane on Dr Granger’s desk. Rising to his feet, ringing a bell from his office and demanding that the two men leave immediately, demanding the names of the two men, promising that they would not be welcome in academic circles and that their entire point of view is based on the diary of a man who was slowly going insane.

Porter’s entered the office to remove Reginald and Marion from Dr Granger’s company, Reginald giving them a fierce look before pushing past them on his way out. Marion followed, staring at the floor, watching his desire to join the academic elite be crushed by Reginald’s lack of tact in the situation.

Pacing back across the grounds of the university towards the main road, Reginald procrastinating as to what scheme Granger was up to. Marion also dwelled on the problem, what the sample was and what they could do to get their hands on it. Reginald enquired of Marion if there was any way of keeping an eye on Granger to which Marion replied that he could have it arranged, his mind turning to his friend Seamus from his youth.

Parting ways, Marion headed back to his place of work, the cab ride allowing him to best rehearse how to inform Dr Spencer of what he had found in the office of Granger. Reginald waited a bit longer, thinking about what Granger had said at his very first introduction, how he had returned from the Library. Running his hand across his chin, he set off in the direction of the London Library to see what Granger may have been up to inside its walls. At the office of Dr Spencer, Marion did his best to explain himself as to his findings regarding the contents of Dr Granger’s office. Spencer glanced over the indiscretion instead demanding Marion to issue a letter of request for the sample of blue spores to be sent for examination by the pathology officer at the morgue.

Writing the letter immediately, Marion also wrote a second letter, this one handed to a runner and addressed to the Red Stump Tavern, a summons to his friend Seamus. Half an hour after issuing the summons, one of the clerks came to Marion, explaining there was a man outside to see him. The alley next to the morgue was always dimly lit, a perfect place to discuss business of an unsavoury nature. Seamus and Marion had used it even since he began his employ at the morgue, Seamus, a rough looking man with harsh features always spoke to Marion as if he were sitting across a table at the pub, never sugar coating a single word. Marion asked Seamus to keep an eye on Dr Granger for the evening and report back with information on the movements of the Professor. Deflated at the simple task,

Seamus agreed, in his mind, hoping for something that required more confrontation than mystery, he disappeared into the thick fog that lingered in the air through the narrow London back alleys.

Reginald entered the Library very much like a fish out of water, far more comfortable on the battlefield than surrounded by literature. Making his way to the main desk, Reginald addressed the clerks in a commanding nature. Insisting he was sent at the behest of Dr Granger, he requested the names of the books Dr Granger had requested. After a brief back and forth regarding library membership and a hesitant glance, the clerk eventually moved to where the request cards were being kept.

After a few minutes, the clerk returned with a handful of cards, rattling off the names of the books requested by Dr Granger. The clerk concluded the list of names, and continued to explain that Dr Granger had access as a member of the library to private collections, books and journals that are not accessible to the public. 

Reginald finally left the library, a copied list of book titles in his possession, a list he hoped would mean more to Marion than himself. Evening had come as Reginald hailed a London Cab Co Hansom Cab. Remembering that Alfred Windebank had taken a similar cab to Hyde Park, Reginald enquired as to the offices of the London Cab Co and that he wished to be taken to that address.

Reginald moved through the numerous cab drivers who were huddled in conversations regarding all manner of debate. Entering the office, Reginald enquired as to the details of a trip that took place at the time and location regarding Alfred Windebank. 

The clerk was reluctant to assist in the search until Reginald slid coins across the counter, the clerk returning back to the counter with a box of documents. Moving through them at a quick rate, matching the date and drop off location of Hyde Park Police Station. The clerk removed the Way Bill from the box and handed it to Reginald. The handwritten notation on the paper giving the name of the driver, Jarvis. Thanking the clerk, Reginald took the Way Bill and exited the office, asking the huddles of Cab drivers if they were or knew where to find Jarvis.

A cabbie raised his hand and pointed to the tavern on the corner, waving Reginald over to him. The cabbie escorted Reginald to the tavern, entering the pub, the cabbie pointed Jarvis out of the crowd, a mid 40’s man in a well dressed Cab uniform half way through a pint. Reginald moved through the crowd of patrons to where Jarvis was sitting and addressed him by name to which Jarvis stood immediately, recognising a fellow military man when he laid eyes on one.

Sitting Jarvis back down, Reginald made his enquiry regarding Jarvis’s bandage clad customer from the previous days. Jarvis explained that it was strange to receive a cab fare from the location of the ‘Albert Docks’, yet did not ask questions at the time. Reginald scribbled down notes regarding the locations on the back of the scrap containing the names of the book titles he had received at the library. Jarvis continued regarding the fare, Albert Docks to Kensington, the Norris Hotel, followed by Hyde Park Police Station. Impressed with Jarvis’s retelling of the fare, Reginald gave Jarvis his calling card, asking for one in return, Reginald nodded to Jarvis before leaving the tavern and making his way home.

Marion was looking over the reports from the autopsy Dr Spencer had performed earlier in the day when he received another message regarding a visitor waiting outside the morgue. Seamus was leaving against the door frame of an alcove off to the side of the alley they have previously met in. Seamus went through the list of activities he had witnessed Dr Granger go through that evening, collection of a parcel from the library, purchasing a newspaper and reading it as he walked through the park. Seamus put emphasis on how the Dr had stopped walking as he clearly read something that startled him, throwing the paper in the waste bin before hailing a cab and rushing off. Seamus collected the paper from the waste bin before returning to Marion, handing him the newspaper still open on the page that had caused Dr Granger such distress, “Plague Threatens East End”.