The Witching Hour

 Midnight of the 21st. Wharf Street. Limehouse.

StJohn C Fisher stood in a dark corner watching The Oriental Trading Warehouse.

All was quiet. The footsteps of a patrolling policemen echoed in the silence.

Hearing them Fisher stepped deeper into the shadows, and a young lady, obviously waiting for a friend, gave up and turned for home.

As the last strokes of Midnight from St Geralds sounded a voice at his shoulder made him start and reach for his revolver.

"Good Evening your Lordship" said Greaves "Anything happened?"

"A lorry left, just as I arrived about eight o clock since then all has been far too quiet"

"OK your Lordship, The Colonel is at his club, meeting up with some people, if you would please phone him from the box by the docks, then wait and lead him here, I will take a quiet look around"

Whilst Lord Fisher did as requested, Greaves crossed the road and examined the gates.

The main double gates were secured by a hefty padlock but the Judas gate was a different matter, and a few seconds later the lock clicked open. Greaves paused for a second listening for any sign of alarm from within, before gently easing the gate open and peering in.

                The central courtyard was empty and well lit by the moonlight, to left and right were covered bays filled with stacks of crates, most tarpaulin covered. Ahead lay a loading bay with the body of the warehouse beyond, to the left of this shone a single light, obviously the watchman, a matching room to the right lay in darkness.

Somewhere in darkness the Professor Loft woke from his drugged sleep and gazed around him.

He appeared to be in a room about six foot square, but with no obvious door.

Skirting to the left, Greaves briefly examined the crate piles, covered with dust and cobwebs they had obviously not been touched recently. He climbed quietly onto the loading bay and sensing movement from the watchman crept towards the darkened store room.

From outside came the measured tread of the local bobby, checking doors as he came closer.

The Colonel and his party managed to avoid his eye and approached the warehouse.

Professor Loft meanwhile was examining his cell. I appeared to be the inside of a packing crate.

Inside, Greaves was looking carefully for any clues, he was playing cat and mouse with the watchman, who was obviously suspicious of something.

The Colonels party arrived at the warehouse gate and gave the arranged signal.

The constable, suspicious of the sound of an owl hooting, moved towards the sound, when from the distance came another sound.

A police whistle, someone was in trouble and he set off at a run.

The intruders, hearing the sounds huddled anxiously by the gates.

Relieved that the footsteps were receding, the intruders entered the yard.

The policeman, racing past was briefly aware of a Police box standing on the corner.

"Don,t remember seeing that before." he thought 

Inside the warehouse, the watchman  aware that something was awry moved to check upstairs.

Greaves seized his chance and attacked the watchman from behind, the old man went down, and was quickly tied.

Leaving the watchman relatively comfortable in his office Greaves noticed a Bill of Lading on the desk.

Bearing todays date, it was for two large crates to be sent to Dr El Mahmoudhi at Shepherds Hotel, Cairo.        It seemed significant.

Unbeknown to anyone Clara had managed to remove her gag and was trying to untie her hands.

She made no noise. in case someone was around.

The rest of the party were searching the warehouse without success.

Nothing was found downstairs , so half crept upstairs to check the offices and storerooms on the mezzanine.

First room; nothing,

 second the same.

Third empty.

The Colonel checked the fourth, 

it was fortunate that it was him, anyone Clara had not recognised would have received an unpleasant reception. She had untied her legs and raised the chair high above her head waiting for whoever was approaching to open the door.

There was no sign of the Professor, so time to leave.

As they were approaching the gate  a small shape darted from the shadows, racing to escape.

Roger Cuddlesworth was the nearest and quickly caught the young boy, who was tied and left with his grandfather the watchman.

        "Well done Cuddles" bellowed the Colonel, forgetting the need for quiet. Fortunately there was no one near to hear.

They left quietly and returned to the dockside to head back to The Club.

The sound of a lorry, approaching sent them into the shadows. It parked and the sound of bottles clinking as a barge was being unloaded came to their ears.

The smugglers were bad news and the party turned away.

A voice from the darkness stopped them in their tracks.

Help was at hand.

The Colonel was suspicious.

Why did this youth and his companions keep appearing he wondered ?

[Note: Two extra Pics added, some whitespace removed - tidders 17/10]

Continuing continuing on.

It took some considerable time to contact the local garage and arrange for the car to be taken away. Whilst the adults waited in the farmhouse kitchen for a taxi they pondered what had happened. Why had the Lofts been abducted? By whom? Where had they been taken? The subject was talked round and round without answer until the young man,who had been walking his dog around the steading reappeared, in his hand was a scrap of paper. "Excuse me Colonel, but i think this might help" "Why should that possibly be of any use"replied Colonel Coleman. "Well sir,It has been raining heavily here abouts for a few days by the look of the puddles, but this is bone dry. and I believe the C in a heart,drawn in lipstick on the back indicates who dropped it" "You're right by jove, Well done young man" The Colonel took the piece of paper and scanned it eagerly, but it appeared to be nothing more than an old invoice, seeing nothing he passed it round. An invoice dated some months ago from Si Los' Oriental Trading Company,observed Greaves. At which the naval man raised his head " Wharf Street, Limehouse? a true den of iniquity" It was little enough to go on,but there was nothing else. Swiftly the Colonel made some phone calls, finishing just as the taxi arrived to take the party to the station. There they seperated, the Colonel and Greaves taking the fast train to London, the youth and his companions leaving by car.

The chase is on.

Continued from the previous post...

Utilising the Quick car chase rules from Modus Operandi (see here), with scenario specific additions....

---oXo---

(Moves 1-4 ) The kidnappers take the captured professor and his daughter to a car and van; the professor is put in the car and the daughter in the van..

Meanwhile (move 4) the Colonel and his party arrive in sight of the stones, apart from Greaves the butler, all are pretty puffed after the uphill scramble and it takes them 8 moves to get to the campsite and learn of the abduction.

Greaves is promptly sent back to the Manor to get a vehicle for the pursuit. His skills as regimental cross-country champion would be called on today, along with his skill as a getaway driver from his dim and shady past.

The Colonel and his party head to Houghton woods to await his return, while the youth and his companions return to their own vehicle to join them.

The Colonel paces restlessly waiting but it is another 8 moves before the vehicles arrive by the farm buildings...

He learns from Mellors that there were two grey vehicles of foreign make there earlier, so they at least know what they are searching for. They will be miles away.

It is not until move 22 that they reach the end of the track and are faced with the problem of which way to go, Right for London, Left for the North.

Muddy tracks indicate that Left is the correct choice and they are soon racing along the country lanes.

Meanwhile driving slowly along northwards, the kidnappers think they have made a safe getaway ....

Fortunately there is little or no traffic on the road and they are soon entering the village, but at the crossroads by The White Dragon the decision must be made which road to take.

Spotting Gypsy John, the Vagabond King, Greaves winds down the window and enquires if the foreign cars have been seen.

Learning which road is a relief to them, and learning that they are only 15 moves behind, spurs the party on.

 There is still little traffic on the road and Greaves has his foot flat to the floor, they must be gaining surely.

 They pass various side roads and through villages at dangerously high speeds, a series of sharp bends has them braking sharply, only the skill of the driver keeping them on the road.but just ahead at the top of a steep hill they spot their quarry.

Accelerating rapidly they are fortunate to spot a police car parked by the side of the road, before the police spot them, and drive sedately past before accelerating again, even the Colonel is gripping the edge of his seat. They must be miles behind.

Over the brow they can see their quarry, but in between is a queue of stationery traffic.

'Damned Roadworks!' screams the Colonel.

Impatiently they wait to move, it seems like hours, but finally the queue moves on.

Greaves in a series of manoeuvres that would not be out of place on a racetrack has them past the traffic and accelerating fast to catch the kidnappers.  Soon they are barely 10 car lengths behind, then 6, then 3....

The kidnappers realising that the cars racing up behind are chasing them, belatedly accelerate in an attempt to escape.

But ahead racing towards them is a police car, blue light flashing and bells ringing. Desperately the kidnappers' drivers swing right into a farm track, Greaves is close behind them.....

The criminals barely keep control of their vehicles. Greaves, still travelling at over 50 is not as lucky, brushing an overgrown hedge on the left he strikes a stone wall concealed within. The vehicle is brought to an abrupt halt, steam pouring from the radiator.

No one is seriously hurt, but all are deeply frustrated.

They've lost them!

The police?

Sail gaily past, ignoring them on route to a 'serious' incident.

---------------

Trouble in Tiddleton

Somewhere on Tiddlington Moor......

Professor Hugo Loft and his daughter Clara are exploring the Tiddlington stones, They have been joined by Lady Agatha and her guests from nearby Tidlington Hall, Professor Pewse and Doctor Black, O'Donnell, the gardener waits patiently.

T

Clara and Lady Agatha study the circle with its sacrificial central slab, whilst the others listen to Professor Lofts' theories about the stepped obelisk and its quartz skull.

 

They are not alone, from nearby Houghton woods seven men are watching.

Walter Malificent and his group have been employed by members of The 19 Crows Tong to abduct Professor Loft and take him to an address in Limehouse. If they cannot achieve this they are to kidnap the daughter who will be used to force the professor to assist them.

Others are abroad on the moor this April morning. Members of The Feral Hunt are intending to practise 

their Stick and Bucket Dance for the upcoming May Day celebrations.

As they approach, music playing they see others are already there.

Not losing step they discuss the matter, before dancing off to The White Dragon. A pint or two will no doubt help.

Their decision is reinforced by the sight of yet another group on the fringes of Houghton Woods.

Had they moved closer they would have seen the newcomers skulking towards the tents of the Archaeologists

Professor Loft and his party were equally unaware, engrossed in their conversations.

The dancers move off...... 

A fox, disturbed by the music moves away.

As the dancers make their way to the pub, the Malificent seven creep into position. Strict warnings of 'No firing' ring in their minds.

O'Donnel, not being a party to the discussions gazes round and spots the intruders.

'Hoi! What are you up to' he yells. Then has to defend himself as the attackers move in.

He goes down in a flurry of blows as does Professor Loft and Lady Agatha.

The others stand watching for a moment before turning and running.

They turn and rush to rescue their friends, Lady Agatha is back on her feet, handbag swinging, a danger to all about her.

A confused melee develops, people are knocked to the ground, but regain their feet and fight on, for a while it looks as if they will beat off the attackers, but laying on the ground with a rifle pointed in their faces soon convinces them to stay down.

Whats this? Is help at hand? The local beagle hunt is exercising nearby.

But no. Lady Agatha finally goes down attacked front and rear. Professor Pewse soon follows.

Resistance ends, Just as another group enters the scene. 

The Gods can only look on in amazement as, oblivious to what has just transpired the dancers move blithely away.

As they skirt the edge of the campsite they are unaware that inside, trussed and gagged lie the witnesses to the abduction of the Lofts, father and daughter.

Swiftly the villains escort the prisoners to their vehicles in nearby Houghton woods. Clara fighting every inch of the way.

Only a short while later, Mellors, ex gardener turned gamekeeper arrives on the scene, he has arranged to meet Colonel Coleman and his shooting party at the stones.

Glancing inside one of the tents, he sees Lady Agatha trussed like a christmas turkey. Swiftly he ducks outside and fires six spaced shots, The Alarm Call ; before untying Lady Agatha from her bonds.

The shots attract the attention of a young boy and his three adult companions who are walking a small white dog nearby. They join him in untying the captives and learning their story whilst they wait for the Colonel.  The naval captain being especially useful with some of the trickier knots.

Why had the Professor and his daughter been taken???

---oXo---

Notes on mechanisms:

The appearance or not and actions of all third parties was controlled by chance cards and dice.

Whilst there was a chance of an accidental shot by the attackers it was expected to be a matter of fisticuffs. A set of Scissors, Paper and Stone dice was used for the fight.

Cattle for Africa .....

 A small herd of cattle finished off (North Star figures)...

Cattle need somewhere to be kept, so made up a small enclosure - hibachi skewers and cocktail sticks stuck into some foam packing strips stuck onto a cardboard base...

completed enclosure, with a gate (with frame of wire)

painted up and in place next to a large settlement....