The preface to the book states that Doctor Pallaver was granted his M.D. from the University of the State Pennsylvania in 1781, and founded the Helorus Catholicon in Helorus, New York in 1795, an institution dedicated to the study and treatment of disturbances and maladies of the mind. Doctor Foramen was granted his M.D. from the University of Edinburgh in 1792, and began work at the Helorus Catholicon in 1801. The purpose of the book is to prove that while a variety of mental aberrations may be curbed or cured by surgical intervention, there are some derangements that occur without any physical trauma or abnormalities and which are therefore immune to any conventional attempts to treat medically without the result being constant sedation or permanent idiocy; the authors consider such cases to be the eponymous "verified madness." In these cases, the authors hope to show that alternative methods of therapy which they have devised may have greater effect in curing the afflicted.
Oculus takes the surgical tools, concealing them on his person. Then heads off to explore the basement.
I'll 'ake 'hese, should make me some readies.
"Well, that was just a guess, based on the context," Thom replies to Louie, "a universal remedy would be the most common usage in the medical community. Were it written by priests I'd have guessed one of the other meanings. When you say it that way, though, it does sound like some kind of building. Could be you're on to something there... if the Doctor's father established some manner of institution in town that housed the 'verified mad', and where experimental treatments were tested, that could be a source of misunderstanding and fear among the ignorant populace."
This Louie seems fairly clever for a negro... if we're to spend the next month together perhaps I can educate him a bit as an added favor for the Doctor...
"This book here is written in Latin, but seems to be gibberish... I suspect it is somehow encoded but I'll need a good deal more time than I have tonight to try to work that out." Placing the book back into the chest he looks to Louie and the book he's holding and says, "I think we should keep all the books locked up unless at least three or four of us are together with them. If there's some danger of theft, they'll be safer that way; plus it will spare anyone from accusations if something were to go missing."
Once all the books are neatly and securely returned to the chest, the young inventor locks it back up and slips the key back into his pocket. "I bid you a good night, gentlemen," he says with a nod to each man in the room, "but I must return to the inn. I shall be back tomorrow with my valet and my effects."
"Umbrarum Regni Novem Portis? It certainly has an ominous title." Stanislav picks up the book and question, leafing through it's pages. "Strange illustrations, very interesting." The Russian replaces the book in the chest, then shuffles through the other tomes inside, though he doesn't remove any. "August loved books; he sent me several works by Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. His Katherine might well think to open a library in tribute to her father, stocked with his collection."
Stanislav finishes his tea, and nods to Thom's suggestions. "Then I shall retire upstairs for the evening. Good night." He rises and heads upstairs.
"Never knew what it meant myself. You know Latin then Thom? What's the Umbrarum's English name?"
Louie places On Verified Madness carefully back into the chest, adding:
"You or Stanislav might want to peep through this one tomorrow, see what you can make of it. Seeing the new asylum built in Buffalo is about the only time I've put any thoughts to care of the mad, but guessing you gents have schooling or experience to make sense of this."
Louie yawns, stretching his arms, and finishes:
"Thinking I may take a look to see if there's any books around downstairs here about the town, maybe put our hands on a map. Oh and you think you'll get into breakfast here or at the inn Thom? If you think here, I'll put enough on for you and Mr. Wright."
Investigate the kitchen/pantry to see what grub I can wrangle for the crowd in the morning.
"Good night Stanislav."
Louie nods to the locked chest.
"Thom, I think that's a safe way of handling things, given the Doc's worry about them and the tales I've heard. I might stretch out here overnight just to keep them company when I'm ready to sack out. Sound good?"
"Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows!" Stanislav calls from the stairs.
Thom smiles at the Russian's shouted response. "The literal translation is: Shadow Kingdom's Nine Gates, but Stanislav's interpretation has a nicer ring to it."
He checks his watch before buttoning his coat and reaching for the door. "We'll take breakfast at the inn before heading over," he adds, "but we'll plan to be settled here before lunch. Sleep well, Louie."
Those books seemed quite rare, he reflects while walking back to the inn, rare enough that it seems odd Louie would have heard of another copy of one... I wonder if that's just an unlikely coincidence or if the professor bought that copy he heard of... I never got to speak with Mister Keel about the circumstances of the Doctor's death either; I'll have to call at his office tomorrow I suppose...
Oculus descends down sturdy wooden stairs into the cellar. It's cool and damp, with a brick floor and earthen walls. The room seems largely disused, and smells softly of mold. Some rusty pails are piled one inside the other along the wall at the foot of the stairs, and several old wooden crates are against the far southern wall. Some are open, and their contents unsurprising: books. These books, however, are in very poor condition and are obviously the source of the moldy smell. There are eight crates, stacked four wide and two high, and three of the top four are open-topped; the fourth has a wooden lid nailed firmly shut. To Oculus's discerning eye, however, the nails in the lid appear quite new considering the damp and the state of the pails. However, he lacks the necessary tools (and quite possibly strength) to pry open the lid, and resolves to come back and investigate when better prepared if the fancy strikes him.
By the time Oculus returns to the main house everyone else has retired for the evening, and he decides to continue his investigations...
Oculus finds nothing suspicious on the first floor of the house, which isn't to say that he doesn't find anything strange: in the sitting room and the room adjacent, amidst the items that Dr. Pallaver acquired in his travels, he finds a shrunken ape's head, a forked ceremonial dagger which appears covered in dried blood, and a necklace strung with scores of human teeth.
Otherwise the house contains nothing out of the ordinary: a hutch with good (but not extravagant) tableware in the dining room, old and well-used cooking utensils in the kitchen, linens in the rear stair closet, a broom closet under the stairs in the main hall, beds and dressers in the unoccupied second floor bedrooms, and of course books everywhere. He is able to discern a simple system to the arrangement of the books, as they are divided into broad categories by room: history in the sitting room, newspapers and maps in the room adjacent, anthropology in the dining room, art in the main hall, etc. The books themselves vary in size, age, and condition; it would appear Dr. Pallaver was quite a bibliophile.
He finds Louie asleep in a chair in the sitting room, and manages not to disturb him. The chest in the sitting room looks old but very sturdy and in good condition, made of a pale wood and bound in iron. It is 2.5'l x 1.5'w x 1.5'h, with capped hinges and an in-built lock. It currently weighs approximately 50lbs.
After his search is complete three hours later, Oculus chooses one of the two open bedrooms and retires for the evening.
All the guests are woken at dawn by frantic shrieks from upstairs.
"Honor my fate! HONOR MY FATE!"
They seem to be coming from the third floor.
Blissfully unaware of the ruckus at the Pallaver House, Thom Andrews rises from his bed and sets about his morning routine. He sends Mister Wright down to fetch breakfast: Granula (if they have it) or oatmeal, coffee, and side of prunes or raisins. While he waits he undertakes a regimen of stretches and calisthenics.
After washing up, he eats quickly and has Mister Wright lay out his gray suit with a black waistcoat and red ascot. Once dressed he informs his valet, "We shall being staying here in Helorus for a month, in accordance with the Doctor's final wishes, and we'll be relocating today to rooms in the Pallaver house. Also, I have some business to attend to during my morning constitutional. Please pack our effects and have them moved to the estate, and stop by the telegraph office and send notice to Mister Edison, and to the cleaning service, that my sabbatical will be unavoidably longer than originally intended. I'll meet you at the Pallaver house after we've both completed our business."
With a smile and a nod to Mister Wright, the young inventor heads out. On the way through the lobby he stops at the front desk to ask for the location of the offices of Binderson and Grief, and is disappointed to learn that they keep no office in Helorus.
A shame. Perhaps I should have asked for a trade card when he mentioned the firm... Our first meeting was at the post office; it couldn't hurt to inquire there, since I'll be out walking anyway... If that proves fruitless I can always ask the doctor's daughter if I might see the card he left last night...
With a new plan in place, he sets out walking at a brisk but measured pace and takes a rather circuitous route to the post office. Upon his arrival he inquires of the first available employee, "Pardon me, I met a Mister Keel here yesterday and was wondering if, by chance, you might know where he resides or how I might reach him?"
From the outside, the post office is a small but formidable one story stone building with tall, narrow windows in the front and a solid oaken door, upon which has been nailed a wooden placard with "POST OFFICE" neatly burned into it. Inside is a long, low counter behind which the wall to the left has wooden shelves up to the ceiling; the wall opposite the shelves has a large set of machinery of some sort that has been draped with canvas - from it's general size and shape Thom recognizes it as a printing press. The thick layer of dust on this cover would seem to indicate that it has not been moved in many years.
Behind the counter sits a man in his fifties, dressed in a plain navy suit several decades out of style, it's jacket expertly patched at the elbows and shoulders. By the light of an oil lamp he is looking over a ledger, quill in hand; as Thom enters he looks up and bids the young inventor a good morning.
"Mr. Keel? No, he's not here - took off this morning back to New York City. He was just using the post office here as a temporary office to conduct his business. I take it you were here for the Pallaver funeral? I heard about the incident with Gustav - rest assured I'll be having a talk with him. No matter what anyone thought of the man, everyone deserves a decent burial - even August Pallaver."
The man stands, putting his quill into an inkpot on the counter before offering his hand.
"Vernor Schneider, town Mayor."
Louie bolts upright out of the chair, patting his pocket to make sure his knucleduster is in place. He dashes into the front hall and upends the cast iron umbrella stand casting umbrellas and canes across the polished floor. Holding the dense stand he gets his bearings on the direction of the screams and heads towards the back stairwell. He is ready with the stand as an impromptu battering ram against any locked doors.
Oculus bolts upright at the sound of the screams. He quickly pulls on his trousers, slips into his shoes, and grabs his cane and unsheathes the sword within.
Wha''s all 'his 'hen, 'his place is mental, migh' 'ave 'o shiv someone faw wakin me up!
Gathering his wits, Oculus rushes towards the ruckus.
James owed the Doctor so much for taking him under his wing and guiding him during his time in the Army. Since those days he had worked to become the best medical practitioner in the New York City and had actually made a good name for himself.
James had finally decided that this letter was a blessing in disguise and was the perfect opportunity for him to finally leave New York. He had been feeling unfulfilled at his practice since a majority of his patients were wealthy and their illnesses were often figments of their own imaginations. He packed his few belongings and headed Upstate... this is when the bad luck started.
It was almost as if some malicious force was trying to prevent his arrival at Dr. Pallavars funeral. His train had actually derailed just outside the midway point station. He had then taken a stage coach which was delayed further when two of the horses died of “stress” even though they young, strong stallions.
He felt thankful to have made it to town at all and hoped that Mr. Keel could shed some light on his inclusion in the will. He hadn’t seen many people around but figured the local Post Office may be the best location to start.
Dr. James Wilk enters the Post Office, brushes the dust from his overcoat and sets his bags on the ground.
Finally some luck, maybe one of these gentlemen can point me in the right direction or advise where to find Mr. Keel...
"Good morning gentlemen! I was wondering if either of you could be of any assistance. I’m looking for a man named Argentine Keel, do you know him? Or could you possibly point me to the home of Dr. Pallavar? I should have arrived yesterday for the funeral, but I’m a little late due to some unforseen travel complications. How rude of me, let me introduce myself. My name is Dr. James Wilk..."
"Thom Andrews, inventor, your honor," the younger, better dressed man answers shaking the mayor's outstretched hand, "It's an honor to make your acquaintance." He is about to ask about the source of the Professor's reputation when the door swings open and another man walks in.
Every time... it would be improper to asks for such information in the company of a stranger... Although, he looks oddly familiar... Doctor Wilk? It can't be...
"Thom Andrews, inventor," he repeats, "a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Please pardon my forwardness, but you aren't by chance from New York City are you? I only ask because my mother sees a Doctor James Wilk in the city for bouts of hysteria."
Louie charges through the main hall, kicking spilled canes and umbrellas across the floor, as Stanislav hurries down the stairs in nothing but a long nightshirt. The Russian, seeing Louie armed with the iron stand, follows behind him into the back stairwell. The pair charge up the stairs to the third floor, where Louie unceremoniously bashes open the door to Katherine Pallaver's bedroom.
The room is fairly large, 15' x 15', with a four poster bed directly across from the door. At the mens' rude entrance, Katherine sits bolt upright in her bed, staring wide-eyed at the pair and whispering...
"Honor my fate..."
She then faints, slumping over on her side, unconscious.
Meanwhile, Oculus dresses himself and makes his way to the main hall, which is in disarray. The shrieks from upstairs have ceased.
Stanislav pushes past Louie and rushes to the bedside, feeling Miss Pallaver's neck for a pulse.
"She is alive, thank God!" He then opens one of her eyelids with a thumb, tilting her head back and squinting into her eye. "I need my instruments. Louie, stay here with her, yes? If she awakes, keep her calm and conscious."
Stanislav hurries out of the room and down the stairs, keeping his eyes on his feet in the main hall to avoid tripping over an umbrella, and so rushes right into Oculus.
"Oh!" he exclaims, grabbing Oculus to steady the both of them. "Apologies! Miss Pallaver has had a fit; I am retrieving my instruments to examine her. Help Louie upstairs!"
With that, the Russian hurries up the main stairs to the second floor.
James takes a moment to study Thom and his features. A moment of recognition dawns on his face as he can see the family resemblance between Thom and his mother.
"What an extremly small world we live in! Yes, I am that very same Doctor Wilks. It's nice to finally meet you Thom. While treating your mother I've gotten to hear quite alot about you. Just another odd coincidence I suppose, this trip has been full of them."
He becomes lost in thought for a brief moment as he thinks about the journey so far...
"Nevermind that now, so what brings you to Helorus?"
"Lou... may I call you Lou, Louie?... It's a brevity issue... you see. In times of stress... when every second counts..." Oculus frequently pauses as he quickly surveys the room and begins rifling through it,"...take now as an example... I feel the fewer syllables ...the better.”
“Perhaps... Miss Pallaver has some medication stowed away here... somewhere, I’d better check.”
Yeah, an' perhaps 'here are some valuables I can half-inch!
"I've heard your name quite a few times as well," Thom answers, "my mother was extremely pleased to become a patient at such a respected practice. Truthfully, my father is a pragmatic man and thought her seeking treatment for hysteria a bit ridiculous until he discovered that her being treated for it at your practice was something of a status symbol."
When asked about his reason for being in Helorus he replies, "as if to prove your claim that it's a very small world, I came for the funeral and the settling of the estate of Doctor August Pallaver, and am in this post office now because I was looking for Mister Keel. Unfortunately, we're both too late on that account; I was just informed by Mayor Schneider that he departed this morning for the city. I am, however, headed to the Pallaver house right now if you'd care to join me? We could stop by the cemetery on the way if you'd like to pay your respects?"
"That would be greatly appreciated. After coming all this way I would like to say goodbye to the Doctor in person... so to speak."
James picks up his bags and prepares to leave with Thom.
"Perhaps you can fill me in on yesterdays events and this whole "will" business as we travel. It is rather disappointing that Mr. Keel has left so soon, but I feel like I'm in very capable hands. Thank you Thom. I'll wait outside incase you have any further business with the Mayor."
Addressing the Mayor, "Though our time was brief, it was very nice to meet you sir." James shakes his hand and leaves the post office.
I have a strange feeling about all of this, but at least it looks like I have one friend at the moment. I wonder if Dr. Pallaver knew that I was treating Thoms mother. I'm also interested in hearing about how Thom knew the Doctor. It looks like I should get some answers shortly.
"Thank you, doctor. I'll be out in just a moment," Thom answers.
As the doctor gathers his belongings to leave he resumes his conversation with the mayor with a question he assumes will be unintrusive, "It looks as though your printing press hasn't been used in some time; is there something wrong with it?"
Louie holds Miss Katherine's hand in his patting it with his other hand. He hums a little tune.
"Lou is fine Oculus. Hopefully she's alright, but if you can turn up something that she's supposed to take maybe it can help Stanislav figure out what's ailing her."
Louie gazes around the room, noting in particular windows, doors or hiding places.
"Oh, none of this is mine, it's the town's, and that thing's older than I am. Dates back to when this place was the Pallavers'. Yeah, they had big plans for this town, and a newspaper was one of them. Ran for just over a year, I believe. Just doesn't seem worth the trouble to sell it.
"Now, did you need a letter posted, Mr. Andrews? I've got the address of Mr. Keel's office in New York if you'd like to write him."
Louie attempts to comfort Miss Pallaver as Oculus searches the room; unfortunately he finds nothing of real note: clothes in a warddrobe, hairbrush and sewing kit at a vanity, and a Bible in the bedside table. The room does lacks the house's otherwise ubiquitous stacks of books.
Louie looks about, noting a single small window and the aforementioned furniture.
Stanislav returns shortly with a doctor's bag, and has thrown on a robe as well. With Louie's help he lays Miss Pallaver down on the bed properly and checks her breathing and heart with a stethoscope, as well as performing a quick visual inspection for any wounds.
"There appears to be no physical harm. The events of the day must have just been too much for her, poor girl. It is best to let her rest, though I should stay in the room until she awakes, as a precaution. I will prepare a tonic for her if she continues to have sleeping troubles.
"Louie, thank you for your help. You had said you could cook breakfast, no? A good meal can go a long way in helping a troubled soul."
"I'd be grateful for the address, yes," Thom answers, "but it's nothing so pressing as to necessitate a letter right now. I had asked him a question about the late Doctor Pallaver which he said he could answer after the settling of his estate but it seems I missed my opportunity."
Not accustomed to social subtlety, Thom continues, "I was surprised to learn that the Doctor had a poor reputation here; he seemed well respected in the academic community. What did he do to cause such a view?"
"Yes, I've heard tell that he was well regarded outside of town, but I'm afraid that here he couldn't escape from the shadow of his father. He was quite aggressive in defending his father's reputation - couldn't admit to anyone that the man had done wrong, you see. I never was sure if it was arrogance or willful ignorance on his part, but either way, I've always thought it was quite sad. And quite infuriating for most folk, as is understandable.
In any event, that's all over and done with now. Young Katherine has always been a nice, quiet girl; keeps herself to herself and don't trouble nobody. With her father in the ground hopefully she can go about living a normal life, whether here or elsewhere."
"That is unfortunate," Thom agrees. "I hate to ask an improper question but what exactly did his father do that he felt he had to defend?"
"Well, I guess it isn't quite a secret, but we don't like to talk of the matter; bad for the town's reputation, you understand. But then I suppose so too would seeming to dislike a man for no reason.
"August's father, Byron Pallaver, built and opened his 'Catholicon' out on the north edge of town around the turn of the century, and he put a lot of money into this town to help convince people to let him do it. The main street here, a few public buildings, his newspaper - that sort of thing. Promised a lot of business would be coming through here on account of his madhouse up there.
"Once it was finished and started serving patients it did bring some money to the town, it's true, but nothing near as like he'd led people to believe; mostly it just brought money in to Pallaver. Rich folks looking for a place to hide away deranged relatives don't often come to visit, and rich folk were the only ones could afford his fees.
"Now the folks of Helorus ain't ones to begrudge another their success; they was pleased enough with the investment Pallaver had made in the town. But a few years down the line it turns out that the other doctor he got out there, Foramen... well, he was doing things to folks in there that was unspeakable, they say. They didn't find him out 'til they caught him trying to get rid of a body - a local girl what went missing and was thought drowned in the lake. He'd kidnapped her and had her up in that place for months.
"Now ol' Byron Pallaver claimed that he'd known nothing about any of it, which some just can't believe. But then he went to the judge and convinced him that Foramen was unfit to stand trial due to mental disorder. What's more, when the judge agreed with him, he got them to ."
Vernon pauses, turning his hands palms-up and shaking his head in an expression of utter disbelief.
"Now if Byron Pallaver wasn't mad himself, then he was just a cruel, heartless bastard. But August would hear none of it. He was always saying how his father was such a great man, only trying to help people, all that type of talk. Folks around here didn't take too kindly to that, and I for one can't blame 'em."
"I'll see what I can throw together, Stanislav."
Louie leaves the third floor, picking up the umbrella holder on the way out.
He stands it back in the corner in the front hall and collects the scattered canes and umbrellas, placing them back into the slots.
He finds the kitchen, searches the pantry and sets into cooking breakfast for the crowd at the house plus some extra biscuits to have on hand.
Mademoiselle Katherine, Messieurs Oculus et Virgil, Docteur Stanislav, moi et lagniappe.
He brews the coffee strong, and adds chicory if he can turn any up.
"Kidnapping and concealing a death? I should think some outrage is more than understandable. Thank you for your candor, Mister Mayor; I'm sure that's a scandal people would just as soon forget," Thom says. After folding up the address of Binderson & Grief and placing it in his card carrier, and exchanging parting pleasantries with the Mayor, he heads out to the doctor waiting in the street.
"Thank you for your patience, Doctor," he calls out with just a slight smirk at the unintentional pun. He straightens his jacket and checks his golden pocket watch before leading Dr. Wilk at a brisker than casual pace towards the cemetery. "How are you finding these rural environs so far?" he asks as they walk.
The Doctor walks along with Thom adjusting his bags over his shoulder.
"No need for such formalities, please call me James. As for this area, I must say I really do enjoy the open spaces. I would often feel very boxed-in while living in the city. So many people rushing about, never taking the time to appreciate the little things. Fresh air and green grass, you can't get much better than that!"
He takes in the surrounds breathing in deeply then letting out a breath.
"How about yourself, are you missing the city? I assume you will be heading back shortly once the affairs of Dr. Pallaver have been put into order. I will say I'm still very confused about my inclusion in his will."
James looks over to Thom with an inquisitive glance.
"Actually, this is the first time I've ever been out of the city," the young inventor replies, "I miss the energy... and I miss the options: in the city you can choose which inn best suits you, here you stay at the inn because it's the only option. The same is true of restaurants, shops, and I'm sure other things as well. And, I doubt there's a single decent theater or museum in town. I suppose I'll grow accustomed to it though."
"After we finish at the cemetery we can head to the telegraph office and send word of your arrival to Mister Keel. Unless Doctor Pallaver specified something different for you, his final wishes were for us to stay the month here while his daughter mourns and makes any necessary plans for moving on without him, and then escort some specific books to St. Louis on his behalf. Once that work is complete we are each to receive a generous cash inheritance."
At the smell of breakfast Oculus begins salavating and makes his way into the kitchen.
"What is that delicious smell Lou? I find myself most famished after the excitement of the past two days!"
I am so 'ungry i could ea' a 'awse! Lou seems 'o be qui'e good a' cooking, smells much be''er 'han 'he slop in 'he prison boa'!
"There's bacon and fresh biscuits. Potatoes are just done frying up, and those are stewed apples in that pan. There's coffee there, or water in the kettle if you take tea. Honey and butter are in those crocks right there, and there's a jar of grape preserves on the shelf there next to the tea and sugar."
Louie loads up a tray with enough grub for Stanislav and Miss Katherine, a teapot and some coffee.
He grabs a biscuit and takes a bite.
"Hey Oculus, been thinking the Doc's will was written the first of March."
He takes another bite and a slug of coffee.
"Here we all are just a couple days into April."
He finishes the biscuit and the coffee.
"Seems like the Doc may have seen the handwriting on the wall and set things in order."
He hoists the tray.
"Grab what you want, I can put more on if need be. I'll get this upstairs to Stanislav."
He stops for a moment thinking, grins and adds.
"If you have a chance to see if they've got any booze about it might be good to know where it is when it's time for a drink."
Katherine wakes at the smell of the breakfast taken to her room, rubbing her eyes and looking at Louie and Stanislav in sleepy-eyed confusion.
"What are you all doing here?"
"My lady, you had a sleeping fit early this morning; you were screaming. Do you remember nothing?"
"For a time...no..." Her face clears as she fully wakes and becomes more alert. "No, I'm afraid I don't remember a thing." She smiles sheepishly, blushing in embarassment. "I'm so sorry to have disturbed you all - I must seem quite the poor hostess. Please, accept my apologies, good sirs."
Stanislav waves away her apologies, and nods to the tray of food Louie has brought for her. "It is no matter, my dear; the trials of the day merely got the better of you. Please, eat well, regain your strength, and we will not dwell upon it any further, yes?"
"Yes. Yes, alright then." Katherine smiles wanly, then begins to daintily pick at the breakfast. "Oh, this is quite good! Did you make this, Louie? I'm very impressed - I wish the inn had a cook like you!" She continues to eat, but with a bit more gusto, and eventually puts down her utensils.
"Quite good, quite good. I'm feeling much better. Now, gentlemen, if you please, I'd like to get dressed. I have some errands to run today, and it's always best to get an early start - one never knows what a day might bring!"
Thom and James visit Dr. Pallaver's grave in the late morning, the dirt still fresh from yesterday's burial. The modest gravestone reads:
Augustus Byron Pallaver, Born January 11 1800 Died March 17 1875, Doctor and Father.
As James pays his respects he looks over the graveyard, while Thom waits patiently, lost in thought.
James closes his eyes and whispers a prayer for Doctor Pallaver. As he finishes he looks over to Thom.
"Thank you for your help today. It feels good to say one last goodbye to the Doctor. He helped shape me into the man I am today. If I can repay him by assisting his daughter and escorting some books to a new location, then so shall it be."
"We best move along as I'm sure you will be expected at the Pallaver home at some point. Hopefully my sudden involvment wont cause a stir with the others you mentioned. I will say that I am very interested to see what type of books would warrant such a large traveling party."
James collects his items to leave...
"Please lead the way, I hope you don't mind playing tour guide for me for just a bit longer."
"Doctor Pallaver did a great deal to set my career on the track it's been on," Thom answers, "doing what I can to help his friends and associates over the next month while we're together is my way of repaying him."
Once the older gentleman has his effects in order, he leads them towards the gate saying, "I'm not entirely familiar with the town yet but the telegraph line will almost certainly come in with the rail line- we should be able follow it to the telegraph office from the train station..." With that he leads the way to the train station and then on to the telegraph office, making a point of mentally noting the shops and landmarks they pass along the way.
Once finished at the graveyard, Thom and James walk down Main Street with no telegraph poles in sight; a quick inquiry reveals that the town has no telegraph service, but that a postman does collect and deliver mail at the Post Office every day around noon.
"I'm sorry, James," Thom says with some frustration, "I guess I just assumed that by now any reasonable town would have a telegraph office. Why don't we head to the Pallaver house now. You can write a letter to Mister Keel after you're settled and I'll have my valet drop it by the post office later; apparently he'll be making a trip there anyways..."
Oculus stands as Ms. Palliver begins taking her leave.
"Ms. Palliver would you like some company on your errands? The town folk here may still be agitated. I would be delighted to escort you about town, and get the lay of the land."