Robert tries to judge Curtis's condition but beyond recognising his catatonic state he is at a loss.
He is loth to suggest that Arkham Asylum might be the safest place for the unfortunate man
Search Posts
Robert would dearly like to question the woman further but a sharp look from Evelynn makes him hold back his questions..he joins in the small talk until the squire returns.
Well I am sorry to hear that Ma'am...do you have any idea how he developed this condition ..was it an illness or something else?"
"May I ask how long your husband has been suffering from his condition Ma'am" Robert asks solicitously
"Mornin' Ma'am..we're sorry to intrude upon you and the squire here"
"Sure Miz Evelyn..no harm in checking the place out...but lets not try and rile this guy up..sounds like he doesn't take to kindly to strangers calling"
Robert contines to patrol around the house watching for interlopers
"Yes he is..and what's more we don't know how long he was out there" Robert opens the door and steps out. "I'll stay outside and make sure he doesn't come back"
Robert moves to the door as quietly as he can and listens intently. Unfortunately he sneaks like a herd of buffalo and can't hear a thing
Robert feels somewhat chagrined that his lie was so easily penetrated he lets Evelynn carry on the questioning
"Well Ma'am..we're doing some background pieces on the tragic events of last year and we were kinda wondering if you as the oldest person round these parts could tell us anything about the Whateleys"
"Tea would be most appreciated Ma'am" Robert eyes the ferret guessing it's probably good at keeping down the vermin around here
Roberet smiles though he curses inwardly at not having brought fish as well...they should have covered all the bases... "We would surely appreciate anything you could tell us about these here parts Ma'am"
On seeing the old woman Robert's mind goes back to the stories of Appalachian witches. Mentally chastising himself for such a flight of fancy he lets Evelynn speak first figuring she might react better to a womans voice
Robert hangs back a little his ready to draw his Pistol if any threat emerges
"That sounds as good an idea as any..why don't you ladies get things organised on that front"
"Remember what the Squire said though ..we need a gift...he suggested a new shawl or fresh fish"
Breakfast being over and Fergus restored to something approaching normality Robert suggest that they go and meet the ladies to plan their next move
Robert gets Fergus back to the lodgings telling the ladies to go back to bed. He brushes aside any queries their landlady might have and gets Fergus into bed then retires to his room to compose a long letter to the professor giving him details of everything that has occured
"What the...Fergus...Fergus... are you OK man"..Robert strips off his heavy flying coat and wraps it around Fergus to preserve his modesty.
Robert begins a search for Fergus convinced that some foul play has befallen the priest
Robert slips his colt into the pocket of his flying jacket before stepping out into the night air. He looks around for any sign of Fergus.
'Strange' thinks Robert and returns to speak to Mrs Ames "Pardon me Ma'am but have you seen Father Garrity this evening? He left the Squires house some time ago and I would have expected him to have returned here immediately""
"Mother Bishop eh...very well, I think we should go see her tomorrow...and I'll be sure to bring her something." Robert bids his goodnights and returns to his lodgings
Robert turns to the Squire..."Sir...in your opinion who should we speak to on this matter...I mean who would be willing to speak to us in Dunwich?"
Robert is getting more convinvced by the minute that the party should investigate the graverobbing. "If we find who took the bones we might be able to move a step closer to solving this mystery and I for one agree with Evelyn,..what ever lies behind that door I dont think we want to see it"
Robert gazes into the fire his mind working over the events of the past two days. "Maybe we should concentrate our efforts into finding who stole the old wizards bones...proper detective work not this pulp adventure stuff"
Robert takes the hint from Evelynn "Some strange Amphibian..possibly some sort of mutation and a overly large Millipede as well as some strange geology none of us is really qualified to comment on"
"It was a pretty taxing day Squire...but we saw enough to know that this needs a full team up here from Arkham..people who know what they are looking at. Theres an extensive tunnel network down there with strange geology and some unusual species of wildlife and we really need to get experts to look at it" Robert throws a warning look at Rita hoping she takes the hint and stops talking about the creatures they saw
"Thank you Sir, I'll need the use of your phone to contact Dr Armitage but we can leave that till tomorrow...just now dinner and a bath sound most welcome"
"I think I'll have to inform Doctor Armitage of what we have discovered and ask his advice...one things for sure I'm not going back down there unprepared again"
Though he tries not to show his apprehension in front of the womenfolk Robert finds himself moving faster towards the exit than he would normally. He fights down the temptation to run from the place.
Robert is starting to find the underground tunnels oppresive the weight of eath and rock above him seems to be pressing down on him.He finds himself wanting very much to see the sun and smell fresh air again
"The Lafayette Escadrille Rita flying for the French...then the 103rd Pursuit squadron after we entered the war ourselves. I guess you could say I had a good war...apart from getting shot down and captured 4 days before it all ended"
Robert hesitates momentarily before slipping his arms around Evelyns slim waist. he waits as she takes her pictures all too aware of the closeness of her body to his...which gives rise to some distinctly ungentlemanly thoughts. Once she is done he pulls her back gently from the edge and disengages from her "Now can we go?" Robert checks his watch again...
Robert moves to assist Evelynn.."That's it" he announces "We are getting out of here before anything else untoward happens. I'm not willing to put any of you at risk"
Robert smiles as Rita passes out the sandwiches.."Old soldiers maxim..eat when you can, sleep when you can...you never know when you'll get a chance to do either" "I agree with Evelyn" checks his watch again..."we could wander here for hours..I'm beginning to think that it going to need a full scale team from Arkham to investigate this place..we'll need geologists and biologists at least and a few experienced cavers"
Robert shakes himself out of his torpor and hurries after the ladies. "Best not get split up...no telling what there might be down here...or where it might be"
Robert takes in the eerily beautiful sight..then squints up at the ceiling as Evelyn shines her torch in that direction
Robert picks up the rifle and checks it for damage...Springfields are tough but getting hit with falling rocks is never good. "Lets go find out what's making that god forsaken noise...keep an out out for bugs everyone"
Wincing slightly at his bruises Robert gets to his feet offering a hand to Evelynn. Then he picks up a large chunk of fallen rock and moves to dispatch the fallen monstrosity "I'm not sure but it's the second unnatural creature we have come across down here...perhaps the Professor had the right of it and Whately was involved in something terrible..something we need to get to the bottom off anyway" He checks his Rolex...how long have they been down here?
"Matches...sure" Robert delves into his pockets finding a box of matches and lights one holding it up and moving it slowly across the rock fall
"Well that sort of puts the cap on that..doesn't it...Lets go back to the other passage and see whats making that whistling noise"
"I agree..I'l go first then you ladies and Fergus can bring up the rear"
At Ritas comment Robert begins to climb down the ladder again..by the time she returns to the bottom of the entrance tunnel he is moving down it... "Ok Rita...lets just wait for the others" "FERGUS!!!! send Evelynn down will you...its ok now the way is clearer than it was"
Robert finds new respect for this beautiful, quiet yet courageous woman. taking her hand he raises it to his lips.. "Ma'am.." "If you are sure...I wont be far behind you"
"I am not sending a woman down there again...I'm sorry Evelynn..I should have gone myself..and that means I'm going down this time. "Fergus can you make sure Evelynn is ok I think you mentioned some medical training the other night when we were talking" "I suggest we take a few minutes rest"
Robert lets Rita check Evelynn out. "I have to say I don't know enough about caves to make that sort of call "
Robert shouts down to the others "I'm going up top again..Evelyns hurt..not badly but enough to need some looking after...once we get up there I need you two to climb up ..but not until we are both off it ok?" He pulls the rope up and lets it fall to the bottom again the starts to climb..wondering though if evelyn will be able to manage it with her injuries
"Ok hold on Evelyn...Do you want me to pull you out..?" Robert curses himself for allowing a woman to do this job...he should have gone first
|