Thursday, August 17, 2023
Session VII: Bandages and Big Teeth
Writing a note for delivery to Scotland Yard, Reginald dressed himself immediately in his favourite hunting garb, comfortable yet functional. Tucking his Webley with several extra rounds of ammunition in a pouch attached to his belt, all concealed beneath a long, dark coat. Marion was already dressed comfortably, his usual attire having seen better days, yet able to allow him his usual range of motion, he pulled the bulldog pistol from his medical bag and the cigarette case he used to store the six extra bullets he kept on hand, counting them and doing his best to remain calm.
Singh disappeared upstairs for a brief time, returning also dressed casually, yet concealing his favourite selection of hidden blades for hostile occasions. The three departed immediately for the train station, knowing their journey was most likely going to divert at some point towards the strange and unusual. Singh received his usual amount of strange stares and judgement from the other passengers as he sat quietly across from Marion and Reginald, his eyes scanning all passengers for any signs of threat, distress or potential Scotland Yard employee.
*
Arriving at the train station after the few hours the three had spent in relative silence, Reginald departed the train and immediately singled out a train employee. Asking where he could purchase some fowling pieces for a local hunting trip, he was directed to a shop in town that sold what he required.
Dragging Marion into the shop after a brisk walk from the station, Reginald immediately engaged the shop keeper for two 20 gauge shotguns and a few cases of heavier than normal shot, for mid-size game.
Checking in at the best hotel possible, Reginald seemed at home as he felt confident now that he was suitably armed and staying in fine lodgings. Marion on the other had was far more nervous, it had been several weeks since last handling a shotgun and even then, he was not the most confident with such a weapon in his hands.
Taking the evening to familiarise themselves with the local village they were staying in and the numerous ways to get to Kandahar house. Eating a large meal at the local pub, both men felt a slight unease at the locals, as if the intrusion of the clearly Londoners was an insult.
Spending the evening in the hotel, both men took to their shotguns, checking the barrels, actions and mechanisms for any potential issues, satisfied that they were not going to encounter and problems with their armaments, Marion turned to his satchel, removing his Bulldog revolver and checking it over, removing the bullets and cleaning the cylinder.
*
As 9 o’clock chimed on the hanging wall clock of the dining room, Marion and Reginald finished their modest meals, joining Singh at the main entrance to the hotel who was hailing a Hansom Cab for their trip to Kandahar house. Marion making a brief stop at the hotel desk, handing a handwritten letter to Scotland Yard within an envelope to post immediately. The contents of the letter informing Inspector Craddock of what their current situation was, being summoned to Kandahar house by Colonel Hollingsworth and the call for aid.
Reginald told Singh to remain at the hotel, instructed to summon assistance if neither himself or Marion returned within two days, giving Singh adequate funds to support himself and get himself back to London if the worst should happen.
Marion and Reginald both contained their nerves as the shadow of Kandahar house drew closer in the distance as the Hansom Cab approached. Before either man was ready, the door was pulled open by the driver at the front steps of the wide stairs leading to the solid, wooden doors.
As they exited the cab in the light drizzle of the country sky, the doors opened to reveal Fordyce standing straight and ready to receive guests. Reginald engaging Fordyce directly, explaining they had been summoned by the Colonel, Fordyce in turn ushering the two guest to the same room they had been sent to previously when speaking with Ramona. After taking some time to insect the painting he had no seen properly on their first visit, Marion’s concentration was broken as the sound of footsteps and the ticking of a cane on the polished floor drew closer. The door to the room opening to reveal Fordyce walking closely behind a large man, broad chested and powerfully built. Having been wounded overseas, the man also walked with a similar limp to Reginald, both men introducing themselves in a military fashion.
Hollingsworth began to address both men as he stood by the fireplace, explaining that he was following the case of the men in his regiment who had recent passed away. Reginald waited for the Colonel to pause, interjecting the details of the latest victim, Toby Norton, explaining they too were attacked by the mysterious assailant. Marion took the opportunity to explain the condition of the assailant, the animated corpse dressed in ceremonial garb.
Reginald grew frustrated with the Colonel’s lack of interest, making the statement that what was befalling the regiment was due to what Hollingsworth himself had brought into the country. Demanding Reginald lower his voice, Hollingsworth’s face became grimmer and more worried. After another exchange of repeating what Marion and Reginald had been told, the conclusion remaining that Hollingsworth was at the centre, the Colonel asked the two men to follow him. The three men ascended the staircase followed closely by Fordyce, the second floor of the house resembling the same layout of the lower level, several rooms joined by a long corridor at the top of the staircase. Following Hollingsworth to a large oak door, the Colonel gave a not to his son Michael, a three-year-old child who sat silently on the floor at the end of the hallway. Hollingsworth unlocked the large door, pushing the door gently. Looking inside, Marion’s gaze was immediately drawn to the large library that littered the wall accompanied by a large wooden table in the centre of the room. Reginald on the other hand immediately stiffened his back as he sighted the large, regimental flag hanging above the fireplace at the far end of the room. Hollingsworth led the two men inside, asking them as to what they had learned regarding Abadon, Reginald offering the fowl nature of what they had learned. Marion walked further into the room, a large, crude, wooden coffin sitting against the farthest wall, a thick covering of glass allowing the inside to be seen clearly. Calling for Reginald to join him, both men stood next to the coffin, the dried, bandage wrapped body imitating the foetal position, the body seeming smaller than a man’s, yet larger than a child.
As the two men looked at the body, Reginald turned to Hollingsworth asking as to why this was in his home, the Colonel responding that this was a trophy of a victory over savages and barbaric civilization. Reginald felt a shudder over his body as he returned his gaze to the corpse, the empty eye sockets of the body seemed to look back at him in silent judgement. Marion pushed Hollingsworth about the body, asking the Colonel what he believed was causing the suffering if it was not a cursed corpse. Hollingsworth grew angry, explaining his belief that Faez was commanding a small group of mercenaries that were causing the trouble. Reginald asking how men of such small stature could cause such dramatic injuries, Hollingsworth offer more excuses to not believe anything supernatural was happening. Reginald began to walk around the room, still talking to Hollingsworth in a more serious and causational tone, recalling the names of those who had died, expressing his beliefs that all deaths are on the Colonel’s hands. Marion watched the Colonel intently for how he was responding, his arms occasionally moving expressively, revealing the military issue Webley revolver in his belt, not unlike the pistol Reginald also carried.
The discussion turned to that of the safety of Hollingsworth and his family, the colonel expressing that he had seen the subordinates of Faez on his grounds, demanding the aid of Reginald and Marion to help him address the problem after dark when they make themselves known.
Hollingsworth invited the two to join him for supper as they needed to create a plan to defend the home. Marion could not ignore the fact that Hollingsworth was doing his best to not allow himself to reveal his trembling hands. Reginald also noticed that the look in Hollingsworth eyes was that of a conflicted man, the words he was saying did not echo is true thoughts. Hollingsworth knew that what Reginald and Marion were saying was true, his attempts at rationalising nothing more than words.
Reginald was guided by Fordyce to where Colonel Hollingsworth’s house telephone was located, he dialled the number of the hotel where Singh had remained, explaining to the clerk that he was to immediately come to Kandahar house with his items. Concluding his telephone call, Reginald was joined by Marion who in turn was joined by the groundskeeper, a older man named Saunders, over 60 years old, his weathered skin showing an outdoor lifestyle, who was given the task of showing the two guests around the grounds, looking for any signs of recent activity as well as the best defensive sight lines for any threats approaching the house.
After a long walk through the gardens, stables and perimeter of the grounds, Reginald and Marion both agreed that any type of outdoor defence would be useless, the open ground and very little cover meaning that anyone who was a decent shot with a pistol or rifle would make short work of any defender. Touring through the carriage house and stables, Reginald considered a strongpoint for defence external from the house, a perch inside the loft of the carriage house, however his notion was quickly denied as Marion gave his opinion of the potential isolation and still not knowing what the full capabilities of the assailants was.
*
Dinner was a quiet affair, all except for Colonel Hollingsworth’s son Michael who was still learning his manners, letting out momentary squeals and belches before quickly being silenced by his Governess Mrs Lynch. Reginald did his best to break the tension, telling over exuberant tales of Colonel Hollingsworth during the war.
A ring of the doorbell caused Fordyce to remove himself from his post by the dining room door to answer, announcing the entry of Reginald’s man, Singh entering the room, baggage in hand, placing it in the hallway before taking up a familiar post on the other side of the dining room door to Fordyce.
Colonel Hollingsworth ate briskly, his former military life coming through in his eating habits, Ramona sitting straight, picking at her plate as she did her best not to be unnerved by the tense atmosphere of the room.
As all departed the dining room table, Fordyce led Reginald, Marion and Singh upstairs to the guest quarters, two rooms adjacent to each other, furnished with comfortable furniture. Closing the door, Reginald quickly swung the two long bags Singh had brought on to the bed, removing the shotguns and ammunition, fastening the leather sling in place, handing on of the shotguns Marion, the other to Singh. Checking is Webley revolver again to make sure it was ready for action, Reginald removed his sabre from one of the suitcase, fastening it to his belt along with a small pouch of ammunition for his pistol.
The three men descended the stairs, armed more heavily that expected as Fordyce was shocked yet understanding of the situation. Reginald and Marion began to walk the house, separately, making mental maps of the house as to where they could defend from. The tall windows that littered every room made it difficult to to assess just how long someone could defend for until being overrun. Both men decided that the heavy oak doors of the corridor provide the best defence, if the rooms were to be breached, getting through the locked doors would funnel any intruders into the long corridor, making them easy pickings for a trained marksman.
Colonel Hollingsworth ushered Reginald and Marion into the games room, Reginald nodding to Singh to keep a lookout from upstairs. The Colonel began explaining his plans, he would have Saunders patrolling the immediate exterior of the house, under instruction to enter the side door at the first sign of movement. Fordyce was to take up a position at the front door before asking Reginald where he wanted to place himself Marion and Singh. Reginald expressing that Singh would be patrolling the southern corridor, himself the north. Marion would take position of the main stairwell to inform others of any breaches that may occur, Colonel Hollingsworth remaining in his study, observing from his large windows and keeping a close eye on what he had under glass inside.
Satisfied with their less than brilliant plan, Reginald expressing his frustration that they needed at least four more men to make the home impenetrable, he knew he would have to relive his former glory and remember his training and prowess.
*
Marion sat on the top step of the main stairwell, shotgun slung across his front, Fordyce also sitting in a chair by the front windows next to the main door, a heavy Holland and Holland shotgun in his hands. Saunders was patrolling the kitchen and exterior, a large kitchen knife in one hand, a fire poker in the other. Singh watched from the only window he could see leading across the grounds at the end of the hallway, his shotgun still over his shoulder, Reginald doing the same thing.
*
The night grew darker and the evening mist of the countryside took over the house, the thin veil offering little visibility. Through the dimly lit fog, Saunders was the first to report shadows moving in the darkness, Reginald immediately reporting the same, two shapes passing from right to left and left to right roughly 20 meters from the window.
Fordyce also reported movement outside the front door, through the reports of movement, Marion’s ears pricked as he heard the sound of breaking glass from somewhere downstairs. Saunders stuck his head out of the dining room downstairs, asking for Marion to speak louder, turning his head back towards the dining room, Saunders let out a scream before sounds of a scuffle filled the room. Reginald immediately reacted, heading towards the dining room to lend aid. As Reginald passed the parlour, he halted as one of the parlour windows at the front of the house, shattered.
Fordyce began moving towards the dining room, nodding at Marion to cover the front door. Entering the parlour, Reginald screamed for the attacker to halt, drawing his pistol and training it on the window.
A shadowy figure dressed in the same form of Jackal mask that had been on the corpse from the morgue began to leap into the room. Reginald let his Webley unleash its first round, the heavy bullet slamming into the intruder.
Moments after the pistol shot, the sound of a shotgun unloading one of its barrels rang out from the dining room. Singh began moving in the direction of the gunfire, heading towards the base of the main staircase.
Reginald watched as his bullet slammed into the being coming through the window, the being slumping through the window before slowly rising to its feet. Another pistol shot rang out, the second shot slamming into the leg of the being who seemed to absorb it and keep moving slowly.
Fordyce empties his second shotgun blast before taking a knee to reload, Saunders locked in a vicious melee with a shadowy being. Reginald sang out to Marion as to where he knew combat was happening. Levelling his Webley at the oncoming figure, his third shot cracking into the oncoming being. Recoiling at the impact, the attacked stumbled back before slumping into a corner still and silent.
Marion advanced down the stairs, his shotgun trained on the dining room door, listening to the battle raging inside, Saunders screaming in anger, Fordyce letting fly another blast from his shotgun.
Singh took position at the top of the stairs, Colonel Hollingsworth also appearing at the railing of the balcony, his pistol in hand, both looking for potential targets. Marion shifted his shotgun sight to the corridor at the corner of the dining room towards the parlour in case anything strange appeared.
Reginald took his change to slam the parlour door and moved through the adjoining door to the dining room. The sight in front of him was extreme, Saunders was entangled with one of the jackal headed figures, hacking and slashing with his knife and poker, Fordyce kneeling in the far corner, several spent shotgun casing at his feet as he reloaded as fast as he could, sprays of blood littering the window sill from where he was looking intently for another target.
Marion was knocked back on the stairs as the front door burst open from a massive impact. An enormous figure clad in sand coloured pants and torn shirt, its muscles exposed, raining its head through the splinters was that of a jackal, a live jackal, its teeth bared and its breath wild.
Marion called to Singh and anyone within earshot to open fire on the monster, Singh’s shotgun and the Colonels pistol both came to life, the giant being barely recoiling as a shotgun blast slammed into its shoulder from Singh and a pistol round hammered into its stomach.
Marion rose to his feet, backing up the stairs as he unloaded both barrels of his shotgun at the monster. Clipping the being on the ribs, with the first shot, the second flying to the right, Marion took the opportunity to turn and run up the stairs. Singh reloaded quickly and was preparing for another blast when Reginald appeared at the dining room door, his eyes wide as he recognised the muscular arms of the creature.
Raising his pistol, Reginald unleashed the remaining three bullets at the being, the heavy impacts drawing the attention of the minster for an instant however not breaking its stride towards the staircase.
Reginald ducked quickly against a wall, emptying the spent shells from his pistol, reloading it quickly and with purpose. The creature swung its powerful arms at the base of the stairs, breaking the railing clean off the floor, creating more room for it to freely move towards the three targets in front of it. Fordyce blasted another load of buckshot at the window, the screams of a wounded man sounding outside, Saunders bleeding from the torso but able to cleanly slice open the neck of the jackal headed vagrant, which in turn appeared as a deep gash to the head of the man inside the costume, its face cleaved almost in two from cheek to cheek. The intruder fell to the floor as Saunders drove his poker through its chest with so much force that the sound of the iron hitting the hard wood floor echoing through the body.
Hollingsworth continued to fire at the monster, as Marion watched, to his surprise Hollingsworth was screaming about how he had put the creature down at Abadon, yet he continued to fire at the doorway, where the creature no longer was standing.
At the top of the stairs, Marion continued to reload, Singh drawing his sabre to cover Marion until he was ready to fire again. The sound of more breaking glass echoed through the corridors upstairs, something was moving or climbing where no normal man could reach.
The gigantic figure strode powerfully up the stairs, Reginald followed the creature, his freshly reloaded Webley in hand. Unleashing all six shots, 4 holes in the wall appeared around the creatures head, two shots breaking the skin of the shoulder of the creature who still seemed unimpressed by the damage.
Reginald let out a cry of pain that caught Singh’s attention, Reginald feeling a rope around his neck, the smell of body odour and cigarettes filling his nostrils. As the monster drew closer, Singh lashed out at the creature with his sabre, striking it across the snout. The jackal paused briefly, snarling as the open wound oozing a dark ooze. The monster swiped with its powerful left hand, catching Singh across the chest, the sound of ribs cracking as he slammed across the hallway into the wall.
Reginald cursed the being who had his garrotted around the neck, slamming and punching with his empty pistol, catching the assailant in the ribs and kidney. Marion closed the action of his shotgun, raising it at the monsters face, yet distracted as out of the corner of his eye, he glanced a withered and bandaged hand appear at the doorway of the Colonels study, the hand pointing at the Colonel.
The monster changed its targeted gaze, shifting from Marion towards the Colonel, Marion taking the opportunity to roll out of the way of the beast, kneeling beside Singh who was spitting blood and reaching for his sabre.
Reginald managed to get his hand under the rope around his neck, swinging his elbow wildly and collecting whatever was behind him in the face. Feeling to rope go loose as his attacked recoiled, Reginald turned to see a Middle Eastern man dressed in plain garb brandishing a short blade in one hand, the other gripping his bruised face.
Marion took aim at the bandaged arm protruding from the study, the buckshot clamming into the hand, two fingers falling to the ground, a cry of pain also filling the air as one of the pellets clipping the Colonel in the calf. Marion swung his shotgun towards the Monster that was now obstructing his view of the Colonel. Hollingsworth gripped his chest tightly with his empty hand, gasping for air before falling to the floor. The bandaged hand changing its position from pointing at the Colonel to going into a relaxed state even though two fingers were missing.
Marion watched in horror as the rest of the bandaged mummy appeared from the doorway to the study, looking around itself, spotting Marion and running towards him in a frenzy. Pulling the trigger of his shotgun, the blast removing several ribs and bandaged from the being’s torso. Marion dropped his now empty shotgun, pulling his pistol from his belt, aiming carefully at the bandaged mummy, pulling the hammer back on the action and taking a deep breath.
Reginald drew his sabre, pulling it upwards towards the mans arm holding the blade, catching him across the forearm. Letting out a grunt of pain at the wound, the man looked at his arm for a slight second, looking back at Reginald who was bringing his sabre back down towards the man’s head. Dodging quickly, the man swiped with is blade, catching Reginald across the stomach. Reginald turned to face his attacker, reaching with his free hand towards a vase that stood on the side cabinet of the room, sending it flying towards the middle eastern man, it crashed into the mans face, almost knocking him unconscious. Marion pulled the trigger of his pistol at the mummy, the single shot stopping the being in its tracks, the mummy looked town at its own torso, a loose bandage swaying, a fresh hole appearing in one of the bandaged that hung from its side, the bullet lodging itself in the floor some meters down the hall. The mummy looked back at Marion who swallowed hard, the look of terror conquering his face as he watched the mummy almost grin at him. The seven foot Jackal recoiled slightly as the back of its head was suddenly struck by the blast of Fordyce’s shotgun.
Reginald walked past his dazed attacker, slicing its throat with his sabre in one swift strike as he headed towards to main corridor. Looking up towards the balcony, Reginald paused as he could see the small mummy standing next to the giant Jackal. As Reginald watched almost frozen, the Mummy and the Jackal exchanged eye contact briefly before both turned to look at Reginald.
Reginald let out a battle cry, charging the monster and slicing at its angles in an attempt to sever it’s achillies and slow it down. The monster letting out a grunt of pain as the blade sliced through its left ankle tendons.
The Mummy turned towards Marion and Singh just in time to be struck by Marion in a less than perfect Rugby tackle, knocking it over. Singh, partially conscious stumbled towards the pile of Marion and the Mummy. Marion rolling away at the sight of Singh who swiped down hard with his sabre, cleaving the skull of the Mummy in two.
The Monstrous Jackal, about to swipe at Reginald seemed to be struck by some kind of invisible blwo, turning and seeing the Mummy be struck. Letting out a deep growl of frustration, the jackal broke his attack and leapt through the front window by the front door, disappearing into the darkness.
Marion ran towards the Colonel who was struggling to breath on the floor, Marion inspecting him and seeing all the symptoms of a heart attack and stroke. Reginald ascended the stairs, approaching the corpse of the mummy, taking the opportunity to cleave the two halves of the skull from its spine.
Singh stumbled towards Reginald who took him by the shoulders, sitting him down at the top of the stairs, looking for any external injuries and relieved to find none except for the enormous bruises that were already forming across his chest and shoulder.
Marion did what he could to stabilise the Colonel who was breathing slightly easier than earlier. Reginald called to Fordyce who was watching the front door, demanding he contact an ambulance and Scotland Yard.
Marion joined Reginald at the top of the stairs, bot h me agreeing that they should burn the bones and bandages of the Mummy, gathering the pieces up and piling them on the front lawn. Both men began to secure the rest of the house, moving from room to room together, both halting in the dining room as the body of Saunders sat quietly against the wall next to the fireplace, a large blade protruding from his stomach, similar to the one Reginald’s attacked was brandishing.
After securing the ground floor, Reginald took oil from the kitchen, pouring it all over the bones and bandages before striking a match and setting fire to the pile of bones on the front lawn.
Fordyce came to Reginald’s side, advising that he had alerted Scotland Yard and that they and doctors were on their way, giving a short bow Fordyce returned inside to where the Colonel lay upstairs. Marion was going door to door upstairs, knocking on the rooms of Mrs Hollingsworth and the kitchen staff, making sure all were alright. Ramona enquired through the door regarding her husband, Marion informing her that he had suffered some form of stroke.
Exiting her room, Ramona ran to her husband’s side, taking his hand and sitting by him and Fordyce who held his hand on the Colonels chest, making sure his heart was not breathing out of his chest.
*
Craddock walked through the front gate of Kandahar House, Reginald sitting on a small bench, smoking his pipe, Marion sitting on the ground next to him, a crude cigarette in his mouth, a case of 12 he had recently taken from the recently deceased Saunders room. Both Reginald and Marion were silent as they joined Craddock and his entourage of a three police as they walked towards the front steps of Kandahar house. Craddock nodded at Reginald’s neck that showed clear bruising and almost laceration from the brawl earlier. The morning sun revealing the ash pile that still smouldered where the remains of the Mummy were torched.
Craddock walked through the house, the police securing the area, Marion and Reginald sitting on the front steps of the house, Singh sitting with Fordyce in the foyer. After a short wait, Craddock returned to the front door of the house, Craddock took a seat between Marion and Reginald, lighting his pipe. Craddock said little, advising that it was clear that the house was clearly attacked by some form of middle eastern gang and that the Colonel was lucky that the Colonel was entertaining both Reginald and Marion. He then extinguished his pipe, nodding that Reginald and Marion should remove themselves from the premises before the full force of Scotland Yard’s investigative team arrived.
*
Reginald opened the newspaper as he sat comfortably in his study, a brandy in his hand, his cigar resting in its stand. Readying the headline “Break in at Kandahar House goes wrong!”. As Reginald read the article, he could see all of the information that Scotland Yard was covering up, no mention of a Mummy, jackal headed figures or any such trouble. Instead it was a report of how a middle eastern gang had broken into an estate where a groundskeeper was murdered along with one of the intruders. Shaking his head, Reginald sat as his writing desk thinking that it was time for him to start writing his memoirs of his adventures during the war and the exciting adventures since his return to London.
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Session VI: The Folding of Toby
Morning seemed to come early to Reginald and Marion, both converging on the university before the clock rang out 10am. Deciding the research of anything relevant to historical records of Egypt, more specifically provinces and religious records relating to ‘Sektat’.
Reginald sipped a strong cup of tea as he flicked through maps of Egypt, plotting out where the location of the massacre may have happened. Marion sat across the table, a large pile of books that gradually spread across the table as he moved through them at a brisk pace, all related to geography, religion and interpretation. Doing his best to retain the information he was reading about mummification and the processes involved, Marion was barely able to obtain an overview of Egyptian society, the reports he was reading all appeared to be rough translations at best.
The clerk appeared next to Marion, a look across his face of confidence as he handed a book to Marion, explaining he had located the name ‘Sektat’ in the index. Marion immediately opened the book to the marked page, to his disappointment, only a single mention in a single paragraph was visible. In reference to ‘Sektat’, a high priest, a man of incredible magical power and dread knowledge, his power base was located near the Nile river approximately 4,000 years ago.
This mention seemed to only frustrate Marion, closing the book and leaning back in his chair. The clock chimed two in the afternoon, Reginald standing from his seat, requesting Marion join him for lunch at the Army and Navy Club, feeling they had both earned a break from their studies.
*
Reginald led the way to the guest dining room where Marion was permitted within the walls of the Army and Navy Club, sitting at a table that was unoccupied, calling for a porter to take his order. Marion sat across from Reginald, both men looking around the room for any sign of Toby Norton, making sure he had not disappeared.
Time passed quickly as the two men devoured a substantial amount of meat and potatoes while discussing the best course of action to take. Marion suggested speaking to Inspector Craddock about trying to find the other participants of the massacre to see how many are already deceased.
Reginald dismissed the notion as foolhardy, instead insisting on getting in touch with Colonel Hollingsworth face to face.
Discover the identity of the academic that Hollingsworth had fallen out with, Dr Geoffrey Jordan, another of many avenues to investigate. Deciding that they would try to divide and conquer, Marion decided he would return to the Somerset Hotel and consult with Faez to try and discover any means of keeping the mystical assassin of soldiers at bay, Reginald choosing to speak in more detail to Toby who they had spotted working around the coat room and kitchen.
Finishing their meal, Reginald wished Marion good luck, advising him to return to the Club when he had spoken to Faez. Marion departed the club as Reginald made his way into the member’s area, cornering Toby in the narrow hall between the kitchen and bar. Toby seemed stunned at Reginald’s sudden appearance. Reginald handed Toby a notebook and pencil, demanding him to write down a list of names of the participants of the massacre. Toby insisted that he was currently working and would write the list when he was finished, advising that the list would be ready at approx. 7pm.
With nothing else pressing on his time, Reginald returned to the main bar, joining his fellow servicemen for war stories and banter.
Faez came running down the stairs to meet Marion in the same cafe. Marion shook his hand as he began to ask about any scriptures or texts Faez may have come across regarding restraining the beings that bring about death and calamity. Faez, agreeing to answer the line of questioning in a purely hypothetical fashion, stating that often when such curses exist, the individual would often be entombed with texts of condemnation, reincarnation and resurrection, such texts would best be interpreted by himself if found during the investigation.
Marion agreed that as neither Reginald or himself could interpret such writings, they would locate Faez immediately. Marion checked the time, his meeting with Faez also passed quickly as his watch closed in on six o’clock. Walking briskly back towards the Army and Navy Club, Marion stopped at most intersections, taking the time to look carefully at his surroundings, looking for anything that seemed out of the ordinary. Believing he was merely suffering from a mild dose of paranoia after his previous investigation that led him to the Java Coffee Company basement, Marion finally dismissed the notion and continued confidently down the main walkway as carriages and cabs rattled along the uneven roads.
Reginald heard the chimes of the large Grandfather clock at the back of the bar, singing out the time of seven o’clock in the evening. Puzzled by Toby’s lack of appearance, Reginald decided to wander about in search of his list.
After wandering through the main entertaining areas, Reginald followed the signage to the basement level quarters, Toby and several other low level workers who lived on site occupied the series of small rooms. Calling out to Toby, Reginald came to a halt at Toby’s door where he was busily sitting at a small desk, lit only by a small candle, writing down names in the notebook.
A loud voice boomed down the main corridor where Reginald was standing, the main cook calling to Toby to put the garbage from the kitchen outside. Toby rose to his feet immediately, handing Reginald the book, believing he had written down all the names he could remember before rushing towards the kitchen access door where the cook was waiting.
Reginald left the basement level of the club, intercepted immediately by one of the staff, advising that his familiar guest had arrived and was waiting in the visitor’s lounge. Reginald strode into the visitor’s lounge, slightly larger than a standard home's drawing room, spotting Marion who looked slightly out of breath after his nervous walk back to the Club.
Reginald handed Marion the book of names, explaining that they would have to find the location of each man. Reginald raised his hand briefly, a noise catching his attention, a distant cry from outside the club. Reginald let out a call of “Toby”, running towards the front door, Marion quickly standing and following Reginald. Standing in the street, Reginald could feel the thick fog against his face, grabbing Marion by the jacket lapel, holding him close as he made his way to the right of the main entrance towards the side access alleyway where the exterior kitchen door was located.
Slowly walking the narrow path of the alley, Reginald let go of Marion to gain a better grip on his cane. A sense of dread filled Reginald as through the fog, under the dim light of the single light humming above the kitchen door, a shape appeared on the ground. Marion let out a brief sound of distress as he tripped on one of the bins that rested against the side wall of the Club, stumbling forward only to be held up by Reginald who had stopped under the dim lamp light.
Marion and Reginald both hunched down to see the mortified face of Toby Norton, his open eyes staring blankly at the sky. Marion was visibly shocked, turning his gaze away from Toby’s horrified look, he picked Reginald up from his lowered position and pulled him a step back, both men shocked that they had not noticed the position of Toby’s body.
The feet of Toby Norton were neatly behind his head, his toes facing outward, his arms pressed against his chest as if held in place by an invisible rope he had been trying to escape. Toby had been folded in half, his torso laying on top of the back of his legs that were resting underneath him. Whatever had done this was strong enough to obliterate bone and sever tendons and ligaments as if they were made of paper, another feat of inhuman strength.
Reginald raised his eyes from Toby’s corpse, a shadow caught his attention from further down the alley, past the reach of the lamp light. Raising his cane, Reginald stepped forward carefully, waving his hand at Marion to summon assistance.
Without delay, Marion ran back to the mouth of the Alley, calling as loud as he could for police and aid. Reginald pushed forward, hearing footsteps in the dark, the brief glimpse of shadows revealing a tall being, it’s strange features almost impossible to identify. Reginald boomed a warning into the darkness, demanding the assailant show themselves. Marion could hear police whistles in the distance, growing louder as several patrons of the Army and Navy Club began to gather at the front door to investigate the calls for help. Reginald raised his cane slowly as the darkness in front of him began to echo strange sounds of movement. Shuffling motion, a short distance ahead, shuffling and the sound of something being dragged against the uneven, cobblestone floor of the alley. Reginald took a step back as the sounds grew closer, yet his keen gaze unable to see the source of the noise.
Reginald raised his cane, ready to strike at whatever was getting closer to him in the darkness. As Reginald took another step back, the soft light of the lamp illuminating a short distance in front of his face.
Reginald let out a panicked cry for an instant, the light revealing an enormous dog shaped being flashing in front of his face. The shock of the image caused Reginald to leap backwards as a large arm bearing sharp claws sliced through the air, missing his face by mere inches.
Hearing the startled screams, Marion waved the two constables who had appeared from across the street towards his location as he turned and ran down the alley towards Reginald. Reaching into his medical bag that seemed to be permanently slung over his shoulder, Marion pulled the ‘Bulldog’ pistol from the semi hidden compartment, holding it by the barrel and cylinder as he ran.
Reginald had his back against the wall under the humming light, ready to strike at anything that moved in the darkness. Spotting Marion, Reginald called for him to halt and be cautious, Marion reaching out to Reginald, pistol in hand in an effort to allow Reginald to take the weapon by the grip.
Silence in the darkness as Marion quickly retracted his outstretched arm at the sound of footsteps behind him, Marion pointing his free hand down the alley as the two approaching constables demanded to know what was going on. Pausing only for a moment, the constables continued on into the dark, foggy alley as Marion moved to Reginald’s side. Reginald placed his hand on Marion's shoulder, doing his best to explain what his eyes had seen for a moment, describing a man sized animal, its long neck and snout catching the dim light as it moved quickly.
Moving towards the mouth of the alley, Marion and Reginald could hear the shouting and surprise echo through the fog from the direction the constables had run towards. Reginald hobbled inside the Club, pushing past the small crowd of people who had gathered on the front steps. Marion, close behind, came to a stop next to Reginald who was leaning against a bookcase in the main lobby. Reginald poured himself a large glass of scotch, muttering in a volume Marion could barely hear “Large…man dog thing…swipe at me…how dare you…”
One of the constables who had pursued the assailant down the alley appeared in the entryway to the Club, shouting and pushing past the crowd, striding across the carpeted floor and disappearing in the direction of the kitchen.
Reginald and Marion steadied themselves, both now discussing what they should do, for them to be the ones to find yet another body would cast a larger shadow on them as potential suspects. Deciding to slip out, Marion quietly moved past the crowd that seemed to be getting larger, Reginald offering a brief distraction, announcing to the crowd that Private Toby Norton had been murdered on their doorstep.
A number of constables had now converged on the Army and Navy Club, Reginald sitting at4 a table, two constables questioning him as to the events of the evening. Patrons reported that Reginald had been the last person to speak to Toby, making it impossible for him to leave the scene.
Craddock entered the Army and Navy Club, moving through the sea of constables and taking a seat at the table where Reginald was sitting. Craddock expressed his frustration at finding Reginald at another crime scene where a murder had taken place.
Craddock demanded Reginald attend the morgue, demanding that Marion also attend, arranging to meet them there in half an hour. Reginald walked out of the Club and straight into a Hansom Cab, his knowledge of the roadways between Marion’s residence and the Army and Navy Club making it easy to find Marion who was on foot. Approximately halfway between his residence and where the Club was located, Marion was stopped by the familiar voice of Reginald that boomed from an oncoming Hansom Cab. Marion immediately entered the cab to see an unnerved Reginald who explained where they were going and who they were meeting.
The cab arrived at the morgue inconspicuously, Marion and Reginald exiting the cab and entering the wooden door of the office. The voices of Craddock and Spencer echoing through the almost empty space. Marion cleared his throat the notify the men that they had arrived. Craddock moved and stood solemnly at the centre of the room, standing next to one of the tables reserved for cadavers being examined. Two tables were occupied at the present moment. Craddock pulled back the sheet revealing Toby’s crumpled body. Reginald recoiled as Craddock spoke harshly about how such violence and power could be spent on one man.
Reginald answered Craddock’s questions regarding what he saw in the dark alleyway. Marion was watching Spencer, observing that the experienced doctor was shaken. Craddock pulled back the second sheet revealing a body that was somewhat stranger than Toby’s. A withered body, smelling of rot and mould, dressed in robes and primitive coverings, its head concealed within a tall mask, the shape of a large hound head. Moving closer, Marion and Reginald could see that the mask was made from the skin and bones of a dog like creature. Spencer uttering the word “Jackal”, the mask elongated, making the shape appear much taller than that of a man.
Pulling the mask from the corpse, the intense smell of rot filled the nostrils of Reginald and Marion. Craddock pushed further for answers regarding the corpse. Asking how a body as badly decomposed could be walking around and assaulting police officers in the dead of night.
After an intense discussion regarding the statement made by Reginald, Carddock refused to believe that this body was the assailant. Reginald explained that from what he saw, the height of the mask fit the description of what he witnessed.
Excusing themselves from Craddock for a few moments, Marion and Reginald were relieved the discover that they were not the target of the current investigation. Deciding it was best to give Craddock all of the information they had, they re-joined Craddock and Dr Nelson next to the body of the Jackal headed man.
Reginald explained all they had discovered, the conversation with Faez, handing Craddock the card with the address of the Egyptian. Marion contributed to the conversation regarding investigating the illogical nature of the crimes, Craddock’s face showing clear signs of frustration. Reginald also handed Craddock a copy he had scribbled down of the list of names given to him by Toby as members of the Military action.
Craddock concluded the conversation by stating he would follow up with Faez and speak to Reginald and Marion in the coming days. Leaving the Morgue, Craddock closed the door loudly, Reginald and Marion breathing sighs of relief. Leaving the morgue a few minutes after Craddock, Reginald and Marion entered a Hansom Cab and began discussing the disturbing nature of the body clad in robes and the strange headdress.
As the Cab stopped outside Marion’s residence, Reginald agreed that the two of them would head back to the morgue first thing in the morning, wishing to witness the autopsy of Toby and the rotting corpse at 7am.
*
Marion arrived at the morgue at 6am, setting up for the autopsy that was about to be conducted.
Marion prepped the rotting corpse for the autopsy, laying the body on the table, preparing all of the tools necessary for Dr Spencer to begin. Marion looked closely over the body, the skull was cracked, the body was covered in dirt, his hands were full of wood splinters and dark earth. Marion’s mind was racing believing that the corpse had clawed his way out of a coffin and crawled through six feet of dirt. Marion continued the examine closely the skull of the body, the long crack appearing more recent, most likely when it was hit by the police the previous night. Examining closer by lamp light the mask, the craftsmanship of the mask was exquisite. The reinforcement, the shaping, the curves, all were made by someone with skill. The mask was made from hide, the head itself was that of a Jackal, its fur was real, yet there was no space for whoever was wearing the mask to be able to see. Marion completed the autopsy over the course of hours, writing hi report in duplicate, delivering a copy to Dr Spencer, the second bound for Inspector Craddock.
*
Reginald sat in his sitting room next to his telephone, his attempt at research of the name Geoffrey Jordan yielding little results, several vacant telephone calls later, Reginald dialled the British Museum, the clerk going through his records, locating the name as a former employee, conveying that he was the curator of Eastern antiquities.
The address on file, 72 Clarendon Road, Bayswater, a distance from London, Reginald writing the address down and thanking the clerk for the information. Barely putting the phone back on the hook, the telephone began to ring. Answering immediately, Reginald was relieved to hear Marion’s voice, advising that he needed to meet at Scotland Yard as he had to deliver the medical report .Already Dressed, Reginald tucked his Webley Revolver into his belt, calling for Singh, Reginald left his sitting room and headed for the front door. Marion was standing at the steps of Scotland Yard having left the report with the desk clerk inside as he was advised that Inspector Craddock was unavailable. Reginald opened the door of the Hansom Cab for Marion to enter. Sitting in the stationary Cab, Marion began to explain the findings of his report, also expressing his thoughts of how the body showed all the signs of being buried and escaping from its coffin. Reginald held his head in his hand, shaking his head as he took in the information. A Marion concluded his report, Reginald called for the Hansom Cab Driver the head to the Bayswater address of Geoffrey Jordan.
Marion and Reginald knocked on the door of number 72 Clarendon Road. After a short time, a short woman opened the door, after escaping the wild assumptions of Reginald, they discovered that Jordan was a tenant of the residence upstairs. Taking the calling cards of the two men at the door, the woman ushered Marion and Reginald into the foyer, she disappeared up the stairs.
Returning from the upper level, the woman conveyed that Mr Jordan was not taking visitors. Reginald pressing the urgency of the matter, Reginald bustled past the woman and began up the stairs, Marion close behind. As Reginald bellowed that Jordan needed to answer as the matter concerned Colonel Hollingsworth. The woman pushed past Reginald to the second door on the left at the top of the stairs. A man’s vice echoed through the door. Opening the door quickly, a man aged around 50, his silver hair shaggy and unkempt. Pushing into the room, Reginald and Marion stood in the centre of what looked like a living area, towers of books and small artefacts of different origins littered the room. Dressed in his bed clothing, his long dressing gown doing a poor job of concealing the pistol tucked into his waistband. Demanding that the two state their business, Jordan looked like a man who was hiding and did not want to be found.
Reginald and Marion both took their time with Jordan, explaining that they were not enemies, explaining their investigation into the murders. Jordan was showing clear signs of fear, Reginald not able to sway him to calm. Jordan was less than helpful explaining that Nicholas Hollingsworth was at the centre of the conspiracy, he was the man with all the answers.
Marion and Reginald spent almost half an hour in the company of Jordan, the entire time, Jordan gave firm resistance to any form of questioning. Having tolerated the two intruders, Jordan finally turned the two away, forcing them to leave, his hand moving towards his pistol.
Marion and Reginald both backed away slowly, vacating the quarters of Jordan, Reginald giving Jordan his calling card that was quickly snatched from his hand as Jordan advanced on the two who were taking longer than necessary to leave.
On the street, Marion and Reginald both muttered their anger and disappointment at Jordan’s lack of assistance. Arguing about what their best steps would be to start putting pieces together and where to go next, Reginald put forward the notion of getting in touch with Colonel Hollingsworth wife Ramona, however Collin’s objected as he was unsure of the nature of contacting a lady of the house without the knowledge of the householder. Much procrastination began back and forth between the two, not wanting to re-enter the home, yet unsure how to get Ramona out of the home, after a long discussion, the two decided the safest course of action was to make a phone call to the Hollingsworth home.
Posing as a member of the British Museum and Art Gallery, it would possibly produce a somewhat public meeting or at the very least a second invitation to the home. Deciding to use a private phone within the Army and Navy Club, Reginald led Marion to the far side of the guest dining room to where a phone was sitting in the corner of the room. Requiring privacy, Reginald pushed through a nearby door to a private member’s lounge, being halted at the door as to the sudden appearance of a ‘non-member’, Reginald rebuked the man, pushing past him with authority as they were in need of a private room with a phone to assist in the investigation of Lord Gower and more recently, Toby Norton. After grumbles and frustrated comments regarding the irregularity of the situation, both Reginald and Marion were let into the room out of respect for the recently departed. Marion took a seat at the phone, dialling the number for Kandahar house, the phone was answered by the familiar voice of Fordyce. Posing as a curator from the Royal Art Gallery, Marion was able to hear Ramona’s voice appear at the end of the telephone line. Dispensing with the façade, Marion immediately dropped his act and began to convey the urgency of the situation they were facing. Ramona’s feeble attempts at expressing the irregular nature of the call were overshadowed by Marion pushing the danger and severity of the potential safety impacts on the entire family within Kandahar house. After a brief exchange, Ramona agreed to return the call of Marion the following day on a phone number that they could provide, Marion immediately giving the direct number for Reginald’s home.
Deciding to spend the evening at home, Reginald informed Singh of the likely hood of a call to follow the next day, taking a seat in his sitting room and spending longer than usual cleaning his Webley Revolver, Cherry in hand whenever it was free. Marion spent his evening picking up where he left off at the Morgue, refiling the paperwork that was out of place, reorganizing his office before he left for the night.
*
A loud knock woke Reginald as he slumbered in his chair, Singh summoning hi to the phone. Glancing at the large clock in the hallway, it was only moments before midnight. Taking the phone in hand, Reginald boomed into the mouthpiece, demanding to know who was calling, the panicked and quiet tones of Geoffrey Jordan’s voice came through as whispers. Reginald listened intently as Jordan whispered carefully that shapes and shadows were moving across the street and in the yard, hearing movement in the hallway, a scream was cut short as the phone line gave out.
Hanging up and dialling the number for Scotland Yard, Reginald left a message for Craddock to return his call. The Cherry still causing Reginald’s mind to sway, he demanded Singh lock all doors and windows before Reginald slumped back in his comfortable chair and returned to sleep.
As morning broke across the horizon, a loud knock at the door was answered by the ever alert Singh, Reginald close behind. Inspector Craddock was standing with two police officers, calling for Reginald to dress himself quickly as they immediately needed to depart. Riding next to Craddock, the exchange between Reginald and the Inspector was brief, Reginald explaining the strange phone call from Jordan the night before, Craddock informing of the mess that was discovered in the early hours of the morning.
As the cart came to a stop, Marion was standing on the steps to the building flanked by two more police. Craddock exited first, pointing where Marion and Reginald were to go and where to stay clear of. As the two made their way up to Jordan’s apartment, thick trails of blood leading up and down the stairs, from the rear of the house, to the front and up the bannister.
Entering Jordan’s living room, the neat piles of books had been toppled, paper that littered the walls ripped and destroyed, furniture broken and thrown across the room, everything covered in blood and more often than not, torn flesh and bone. Marion made his way behind the desk Jordan had used as his work area, the main husk of his body twisted and disfigured on the floor, his head no longer attached to his shoulders.
Reginald began walking carefully around the bedroom, following a thick blood trail that disappeared under Jordan’s bed. Using his walking stock as a support, Reginald lowered himself to his haunches slowly, his eyes following the blood trail only to have his gaze met by that of the dead eyes of Jordan whose head had come to a stop with a look of utter terror across it.
Looking toward the rear of the building through the blood stained windows, Craddock interrupted the two stating that they were not permitted to go near the rear of the house as more bodies needing identification were scattered all throughout.
Craddock demanded to know what Jordan had said to Reginald and Marion, who in turn answered as honestly as possible, that Hollingsworth was the centre before being thrown out. Looking around the entire space, Marion and Reginald both shared the thought that whatever had happened within the room, a search was conducted, blood stained books were underneath those with no blood, paperwork shared the same traits. Expressing their ideas with the inspector as they came to mind Reginald exclaimed that a search had taken place, Craddock pushed that Reginald and Marion step back and that Craddock would take over the Hollingsworth side of the investigation and more force from Scotland Yard was needing to be applied.
Craddock ushered Marion and Reginald from the crime scene, Reginald hailing a Hansom Cab. Marion produced several pages that he had tucked into his coat when no police eyes had been looking, partially translated Egyptian Hieroglyphics that showed Jordan had been working tirelessly to discover the meaning of. As Marion concluded the translation, Reginald could barely follow the babble of the translation, dismissing it has crazed ramblings of a crazed mind from a society he also deemed crazy and deranged. As Reginald and Marion sat at the dining table, breakfast being served as they both took their first sips of tea and coffee. Within moment, the telephone began to chime, Singh answering and nodding to Reginald that this was the call he was waiting for. Scrambling to the phone, Ramona’s voice was calm, doing her best to not show signs of distress. Unable to meet in public, Ramona listened intently as Reginald let all the information he had recently recovered out, the grizzly nature of the demise of Geoffrey Jordan being the prime topic. Ramona was shocked at the news before being interrupted. A commanding male voice echoed through the phone line, demanding to know who was speaking and how Jordan had been killed. Reginald unable to think of anything to say remained silent before the line went dead.
Hanging up the phone, Reginald looked at Marion, a mixed look of fear, confusion and frustration stuck on his face as he was unsure if he had just spoken to Colonel Hollingsworth. Marion enquired as to the call only to be interrupted by the phone ringing for the second time in as many minutes. Answering the phone warily, Reginald placed the earpiece to his head. The same male voice echoed through, calling Reginald by name, explaining that his presence was required at Kandahar house and that his help was necessary.
Session V: The Ignorance of Inspectors
Reginald paces the London streets in the early morning thinking of what Toby had told him. His regiment, the men he had fought beside and shared years of his life with, massacred a village and temple based solely on potentially one officer's rogue order.
Marion was startled awake at the sound of Reginald calling his name, rising from his chair slowly, his head pounding. Marion’s anger at Reginald was visible in his face, sarcastically thanking Reginald for all of his help in the recent weeks. Reginald was not interested in playing whatever game Marion was trying to start, immediately demanding he get dressed and that he needed to come with Reginald to eat properly and discuss what he had discovered.
Offering a poor argument as to why he did not want to listen to anything Reginald had to say, Reginald took Marion by the shoulder, his voice low cutting through the aches in his head. Reginald needed Marion, a man of science and medicine, regardless of current employment status, Reginald pushed hard against Marions ego. Finally agreeing to leave his home, Marion began to lay out his clothes for the day, taking far less formal attire than he would normally wear to work, from his wardrobe and laying it on the bed.
Reginald advised Marion he would see him at the Army and Navy Club when he was ready, leaving Marion’s home and hailing a cab.
*
Reginald entered the Army and Navy Club earlier than he had ever been previously, looking around inside the foyer for any sign of Toby Norton. Circling the space for some time, finally spotting Toby loitering around the dining room, Reginald breathed a sigh of relief in knowing Toby had not fallen victim to the strange attacker. Heading towards the members lounge, Reginald ordered a large breakfast of meat, bread and eggs, drinking strong coffee as he waited for Marion to arrive.
*
It had been a long time since Marion had touched a drop of alcohol since the early days of study. The drink seemed to be the only thing keeping him going to the point where it consumed his life. Mixed with the occasional opioid after witnessing his initial years of autopsy training and assessment, it didn’t take long for Marion to be forced to choose between his medical career and a life in the gutter.
The memories of his younger years flowing through his head as he scrubbed himself down with the hot water in the bowl he had boiled. Scrubbing every inch of himself to remove the smell of Gin and perspiration.
Satisfied with his hygiene, Marion dressed himself in somewhat informal attire, buttoning up his shirt as footsteps approached from the staircase.
Picking up his jacket off the arm of his chair, he looked towards the bookshelf as the footsteps drew nearer, wondering if he needed to dash for the hollowed out medical journal on the second shelf containing the pistol that once belonged to Dr Granger.
Marion explained that he was not at the scene of the crime, Craddock pressing Marion on the point that the flow of information between Reginald and himself was freely given, therefore he should know what was said. Craddock was not interested in any way as to Marion’s explanation regarding the current terms of the relationship and lack of communication, as the event predated the breakdown and suspension.
After some shuffling of thoughts and under the threat of being written in yet another police report as obstructing police business, Marion spoke the words Abadan, real, alive. Craddock wrote the words in his book, asking what the word meant, expecting Marion to answer. Marion did his best to explain that he had no knowledge of what it meant, not familiar to any language he had read in medical journals.
Craddock realised it was time to withdraw, seeing that Marion was at the brink of exhaustion and frustration, beyond that of a guilty party, thanking Marion for his time and heading back down the stairs.
*
Reginald could not resist the urge to partake in the constant story telling of his compatriots as he waited for Marion, Toby coming to his side and informing him of a visitor. Reginald was relieved, thinking that Marion had finally arrived to aid in his investigation. Reginald walked confidently to the visitor’s room towards the front of the Army and Navy Club, his walk slowing at the realisation that Inspector Craddock was sitting at a table, drink in hand.
Offering Reginald a seat across from where he was sitting, Craddock summoned one of the staff, placing his order for lunch, suggesting Reginald do the same. Immediately taking to his notebook, Craddock spoke of how he had just come from Dr Collins residence and needed confirmation of what Major Gower had said with his final breaths.
Reginald leaned over the table, making sure no others within the vicinity could overhear the conversation, whispering Abadan to Inspector Craddock. Noting down the name, Craddock responded to Reginalds enquiries regarding any movement in the investigation. Craddock explained that Reginald was clearly involved as a member of the Regiment that is under attack.
Craddock went on to explain that Reginald was not to involve himself in the investigation further, much to Reginald’s frustration. Informing Craddock that he could be of service in terms of opening doors and speaking to those that may not want to speak to the ‘Yard’. Craddock again stated that Reginald was not to be involved, yet was obligated to report any information directly to Craddock otherwise could be charged with obstruction. Moving the conversation forward, Craddock inquired as to the last time Reginald had seen Colonel Hollingsworth, having visited his estate the previous day and been turned away as the Colonel was unavailable. Reginald again recalled the last time he witnessed the Colonel, wondering if the Colonel would be more willing to be available to a fellow soldier rather than an Inspector of Scotland Yard.
After a brief discussion regarding the size of Colonel Hollingsworth’s estate and the current state of military pensions, Craddock concluded that funds were available to the Colonel that were beyond that of a retired officer. Reginald came to the same conclusion, only deciding to not inform Craddock of what he had been told regarding the selling of relics and items from the Continent. Reginald made a request of Craddock, asking that if he was able to generate any information regarding Colonel Hollingsworth, that Craddock assist Dr Collins in returning to his work. Craddock mumbled to himself on the topic, speaking of how Dr Collins caused his own problems rather than Craddock having any part in his punishment. Finally agreeing to put in a positive opinion based on the information gathered, Reginald rose from his chair and took his leave of Craddock, taking a seat in the reading room, continuing to wait for Marion to arrive.
As time seemed to slow to Reginald as he waited impatiently, Craddock appeared again at the doorway to the reading room. Reginald rose from his chair as if to challenge the very presence of the inspector who had his nose in his notebook. Craddock spoke without looking at Reginald, instead reading the name Dr Sangster from his book, a name he had been given when questioning other patrons of the club.
Reginald recalled the doctor, he was part of the medical staff who performed battlefield surgery on his leg, a small man of stout stature, but a well learned doctor. Reginald could not remember much about Dr Sangster, as a surgeon he monitored Reginald’s recovery but little conversation ever occurred.
Craddock queried Sangster as a resident of London and having a connection to the Regiment in question. Reginald was unable to answer regarding Sangster as well as a brief mention from Craddock of an academic who was attached to the regiment. Reginald asked if he should follow up and call on Dr Sangster if he was a resident, Craddick’s quick reply that there was no need as a doctor had just arrived at the Club, pointing to Marion who had just entered the foyer.
Craddock departed the club promptly, Reginald shaking his head as he placed his hand on Marions shoulder, advising a walk was in order. Reginald took the time to apologise to Marion regarding his part in Marion’s suspension from work. Marion, unable to shake his disappointment, was merely distracted by what Reginald continued to say, informing him of the events that had taken place and the information he had come across regarding the small detachment from the regiment and what they had done.
Taking a seat at the first park bench they could find, Reginald went into as much detail as he could recall regarding the description of the massacre that took place, along with the confirmed members of the detachment, namely, Colonel Hollingsworth and Toby Norton. Marion was oblivious to the inner workings of the military, asking about the rank of Colonel and how important it was in terms of stature. Reginald, shocked at the ignorance of Marion and the lack of military knowledge, raised his voice as he came to the realisation that he would have to explain the entire military hierarchy to a civilian.
After a lengthy discussion regarding the actions of the military massacre, Marion began to count off in his head the names of the deceased at the hands of the overly strong villain and those that Reginald knew of that remained. Continuing his recount of the information, Reginald spoke of Hollingsworth’s recovery of the artefacts and corpse, suggesting that this “mummy” for lack of a better description was the culprit.
Marion, being a man of science, scoffed at the notion however his insight into the damage done to the military men who had been murdered, leaving wriggle room in his brain for the illogical to become logical.
Changing the topic of the conversation towards something they could actively pursue, Marion enquired as to Dr Sangster, a doctor he was not familiar with. Reginald would search for any form of military records that might lead to the whereabouts of Dr Sangster, while Marion would consult the medical registry at the Library to see if he was a practising physician in England.
*
Marion waited patiently in the lobby of Somerset House, the home for records and registries of medical practitioners, births, deaths, marriages and all. Once permitted into the archives, Marion spent just over an hour pouring through current London physicians before finally coming across Dr Elliott Sangster based in Harley St, London. Reviewing the information, being a returned military doctor, Marion copied down the address of the medical practice before packing away the documents he had strewn across the floor.
Marion arrived back at the Army and Navy club at seven o’clock as agreed, Reginald already inside. Marion and Reginald both gave each other the address that they had discovered at the same time. Both were surprised that they had both found the same place, Dr Sangster, a General Practitioner in the north of London. Agreeing to visit the doctor at his home address as it was now too late to call at his medical practice.
The Hansom cab pulled up just short of the doctor’s address, Reginald instructing the driver to stop shy of the mark so that it appeared that himself and Marion had arrived on foot. Knocking on the door, it was answered by a short woman, slight surprise on her face. Reginald explained that he was a former soldier, here to enquire on Dr Sangster and to thank him for his service as one of the physicians who aided in his recovery for the wound to his leg. The woman allowed Marion and Reginald to enter the town house, Dr Sangster visible in the main living room, sitting in a modest wingback armchair, deep in thought. Reginald greeted the doctor as a friend, expecting the Doctor to respond in kind, Sangster, a short man with dark, curly hair and short beard, his time back in London allowing him to add some girth to his stomach instead of the desert battlefields he had been stationed at.
Sangster rose from his chair, asking Reginald and Marion as to why they were calling at his home. Reginald could see no familiarity in Dr Sangster’s eyes, changing his approach and directly addressing the doctor as to Colonel Hollingsworth’s behaviour both abroad and back home.
Reginald’s questions were direct regarding the massacre, raids and death of servicemen in England, Lord Gower and Colonel Hollingsworth, Dr Sangster however was like an immovable object. Standing face to face with Reginald, Sangster informed Marion and Reginald that he had nothing to do with any massacre, his involvement in the army was nothing more than traumatic for him, his opinions on officers and soldiers damning in nature. Sangster continued for several minutes regarding what being a medical practitioner on the battlefield had done to his health and family, his opinion of Hollingsworth coming to the fore, noting he was a ruthless man, Reginald’s face changing from stern to sympathetic, his ability to retort in any way was stunted.
Left with no words, Reginald took a step back from Sangster who had been slowly moving forward with every wave of his arms as he explained his involvement in the army. Marion interjected, excusing the two and withdrawing towards the front door. Sangster’s wife, who had initially allowed them entry, still standing in the foyer, opened the front door as Reginald slowly paced backwards in that direction.
The withdrawal from the living room seemed to calm Sangster’s mood, Marion explaining that they did not mean offence in their intrusion and questioning. Sangster giving Marion a look of anger, yet was somewhat pained, his history at war changing him as a man and medical practitioner.
Reginald was at a loss for words, standing at the base of the steps of Dr Sangster’s residence. Marion was shocked at the silence from Reginald, he instead insisted that the two of them continue their plan to call upon Colonel Hollingsworth in the morning, their trip to Hampstead requiring their full attention.
Parting ways for the evening, Marion returned to his home, Reginald doing the same, shaking his head as he strolled towards the nearby park.
*
Marion sat quietly on the train, his medical bag at his side, hidden within, the revolver he had obtained from Dr Granger, the bulldog design of it making it easily concealable against his medical supplies. Reginald was also concealing his revolver under his coat, the words of Dr Sangster ringing in his ears, Colonel Hollingsworth being a brutal man in nature. Singh also sat quietly, his traditional blad tucked into his waistband, completely out of sight. The train arrived on time at Hampstead, the short trip allowing the three men little time to plan any form of topics for discussion. Never having seen Kandahar house, Reginald was nervous at the possibility of encountering anything dangerous, knowing only that it was an estate, staff, outbuildings and gardens most likely all over the property.
Hailing a carriage, the three men felt the road turn from cobblestone around the train station to smooth ground. Passing by estates of vast acreage, Reginald finally began to speak, although not engaging in conversation with Marion or Singh, instead verbalising the timing on the train trip, the carriage ride, and doing his best to work out the distance covered by the modes of transportation if he had to plan any form of escape. The carriage entered through a set of large, iron gates, the walls of the estate standing seven tall, the arrangement of stone and mortar forming a solid barrier from the road. The carriage followed the long driveway, heading towards a circular fountain in front of a large house. Reginald looked from left to right, scanning the grounds within the walls, a gardener working on several hedges on the left, stables and servants quarters to the right.
Exiting the carriage in front of the house, several long steps leading to 10 foot high, double oak doors. Standing at the entrance, a tall, strong looking butler stood silently waiting for the uninvited guests to approach. Marion walked cautiously behind Reginald, Singh remaining with the carriage at the base of the steps. The butler welcomed the strangers, yet enquired as to why they were at the premises. Reginald explaining the need to meet with Colonel Hollingsworth, the butler took the cards of both men before allowing them into the waiting area of the foyer. As Marion and Reginald took a seat on a well maintained, long lounge under a large painting of a blurred yet beautiful landscape.
As the two waited, the sounds of the house filled the air, the main staircase leading to the living quarters, the sound of a child causing all sorts of havoc, a nanny calling to him and clearly chasing him. Colonel Hollingsworth was not a young man, however his wife was substantially younger than himself, his child barely able to run from the nanny’s grasp. Both Marion and Reginald rose from their seats at the noise, both pacing around the foyer, Marion breaking off at the sight of a large room that appeared to have its walls completely covered in paintings.
Entering the room, Marion was greeted by a well assembled sitting room, grande piano to the side, comfortable furniture and side tables for sipping brandy and tea depending on company. Marion slowly made his way around the room, inspecting the paintings that hung on the wall. Images of landscapes and wisps of what seemed to be the interiors of naturally formed structures. Marion became curious at the signatures of the artist, all paintings were marked by the same author, “Ramona Barnes”, several others signed in the same hand, “Ramona Hollingsworth”.
Startled at the entrance of the tall butler named Fordyce, Marion and Reginald were given the news that Colonel Hollingsworth was not available to see them. Reginald pressed the issue, only to be given the same answer time and time again. Marion interjected as the two large men gave each other harsh looks. Marion asking Fordyce to pass on the message that the two of them were the last men to see Lord Gower alive.
Reginald moved towards the front door, calling to Fordyce that they will be staying local until summoned by Colonel Hollingsworth. Entering the foyer, Reginald could hear the voices from upstairs becoming louder, the nanny calling to the child “Michael”. As Marion entered the foyer from the entertaining area close behind Reginald, both stopped suddenly as a door across the open space opened, revealing a young woman, books in hand, startled at the strange men in the foyer.
Calling Fordyce, the woman was offended that she had not been informed of visitors. Introducing herself as Mrs Holingsworth, she ushered both Marion and Reginald back into the room they had just been standing in, demanding Fordyce arrange beverages. As the two men and Ramona sat across from one another, Marion started the conversation by commenting on how impressive the art was. Blushing modestly, Ramona thanked him for the compliment as Reginald turned the conversation abruptly towards his time serving under Colonel Hollingsworth. Ramona smiled politely and nodded as Reginald described the current similarities between himself and the Colonel, both injured and retired from active service.
Pushing the conversation to more recent times, Reginald went on to explain the tragedies that had struck the living members of the regiment both Reginald and Colonel Hollingsworth served in. Fordyce entered the drawing room carrying a tray of tea, the decorative pot catching everyone's attention. Thanking him for the tea, Marion intentionally mis-spoke Fordyce’s name, to which he was instantly corrected by the butler, a stern look on his face. Reginald watched from the corner of his eye as he continued the conversation regarding the absence of the Colonel from the public eye. Gauging that Fordyce showed all the signs of a former military man, certainly from his size and stature, he would require some serious work to conquer.
Both Marion and Reginald were picking up the tension in the room, most of it coming from Ramona herself when talking about her husband Nicolas. Explaining that she was worried regarding his health. Behaving strangely and differently to his normal demeanour. Marion took over from Reginald in asking questions, his softer approach proving useful when extracting information.
Ramona spoke of the origins of the change in attitude, three weeks prior, a visitor from abroad, an Egyptian academic called on the Colonel. After a long discussion, Hollingsworth became enraged, Ramona witnessing him use his horse whip on the foreigner. Ramona moved to the side table by the piano, pulling a card from the pile, Mounir Faez. The Card showing hand written notes where an address would be, Egyptologist, Sommerset Hotel, The Strand”.
Still talking as she handed Reginald the card, she explained that at the same time, the Colonel had a serious falling out with a good friend, who worked at the British Museum, a man by the name of Geoffrey Jordan, an expert in Egyptian history and hieroglyphics. Reginald moved the conversation forward, asking about recent visitors to the house calling on the Colonel. Ramona knew nothing of such visitors, instead calling Fordyce back into the room who, when questioned, explained that the Inspector had called on the Colonel the previous day.
Reginald continued to push Ramona for further information, however Fordyce standing in the room seemed to dry up the well of information. Passing the card that Ramona had given him to Marion, giving him a nod, Reginald drew the conversation to a close, advising that they were ready to aid the Colonel and his family in any way possible. Ramona handed Reginald her card, her phone number written on the back.
*
The train trip back to London had Marion and Reginald speculating wildly about the Colonel’s character, surroundings, wealth and status. Both men agreed that the estate they had just been inside was simply unobtainable on a Colonel’s pension. Withdrawing from the public eye due to a falling out with academic types, both stumped as to why that would cause such a change in character. Reginald speculating about the similarities between the well spoken Dr Granger they had met who later tried to kill them and the potential for the same events from the far deadlier Colonel Hollingsworth and no doubt his loyal butler.
*
Marion and Reginald entered the bustling front doors of the Somerset Hotel, electing to track down Mounir Faez before retiring for the day. Reginald asked the man at the front desk to call on Mr Faez, explaining the nature of the call. Marion moved away from the desk towards the dining area that was currently serving afternoon tea, catching Reginald’s attention and motioning for Mr Faez to be sent to join them at a table. The Clerk summoned a young bellhop who briskly moved up the stairs to collect the guest. Reginald and Marion sat at an empty table, choosing a location as far from possible eavesdropping ears. Watching the stairs, both Marion and Reginald rose from their seats as a short, dark skinned man with an impressive moustache, wearing a Fez was led to them by the bellhop.
Faez was a well spoken and cheerful fellow, his mannerisms betrayed his excitement at meeting new people. Sitting at the table, Reginald ordered an array of foods and beverages before turning to Faez and settling the conversation. Asking Faez what his business was with Colonel Hollingsworth, explaining they had been to see the Colonel and heard about the unfortunate incident that had befallen him.
Faez was not shy in explaining himself, announcing himself as a Scholar working for the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, venturing to London at the behest of the curating body of the museum to catalogue artefacts that were known to be kept in the country, both museum pieces and private collections. He explained he was made aware of Colonel Hollingsworth’s collection through studying records and eyewitness accounts. Explaining that he called at the Colonels home, choosing to omit many of the details of the encounter, Faez began to sniff and sneeze in an attempt to lighten the mood, blaming his affliction in the climate. Reginald did not let go of the point at hand, pressing hard for information regarding how Faez had come to know what was in the possession of Colonel Hollingsworth and how he may have come to possess such items.
Marion cut Reginald off mid sentence, grabbing his forearm in order to take control of the conversation. Marion leaned forward, asking Faez to do the same, Reginald in turn also leaning in his chair. Marion spoke in a hushed voice, softly enough to not be heard by those around them in the room, he spoke of the knowledge they had regarding Abadan, the massacre and the murders of British Servicemen in strange circumstances. Faez leaned back in his chair, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he allowed his mind to process what Marion had just conveyed.
Turning back to more civilised methods of continuing the conversation, Marion began to ask Faez in a hypothetical capacity, what would be the consequences of committing such a crime against a place of pagan worship. Faez took a large gulp of the whisky that had been placed on the table, taking a deep breath he began to speak of the circumstances of the event Marion had mentioned. Faez told Reginald and Marion of the beliefs of the men killed by the military action in the temple. Worshippers of old gods from ancient times. Explaining he went to Colonel Hollingsworth in an attempt to warn him of the danger of obtaining items belonging to such a fanatical religion, getting horsewhipped and pursued as a result. Faex continued to explain what he had read in the many scrolls, texts and transcripts he had seen relating to the group of worshippers and their gods. Speaking Hypothetically, in answer to the questions raised by Marion as to consequences, Faez took another big drink of whisky. Faez leant forward again, speaking of a priest in the ancient days name “Sektat”, when he died, his body was mummified and protected by a group of fanatical followers. Before he died he prophesied that he would be reborn into a new world, a world that would fall under the power of his gods. His rebirth would only happen when foreigners invaded, taking his body to a distant land, where his vengeance would destroy the country of the invaders, paving the way for his gods.
Marion scoffed momentarily at the concept before remembering his dreams and the events beneath the Java Coffee Company. Faez returned to what factual records had stated, a mummified body was removed from the area by British soldiers along with many other artefacts from the area. Reginald asked as to the number of soldiers who had taken part in the military action of the temple. Guessing in the area of 30 to 40 men, the four men who had been killed that Reginald and Marion were aware of may be the first or possibly some of the last men to be victims of the regiment.
Reginald did not waste time on the civilised response that most men would have taken, advising the Egyptologiest of how preposterous the story was. Having been a part of events that were far too strange for civilised conversation, he asked further questions of Faez, pushing for ways to stop the killing of military men and how to stop the rising of the ancient priest.
Faez could only give one reasonable solution, again stating the hypothetical nature of the conversation, the removal of the conditions of the prophecy. Removal of the body from the land of the invaders, without being on the invaders land, the resurrection could not happen. Flustered with the strange meeting with Marion and Reginald, Faez stood abruptly, taking each man’s card before excusing himself, to return to his books to further investigate the stories and writings of the priest “Sektat” and any reference to such a prophecy.
Before departing, Faez made one statement that lingered in the minds of Marion and Reginald, Egyptian artefacts have little business being anywhere other than Egypt.
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