[backstage] * GM has removed Ghogg from the channel.

[backstage] * GM has removed Raelynn from the channel.

Wilson says (to GM), "Don't forget to add Perry to the new channel."

GM says, "good point"

[heatham] * GM has added PerrySimm to the channel.

Stanley arrives, looking for booty.

Stanley says, "Ahoy there, chaps."

Mariamne arrives, looking for booty.

Wilson says, "Greetings"

GM says, "good, good"

[heatham] * Auda has joined the channel.

GM says, "we just need maga and we will be all set"

Mariamne says, "he logged off as maga a while ago"

Mariamne says, "I assume he'll be back soon"

Gwendolyn arrives, looking for booty.

Gwendolyn enters with flourishing her green scarf with large pink hibiscus printed on them

Mariamne says (to stanley), "nice outfit"

GM says, "tsk, and at this hour of the morning, too"

Mariamne says, "aw, now it's boringly not a catsuit"

Stanley says, "Unlike Iain's last RPG character, I'm neither a transvestite nor a person of unconstant gender."

[heatham] * Wilson has joined the channel.

[heatham] * Mariamne has joined the channel.

Stanley says, "Apart from that time we were stranded off Norway, perhaps."

[heatham] * Stanley has joined the channel.

GM says, "goodness, man, there are ladies present"

GM says, "unlike norway, I guess"

Wilson says, "Hee"

[heatham] * Gwendolyn has joined the channel.

Stanley says, "There was a certain quantity of Tuborg and semi-constructed sandwiches and then after that it's a bit of a blur."

Stanley says, "Or maybe that was Denmark."

Wilson says, "Ah, sandwiches."

maga arrives, looking for booty.

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "are people's sheets up somewhere? i need to find out who is what kind of a person"

[heatham] GM says, "http://www.drizzle.com/~dans/rpg/mystery-cast.html"

[heatham] Wilson says, "http://www.drizzle.com/~dans/rpg/mystery-cast.html"

[heatham] Wilson says, "There are links at the bottom."

[heatham] GM says, "(PCs at the bottom)"

[heatham] GM says, "heh"

[heatham] Wilson says, "GET OUT OF MY MIND"

[heatham] Stanley asks, "Is this the #crow's-nest for this game?"

[heatham] GM says, "but once maga is in character we will spend a sec recapitulating"

[heatham] Stanley <- Iain

maga says, "one second while I work out my rpg account -"

[heatham] GM says, "this is #crow's-nest + #rpg"

[heatham] Wilson says, "Ah, just like ontogeny."

[backstage] * katre has left the channel.

[heatham] GM says, "Jota pointed out we should probably avoid #rpg to skip spoilers"

Wilson says (to maga), "You pcreated a new one, IIRC."

maga says (to Wilson), "and promptly forgot the password to that also"

GM says, "hee hee"

GM asks, "want me to reset it?"

maga says, "that'd be good, yeah"

maga says, "account is Judith"

Judith arrives, looking for booty.

maga says, "thanks."

maga disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

[heatham] Wilson says, "Jota and Gunther have both @muted #crows if we want to go ahead and use that."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I note that character names for RPGs get more and more difficult to think up so as not to conflict with existing names"

[Crows-Nest] Judith says, "sorry. been kind of scattered today"

[Crows-Nest] Stanley says, "Join #heatham"

[heatham] * Judith has joined the channel.

[heatham] GM says, "yeah, that's why we have to delete characters every few years"

GM says, "ok, just to recap before we start, the cast page is at http://www.drizzle.com/~dans/rpg/mystery-cast.html"

[Crows-Nest] Stanley says, "We're avoiding the usual channels to avoid accidentally spoiling it for next week."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "right, you never know when you'll just *have* to call your character CyberDood54"

GM says, "we'll be using #heatham instead of #rpg or #crows-nest for now"

GM says, "before we get started, perhaps we could go over one more time who knows who, and why folks have been invited down to the manor"

Wilson says, "Yeah, lets."

Mariamne asks, "in character or out of?"

GM says, "out of, I think"

Wilson says, "Oh, if Gwendolyn is OK with it, I thought we might have grown up in the same small town before making it big."

Mariamne says, "I think my character is attending some event nearby and managed to convince William Mallory to invite me to stay here beforehand"

Wilson says, "Though I'd have been, hmm, 7-10 years older than she."

Stanley says, "I'm from a rich family, naval traditions and all that."

Judith says, "I think I vaguely know Wilson from mutual involvement in Charitable Educational Works, but I've been invited on the strength of having been Hypatia's tutor."

Stanley says, "Looks like Judith is the most likely person to be related to me."

GM says, "good, good"

Mariamne says, "I also went to finishing school with Gwendolyn Beresford"

Gwendolyn says (to wilson), "sure"

Gwendolyn asks (of wilson), "Devon?"

GM says, "Lady Mallory is doing some kind of charitable works thing involving the villagers and a lot of knitting, so people are welcome to be involved in that"

Wilson says, "Sure. I dunno anything about English towns."

Judith says (to Wilson), "Devon's a county."

Wilson says, "Case in point""

GM says, "hee hee"

GM asks (of Stanley), "did you want to be in a club with Wilson?"

GM asks, "or related by blood to anyone?"

Judith says (to Stanley), "feel free to be a cousin or something"

Wilson says, "That sounded reasonable to me."

Stanley says, "I think I'm a second cousin of Judith."

Stanley says, "And I'm sure Wilson is a decent enough chap to get into my club."

Mariamne says, "what a tangled web this is"

GM says, "hee hee"

Judith says (to Stanley), "note that was rather anti-war and hence our relations may be a little strained"

Gwendolyn says, "we got my connections, but I can't think why I am at the manor. I don't do charity"

GM says, "and I haven't even set out to deceive yet"

Judith says, "er, that I was"

GM says (to Gwendolyn), "no doubt you are just for the house-party, then"

Gwendolyn says, "works for me"

Mariamne says (to gwendolyn), "possibly you can be on your way to the event I'm going to"

GM says, "Lady Mallory is of course delighted to have such a distinguished guest"

Mariamne says, "since I have no idea what that is"

Stanley says, "Somehow I've fallen in with all these Tories from the club."

GM says, "or at least famous"

Mariamne says, "(I'm also fairly sure my mother will have been sucking up to the various wealthy distinguished women who might be around)"

GM says, "ok then, I think we can call this pretty good"

Wilson says, "Oh, and I'm also here to see Hypathia."

Wilson says, "Er, Hypatia."

Mariamne asks, "good golly, you don't even remember her name properly?"

Wilson says, "Er well um"

GM says, "he is so in love it is affecting his spelling"

Wilson nervously twists his cap.

GM says, "Dearest Hyperbole, he writes"

GM says, "anyway, to remind everyone, Heatham Manor is a rather nice manor about a half-day's journey from London"

GM says, "due to the irritating trains and the snow that has been falling on and off these past few days (a little early for late october), when the taxi finally brings the five of you up from the station, it's nearly tea-time"

[heatham] Wilson says, "Yay footprints"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I'd be surprised to find out we hadn't all killed each other in the taxi, to be honest"

GM says, "squashed together as you were, you've had time to at least make preliminary introductions to each other already before arrival, at which time, naturally, you must rush upstairs, change into things, and come down for tea"

Gwendolyn asks, "Where's a boy to carry my bags?"

Stanley says (to Gwendolyn), "Oh, let me deal with that, my dear girl."

Gwendolyn says, "And I will need a maid to assist me"

Stanley carries the bags for eight or ten feet.

GM says, ""Naturally, Madam," says the butler (a stout man in his 60s, almost completely bald)"

Stanley asks, "By cracky, what's she got in here?"

Mariamne says, "oh poot, I just know I had the *perfect* scarf to go with this dress earlier. Oh well, I suppose this one will be okay if I just use this clip instead. Oh, and now I'll just have to change this necklace.""

Stanley asks (of Butler), "Hey there, my man, where's the boy to carry these bags for the young lady?"

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "okay, this is difficult. He's rich so I should be nice, but she is bristling at the dear-girl bit"

GM says, "He gives a few words to the other servants and they descend on you in a flurry, moving all the bags upstairs"

Mariamne says, "*flurry of clothing and jewellery*"

dfan arrives, looking for booty.

[heatham] * dfan has joined the channel.

Judith gets away from all this nonsense as quickly as possible

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I love how restrained we are all being about swearing"

Gwendolyn goes up to her room

[heatham] GM exclaims, "it's only been five minutes!"

Gwendolyn says, "adequate, I suppose"

GM says, "(anyone want to do anything before we go down to tea?)"

Stanley comes down in a fresh lounge suit and a rather natty cap.

Wilson goes upstairs, looks in the mirror, ajdusts his ascot, shrugs, goes back down.

Mariamne spends a few minutes opening windows and waving crystals around in her room

[heatham] GM says, "ha ha ha"

Judith changes into something marginally less severe

Gwendolyn peeks out the door to figure out who is in what room

[heatham] GM says, "sorry, I should have allowed another minute or two for primping"

Stanley says, "I say, what a rather fine old piano they have here."

Stanley attempts to play a few ditties.

Judith descends the stairs, smoking a cigarillo and daring anyone to pass comment

Mariamne scurries down the stairs and takes a few minutes to make adjustments in the hall mirror before joining the others

GM says (to Gwendolyn), "Dame Judith has been given the best room, you've got the second-best room, Miss Parry-Jones has the third-best room, Captain Stanley has the fourth-best, and Dr. Mayhew has the worst"

Stanley says, "Shame I never had any lessons on these things."

Wilson says, "Ah, piano."

Gwendolyn waits for everyone else to go down. She pauses at the entrance dramatically, before sauntering in.

Mariamne says, "my room is probably now so cold and messy that it is the worst"

Judith says, "Good grief, Stanley, cease that abombinal racket"

Stanley says (to Judith), "Sorry, sorry, Aunt Judith."

Stanley says, "Er, cousin. Sorry."

GM says, "you're not down until a few minutes past five, but it doesn't seem to matter -- everyone continues to look around and mutter in that someone-isn't-here sort of way even after you arrive"

GM says, "(though they are distracted for a few minutes by Gwendolyn's entrance)"

Mariamne claps her hands together and exclaims, "Oh, golly, what a wonderful piano!".

Wilson asks (of Mariamne), "Do you play?"

GM says, ""Oh, goodness, look at that eversocharming outfit!" Elizabeth comes over to admire Gwendolyn"

Mariamne says, "Well, a little. Though I've not really memorised anything suitable for this sort of company, you know."

Gwendolyn looks at the piano, mentally figuring out that it's a valuable instrument. She approves

[heatham] GM says, "(introductions haven't all been done yet, but I'll use the NPC's names anyway)"

GM says, "meanwhile, Lady Mallory comes over somewhat more sedately"

[heatham] Wilson says, "We can use our powers of deduction to figure out who's who."

Mariamne says (to Elizabeth), "Lizzie darling!"

Gwendolyn says (to Elizabeth), "why thank you. I had to go all over Broad Street looking for a hat to match this shade exactly. It's so difficult to find things in the shops nowadays"

Judith runs her eye over Elizabeth briefly, but winces at her fawning

GM says, ""I'm so glad you were able to make it," she says. "I regret my husband seems to be a little late, but I am sure he will be down in a few minutes.""

[heatham] GM says, "Elizabeth is not Hypatia, by the way"

Mariamne says, "gosh, I didn't know you were going to be here too."

[heatham] Wilson says, "Heh, right."

[heatham] Wilson says, "*that* much I can figure out."

[heatham] GM says, "(Elizabeth is the neighbor's daughter rather than your host's daughter)"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "elizabeth, I think, is someone I used to do duets with"

GM says, ""Ooh, Mariamne, I had no idea you'd be here too!""

Judith asks, "Lady Mallory, a pleasure as always. I don't believe I've seen you since dear Hyp's graduation. How is she?"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "and met at debutante balls and the like"

Stanley casts his eye frowningly over all the young ladies.

Stanley says, "I wonder if that butler fellow has opened a bottle yet."

GM says, "Lady Mallory waves a fluttery hand. "Oh, very well, very well. All this learning has certainly given her no end of new ideas -- she has been a great help with me working to Improve The Lives of the Villagers""

Gwendolyn says (to LadyMallory), "you have a charming home - and thank you for your invitation"

Mariamne says (to Elizabeth), "Oh, I must show you the wonderful new cards I bought to help my gift! They're simply *perfect* for focusing the mind."

Wilson scans the assemblage for signs of Hypatia without trying to *look* like his scanning the assemblage for signs of Hypatia, fails, get flustered, drums his hands on the piano.

GM says, "Lord Barleyhew perks up his ears at Stanley's comment. "You just wait til after dinner, me lad -- I've been here for two nights, and I can tell you, Sir Gilford does his guests proud in the cellar department""

Judith says, "She always did have a ...Christian... heart."

[heatham] Gwendolyn says (to wilson), "oh yeah. don't forget, i don't recall people's names or anything, so don't expect me to be like, "hey, i recognize you!""

[heatham] Wilson nods.

Judith catches her first glimpse of Lord Barleyhew, and does her best not to wince visibly

GM says, "Despite his politics, Lord Barleyhew is at least physically charming -- tall and nattily-dressed and just-now swoops down to assist Hypatia by picking up her dropped handkerchief"

GM says, "(which Hypatia rolls her eyes at)"

Stanley asks, "Oh, yes, Barley old man, have you encountered my dear relative, Dame Hertford?"

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks, "what room are we in?"

Judith's eyes flash fire at the sight of this

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I assumed a parlour, but who knows"

[heatham] GM says, "you're in the parlor/drawing-room type area, waiting for everyone (ie, Sir Gilford) to get here before you go into the tea-room"

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "okay, i was assuming drawing room. thanks"

GM says, ""I don't believe I've had the pleasure in person," Lord Barleyhew says, looking expectantly for a hand to be offered to be kissed"

Stanley says, "She's, well, she's a dear old thing, really, although perhaps we shouldn't talk politics for the time being, if you see what I mean."

Mariamne politely thanks Lady Mallory for the wonderful accomodation

Gwendolyn eavesdropping on Lady Mallory's conversation, while studying her jewelry

Judith asks, "Enchanted, Lord Barleyhew. Still doing sterling work to prevent the insane classes breeding, I take it?"

Stanley says (to Judith), "Judith, Lord Barleyhew here goes to my club."

Stanley says, "Oh I see you know each other already, top hole."

Judith flashes a significant look to Hypatia

GM says, "Lord Barleyhew smiles indulgently. "Oh, goodness, I see you're quite political yourself, Lady Hertford -- no doubt we will have rather a *debate* about it at some point""

Mariamne looks around for William.

GM says, "(Hypatia is burning a hole in the back of his head)"

GM says, "William laughs heartily at Lord Barleyhew's jape"

GM says, "Lord Barleyhew is about to add something, but Lady Mallory breaks in"

Judith says (to Barleyhew), "Well, I'd hate to suggest that I might be capable of *voting*, Mr. Barl-"

GM says, ""Goodness, look at the time!" she says. "It is almost ten after, and Sir Gilford isn't here -- whatever shall we do?""

Stanley says, "Now, now, let's not talk shop before dinner."

Mariamne wonders if she can get William away from all those tedious old men, but decides it's unlikely.

Mariamne perches on a chair arm and pouts instead.

GM says, "Lady Mallory wrings her hands elegantly"

GM says, "Mr Reed comes over to her"

Stanley says, "If I may say, Lady Mallory, you wring your hands most elegantly."

Gwendolyn asks, "Perhaps Sir Gilford wouldn't mind if we started?"

Stanley has a snifter of brandy in his hand at this point.

[heatham] Mariamne says (to Iain), "I fear you"

GM says, "The butler looks disapprovingly at Stanley"

Gwendolyn asks, "Being such a chilly day, and he's such a gracious host, he wouldn't expect us to not go ahead, surely, Lady Mallory?"

Judith elegantly extracts the snifter from Stanley's hand. "Now now, remember what the doctors said."

GM says, ""Perhaps you could send a servant over to the cabin to remind him tea is ready," Mr Reed says"

Wilson asks (of Hypatia), "Your, uh, father has a cabin, then?"

GM says, ""Oh, dear, such a good idea," Lady Mallory says, "and in the meantime the rest of us will get started""

Judith says, "Besides, brandy *before* dinner is vulgar."

Gwendolyn plays with her strand of pearls

GM says, ""Pondley, do send someone," she says, and ushers the rest of you in to the tea-room"

Stanley guiltily puts away his tobacco too.

Gwendolyn wrinkles her nose at such a disgusting habit

Judith says (to Stanley), "(sotto voce) Behave yourself. If anyone is to disgrace the family it will be me."

GM says (to Wilson), "Hypatia waves her hand vaguely. "Somewhere out in the woods he has a little cabin," she says. "He uses it for *hunting* or somesuch.""

Wilson (muttering) "And cigarillos before dinner aren't? Hmm."

Mariamne springs up from the chair, nearly upsetting a rather valuable vase in the process, and extends her arm to William.

GM says, "Lord Barleyhew nudges Stanley in the ribs. "I see you approve of the finer things in life, eh? Once the ladies leave after dinner, we'll see a thing or two""

GM says, ""Why, Miss Parry-Jones! I didn't see you there!" William says, giving her a dazzling smile. "Do allow me to take you in""

Wilson says (to Hypatia), "Ah, hunting."

GM says, "Meanwhile, servants come around with cucumber sandwiches"

GM says, "(with, I need hardly add, the crusts cut off)"

Stanley says (to Barleyhew), "I believe I'm prepared to plumb the depths of old Mallory's famous cellars, vasty beyond measure though they may be."

GM says (to Wilson), "Hypatia frowns. "I suppose you're here for the shooting as well?""

Mariamne says, "Well, thank you William, I was quite beginning to think you were ignoring me on purpose!"

Wilson asks (of Hypatia), "Me? Uh, no?"

GM says, "Edmund slouches in about now, and skulks in a corner, eating cucumber sandwiches in a bitter manner"

Mariamne says, "but of course I should have remembered that you'd never be quite that cruel."

Wilson says (to Hypatia), "You don't, uh, not that you would, uh, not that you're incapable, er, ah, sandwiches."

Mariamne smiles and flutters her eyelashes at William.

GM says (to Mariamne), ""As if I could forget anyone so charming!" William says, his eyes straying to Elizabeth."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "ah, doomed love"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "how my heart would break if I would just notice"

GM says (to Wilson), ""Oh, I should have known an *intellectual* like yourself would be far beyond these blood-sports""

GM says, "Hypatia smiles approvingly"

Judith asks (of Hypatia), "Have I told you about Mr. Mayhew's sterling work to bring learning to the working classes?"

Gwendolyn hides a yawn behind a cucumber sandwich

Stanley says, "These sandwiches are quite the thing, I must say. Diagonal slice, sans crusts, you see. I think it signifies a chef who is unafraid to strike out boldly into new culinary territory."

GM says, "She looks shocked. "I had no idea, Mr Mayhew! Do you mean to tell me you are of the Cause also?""

Judith pats William on the shoulder and excuses herself

Wilson asks, "Uh, yes?"

Mariamne says (to William), "so when is your brother ever going to settle down? He's quite the despair of society, unmarried at his age."

Gwendolyn says (to Mariamne), "I am sure he's tired of the matchmaking mamas throwing their daughters at his feet."

GM says, "William sighs. "Ah, Edmund," he says, gesturing with his sandwich. "I'm afraid he's quite the sulky cuss these days -- just got back from Africa, and no doubt he's still unused to being back in civilization""

Wilson says, "Although I haven't had much time to participate of late, since my studies have kept me in India."

Stanley says, "Africa and India, is it? Fascinating places, or so I hear."

Gwendolyn says, "Why, I heard just last week, that Miss Thockmorton-Jones pretended to faint at his feet in hopes he would catch her"

Stanley asks, "Which one has more animals, would you say?"

GM says, "William looks up to see Gwendolyn. "I'm sure you're not speaking of yourself -- I can't imagine you needing to be flung anywhere. No doubt it is the men who throng around you instead""

Judith buttonholes Edmund

Stanley says, "I was just talking to a fellow the other day who was convinced that elephants come from India, not Africa. Silly chap."

Gwendolyn says (to Stanley), "clearly India. Africa has only lions. India has monkeys"

Mariamne asks (of Gwendolyn), "you look awfully familiar. Were you at Lady Millington's tea-dance last week?"

Judith asks, "Which part of Africa did you say you were in, again?"

GM says, "Edmund looks up at Judith, with a look she recognizes from Stanley as someone who's been drinking before tea"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Hee hee."

Wilson says, "Actaully, India has its own elephants. Different ears, you know."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "oh dear lord, a room of drunken men"

Wilson puts his hand behind his ears by way of illustration.

[heatham] Mariamne says, "someone may need to restrain judith"

GM says, "He waves his sandwich vaguely. "Out in the veldt," he says. "Out away from all this damned civilization and *tea-parties*""

[heatham] GM says, "not *drunk* -- just, you know, not entirely sober"

Stanley says (to Wilson), "Well, I never."

Judith gives a knowing nod.

GM says, "Hypatia laughs delightedly"

Wilson says, "Indeed."

GM says, "Pondley staggers into the room at this point, looking as shocked as a butler ever gets"

Gwendolyn asks (of Mariamne), "Lady Millington?"

Stanley displays his currently empty hands to the butler, defensively.

GM says, "He takes Lady Mallory aside and talks briefly to her in an attempt to be discreet, but her sudden shriek foils this"

Gwendolyn asks, "Would that be the house with the fake Greek temple in the gardens?"

GM says, ""Sir Gilford!" she says, and swoons away"

Mariamne says (to Gwendolyn), "oh, you must know Lady Milington. Widowed, of course, but I hear that won't last long, as she's kept her looks so well"

Judith says, "Have a friend who's a DC in the Cameroons. Tempted myself, at times, though I don't know how much call there is for Aramaic translation down there"

Gwendolyn looks at Lady Mallory in surprise at such an un-lady-like shriekh and behavior

GM says, "Mr Reed, standing nearby, hastens to catch her"

Stanley leaps to catch Lady Mallory, but trips over a coffee table.

[heatham] GM says, "ha ha"

Mariamne looks around at Lady Mallory and the ensuing chaos

Wilson says, "In India, you know, they train their elephants. When they are young, they chain them to an iron stake, so they can't escape. Once they have grown, they are used to it, so they replace the iron stake with a bamboo pole. The elephant is, of course, strong enough to pull up even the iron, but has been trained so it won't leave."

GM says, ""What is it, Pondley, old chap?" says William, pulling himself away from the delightful ladies to talk to him."

Mariamne asks, "I say, what the dickens is going on with Lady Mallory?"

[heatham] GM exclaims, "such language!"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "well, of course, I *am* a bohemian"

GM says, "Pondley has one of those hushed whispers that is totally audible across the room, especially since everyone else wants to hear"

Stanley tries to balance the coffee table so that it looks like it isn't broken.

GM says, ""It's Sir Gilford, sir," he says. "I sent one of the boys out to ask him in to tea -- he's dead, sir!""

[heatham] Mariamne says, "or at least trying to be one when I'm being upstaged by other women in front of William"

GM says, ""Great scott!" says William."

Mariamne gasps and faints elegantly, just avoiding the broken coffee table

Judith says, "Good lord."

Stanley says, "Good gravy."

Wilson starts, and looks at Hypatia.

GM says, "This, naturally, causes something of a buzz in conversation"

Stanley leaps to catch Mariamne, trips over the broken coffee table, etc.

Gwendolyn asks, "Are you sure he wasn't just asleep?"

GM says, "Edmund laughs unpleasantly. "Well, it happens to all of us eventually," he mutters"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "gee, a fine chivalrous bunch of men you all are"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I'm still lying unconscious on the floor here!"

GM says, "Pondley shakes his head, and whispers more quietly to William. "What, in the head?" William says."

Gwendolyn steps daintly around Mariamne's prone body

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks, "happy?"

[heatham] GM is laughing and laughing

Wilson says, "My."

GM says, ""Well, I'm afraid-- I don't know what--""

[heatham] Mariamne says, "so am I, but I'm still unconscious"

Stanley mutters (to butler), "Look here, old chap, just you give me that drinks tray and keep your hands free to catch tumbling totty. We don't want anyone else to get hurt here."

Judith props up Mariamne and snaps her fingers in front of her face. "Snap out of it, gel."

GM says, "Charles Reed maneuvers Lady Mallory onto a couch"

Gwendolyn takes smelling salts out of her reticule and starts reviving Lady Mallory

GM says, ""Someone had better get her to her room -- Pondley, where's her maid?""

Mariamne revives, slowly at first, but more swiftly when she realises it isn't William who is propping her up

GM says, ""Oh, thank goodness someone has some sense," he says, seeing Gwendolyn"

[heatham] GM says (to Mariamne), "ha ha ha"

GM says, ""Well, I guess we'd better call the police," Edmund says, stepping forward"

Stanley says, "Steady on, there, we don't really know what's happened yet."

GM says, "Lord Barleyhew looks aghast. "The police? You mean .. scandal?""

Mariamne fans herself with her scarf, listening intently

Stanley says (to Barleyhew), "No, Lord Barleyhew, not like last time -- this would be a murder investigation."

GM says, ""Do we even know this is murder?""

[heatham] GM says, "oh MAN"

Gwendolyn perks up on 'last time'?

Judith says, "I seem to recall many fine speeches of yours on the subject of proper respect for the law of the land, my Lord."

Stanley asks, "Murder? I say, whose silly idea was that?"

[heatham] GM says, "ok, any one of you guys is clearly sufficient for me not to have to worry about enough wacky things happening"

Mariamne says, "(aside to Elizabeth) I had the most terrible premonition about today, of course, but I thought that I'd just foreseen losing my scarf."

Wilson says, "Murder or not, we need to see what has happened."

GM says, "William says "From what Pondley's said, I don't think we know -- I can't discuss details with the ladies present, but suffice to say I don't think we can say yet""

Wilson stands matter-of-factly.

Gwendolyn lets LadyM's maid have the smelling salts

Stanley says (to Wilson), "Capital idea!"

Gwendolyn says (to Wilson), "surely not before we finish tea!"

Mariamne says, "(aside) I never dreamed it was something quite so serious as this."

Judith glances at Hypatia to make sure that she's all right

GM says, "Elizabeth looks amazed at Mariamne. "You mean you have contact with the Other Side?""

GM says, "Hypatia seems somewhat in shock and isn't saying much"

Wilson asks (of Hypatia), "I don't suppose you wish to see?"

Judith rolls her eyes

Gwendolyn says, "I refuse to go out and tramp about in the snow and get my feet wet when there's a nice hot pot of tea right here"

Mariamne says, "Yes, I am psychically gifted. A blessing and a curse, as one might expect."

GM says, ""No, no, that's quite all right," Hypatia says vaguely. "Father!""

Stanley says (to butler), "Now then, old man, why don't you just lead some of us chaps round to where you found his lordship and we'll see what's what."

Wilson says, "Right."

GM says, "She starts crying"

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "i read that as 'physically gifted' and wondered"

Wilson says, "Oh, uh."

Wilson sits again, tries to comfort Hypatia.

Stanley says, "Although somebody should stay to, er, to console the ladies."

Gwendolyn returns to her teacup

Stanley asks, "Cousin Judith, should you like to be a chap or a lady?"

[heatham] GM says, "ha ha ha ha"

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "ha ha"

[heatham] GM exclaims, "just like Norway!"

Mariamne says (to elizabeth), "when I have a moment, I'll try and make contact with the spirit of the deceased, but I'm just too shocked to try and receive right now"

GM says, "Apparently someone *has* called the police, because the next thing you hear is "What's all this, then?""

Judith says (to Stanley), "Well, in normal circumstances..."

Mariamne says, "the strain does affect the link, you know"

GM says, "and the ruddy-faced village Constable Beech comes into the room"

GM says, "as the guests descend on him he looks immediately out of his depth"

Stanley says, "Aha, good evening, Constable."

Stanley instinctively outranks the poor fellow.

Mariamne twists her scarf in her hands and gulps down breath

GM says, ""Ah, good evening, ah, -- sir?" he says hopefully to Stanley"

GM says, ""I understand there's been some sort of incident here?""

Judith says (to Mariamne), "Here, have a little brandy. For, um, your nerves."

Stanley says, "Yes, it seems so."

Gwendolyn says (to LadyM), "I hope that despite this incident, you will continue with the house party? I've so looked forward to this visit"

Wilson says (to Hypatia), "There, there."

Stanley says, "By sheerest accident I stumbled over the coffee table here, you see."

Stanley says, "And poor old Lord Mallory seems to have had a bit of trouble, also."

[heatham] Wilson says, "Snrk"

Mariamne sips genteelly at her brandy, trying not to pull a face at the taste of it

GM says, ""I've called me sergeant," Beech says, "But he's away and won't be here for a few hours""

Judith looks around for Edmund

GM says (to Gwendolyn), "Beech coughs apologetically. "I'm afraid me sergeant asked me to not let anyone leave just yet, so I'm afraid the party will have to continue""

Wilson stands again. "Right, so now that the law's here, let's see what has happened. It may be we can discern all before the sergeant even gets here."

GM says, ""Certainly you all must stay!" Lady Mallory says. "I won't have this interrupted by --" she starts crying"

Stanley says, "Well said, that man!"

Gwendolyn says (to LadyM), "Edmund, as Sir Gilford's heir can easily take over his role"

Stanley says, "Knows all about ears, too."

GM says, "Charles Reed touches her on the shoulder in a gentlemanly way"

[heatham] Mariamne says (to gwendolyn), "and I thought I was being callous"

[heatham] Stanley asks, "Er, shouldn't we be investigating the actual crime here at some point?"

Judith says (to Gwendolyn), "oh, for... show a little sensitivity, girl."

[heatham] Gwendolyn says (to mariamne), "i am struggling, but yeah, i am trying to be not-nice"

GM says (to Judith), "Edmund coughs. "Right, I suppose, I ought to say something.""

[heatham] Stanley says, "Assuming it is a crime, of course."

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "it's hard being a mean person"

Wilson asks, "Constable, I believe Pondley here knows the way to the cabin where Mallory was found. If you will lead the way?"

GM says, ""You all can stay as long as you want, I don't give a damn," he walks out of the room"

Judith says, "The poor boy is taking this very hard. Clearly."

GM says, "Constable Beech looks around uncomfortably. "Well, it's true as I'm rather out of me depth -- maybe just until the sergeant comes""

Mariamne mutters, "and I thought this place had such soothing vibrations, too"

Stanley says, "Well, let's go and have a good old poke around and see what we can turn up."

Stanley says, "Discreetly, of course."

GM says, "Anyone who wants to bully their way along can come out to the cabin, male or female"

Judith will come

Mariamne steels her nerves, and stands up.

GM says, "in practice none of the NPCs want to except William"

Stanley says, "Last chap there's a rotten egg."

Mariamne says, "I must insist I be allowed to accompany you."

[heatham] GM says, "if people would prefer to stay, they can just ask questions here and we can assume that someone at the cabin is asking them"

Stanley says, "That's a spirit."

Stanley says, "Er, the spirit."

Mariamne says, "I may be able to sense something"

GM says, "so, everyone who's going troops out to the cabin"

GM says, "it is, as mentioned previously in a little clearing near the edge of the woods"

[heatham] Wilson will go, naturally.

Gwendolyn says, "I will stay with Lady Mallory. Miss Elizabeth should probably keep her company, too, as her neighbor."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I take the first opportunity I can to take something belonging to the deceased"

Gwendolyn says, "We can chat while we wait"

GM says, "it's a funny sort of rustic cabin, probably intended for a gamekeeper or something, but converted by Sir Gilford for his own private use"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Well you can't have the brandy, I have first dibs."

GM says, "The cabin looks like http://www.drizzle.com/~dans/rpg/mystery/cabin.png"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "since of course I need something belonging to the recently departed so I can attempt to establish a link"

GM says, "(all the doors are closed, though)"

Stanley says, "Now then, hold on a moment, everyone."

Stanley says, "These footprints may be jolly important."

Mariamne stumbles into the back of whomever is in front of her, and shivers impatiently

Stanley says, "They indicate the prints of feet."

[heatham] GM says, "hee hee"

[heatham] Judith exclaims, "he was murdered by... the Spraypaint tool!"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Man, I thought my character was going to be cut out to be a natural detective, but it appears not."

GM says, "Right, so, the footprints"

Stanley says, "Er, perhaps we should circle around to see if there are any others."

GM says, "It looks like there are three and a half trails"

GM says, "one set that goes in and doesn't come out, and three others that go in and come back"

GM says, "(outside the clearing the footprints break up on the rougher forest floor and can't really be tracked further, at least not in this light)"

[heatham] Stanley asks, "I assume the butler is with us?"

[heatham] GM says, "at least a servant is, yeah"

Stanley says (to butler), "Now, some of these tracks must be yours, since you were here last."

[heatham] GM says, "the butler himself is probably busy freaking out at home"

GM says, ""Er, yes, sir," says Tommy"

Stanley says, "Let's see your feet, then."

Stanley says, "Come on, chop chop."

GM says, "he looks down at them"

Stanley says, "The soles, man, the soles."

[heatham] Mariamne asks, "has it snowed since Sir Gilford went out there?"

GM says, ""Oh, I see, sir!""

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I submit this question for someone more likely to ask it"

Judith says, "Well, dash it all."

GM says, "He holds up one foot, stands there unsteadily as you match his track to one of the sets"

Judith hops carefully over the tracks and into the cabin

Stanley says, "Yes, hmm, I see."

Stanley says, "You're wearing shoes, then."

GM says, ""Ye-yes, sir?""

Stanley says, "Very good. Keep it up."

Mariamne follows Judith, hopefully not destroying any prints on the way

GM says, ""It was horrible, sir, he's all over blood!""

Wilson says, "Well, they match this set."

Stanley says, "Which leaves... three others? Or two and a half, as it were."

Wilson says, "And the one that goes in alone is presumably Mallory's."

[heatham] GM says (to Judith,Mariamne), "if you want more description about something, please ask"

Stanley says, "That seems logical."

Judith goes and has a good look at the body

GM says (to Judith,Mariamne), "when you look in through the study door, you see the body of Sir Gilford, sitting behind the desk with his back to the window"

Mariamne purloins something small from the desk and slips it into the folds of her scarf

Stanley says, "We'd better figure out what's what with these before any more ladies trample over them."

Mariamne says, "(probably after fainting and waking up again first)"

GM says, "it's fallen forward onto the desk, and there's a pool of blood on the desk (mostly frozen)"

Stanley asks (of Wilson), "Would you say these two other tracks were made by men's shoes?"

GM says (to Mariame), "a pen is probably the smallest item"

Mariamne takes a pen, then

GM says, "there's a pistol in his right hand"

Judith asks (of Mariamne), "Now wait a minute, girl, just what d'you think you're up to?"

Mariamne says (to judith), "oh, uh, well, you see, if I'm to establish a link with the spirit world, I need something belonging to the spirit I wish to contact"

GM says, "(you could also take some blank papers, a paperweight, an inkwell, or another pen, but the pen seems like the lightest)"

GM says, "(or you could search his body or the desk)"

Judith has a closer look at the pistol

Mariamne says, "it does seem like it's simplest for me to make contact and get all this nonsense sorted out as soon as possible"

Judith says (to Mariamne), "this is hardly the place for parlour games. Put it back. There will be detectives here soon enough."

Stanley says (to Wilson), "Do excuse me, old fellow, I think I hear a rising tide of umbrage and indignation in the Hertford cadence. I'd better get in there and make sure no more bloody is spilled."

[heatham] GM says, "ha ha ha"

Stanley says, "Er, blood."

Mariamne says, "parlous games?! I see you, madam, are not a true believer"

Stanley heads inside.

Mariamne says, "er, parlour"

Gwendolyn gets bored fluttering over Lady M and walks out, following the group's footprints to the cabin

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks, "anyone still outside looking at the footprints?"

GM says (to Judith), "from your general knowledge of shooting and experience with old war vets, this is probably one of those pistols that got brought home from some war and stuck in the guy's desk as a souvenir"

[heatham] GM says, "Wilson"

Judith says, "Ah, service revolver."

Mariamne says, "Well-respected men and women around the world have *proven* than it is possible to make contact with the other world"

Stanley says, "Oh, dash it all, don't say he's topped himself. Damned silly fool."

[heatham] Judith asks, "one shot fired, I take it?"

Mariamne says, "I happen to be one of those gifted with such an ability"

GM says, "this particular one looks like it's been kept in pretty good condition"

Gwendolyn sees Wilson and waves, "Yoohoo!"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "also I'll just take it again once nobody is looking, so"

[heatham] GM asks, "are you going to take it from his hand?"

Judith says (to Mariamne), "unfortunately their standards for 'proof' are those of a Renaissance alchemist."

[heatham] GM says, "(to check for bullets)"

[heatham] Judith says, "no - if it's a revolver I shouldn't need to"

Wilson says (to Gwendolyn), "Hello."

[heatham] GM says, "oh, ok -- in that case, yeah, only one shot fired"

Gwendolyn cuts across to get to Wilson, by the shortest path, without really looking at the snow. "What are you looking at?"

[heatham] GM says, "hee hee"

Mariamne puts it back, then takes it again once nobody is looking

[heatham] GM says, "man, you guys are going to be so busted"

Wilson says, "Footprints."

Wilson asks, "See?"

GM says, "meanwhile, the Constable is bumbling around the room and William is talking to him"

Wilson says, "If Mallory was killed, one of these sets probably belong to the killer."

Gwendolyn asks, "I see everyone's footprints, so?"

Mariamne drifts over to inspect the bookcase

GM says, "he stares into the fireplace and looks at the books on the bookshelf and sighs unhappily"

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "i hope no one minds that Gwendolyn's stepped on/ruined a footprint or two"

Wilson says (to Gwendolyn), "Here, come 'round with me."

Gwendolyn says, "oh!"

Wilson steers Gwendolyn around the prints.

[heatham] Mariamne asks, "is the window open or broken?"

GM says (to Mariamne), "it looks like they're on landlording, hunting, or farming"

Wilson makes a circle around the clearing, looking for any other tracks.

Mariamne dismisses them and goes over to the window, gulping in air

GM says, "the window is a little weird, probably because this was orignally a "rustic" cabin -- it's got heavy curtains on the inside, which are open, and then instead of glass it's got a metal grate"

GM says, "(which swings inwards, and is currently shut)"

GM says, "so you can breath in cold air just by standing next to it"

Gwendolyn says, "what a charming cabin."

Mariamne idly opens the grate to get more air

Judith says, "Hmm."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "murder scene? what murder scene!"

Gwendolyn asks, "why would Sir Gilford have a cabin so close to his home?"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "la la la fingerprints on the latch"

[heatham] Wilson asks (of GM), "Any other tracks in/out of the clearing?"

GM says (to Mariamne), "also, in answer to the earlier point, William remarks that it's lucky it only snowed for a few hours this morning or all the tracks would be missing"

[heatham] GM says (to Wilson), "nope"

Judith says (to William), "(gently) I didn't know your late father was a military man."

[heatham] GM says, "(let's see, any other outstanding questions?)"

Wilson says (to Gwendolyn), "There, you see? Nobody else in or out."

Wilson says, "Let's go inside."

[heatham] Mariamne asks, "so I've opened the grate on the window, should I notice anything about it or about outside?"

[heatham] Stanley asks, "Can you describe the desk again?"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "say, a big sign saying 'I DID IT I DID IT MUAHAHA -the killer'"

[heatham] GM says, "hee hee"

Gwendolyn says, "Let's. it's a bit chilly out here"

[heatham] GM says, "the snow is packed down under the window a little deeper than to either side, but not besides that"

Stanley searches the desk, in fact.

[heatham] Wilson asks, "Drifts?"

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks, "did the discoveres ever find out what kind of a gun it was?"

GM says, "ok, the desk"

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks, "like a hunting type, or a small derringer, or what?"

[heatham] Wilson asks, "What hand was the gun in?"

[heatham] Judith says, "service revolver"

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "ah"

GM says, "On top of the desk are a stack of blank papers, an inkwell, some pens, and apaperweight"

GM says, "also the upper half of Sir Gilford"

[heatham] Judith asks, "William's in here, right?"

GM says, "and a mostly-frozen pool of blood"

[heatham] GM says, "yeah"

Stanley asks, "Anyone object if I sit the poor fellow up?"

[heatham] GM says, "right hand"

Wilson says, "Wait a bit."

GM says, "inside the desk are some papers on farming and his tenants"

Stanley says, "Hmm, this blood looks frozen solid."

Wilson looks to see how he would have fallen.

Stanley says, "He's been here a good old time."

[heatham] Judith asks, "anything up on the walls? hunting trophies, regimental honours, sporting rifles?"

Stanley says, "I say, I think somebody's been searching this desk. Before me, I mean."

GM says, "on the wall of the cabin, above the fireplace, is a giant moose head"

GM says, "and above the bookcase is a big trout"

GM says, "in a glass case"

Gwendolyn asks, "if he's a hunter, where's his gun collection?"

GM says, "(mounted, obviously)"

GM says (to Gwendolyn), ""Oh, the hunting supplies?" asks William. "They're in the storage room""

Mariamne concentrates hard to try and sense who might be responsible for this

Stanley says, "And look, here's a gold watch on the floor."

Wilson asks (of Stanley), "You were in the military--if this man was shot at close range, would he have powder burns around the wound?"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "man, stanley's getting better information than anyone else here"

[heatham] Judith says, "American moose or European elk? Either way the guy must have travelled to hunt"

[heatham] GM exclaims, "he's the only one searching anything!"

Stanley says (to Wilson), "Er... yes, of course, dashed good question."

[heatham] GM says, "dammit"

[heatham] GM says, "perhaps it's imported from his Canadian travels"

Stanley asks, "Cousin Judith, what do you think?"

Judith goes to have a look in storage

Stanley searches Sir Gilford's body.

Judith says (to Judith), "Never seen a man shot in the head before. Only grouse."

[heatham] Gwendolyn says (to stanley), "eew"

Judith says, "(um, to Stanley)"

Wilson says, "Well, anything fired at close range"

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks, "is the fireplace lit?"

Mariamne decides that this is not a constructive place to try and extend her gift, and heads outside (hopping over the prints) and to the side of the cabin to get some peace and quiet for communing.

GM says, "The storage room has large numbers of various kinds of hunting supplies -- pistols, guns for shooting birds, boards for beating the bushes, bullets, fishing rods, line, hooks, etc"

Stanley says, "Hmm, now that you mention it, I did see a couple of chaps shot at close range by very similar weapons."

Stanley says, "Then they fell overboard."

[heatham] Wilson says (to GM), "I'm looking for aforementioned powder burns, as well as the angle of him being shot, and the way he fell."

Judith goes over the guns to see if any haven't been cleaned

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks, "well, guess not, if the blood is frozen. my question is more, has it been lit recently?"

[heatham] Mariamne says (to stanley), "aw, I was hoping you'd pat your own leg and say "I don't recall what the wounds looked like""

[heatham] Stanley says, "Ha ha."

Mariamne shivers outside, clutches her purloined pen, and attempts to sense who might be responsible again.

Stanley notes where the watch fell, and picks it up.

Gwendolyn looks curiously at the body

Wilson says, "Hmm. OK, there are indeed powder burns right against his temple, and the angle seems consistent with a direct entry."

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks, "along with the fireplace question, what's the deadman wearing?"

GM says (to Gwendolyn), "the fireplace definitely has some ashes and stuff in it -- it looks like it's been out for a couple hours at least, though"

Wilson says, "If this man was shot standing up and then fell on the desk, there will be blood splatters underneath him. But if he was placed here before being shot, there won't be."

Wilson checks.

Gwendolyn takes a poker and sifts through the ashes

Gwendolyn picks up the scraps, and keeps digging

Stanley asks, "Hmm, I don't suppose there are any bits of paper in there?"

Judith asks (of William), "There wasn't anything valuable kept in here, was there?"

Stanley says, "Some rum cove's been rifling through his lordship's papers, I think."

GM says (to Wilson), "yeah, there's some blood on the desk underneath him, though maybe not as much as you might expect"

Wilson says, "Hrm hrm."

Gwendolyn says (to Stanley), "paper? no."

Judith says, "Because it looks as if someone's gone through this closet."

Mariamne isn't getting much here either, and so heads back into the cabin, once again hopping over the prints

Gwendolyn says, "some linen pieces."

GM says (to Judith), ""In the spare room?" William asks. "Just, you know, hunting stuff""

Stanley asks (of Judith), "The closet, too?"

Judith says, "No 17th-century solid-silver fowling-pieces, then? Hmm"

Judith asks (of William), "Remind me, which regiment did your father serve in?"

Wilson checks the man's right palm for blood splatters. Which, if the shot was self-inflicted, will not be there, but, if the gun was placed in his hand after the shot, might exist.

GM says, ""He's still dressed in his hunting clothes," William says. "I guess he came straight here from his walk.""

Stanley inspects the bookcase.

Mariamne stops to have a look around the porch

[heatham] GM asks, "let's see, I have Wilson's blood question -- anything else outstanding?"

[heatham] Judith says, "the guy's regiment"

[heatham] Stanley asks, "Did I find anything on the corpse?"

Wilson asks (of William), "Was your father right-handed?"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I'm checking around the porch, probably destroying evidence on the way"

Gwendolyn wipes the dust off the linen scraps and tucks them in to her reticule

GM says, ""Just like me," William says"

Mariamne says, "oh, gosh, I think I'm getting a reading"

GM says, "(And, in fact, William looks a lot like a younger copy of his father, blond hair and all)"

Mariamne says, "the murderer must have stood here when he decided what to do!"

[heatham] Stanley asks, "Could William be mistaken for his father in poor light?"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Pretty big age difference, I guess."

GM says (to Stanley), "trying not to disturb things too much, you find a note-case, a handkerchief, a pen-knife, and a watch"

Mariamne says, "and he was angry"

[heatham] GM says, "in poor light? yeah, conceivably"

Gwendolyn says, "I remember reading Mrs. Radcliffe's gothic novels last week, and there was a dead body just like this one. It turned out to be the long-lost son no one knew about angry about being denied his father's love."

[Crows-Nest] Judith wonders why Edmund and Hypatia resemble Mr. Charles Reed so closely

[heatham] GM says, "although his dad's an old man (60s) and probably stoops a bunch"

Gwendolyn says, "That's probably what happened here. We just need to find the third son now"

GM says, "William looks a little offended, then decides you're joking and laughs heartily"

Mariamne inspects the area for clues, in case the murder dropped something incriminating

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks (of gm), "wait. a second watch?"

GM says (to Wilson), "there's no blood on his hand, but it's hard to say if there would be expected to be any"

Stanley says, "Well, there's this watch here, but his lordship already has a watch."

[heatham] Stanley says, "Timing."

Gwendolyn asks (of Stanley), "can i see the handkerchief?"

Stanley says, "Of course."

[heatham] Judith says, "grumble grumble regiment"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "this is the worst murder investigation ever"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "clearly none of us care about, like, fingerprints"

GM says (to Judith), "the Bluffs, I believe"

Gwendolyn feels the fabric. Looks at it.

[heatham] Stanley says, "Murder? This was no murder. It was... suicide!"

GM says, "(William says eventually)"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Wait, hang on."

Wilson asks (of GM), "Any bruising of the hand, as if he had been forced to shoot himself?"

Stanley looks in the note-case.

[heatham] Mariamne says, "(have I found anything in the porch?)"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Oh, nobody believes in fingerprints yet."

[heatham] GM says, "nothing interesting on the porch, no"

GM says (to Wilson), "hmm, it's definitely possible"

Mariamne finds nothing, and goes to commune with the pen in the storage closet

Judith wracks her feeble military memory

GM says (to Wilson), "but this is kind of out of your area of expertise"

[heatham] GM asks (of Judith), "I dunno, what are you trying to find out by asking?"

[heatham] Judith asks, "I don't suppose I know anybody who was in that regiment?"

Gwendolyn says, "the third son then burst into tears with remorse over his nefarious deed and took out his handkerchief. after crying, he burnt it, and then let the fire go out."

[heatham] GM says, "sure, if you want"

Stanley says, "My goodness."

[heatham] Judith says, "hey, if he's got a nefarious past I'll want to check up on it"

Gwendolyn says, "and now all that's left of the son's remorse are these tiny scraps. poor poor man"

GM says (to Mariamne), "mostly what you find are hunting-cabin/study debris -- a few spare bullet-casings, some scraps of paper, a fishhook, and a broken fountain pen"

[heatham] GM says, "good plan"

[heatham] GM says, "you probably know some people who are in his club now, even if he's a conservative and you're a radical"

Mariamne leaves everything where it was then, after picking it up and trying to get some sort of reading from it

[heatham] GM asks, "any questions outstanding?"

Stanley inspects the gold watch.

[heatham] Mariamne says, "my psychic evaluation of the storage closet!"

GM says (to Stanley), "it's got EFM engraved on it"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "feel free to tell me I don't sense anything"

Gwendolyn looks at the watch over Stanley's shoulder

Wilson says, "Edmund, probably."

[heatham] Wilson asks, "There were two watches?"

Stanley says, "That was my thought."

Mariamne says, "hmmm"

Stanley says, "Look, this is the watch I found on Gilford's body."

Wilson asks, "Is it stopped? Or still running?"

Judith leafs idly through the bookcase

[heatham] GM says, "Stanley found a watch under the desk"

Mariamne goes into the corridor and tries again

Stanley says, "If this is Gilford's watch, the gold watch belongs to somebody else."

Gwendolyn asks, "what time is it on the watches?"

Stanley inspects Gilford's watch.

Stanley says, "I wonder if this has a similar engraving."

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks, "are they the right times?"

GM says, "Gilford's watch matches yours (more or less); the EFM watch from under the desk has wound down"

Mariamne frowns, and goes out to inspect the footprints closely

Mariamne says, "perhaps he wasn't killed inside the study, but dragged there!"

[heatham] Wilson asks, "What time does the EFM watch say?"

[heatham] GM says, "3am"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "everyone ignore my crackpot theories, please"

[heatham] GM says, "hmm, I hope it's a 24-hour watch"

Judith says, "That revolver would have made a dickens of a noise. I'm amazed we heard nothing."

Wilson says, "Oh, right."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "since I assume people would have noticed, like, blood or drag-marks"

Wilson inspects Mallory's shoes to see if they match the one-way footprints.

[heatham] Stanley says, "Somebody who can afford a gold watch can afford a 24-hour watch that shows you the time in London, Hong Kong and New York, and also brush your teeth automatically."

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks, "are the two watches similar models? shaped?"

GM says (to Judith), ""Well, it still the shooting season," William points out. "And this is the middle of the woods""

[heatham] Mariamne says, "(I would still like to get a reading from the footprints, though)"

[heatham] GM says, "yes, quite similar -- Sir Gilford's watch has GJM on it, in fact, in the same sort of script"

Gwendolyn says (to judith), "we just got to the manor. he's been dead before we got here"

[heatham] Stanley asks, "Is it gold?"

[heatham] Wilson asks, "And Gilford's is still running?"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "(as in, seeing if one gives more of a murderous impression than others)"

Judith asks (of William), "And who on earth goes fowling with something of that calibre? Surely there's a differet sound. Stanley?"

Stanley says, "Hmm, it's hard to tell."

GM says (to Wilson), "You pop his shoes off easily and they match the set of tracks that goes in and doesn't come out"

Gwendolyn asks (of william), "do you have a watch? is this a rfather-son thing?"

GM says, "a watch? why certainly"

Stanley says, "I must say it's cold enough in here to freeze the, the, bollards off a brass monkey."

GM says, "William produces a WPM watch"

GM says, ""I'm afraid that does look rather like my brother's watch," William says."

Judith says, "how *awfully* convenient"

Stanley says, "We shall have to ask Edmund how his watch ended up under this desk, then."

Gwendolyn holds all three and compares them

Wilson asks (of William), "Is this the first time you've come out here today?"

Stanley asks (of Judith), "Oh, you were asking about the gun?"

GM says (to Gwendolyn), "yeah, it's pretty clear they're related"

[heatham] GM asks, "outstanding questions?"

Stanley says, "If this were a navy gun I should know all about it, but I haven't been trained up with these landgoing things, I'm afraid."

Judith says (to Stanley), "A field-piece makes the tiniest little crack. Never heard a revolver fired, but I'm told they're awfully loud."

Mariamne sets off and follows the prints, trailing any which don't appear to be going towards the mansion

Judith asks, "Don't naval officers carry revolvers any more?"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "(I am going to get impressively lost)"

[heatham] Wilson says (to GM), "My question to William"

Judith asks, "Or did you just forget to buy yourself one?"

Stanley says (to Judith), "Well, you know, it's dreadfully unfashionable these days."

GM says (to Mariamne), "one of the sets goes away and wanders around the grounds for a while before eventually returning to the manor"

GM says (to Mariamne), "the other goes away and turns out to join up with another set"

[heatham] Wilson says, "a-HA"

Mariamne asks, "and where do *those* lead?"

GM says (to Mariamne), "it looks like, in fact, like this set came part of the way to the cabin with another set, then they split up, then this set came back from the cabin and rejoined the other set"

[heatham] Stanley says, "I hope you're following all this."

Mariamne tries to work this out in her head

GM says, "the other set's detour leads you to the present gamekeeper's cottage, where John is napping"

Mariamne knocks demurely on John's door

GM says (to Wilson), ""No, actually, I was out here after lunch, with Mr Reed -- father had asked me to come see him""

[heatham] Judith says, "cue manly gamekeeper jokes"

GM says, "You have to bang quite loud for John to come to the door"

GM says, "he's 50 but looks older -- he's pretty weather-beaten"

Wilson asks, "So you believe that those are your and Mr. Reed's tracks outside?"

GM says, "and clearly his hearing has taken something of a beating also, but you eventually get yourself introduced"

GM says, ""Oh, no, Mr Reed didn't *come* to the cabin with me -- he had something to talk to John about""

GM says, ""But I suppose one of these track sets are mine""

Wilson says, "Well, let's check the shoes, then."

Gwendolyn says, "so it wasn't an angry third son"

Wilson says (to Gwendolyn), "Alas."

Gwendolyn says, "it's the bitter younger son framing the heir"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I am confused as to whom inky is being at the moment"

Stanley says, "Cracking good theory, though, keep up the good work."

[heatham] GM says, "sorry, I'll try and stick in more names. That was William"

Gwendolyn says, "so that edmund goes to prison and william inherits!"

[heatham] Wilson asks, "Are npcs 1 and 2 available?"

GM says, "right, William's shoes match up with one of the sets (the one which has one split off to go to John's)"

Mariamne asks John when he last saw Sir Mallory

npc1 has connected.

Wilson asks (of William), "So, did you see your father when you came here?"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Man, this is getting confusing."

Gwendolyn glares at william

npc2 has connected.

[heatham] Stanley says, "I kind of watch to start yet another plot strand and go and and talk to Edmund, though."

[heatham] Wilson says, "You have watches on the brain ;-)"

[heatham] GM says (to Gwendolyn), "I don't suppose katre is free"

GamekeeperJohn says, "I haven't seen Sir Gilford since the hunting ended early"

GamekeeperJohn says, "he was right annoyed about it, said he was going for a walk"

GamekeeperJohn says, "then I went to me cabin and took a little nap until Mr Reed called for me"

[heatham] Stanley says (to Wilson), "Without a good watch, I'd have hit that reef off the Shetlands in 1915! Instead of hitting the Shetlands themselves."

Mariamne asks, "Mr Reed? What did he want?"

GamekeeperJohn says, "He wanted me to make special sure to clean his gun -- didn't like how it had been shooting today, thought the barrel was off"

GamekeeperJohn says, "ask me, he's just distracted"

GamekeeperJohn laughs in a old-man kind of way

WilliamMallory coughs.

Judith takes William by the elbow. "I am sure this must have been quite enough heartache for you already, and it's cold. Shall we?"

WilliamMallory says, "I had a bit of an argument with my father, I'm afraid"

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "he is. let me get him"

WilliamMallory says, "don't really like to talk about it, de mortuis you know"

Mariamne asks, "hm. well, thank you. Now I'm afraid I'm quite lost. Could I prevail on you to show me the way back to the mansion?"

[heatham] GM says, "Judith gets ready to make another notch on the bedpost"

Wilson asks, "You argued with him out here?"

GamekeeperJohn says, ""Why, be glad to, missy""

GamekeeperJohn walks Mariamne back to the cabin and then the manor.

[heatham] Judith says, "as I said, keeping my options open"

GamekeeperJohn says, "Pretty lady like you"

[heatham] Wilson says, "Hee"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Galloping gravy, woman, he's half your age."

WilliamMallory says, "he'd asked me this morning to come see him out here after lunch after his walk"

Mariamne asks (of John), "Actually, do you even know the news?"

[heatham] Judith says (to Stanley), "I am forty-three, as you well know."

Mariamne asks (of John), "about Poor Sir Mallory, I mean?"

GamekeeperJohn asks, "news? what news?"

GamekeeperJohn says, "was there an accident? is he hurt"

GamekeeperJohn asks, "?"

[heatham] Wilson says (to Mariamne), "Hey, he might have heard a shot. Er, though he's going deaf, so maybe not."

[heatham] GM says, "(uh, thanks for the reminder that he hadn't heard yet)"

Mariamne says, "I'm afraid that he was found dead not so long ago"

[heatham] Judith says, "He is two years older than half my age. However, if he doesn't demonstrate some personality soon I shall give up on him."

GamekeeperJohn's jaw drops open

Mariamne asks, "I say, you wouldn't have happened to have heard a shot from the cabin after the hunting ended?"

GamekeeperJohn exclaims, "Sir Gilford? Why, he's hale as a horse!"

GamekeeperJohn says, "uh, if you'll forgive the expression"

[heatham] * katre has joined the channel.

[heatham] Judith says, "Well, one and a half."

Mariamne says, "it does seem like he's been murdered"

[heatham] katre says (to GM), "hey hey"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Give him a chance, blighter's only just found his old man with a bullet in his skull."

WilliamMallory says, "William has gallantly taken Judith's arm and is walking her back, making politely charming conversation"

[heatham] GM says, "awesome"

Stanley heads back to the manor too.

[backstage] * GM has added katre to the channel.

Mariamne says, "It's so terribly tragic"

[heatham] Judith says, "hmm. he certainly recovers from his grief fast"

[backstage] GM asks, "can I talk to you here without spoiling things for Duchess?"

[heatham] Mariamne waits for John's jaw to stop dragging on the floor

[backstage] katre says, "yeah"

[heatham] Judith says, "or maybe he's just very, very practised at being repressed"

GamekeeperJohn says, "oh goodness gracious"

[backstage] GM says, "ok, you're Edmund Mallory: http://www.drizzle.com/~dans/rpg/mystery/personalities.html"

Gwendolyn follows stanley back, complaining of the cold the entire time and of wet feet

[backstage] GM says, "you just found out your father was dead"

Judith asks (of William), "I worry about Edmund. Might it be an idea for you to seek him out while I rejoin the ladies?"

[heatham] Wilson says, "OK, I'm going to check the footprints for timing. Out of the seven tracks, which ones came in what order."

[backstage] GM says, "you'd gone to his cabin earlier, stopped on the doorstep, and went away again"

Mariamne says, "I'm afraid various of the guests have decided they should try and investigate to find out who might have done such a thing"

Judith says, "He seems to be taking this awfully hard."

Stanley asks (of Gwendolyn), "Oh, would you like to be carried inside?"

[backstage] katre says, "okay"

Stanley says, "I'm sure I can find a stout boy for you."

[heatham] * EdmundMallory has joined the channel.

GamekeeperJohn says, "well, those police are no good at catching poachers, so I don't see why they'd be any good at catching a murderer"

Mariamne says, "instead of waiting for the police or even merely waiting for the deceased to make contact to inform us who would do such a terrible thing"

[backstage] katre asks, "where are we playing?"

[backstage] GM says, "here's where you were earlier: http://www.drizzle.com/~dans/rpg/mystery/day-timeline.html"

[backstage] GM says, "7th sea room"

Judith says (to Stanley), "last time you tried that you dropped the girl in question. In Calais, as I recall."

[heatham] Wilson says (to gm), "(I think there's still a #backstage channel for katre)"

EdmundMallory arrives, looking for booty.

[backstage] GM says, "feel free to be rude and lie about stuff in italics"

[backstage] GM says, "also about going to the cabin"

[backstage] katre says, "mmhmm"

[backstage] GM says, "they've got a watch which has your initials on it, which you are always losing and haven't seen since last night"

[backstage] katre says, "mmhmm"

Stanley says, "Edmund! Hang about, there, I want a word with you."

GamekeeperJohn says, "well, I don't hold much with spiritualism neither"

[heatham] EdmundMallory says, "(getting brought up to speed)"

GamekeeperJohn says, "although ghosts, that's a different story"

[backstage] katre says, "timeline not loading"

[backstage] katre says, "also not giving an error"

Mariamne says (to John), "well, of course there'll be a ghost"

[backstage] GM says, "grah, not loading for me either -- ok, I'll just tell you the answers to stuff they ask"

[backstage] katre asks, "okay. I know about the murder already?"

[backstage] GM says, "short version: you didn't feel like going huntign and slept in late"

[backstage] GM says, "yeah"

[heatham] Judith says, "are the Chickerings about? I haven't heard from them yet"

[backstage] katre says, "okay"

[backstage] GM says, "then you were in your room for a bit, then it was tea"

Mariamne says, "such a terrible way to die, his spirit will hardly be able to rest until the culprit is uncovered"

[backstage] katre says, "sounds good"

npc2 has disconnected.

GamekeeperJohn says, "goodness"

EdmundMallory asks (of Stanley), "Yes?"

Stanley says (to Edmund), "Do you have the time on you? We should keep some notes for the Sergeant, when he finally arrives."

GamekeeperJohn says, "well, I hope they catch 'em, then"

EdmundMallory says, "Of course, let me check my watch."

Gwendolyn asks (of Edmund), "if it's not an imposition, can i borrow your handkerchief?"

EdmundMallory fishes around in his pocket. Then his other pocket.

[heatham] Wilson says, "I use my powers of observation and deduction for the footprint timing. Like if set #1 overlaps set #4 and #7, and #7 overlaps #3, etc."

EdmundMallory asks, "Hmm, where did I leave the blasted thing?"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Man, Edmund isn't going to be at all suspicious here."

[heatham] GM says, "right, sorry, getting behind here"

Mariamne says (to John), "I don't supose you could talk to William and the other chaps? You might be able to tell them something helpful, if you saw him recently"

EdmundMallory passes his handkerchief to Gwendolyn. "Of course."

GM says (to Wilson), "the order is, first the single set comes in (matches Sir Gilford), then one of the doubles comes and leaves (this is the one that William claims), then the other double (unclaimed)"

Stanley pulls out the watch labelled GJM, shakes it.

Stanley says, "This one seems to have stopped, dash it."

[backstage] katre asks, "assuming that's my watch?"

[backstage] GM says, "no, you're EFM"

Gwendolyn hisses to Stanley, "He didn't do it! He had a handkerchief!"

[backstage] GM says, "that's your dad's watch"

[backstage] katre says, "oh right"

[backstage] katre says, "too many watches"

[heatham] GM says (to Stanley), "no, it's the other that's stopped"

[heatham] GM says, "unless you're lying"

Gwendolyn wipes an imaginary fleck of snow off her shoulders and returns it.

[heatham] Stanley says, "Nope, just confused."

[backstage] katre says, "also, I hope I had a kandkerchief. maybe I, um, grabbed another earlier"

Judith rejoins the ladies

[heatham] Mariamne says (to wilson), "the other set is possible mr reed"

[heatham] Judith says, "by which I mean the ladylike ladies who are still in the house"

[heatham] GM says (to Mariamne), "at least William says he didn't come all the way up to the cabin"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "ah, okay"

Stanley says, "Hang on, this isn't my watch at all."

Stanley says, "Mine isn't some fancy great gold thing."

[heatham] Mariamne asks, "am I back at the mansion yet?"

[backstage] GM says, "yeah, you have one"

[heatham] GM says, "sure"

[backstage] katre says, "whew"

GamekeeperJohn has left.

Stanley says, "'EFM'."

[heatham] Wilson asks, "Anything someone didn't search at the cabin?"

EdmundMallory asks, "Yes?"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "...oh, I thought he might hand around and talk to the menfolk like I asked, but never mind"

Stanley asks, "Oh, is this yours?"

[heatham] GM says, "oh, sorry, if people want to ask him questions that's fine"

Stanley says, "I found it out at the cabin."

EdmundMallory says, "Whereever did you find it? I'm always misplacing it."

[heatham] GM says, "I just moved him to simplify my windows"

Stanley hands it over.

[heatham] Mariamne says, "yeah, fair enough"

Mariamne goes to find Elizabeth

Stanley says, "You ought to keep it wound up, old man."

Stanley says, "Look, it's stopped at 3 in the morning."

EdmundMallory says, "When I don't lose it, I usually manage."

Judith seeks out Hypatia

Stanley asks, "When did you lose it?"

[backstage] GM says, "(you definitely didn't go in to the cabin today, although you've been there in the past)"

Gwendolyn stays to make sure stanley doesn't accuse edmund

EdmundMallory says, "I last had it yesterday evening. Should have wound it then, I suppose."

[backstage] katre says, "okay"

GM says, "Hypatia is talking to Elizabeth in the morning-room"

EdmundMallory says, "I wonder how it got out here? I haven't been in the cabin in ages. It's Father's domain, really."

GM says, "Elizabeth is all of a flutter and Hypatia is trying to calm her down"

Stanley asks, "If you don't mind me asking, where do you normally keep it?"

Stanley says, "I must say it's pretty rum this showing up there."

Mariamne asks, "why, Elizabeth, what on earth is the matter?"

Mariamne would have expected Hypatia to be more flustered, since it's her father who has been killed

GM says, ""Oh, Mariamne, we're all simply *aghast*" says Elizabeth"

Judith asks, "Sensible girl, Hyp. How is your mother?"

GM says, ""I simply can't believe--" she breaks out crying"

[heatham] Stanley asks, "'Hyp', eh?"

GM says, ""Do stop, Elizabeth," says Hypatia"

EdmundMallory says (to Stanley), "Oh, here and there. As I said, I'm always misplacing it."

[heatham] Wilson exclaims, "Don't believe the hyp!"

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks (of gm), "considering his handkerchief, how does Edmund look? dress wise?"

GM says, "She hands over yet another handkerchief"

[heatham] Judith says, "I tutored her, I'm allowed *some* familiarity"

Mariamne clasps Elizabeth to her and tries to sooth her

[heatham] Stanley says, "You know, that'll be illegal in about 70 years."

GM says, ""But tell us the news," Hypatia says. "Is it really-- do they think it's--?""

Judith says, "Well, it looks like suicide."

Mariamne says, "Oh, I think it must have been murder"

[heatham] GM says (to Gwendolyn), "he dresses like someone who is from a rich family and has an assigned tailor but doesn't really care much about it"

[heatham] GM says, "ha ha ha"

Mariamne says, "I sensed such anger and rage and confusion"

GM says, "Hypatia looks back and forth"

Stanley asks (of Mariamne), "Oh, were you standing close to cousin Judith?"

Judith says, "But I'm sure your father was too sensible for that sort of thing, veteran or no."

Mariamne asks (of stanley), "why, when did you enter the room?"

Judith rolls her eyes in Mariamne's direction and mouths 'loony' to Hypatia

GM says, ""Suicide? But whatever could he have been unhappy about?""

[heatham] Stanley says, "Whoops, and I was talking to Edmund just a moment ago."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I am sort of envisioning Stanley having stumbled into Elizabeth's bedroom here"

GM says, ""He should have been so pleased about William""

[heatham] GM says, "emerging from the closet covered in camisoles"

[heatham] Mariamne asks, "uh, what about William, and should I know?"

[heatham] GM says, "no"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "okay"

Judith asks, "About William?"

Stanley asks, "Gosh, what a pleasant little cosy... pink, feathery... er, I say, whose room it this?"

Mariamne asks, "William? Why?"

GM says, ""Oh, dear," says Hypatia. "We really should board up that secret passage, it's too ridiculous.""

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks, "i guess edmund and stanley strolled in while talking?"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "nah, we're on a roll now"

GM says, ""Father would have been so proud -- Lord Barleyhew is very prominent in his party, you know, and William is quite the up-and-coming politician""

Stanley says, "I thought it was just a corridor through to the larder!"

GM says, ""And it's really quite a good position for a young man""

[heatham] Mariamne says, "possibly Judith should upbraid him but she's too uncaring"

[heatham] GM asks, "anything outstanding?"

Judith dismisses all thoughts of seducing William at once

Gwendolyn says (to hypatia), "Lord Barleyhew said something about a scandal and "last time""

Mariamne says, "well, he's so charming and intelligent"

[heatham] GM exclaims (at Judith), "but it's quite a good position for a young man!"

Mariamne sighs wistfully

Gwendolyn asks (of hypatia), "did i miss something in my gossip rags?"

[heatham] Wilson asks, "I'm going to canvas the lot, asking people if they went to the cabin at all that day. I'll enlist the help of the constable, and after asking people if they'd been there, we'll check shoes. Should I play out the whole thing, or just skip to finding either a discrepancy or a confession?"

Mariamne says, "I'm not at all surprised that he is doing welll with his political career"

[heatham] Wilson says, "I presume someone will have gone there and found him dead, and didn't want to admit it."

Stanley ducks out and looks for Lord Barleyhew.

Mariamne looks around

GM says, "Hypatia pinkens slightly. "I'm sure Lord Barleyhew is quite a decent man -- really, you ought to know better than to listen to gossip""

Mariamne says, "well, hm, there are four of us in here"

[heatham] GM says, "hmm, perhaps once people are done talking to Hypatia, we should assume that people agree to be interviewed"

Judith says (to Hypatia), "actually, I'm afraid it's all quite true, and worse."

Mariamne says, "that's exactly the right number for a seance"

Gwendolyn says (to hypatia), "come now - we are all friendly here"

Mariamne asks, "perhaps it would give Hypatia comfort to contact her father?"

[heatham] Wilson says (to Mariamne), "Hee hee hee"

Judith says, "The fellow voted against the People's Representation Act, you know."

[heatham] Stanley says, "I would basically like to talk to Barleyhew and Lady Cynthia about Sir Gilford's political notions."

GM says, "Hypatia glares at Mariamne. "I am afraid that I don't hold with such superstitious nonsense""

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks, "wait - so julia knows about the scandal?"

Mariamne says, "oh, but it's not nonsense at all"

[heatham] GM says (to Gwendolyn), "well, Stanley was the one who first brought up a scandal"

Mariamne glares at Judith, and adds, "despite what certain people may think."

[heatham] Stanley says, "Don't forget I just made up the scandal so it may not be canon."

[heatham] Stanley says, "Or important."

[heatham] Judith says (to Stanley), "oh, I know plenty of his opponents"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Actually, no, I said 'last time' and he said 'scandal'."

[heatham] (from Wilson) Judith says, "In the biblical sense, anyway."

GM says (to Stanley), ""Quite a solid man in the Party," Lord Barleyhew says, perhaps a touch over-heartily. "Solid Tory through and through.""

[heatham] GM says, "well, he was worried about the scandal of the murder, but what the heck"

Stanley says (to Barleyhew), "How about the boys? I know you've been looking for some new young blood for the party."

[heatham] Judith says, "even if the scandals aren't generally known, I should have some idea about them"

GM says, "Hypatia stands. "Now if you'll excuse me, I must see to Mama." She stalks out."

Stanley says, "I hear young William might have some ideas."

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks, "has lizzie stopped crying?"

Mariamne sighs, and persudes Elizabeth to come downstairs to the others

GM says, ""Why yes indeed," says Lord Barleyhew. "I've, uh, taken up a little sponsorship of him myself, in fact. Mentioned something of it at lunch, I guess you heard?""

Judith lights another cigarillo, and wonders how long she's going to be stuck here with a bunch of Tories and tarot-shufflers

GM says, "Elizabeth has stopped crying eventually, yeah"

Stanley says (to Barleyhew), "Oh? I didn't hear, actually."

GM says, "Barleyhew looks a little taken aback. "Er -- well, that's what happened.""

Stanley draws Barleyhew discreetly aside.

Judith seeks out Edmund.

Mariamne stops by her room on the way down and picks up her tarot cards

Stanley asks (of Barleyhew), "I say, old man, is there something you need to tell me?"

GM says, "(Barleyhew indicates there's some plum political position which he has the disposition of, and he's chosen William for it)"

GM says, ""I don't know what you mean!" says Lord Barleyhew, a little nervously."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "(1920s tarot sets? enh, I don't care)"

Stanley says (to Barleyhew), "Oh, don't mind me, you know I never wanted to sit on your silly front bench."

[backstage] katre asks, "where am I (as Judith searches for me)?"

[heatham] Judith asks, "is Edmund even about?"

GM says, ""I'm sure George will understand, but I, er, thought about it a good deal and chose William""

[backstage] GM says, "you're, I dunno, in the parlor, maybe"

[heatham] EdmundMallory says, "I'm right here! I just don't know where I am"

Stanley says (to Barleyhew), "I quite understand. Never quite trusted that Chickering fellow myself."

GM says, ""My dear sir! He's one of my closest associates!""

[heatham] Stanley says, "I was talking to you and then I accidentally walked in on the ladies, sorry."

[heatham] EdmundMallory says, "tsk tsk, not much of a gentleman"

[heatham] GM says, "no wonder Edmund is confused"

Stanley nods knowingly, nudges Barleyhew and winks.

Stanley says, "Of course he is!"

[heatham] GM says, "also, actually, before you two talk"

Wilson accosts George to ask him if he'd been out to the cabin today.

[heatham] GM says, "Wilson wanted to interview people about their whereabouts this day"

Mariamne sits demurely at a side table and starts dealing out her tarot cards

[heatham] Wilson says, "Right."

[heatham] GM asks, "would other people like to do this?"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I'll listen in"

[heatham] GM says, "alrighty"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Sure, I'll tag along."

[backstage] katre asks, "why did I go out and come back?"

[heatham] GM says, "it seems like it'd probably be easier to address one or two people at a time"

[backstage] katre asks, "and what time?"

[heatham] Wilson says, "Let's go for George first."

[heatham] Stanley asks, "How about barleyhew?"

[heatham] Stanley says, "I'm already talking to him."

[heatham] Wilson says, "OK."

Judith says (to Edmund), "(aside) I'm told there's a decent cellar here. Forgive me, but I'm utterly sick of the company and could do with something to take the edge off."

[backstage] GM says, "the butler gave you a note from your dad (which you've since torn up) saying he wanted to see you there at 3-ish"

[backstage] katre says, "mmhmm"

[backstage] GM says, "you went out there, decided you didn't want to get into another argument, and walked around for a while before coming back to the manor"

[backstage] katre says, "got it"

Stanley says (to Barleyhew), "The thing is, Barley, this fellow here wants to find out where everyone's been all day, to help out the police and all."

EdmundMallory says (to Judith), "Of course, let me show you the way."

Stanley says, "Secure a good alibi and all that. Sounds like a capital idea to me."

Judith says, "Thank you ever so."

GamekeeperJohn arrives at home.

LordBarleyhew has connected.

LordBarleyhew says, "right, I suppose so"

Stanley asks (of Wilson), "Wilson, why don't you start with Barley here?"

Judith says (to Edmund), "Tell me, while you were in Africa what did William do? Too young to sign up, I'm sure"

[backstage] GM says, "he did whatever you want -- you think he's kind of a smug prick and you hate all politicians for sending you out to the War, and now he wants to be one, which just proves he's a prick"

[backstage] GM says, "(and yeah, he was too young to actually serve)"

LordBarleyhew says, "Right, er, an alibi"

Wilson asks (of Barleyhew), "So, right. Did you ever make it out to Lord Mallory's cabin today?"

EdmundMallory says, "I'm not entirely sure. School, of course. I'm sure Father had plans, introduced him around to the right circles, you know the thing."

[heatham] * HairBrain has joined the channel.

[heatham] HairBrain says, "myrr"

[heatham] * HairBrain has left the channel.

Judith asks, "I know the type all too well. Merlot?"

LordBarleyhew says, ""No, no, I'm afraid not -- first there was the hunting, and then, er, I believe I chatted with Lady Mallory and the other ladies for a bit, and then lunch, and then I believe I had a round of cards with George and his wife""

[backstage] katre asks, "what year is it currently?"

EdmundMallory says, "If you prefer."

[backstage] LordBarleyhew says, "sort of a nebulous 1920-something"

Wilson asks, "So you were with George and his wife since lunch?"

EdmundMallory says, "I know many who have taken to drink to dull the memories, but it all seems rather pointless to me."

[backstage] katre says, "thanks"

LordBarleyhew says, "right, exactly, all the time since lunch"

Wilson asks, "Did you see anyone else enter or leave the mansion in that time?"

Judith says (to Edmund), "Now I'm sure you don't need to be told, Edmund, that a lot of these chaps are thinking murder."

[backstage] LordBarleyhew says, "(you were drinking some earlier, but feel free to deny it or not actually be alcoholic)"

Mariamne eavesdrop eavesdrop tarot tarot

EdmundMallory asks, "Are they?"

LordBarleyhew says, "well, let me see -- I believe I saw William going out, and Charles said "Hang on, I'll come along""

Wilson nods, makes a note.

LordBarleyhew says, "and I think Edmund came in from outside right before tea"

LordBarleyhew says, "we were by the fire and he came in and I declare he was quite snowed on"

LordBarleyhew says, "can't see the attraction of stomping around in the snow myself, unless there's some good shooting"

Judith says, "I don't suppose there are any obvious people your father got on the wrong side of."

Stanley says (to Barleyhew), "That's jolly convincing, Barley, I must say. Bally clever story."

EdmundMallory says, "Oh, politics, politics. I try to ignore it when they let me."

[backstage] GM says, "you think your father was a jerk and a tyrant and probably raised a lot of hackles, although he sort of hid it too"

[heatham] Mariamne says (to stanley), "wow, you really resent not getting that front bench seat"

[heatham] Stanley says, "What? I was encouraging him!"

EdmundMallory says, "He was always going off about parties and factions and this and that."

[backstage] GM says, "but not so much in politics, yeah, where he was solid but low-key"

[heatham] Wilson asks, "Hmm. Anything else?"

LordBarleyhew says, "Lord Barleyhew runs a nervous finger around his collar. "Er, is that all?""

Judith says (to Edmund), "Doubtless, but it's entirely possible that you'll be mixed up in this whether you like it or not."

[heatham] GM says, "(dammit)"

[heatham] Mariamne asks, "corroborate his story with the others?"

Wilson asks, "Did you ever hear Lord Mallory arguing with either of his sons?"

EdmundMallory says, "I am aware that there will be consequences, yes."

LordBarleyhew says, "Oh, I try and stay out of family business, though it's no secret Sir Gilford was a little disappointed in Edmund"

LordBarleyhew says, "William, though, he was the apple of his father's eye"

Judith says, "What with the watch, and everything. And I dare say you haven't collected many friends in England who would vouch for you."

Stanley says, "All three of them had very fine watches, I hear."

Judith asks, "More wine?"

EdmundMallory pours more for Judith, and refills his own glass.

Wilson asks, "William did everything his father wanted, then?"

LordBarleyhew says, "oh, goodness yes"

LordBarleyhew says, "did you ever meet Sir Gilford? he's a real chip off the old block, as it were"

LordBarleyhew looks confused

LordBarleyhew says, "or, rather, William is"

[heatham] Stanley says, "He seemed a little stiff to me."

EdmundMallory says, "I'm not sure how my watch got there."

[heatham] GM asks, "anyone need something they're not getting?"

EdmundMallory says, "It's common knowledge around here that I always misplace it, of course."

[heatham] Wilson says, "snicker"

[heatham] Stanley says, "I think I'm done here."

[heatham] GM asks, "someone else, then?"

Wilson says, "OK, sounds good. Thank you for the information."

Wilson says, "Oh, one last thing."

LordBarleyhew looks relieved to be-- nuts.

Wilson asks, "May I have one of your shoes?"

LordBarleyhew says, "my dear sir"

Wilson says, "Either will do."

LordBarleyhew says, "I can supply you with the name of my bootmaker"

Stanley says, "I'm sure there's method in his madness, Barley."

Judith says (to Edmund), "Indeed. So I take it that you're heading back to the colonies soon? This hardly seems your kind of place."

Stanley says, "This is a very clever chap we have here. Elephants, you know."

Stanley mimes elephant ears.

EdmundMallory says, "I hadn't made many future plans yet. Obviously now I will have to stay for a while."

Wilson says, "I assure you it will be returned post-haste."

LordBarleyhew says, "right, er, ok then"

Judith says, "Not settling down, then."

[heatham] Wilson laughs and laughs.

EdmundMallory says, "Not here, no."

LordBarleyhew supplies Wilson with one of his shoes

[heatham] Mariamne asks (of stanley), "geez, was there alcohol in that closet?"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Sheesh."

Wilson smiles brightly. "Thank you!"

[heatham] GM says, "he's never without a hipflask"

GM says, "The boot, however, does not match any of the tracks"

[heatham] Stanley says, "I'm just the good cop, putting them at their ease."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "good cop, drunk cop"

[heatham] Wilson asks, "The Chickerings, then?"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Sure."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "gah, can't get through to the cast page"

[heatham] GM says, "for I have no idea what reason, my ISP's webserver is suddenly freaking out"

Judith asks (of Edmund), "Why'd you come back in the first place?"

[backstage] katre asks, "where did I come back from?"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "well, anyway, after the chickerings, the Reeds"

[backstage] GM says, "Africa"

[backstage] GM says, "you decided to see if you could live with your family again"

Judith says, "I mean, it's fairly awful here - don't know how Hyp puts up with it"

[backstage] GM says, "(answer: probably not)"

[heatham] Wilson says, "My working hypothesis is that William killed the guy, and that later Edmond found the body but knew he would be suspected so didn't say anything."

GeorgeChickering asks, "er, yes, what is i?"

[heatham] Wilson says, "since inky said he wanted to hear working theories ;-)"

GeorgeChickering says, "t"

EdmundMallory says, "I felt I owed my family some modicum of sentiment."

GeorgeChickering is short and slight, mostly bald with little tufts of hair that stand up

EdmundMallory says, "I may have been mistaken, but I needed to try."

[heatham] Gwendolyn asks, "i am still not with the rest of the group. can i just wonder off to search the bedrooms upstairs?"

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "er wander"

[heatham] GM says, "sure, what the hell"

[heatham] Stanley says, "I've only got as far as thinking somebody wants to frame Edmund."

[heatham] Stanley says, "And it may be related to politics or inheritance or some such."

Judith says, "Very noble of you, I'm sure. My own family - well, you've seen Stanley"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I've got as far as wondering why my tarot readings are all of blank cards"

[heatham] GM says, "ha ha"

Gwendolyn slips in to the first room she sees on the floor and closes the door behind her.

Wilson asks (of George), "We're just compiling a list of where people were at various times. For the police, you know. You arrived here when?"

Stanley says (to Chickering), "George, old boy. Look here, we're taking down some notes to help out the police when they finally get here."

Judith says, "they're all like that, to a greater or lesser degree"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "also as far as concluding that perhaps I do not wish to chase William now that he's doing boring political stuff"

[heatham] GM says, "sorry, uh, I think I am out of psychic ideas for the moment -- I think you'll have to just question people by hand"

[heatham] Wilson says, "Hee timing."

[heatham] GM says, "or by mouth or whatever"

Judith says, "now tell me - here, may as well finish the bottle off"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "my"

GeorgeChickering says, "er, right"

GeorgeChickering says, "well, let's see"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I'm not *that* bohemian"

GeorgeChickering says, "I got up early and went hunting, and I believe Dorothy slept in a little later and breakfasted with the ladies"

[heatham] Wilson says, "hee"

GeorgeChickering says, "(she is nodding)"

Gwendolyn tries to figure out whose room it is, and starts rummaging in the bureau for handkerchiefs

Wilson asks, "Were you hunting in a group?"

Mariamne goes off to talk to the servants

Judith inquires about various African irrelevancies for a while

GeorgeChickering says, "then when we had to cut the hunting short, I came back to the house and played billiards for a bit"

[heatham] GM says, "aie"

[heatham] GM says, "ok, I hate to cut this short, but it turns out I can only handle one line of questioning at a time"

EdmundMallory responds with polite mumbles.

[heatham] GM says, "so your choices are going to be to talk to the Chickerings, talk to Edmund, or wait"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "(oh, I don't expect answers here, I'm just going to absent myself from this room)"

GeorgeChickering says, "with Edmund, once he'd woken up"

[heatham] (from Wilson) GM says, "OK, it turns out that anyone on their own right now gets killed off."

GeorgeChickering says, "I believe my wife was writing letters to some friends"

[heatham] Judith says, "I can take a break from this, if you need some breathing space"

GeorgeChickering says, "then we had lunch, then I played some more billiards with Charles until"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "Edmund isn't inky, so"

GeorgeChickering says, "he had to leave, and then we were talking with Lord Barleyhew"

[heatham] Stanley says, "We'll just assume your scene consists of a discreet row of asterisks."

GeorgeChickering says, "and then tea and all this horrible business"

[heatham] EdmundMallory says, "now now"

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "my working theory: the burnt handkerchiefs i found in the cabin are the murderer's, so i am just going to see if i can find by feel who has that kind of handkerchief. so far it's not edmund's or sir gilford's"

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "i suspect mr. reed at the moment"

[heatham] Stanley says, "I totally lost track of where all the footprints went, although I assume it's important."

[heatham] Stanley says, "Since they indicate the prints of feet."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I suspect Mr Reed also"

[heatham] Wilson says, "The footprints:"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "but for no real reason"

[heatham] Wilson says, "One set, belonging to the deceased, entered the cabin."

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "i guess i will wait till the questioning is done before i keep going through thebedrooms"

[backstage] GM says, "ok, it's been three hours, I think this narrative needs to get pushed along a bit"

[heatham] Wilson says, "Then William and Mr Reed's footprints wander out in the snow, Williams' departs, enters the cabin, goes back to Mr. Reed, they go to the gameskeepers, and from there back to the manor."

[heatham] Wilson says, "Then there's an unknown set that enter and leave the cabin."

Stanley asks, "What were you talking to Barleyhew about?"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "hmHmmm"

[heatham] Wilson says, "Then there's the prints of the servant who found him dead."

[heatham] Wilson asks (of GM), "is that right?"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "I say someone gets Edmund's boots off him"

[backstage] GM says, "so I think given that you're slightly drunk, you should find a way to fess up that 1) you hate your dad and 2) you went to the cabin to see him (but didn't go inside) and so 3) you're thinking they're going to suspect you because everyone hates you"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "and I nominate Judith"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Ha ha ha."

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "hs"

[heatham] Wilson laughs and laughs.

[heatham] GM says, "Mr Reed went to the gamekeeper at the same time that William went to the cabin"

[heatham] GM says, "otherwise that's correct"

[heatham] Wilson says, "Got it."

[heatham] GM says, "and the last set of footprints goes and wanders around for a while before heading back to the manor"

[heatham] Wilson says, "(we haven't actually matched Mr Reed's prints yet, but we have William's word on that)"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Judith Hertford and the Mysterious Case of the Missing Watch, Missing Boots, Missing Bow-Tie and Disheveled Underthings."

GeorgeChickering says, "oh, this and that"

[heatham] Wilson says, "Right, so the last set is almost certainly Edmond's."

GeorgeChickering says, "he doesn't like to talk politics on vacation, you know, so we talked about wwhat plays he's seen in the city and where he's eaten recently"

[heatham] Wilson says, "It will be interesting to see if he denies it or not."

[heatham] GM says (to Stanley), "hee hee"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "assuming he did go in after the murder, yes"

[backstage] katre says, "got it"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "this is why I said Judith should get his boots"

[heatham] Wilson says, "Yeah"

EdmundMallory says (to Judith), "Mmm, this is good wine."

Stanley says, "Barleyhew says you were playing cards."

Judith says (to Edmund), "very."

EdmundMallory asks, "Y'know, they all think it was me, don't they?"

EdmundMallory says, "Just cause Father and I fought all the time."

EdmundMallory says, "He's just so.... so hidebound."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "or maybe he'll take them off of his own accord, the way things are going down there"

Judith says, "Quite. And the watch really doesn't help."

[heatham] Gwendolyn says, "edmund said he hadn't been there in a while"

[heatham] GM says, "hey, the webserver's up, finally"

EdmundMallory says, "He can't see the way things are! He lives in his own world, and it's totally different from the world I've seen."

Judith says, "Personally, I don't think you have any motive whatsoever."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "at this point I suspect Lady Mallory"

Judith says, "I can hardly see you hopping up and down with impatience to become lord of the manor."

GeorgeChickering says, "were we? oh, yes, I recall, we played a few hands"

EdmundMallory says, "Exactly! It's just not my thing."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "okay, I don't really, but hey, why exclude the women from this"

Wilson asks (of George), "And did you see anyone enter or leave the manor during the time after lunch?"

[heatham] Wilson says, "Hee"

[heatham] Mariamne asks, "also didn't someone say only william looked like his father?"

[heatham] Stanley asks, "Did they say *only* William?"

Judith breaks open a second bottle

[heatham] Mariamne asks, "and the others looked like Charles Reed?"

GeorgeChickering says, "let's see -- I believe I saw William leaving around 2"

[heatham] Wilson says, "I thought that was a joke."

EdmundMallory says, "I'm glad I didn't go see him today. We'd have fought, and fought, like we always fight."

[heatham] Mariamne says, "oh, maybe"

[heatham] Wilson asks, "GM?"

EdmundMallory says, "I don't know what he wanted. Probably just going to tell me to "buck up" and "be a man"."

[heatham] Mariamne asks, "inky or judith want to confirm one way or another here?"

[heatham] GM says, "only William looks like his dad, right, but Edmund does not look particularly like Charles"

Judith says, "Myself, I'm inclined to suspect Barleyhew, but only because he'd sell his grandmother to get a title for an ally."

Judith asks, "Oh, he wanted to see you about something?"

[heatham] Mariamne asks, "do they look like anyone else?"

EdmundMallory says, "Sent me a... a note."

[heatham] Mariamne asks, "aside from their mother?"

Judith asks, "May I see?"

EdmundMallory says, "Said he wanted to talk, in the cabin."

EdmundMallory says, "Don't have it no more."

[heatham] Wilson says, "Oho"

[heatham] GM says, "Edmund takes after his mother, yeah"

[heatham] GM says, "not especially like anyone else here, except his sister some (who therefore also looks like his mother)"

[heatham] Stanley says, "Gee, I wonder who could have sent that note."

Judith asks, "Oh dear. Where did you leave that note?"

[backstage] katre asks, "I destroyed the note?"

[heatham] Wilson asks, "Maybe someone who is so like their father that their handwriting is even the same?"

Stanley asks (of DorothyChickering), "How about you, Mrs Chickering?"

[backstage] GM says, "yeah"

[heatham] Mariamne says, "ah well, there goes my 'adulterous mother who was found out and killed him before he could do anything about it' theory"

EdmundMallory says, "Burnt it, in the fire. After I heard. I knew everyone'd think it was me."

DorothyChickering says, "let's see, I believe I overheard Mr Reed asking to go with William as William was leaving the house"

[heatham] Mariamne asks, "the fire in the cabin?"

[heatham] Wilson says (to Judith), "Don't forget to ask when he *got* the note."

[heatham] Mariamne asks, "so he WAS in the cabin, but after we all found out?"

Wilson nods.

Judith says, "Hmf. Awful shame, that. Could have exculpated you nicely."

Wilson asks, "And later, you saw Edmond?"

[heatham] GM says, "well, other rooms have fires too"

[heatham] Mariamne says (to wilson), "dude, Edm*u*nd"

Judith asks, "Tell me, does your father have an extant will?"

[heatham] Wilson says, "Sigh"

DorothyChickering says, "right, he came in from outside, or at least he had snow on his head"