allicorn

Session two began the process of opening up the campaign proper. Following the rather strange performance the week before, both Lord Sam and violinist, Victor Ringford had some slightly disturbing dreams. They soon brushed them off though and got down to the serious business of being active London socialites.

Meanwhile, Dr Howe received a letter which led to an interview with a Dr Charles Highsmith who petitioned for his help in evaluating the case of St Agnes' asylum inmate, Alexander Roby. Highsmith seemed inclined to release Roby at the imminent end of his 2 year period of committal - which had begun around the time of the brutal and mysterious murders of his father and sister; murders he'd admitted to, although - due to a lack of evidence nobody had ever been charged or convicted for. Roby's family and GP seemed reluctant though and Highsmith asked Dr Howe to see if he could learn more of the family background and perhaps the reasons they seemed to prefer Alexander to remain in the asylum.

Dr Howe's investigations revealed that Alexander had published a book some years back under the title Der Wanderer Durch Den See. Howe couldn't locate a copy of it himself but discussion with Lord Sam about this problem soon had Blött hunting around some of the more eclectic book sellers in London and a copy of Roby's work was retrieved. Howe began reading.

In another avenue of research a day or two later, Howe sought and interview at the surgery of Roby's family doc, Dr Trollope. The GP seemed very reticent to discuss the reasons for his misgivings about Alexander's release but did provide a thorough description of the murder scene that he had witnessed and the process of Alexander's committal.

Later again, relaxing with with Lord Sam at the East India Club one evening, Howe explained some of his researches and his sense that Trollope had been less than forthcoming. Dismissively, Sam dispatched the loyal Blött to 'take a peek' at whatever medical records about Roby that Trollope might have at the surgery. A swift, silent and professional burglary that night drew a little background information about the Roby family from Trollope's notes but little more.

Shortly the party set off together to share a few days hunting and shooting in Hereford whilst Dr Howe planned a brief visit to St Agnes' to examine Alexander himself and review his charts with Dr Highsmith.

The interview with the drugged and disturbed man didn't seem very productive at first and Dr Howe had a great deal of trouble eliciting almost any response from Roby. Finally, after reading aloud from some of the books of poetry in Roby's possession, the patient began to talk, though in rather vague and dissociated terms.

At one point, though, Roby mentioned mentioned the Yellow Sign and this caught Dr Howe's attention, having seen the curious play a couple weeks earlier and having started to read - and find similar references in - Roby's Der Wanderer Durch Den See. He recalled that he'd made a quick doodle of the sign in his notebook during the altercation at the theatre and decided to show the sign to Alexander.

Roby suddenly became very alert, attentive and direct. He delivered a curiously intense monologue to Dr Howe, mentioning some work with 'Edwards' and 'Quarrie', making strange hints about a mysterious and monumental work of some kind and providing a curious rhyming warning that Howe felt somehow familiar.

The session ended there with the rest of the party spending their Herefordshire time being entertained by the local gentry in the form of landowner Lord Asquith.