Tuesday, Feb. 10

The next morning, Nell went to develop her photographs, while Rupert and Scott went to the British Museum.  Lya went to The Scoop, while Alisa, Niles, and Dan'l went to the Carlton Hotel to check on Quentin, then on to Miles Shipley's house to examine the attic for secret rooms.  Prof. Fairwether took the train to Canterbury  to visit the famed  cathedral  and take wind-speed measurements from the spire.

At the British Museum, Scott continued to study his rare book while Rupert visited the African art section and made sketches of masks that resembled those seen in the Ju-Ju House.  Those matching most closely belonged to a tribe from the Kenyan highlands called the Nandi.  They inhabited a region known as the Mountain of the Black Winds.  He also searched through the British Library and found that the Library had a copy of Africa's Darkest Cults listed in its catalog. However, when he requested the book from a librarian, he was informed that the volume was missing from its assigned shelf and had probably been misplaced.  Rupert also attempted to speak with the curator of the African department but was informed that he was on travel until next week.

After lunch at a nearby pub with Scott, Rupert telephoned Mickey Mahoney and set up an appointment for tomorrow morning, to discuss occult news stories.  Rupert and Scott then found Charles Fort at his usual carel and asked him about  Penhew Foundation  personnel.  Fort thought he remembered something in the newspapers from a few years ago and promised to consult his files.  He invited Rupert and Scott to drop his apartment at the end of the afternoon.  Scott then continued his studies, while Rupert started drafting an outline of his book about Count Kurasov.

Niles and Dan'l took a taxi from the Russell Hotel to Brown's Hotel, where they met Alisa.  They walked the short distance to the Carlton Hotel, where Alisa was able to persuade the doctors at the conference registration table to allow her to listen to Quentin's talk, as she was a friend of his from the Mauretania.  The three investigators then had an excellent English breakfast.

A few minutes before 10, the investigators took a seat near the back of the conference room.  At 10:05, the session chairman announced that Dr. Santiago's presentation had been cancelled and that there would be a break until 10:30.

The investigators then approached the chairman and asked if Dr. Santiago had been seen this morning.  Alisa explained that she was a friend of his from the Mauretania and had not seen him since dinner Saturday night.  The chairman said that he had not seen or heard from Dr. Santiago since his arrival last Friday.  Alisa suggested they ask the hotel to check his room.  The chairman agreed.

After telephoning the room (no answer), the hotel manager took the group up to Quentin's room and unlocked the door.  They found his bed made, his luggage unpacked, and his clothes (including his formal wear) in the closet.  His doctor's bag was missing, however.  Concerned, Alisa said she had last seen him at dinner Saturday night, at which time he seemed excited about the conference and his visit to London.  She asked the manager to call the police, which he did.  The manager then suggested that the group (including the session chairman) wait in the restaurant downstairs for the police, as they might have been the last to see Quentin, if indeed foul play had occurred.  Alisa seemed appalled at the very thought that something might have happened to her friend.

In the restaurant, the manager offered tea or coffee and some cakes.  Alisa declined, Niles asked for coffee, and Dan'l requested Irish coffee.

After about half an hour, an inspector named Maddox from Scotland Yard arrived and asked each person what they knew about Quentin Santiago.  Alisa repeated her story that she had last seen him Saturday night and had no idea what he was planning to do on Sunday.  Dan'l spoke up and said that he thought Quentin was going to see some strange artist in the suburbs.  Inspector Maddox asked if it might have been Miles Shipley.  The three investigators could not hide their surprise at the inspector's question.  Dan'l said it might have been but he wasn't sure.  The inspector asked if they had seen the newspapers.  No one had, and the inspector then asked if they knew that Shipley had been murdered.  This time, the investigators could not hide their lack of surprise at the information.  The inspector asked them to wait here while he made a phone call.  He dismissed the session chairman.

After the inspector left, Alisa asked a waiter for the newspaper and was brought this morning's The Daily Mail.  After scanning through it she could find no mention of Shipley.  Niles then asked for yesterday's paper but it had already been thrown out.

The inspector returned and asked if anyone had anything else to say.  No one changed their story, and the inspector requested that they accompany him to New Scotland Yard for additional questioning.

Meanwhile, Nell finished developing her film and returned to the Russell Hotel, where she spotted a policeman waiting in the lobby.  She asked a bellboy to find out what was happening and learned that the bobbie was looking for some art thieves.  After tipping the bellboy, she calmly sipped a cup of tea, then walked outside to Russell Square and sat on a park bench, reading a novel.

Lya visited the offices of The Scoop, where Mickey Mahoney showed her the latest edition, with her story about the seance on the Mauretania as the lead item.  Lya then asked him about the Blue Pyramid night club.  He told her that there seemed to be some connection with the Egyptian murders but that the police were baffled (as usual).  Lya then asked him if he could recommend a printer so that she could get new business cards that identified her as a reporter for The Scoop.  He directed her to a print shop in nearby Ludgate Circle.  After placing her order, Lya visited a shop in the theatrical district and purchased an Egyptian-style wig, dark makeup, and shoes.

Nell intercepted Lya as she was about to enter the Russell Hotel and told her that a policeman was waiting for her in the lobby.  The two then decided that having a second hotel room as a bolthole was a good idea.  They walked to St. Pancras station and took a room at the Midland Grand Hotel.  Nell then left a message at Brown's Hotel, informing Rupert and Alisa where they were staying.

Meanwhile, Alisa, Niles, and Dan'l were taken to a room at New Scotland Yard and left by themselves for about half an hour.  A very polite policeman offered them tea and biscuits in lieu of lunch.  Alisa was quite calm, while Dan'l and Niles were visibly worried.  The inspector then returned and interrogated them individually.  Alisa at first denied ever visiting Miles Shipley.  The inspector then brought in a cab driver who identified her as one of two ladies who left Shipley's carrying several paintings.  Alisa then admitted that she might have visited Shipley's to pick up paintings for a client but that when she left the artist was alive (at least the first time, she rationalized to herself).  She said that the paintings had been shipped out of London and were on their way to New York.

Inspector Maddox then interrogated Niles, who readily admitted packing up the paintings and shipping them to Baring Bros. bank, where Alisa worked.

The inspector then interrogated Dan'l, who denied knowing anything about anything.  The three were then left to themselves for a couple of hours, with more tea and biscuits.

Nell and Lya then decided to head for the British Museum, where they spotted Rupert and Scott in the Reading Room.  They took them outside and told them about the policeman and that they had taken a second room "just in case".  Lya then called Inspector Barrington and caught him just as he was on his way out.  She told him that she had information about the murder of Miles Shipley.   He told her to wait for him at the British Museum.

When Barrington arrived, he told Lya that this was not his case but that he would help her if she told him everything she knew.  Lya told him that she had read about Miles Shipley in an article in The Scoop.  She, Alisa Blankstone, and Dr. Quentin Santiago had visited Shipley on Sunday afternoon.  Shipley had been an obvious drug addict and she had felt in danger while there.  She thought their might have been opiates or hallucinogenics in the air.  She had left Quentin and Alisa in the attic with Shipley and returned downstairs,  when she heard a commotion and saw Alisa running down the stairs.  The two of them went back to King's Cross's station and brought a policeman back to the house.  There they found the body of Shipley, green paint splashed about the room, and no sign of "Mum" or Quentin.  At that point something happened to the policeman - perhaps he stepped into a secret room or trapdoor? - and she panicked and left, along with Alisa, who was carrying four paintings that she said Quentin had paid for.

Barrington then took Lya back to New Scotland Yard, where he had her statement typed up for her signature.  Lya was then allowed to leave, returning to the British Museum.  She and Nell then went shopping at a thrift shop.  Lya purchased a simple dress, Oxfords, and sensible working-class shoes.  Her intent was to assemble a cleaning-lady costume for a possible late-night visit to the Penhew Foundation.  The two then visited Selfridges' and  purchased a change of clothes and toiletries, since the rest of their belongings were back at the Russell Hotel.

Rupert and Scott accompanied Charles Fort back to his apartment, where he unearthed a newspaper clipping about a strange occurrence that befell a former employee at the Penhew foundation (museum guard Alan Groot).  Fort explained that this was a textbook example of a phenomenon unexplainable by modern "science".

After a couple of hours, Inspector Maddox returned to the interrogation room with Lya's statement.  At that point Alisa admitted that she and Dr. Santiago had indeed visited Miles Shipley on Sunday afternoon, but that Niles and Dan'l were not involved.

Alisa told the entire story, including the fact that Quentin had disappeared into the swamp-painting and that "Mum" had morphed into a Serpent-Creature and attacked her.  At that point the room became very quiet.  Alisa then stated that she had shot "Mum" with a .38 revolver, which she took out of her purse and handed it to the astonished inspector.  He then asked if she had any more guns, and Alisa handed him her derringer.  Alisa then told about returning with the policeman and finding Miles Shipley dead.  The policeman then vanished into the painting as well, she said.

Inspector Maddox then ordered Alisa held on charges of illegal weapons possession and making false statements to the police.  Based on her latest story, he ordered held in the Scotland Yard jail psychiatric ward for observation.  Dan'l and Niles were freed.  Alisa asked them to contact the American ambassador.

Before being taken to the psychiatric ward, Alisa was allowed to telephone a colleague at Barings Bank, whom she instructed to contact her firm  in Boston, informing them of her detention and asking them to contact the U.S. ambassador for assistance.  She was then taken to the hospital ward, put into bed, and deprived of anything sharp or potentially harmful.  She was allowed to read  The Financial Times  but denied a pencil to make notes or a telephone to contact clients.  She consoled herself with the thought that she might meet some doctors who needed investment advice.  Quickly becoming bored, she summoned an attendant, who promised that she might be allowed to participate in basket-weaving tomorrow if she behaved herself.  Instead she requested to be sedated and slept soundly.

Relieved at not being charged with anything, Niles and Dan'l took a taxi to the United States embassy on Victoria Street.  Niles found an old classmate from Groton working as an attaché.  Niles learned that the ambassador was away for the week and was unable to persuade his friend to send him a telegram. Niles told his friend about Alisa's arrest, as well as her activities on the Mauretania and was advised to retain a British solicitor immediately.  He gave Niles three recommendations: Chauncey Featherstone ("well-connected but dim"), Albert Herrington ("young but well-regarded"), and Sir David Llewellyn ("a friend of Lloyd-George but doddering").

Niles and Dan'l then returned to the Russell Hotel and decided to wait for the others in the bar.  One drink led to another, and soon the two were hopelessly drunk.

After finishing shopping for the day, Nell and Lya returned to their room at the Midland Grand Hotel.  They called Niles and Dan'l at the Russell Hotel but got no answer.  They then called the hotel desk and asked if the two men were in the lobby.  The staff replied that there were two very drunk Americans in the bar singing, "Over There" and were these their friends?  Dan'l staggered over to the phone and managed to tell Lya that Alisa had been arrested.  The rest of the story was too incoherent to understand.  After hanging up, Nell told Lya that they should remain at the Midland Grand Hotel until things became clearer.

After trying on her maid's costume and then the Egyptian outfit, Lya called Mickey Mahoney at The Scoop and asked if he was interested in a story about an American stockbroker's encounter with the occult?  She then called Inspector Barrington but was told that he had left for the day.

On their way back from Fort's apartment, Rupert asked Scott if he was ready to attempt a summoning spell.  Scott thought he would be ready on the next night.  Scott then asked Rupert if saw a youth wearing a ragged bellboy uniform following them.  Rupert did not see anyone matching that description.

Scott and Rupert reached the Russell Hotel to find Dan'l and Niles nearly passed out.  Scott was handed a message by the front desk from Lya, explaining that they were staying at the Midland Grand Hotel that night and that they would meet for breakfast the next day at the Russell.  Rupert had the bell captain carry Dan'l and Niles back to their room, then returned to Brown's Hotel.

Wednesday, Feb. 11

At breakfast,  Niles had recovered sufficiently to explain what had happened at Scotland Yard.  Lya called Inspector Barrington, who told her that Alisa had been charged with two very serious offenses and was being held for psychiatric observation.  Lya was told that she could not speak directly with Alisa - only her lawyer could do that.

After reviewing the list of candidate lawyers, Niles decided to retain Sir David Llewellyn.  He called the aged solicitor's office and explained Alisa's plight.  After agreeing to pay a hefty retainer, he was told that the firm would take immediate action to get Alisa released pending trial.  Niles and Dan'l then went back upstairs to sleep off their hangovers.

Scott returned to the British Library to complete his occult studies regarding Aerial Servants, while Rupert went to meet with Mickey Mahoney.  He learned that Mahoney had written the story about Miles Shipley based on a wire service account.  Mahoney showed Rupert a drawing of a Shipley painting that he had intended to include with the story but had changed his mind because of its gruesomeness.  He asked Mahoney about the Groot story and was told that the man had suffered some kind of nervous breakdown and had returned to Glasgow.

Nell (with her Brownie camera) and Lya (disguised as Maud)  took a taxi to Selfridge's on Oxford Street , then walked back to Soho, in the vicinity of the Blue Pyramid night club.  They were pleasantly surprised to find that Soho was the home of the fledgling British film industry, as well as numerous foreign restaurants, movie palaces, theatres, and curio shops.

The Blue Pyramid was located on Frith Street, near Old Compton Road, between a fish & chips restaurant and a dressmaker's shop.  The Blue Pyramid was not open for lunch, so Nell and Lya visited the dressmaker's.  While Lya bought a new dress and hat, Nell opened the back door and examined the alley behind the Blue Pyramid.  She noted that the Blue Pyramid had a back door and a fire escape leading to the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building.  Nell then bought a new dress and hat as well.

After leaving the dressmaker's, the smell of curry proved irresistible and the two ladies had lunch at a nearby Indian restaurant.  The waiter told them that the Blue Pyramid was usually open from about 6 PM until well after midnight.  Lya then called Niles and told him to meet them at Brown's Hotel.

Meanwhile, Alisa awoke in the prison hospital and spent the morning being interviewed by an alienist and undergoing medical tests.  Around noon, a young lawyer named Lionel Descoynes arrived and told Alisa that he had arranged for her release on bail.  The conditions were that she remain in the Greater London area, avoid association with disreputable persons, and consult with an alienist on a regular basis.  Alisa readily agreed to these conditions but balked at the alienist - it might affect her reputation . Mr. Descoynes assured her that his firm would retain a sympathetic doctor and that the consultations could take place at the law firm's office.

After reclaiming her personal possessions (except the guns), Alisa was driven by Lionel back to Brown's Hotel and requested to appear at the law firm's offices tomorrow morning at 9 AM to discuss her case.  Alisa went up to her room, ordered lunch from room service along with a bottle of  Glenfiddich.  She then requested a masseuse, copies of all the financial newspapers, and any messages that had been left for her.

Her lunch was interrupted by a telephone call from a lawyer named Chauncey Featherstone, who said he had been retained by Peabody-Kidder to represent her.  Alisa declined his services, as she already had a lawyer.

Late that afternoon, Lya, Nell, and Niles met with Alisa at Brown's Hotel and heard the saga of her imprisonment. Lya suggested that Alisa get rid of any more guns that she had in her possession.  Alisa replied that she would have been killed by "Mum" had she not been armed.  Lya wondered if Alisa's new alienist knew Dr. Huston?

Niles injudiciously showed Alisa the story that Lya had written for The Scoop about the seance on the Mauretania.  Much was made of the fact that the seance had been attended by a distinguished group, including "a prominent Bostonian stockbroker, a New York publisher, and a distinguished professor of natural sciences".  Alisa was livid and demanded that any mention of her current situation be kept out of the press.

Returning to the Russell Hotel from his trip to Canterbury, Professor Fairwether was shocked to learn from Dan'l that Alisa had been arrested.  He decided to abandon the investigation and return to New York immediately, lest the dean learn of the imminent scandal.

Later that evening, Rupert and Scott took a taxi to Hyde Park, where they found a deserted spot and prepared to verify the occult information found in the Clavis Solomanus.  Scott had determined from his studies that casting Summon Aerial Servant required that the moon not be visible in the sky, so the two of them waited until midnight to begin the incantation.  Scott chanted in a corrupted dialect of medieval Latin for half an hour, as Rupert kept watch for curious onlookers who might interfere.  After finishing the spell, the two waited impatiently in the cold night.  At first, nothing was seen, only heard - the sound of leathery flapping wings.  Then came into view a monstrous flying creature, which landed in the park directly in front of Scott.  The shock of succeeding at his task threw Scott into confusion and panic, and he was unable to cast the second part of the spell that Bound the creature to serve him.  While Rupert looked on in horror, the creature grabbed Scott in its paws and flew away with him!

As Scott's cries of horror faded into the night, Rupert picked up the Clavis Solomanus from the ground where Scott had dropped it and made his way back to Brown's Hotel, unnerved by the experience but convinced that the book contained powerful knowledge.