The schloss grausbad affair
Captain The Honourable Alfred Florian Dorset
You are at 28 years the
eldest son of the wealthy Viscount Limeswold. An adventurous type you have just
returned from an extensive tour of the Mediterranean in the Pater’s steam yacht.
In the hope of finding some something to occupy you, you call at the Diogenes
Club of which you are a member. Barely a week after your visit, Mycroft Holmes
one of the permanent fixtures there, presents you with a proposition of an
adventurous nature. It seems that a Rumanian Lady wishes to return there to
investigate a crime with the assistance of an English detective and a gaggle of
occultist cranks. The detective is no other than your old school chum Ferdinand
Finder who alas has to work for his living. The great Sherlock Holmes not being
available Mycroft has selected him for the task. It seems that the Lady’s
brother has been accused of ordering a djinn (some sort of Islamic demon!) to
badly damage what was their family’s old castle. Three women were killed and
three others injured and the brother Boris Badamaru incarcerated on suspicion.
The local Pasha, a relative of the Turk currently owning the castle, is prepared
to wait for the investigation before pressing charges. The Lady Griseldis,
whilst having no great liking for her brother, thinks that there are other
likely suspects in the case. These include the Order of St. Bogo a Christian
fanatic organisation and the hostile Von Hinterst and Zrnyi families. Having
read Mary Shelley’s ‘Count Dracula’ {actually by Bram Stoker} you are aware that
Rumania is a dangerous place in need of the civilising influence of an
Englishman. In fact it sounds as though the mission could provide some capital
entertainment.
Your background is that after a
couple of public schools you went to Harrow where you excelled at sports. Your
grandfather’s skinflint disposition made him believe that his sons and grandsons
should earn their own livings. Consequently your Pater had an undistinguished
career rising to major in the Garrison Artillery. Brother Lionel joined the
Church and has a parish on the family estates in Lincolnshire. Both your Mother
and your Grandmother died in a train accident shortly after Lionel was born.
Having survived that, he has always been a bit peculiar ever since. However
Grandfather managed to marry him off to a squire’s daughter who keeps him in
order. They have had two sons so the pressure is slightly off you to have an
heir. Following Harrow you went to Sandhurst where you graduated rather near the
bottom of the class. You were posted to the 17th Hussars in India. In
the times when you were hale you had a great time, chasing dacoits, tigers and
wild boar. Unfortunately you were prone to catch the many tropical diseases, and
had bad attacks of Dengue fever, Dysentery and Cholera. You took a long time
recovering from the last and your polo pony having just died you agreed to be
invalided out. Back in England Grandfather had died and left the Pater a wealthy
man. Whilst not stooping to engage in trade as such, Grandfather had made some
shrewd investments in the city. Whilst stationed at several shore battery
postings the Pater had taken up yachting as a hobby in a small way. When he
became the wealthy Viscount Limeswold he immediately bought a large steam yacht
and began touring the coasts of Europe. After a year or so he met Donna
Cristabella Leggeri the glamorous widow of an Italian Cavaliere (knight) at
Leghorn (Livorno). She was there in disgrace since her husband had died in a
duel fought for her somewhat tarnished reputation. Infatuated, the Pater married
her and took her back to join the fashionable set in London. There he has spent
much of his time ever since. (Apart from the sporting seasons of course. He is a
member of the yellow coated Yarborough Hunt) When you returned in poor shape he
let you take over his steam yacht ‘Nightingale’. Some old school chums talked
you into joining the Diogenes Club. This is a haven for adventurous types and
the famous Bertram Kingsley-Crowne (Binky) was a member. The chums had a few
commissions to fulfil in the Mediterranean of a dubious nature but probably
to aid the Foreign Office. So they came with you on an extended pleasure cruise
which has recently finished, as all the School Chums have been deposited in
foreign climes. How many will return is a matter for speculation but you are now
back looking for new adventures of your own!
Mr Mycroft Holmes has you and
Ferdinand Finder ushered into his presence at the Diogenes Club. “I have been
notified of a quest of what one might describe of an adventurous nature by my
brother Sherlock. It entails a trip to Transylvania in the Ottoman Empire and he
has too many duties here in Britain to take it on. Between us we have thought
that of our club members you two gentlemen might be best able to have a good
chance of accomplishing it. You Alfred because you have the experience and means
to take the party to its destination safely and you Ferdinand because we fancy
detection abilities will be needed at the far end to resolve the matter. Because
of the distance it will take several weeks even if it takes little time to find
a solution at the far end. The quest is to escort two Rumanian ladies and their
occultist friends to the castle Schloss Grausbad in Transylvania and discover
what caused the deaths of three people there and who was responsible. I will now
read you the translated letter from a Turkish Asa or Baron that initiates this
enterprise.
To
the Noble Rumanian Lady Griseldis Badamaru,
As you will know, I bought your former home the Schloss Grausbad from
your brother Boris couple of years ago. In accordance with my faith I restored
it and built a minaret on top for the Muezzin. The first time he went to call
for the afternoon prayers, a great djinn came and smote a mighty blow against
the Schloss. A most beloved lady and two servants were slain and three others
injured. The Muezzin did not make his call having to succour those injured. My
people then fled away and reported to me. It was thought that your brother Boris
may have called forth the djinn, in order that I might abandon the Schloss and
perhaps sell it back to him at a cheaper price. As a result the Pasha, the most
noble and benevolent Shukem to whom I have the honour of being related, cast
your brother into prison. Feeling now safe I ordered my people back into the
Schloss. However they have reported that ghosts have been seen and are mightily
affrighted. Questioning the local serfs I discover that they think Boris has no
magicks. They think that either you or perhaps the Christian fanatics of the St.
Bogo order can have called up the Djinn. They say that you have great powers of
the magicks. They think that if anyone can defeat a great Djinn it is you! I am
a reasonable and generous man. It seems to me that if you can come here and
conquer this Djinn, you and your brother must be guiltless. Should you decline
to come the Pasha may well find your brother guilty and the penalty for black
witchcraft is harsh. For now I leave the matter in your hands.
Asa Abdul Abu
It sounds a most curious case
for of course there are really no such things as Djinns. I should warn you that
the Rumanian ladies and their friends do believe in such things. They are
members of a body called the Occult Verification Society (OVS). My brother
Sherlock has become acquainted with them in a few cases where they thought that
they were assisting him. They are a well-meaning set who have in fact exposed
several fraudulent mystics. Funds from Lady Griseldis will be forthcoming for
the mission. Well gentlemen are you interested?”
Naturally both you and
Ferdinand agreed to undertake the task whereupon Mycroft read out two more
translated letters. These were written by the Lady Griseldis.
To the
most exalted Asa Abdul Abu greetings,
I was most honoured to receive your communication concerning the
unfortunate event at Schloss Grausbad. Despite the ramblings of the serfs
speaking to you I am but a minor student of herb lore. I live retired here with
my niece Leica and a couple of servants. My old amateur attempts to cure minor
ailments has been exaggerated out of all recognition. I know nothing about
djinns whom the books here call Islamic demons. However in common justice I deem
it important to establish the truth in this matter. As you suggest it may have
been the act of the St. Bogo Brotherhood. I consider this the more likely as
members of the Saxon Von Hinterst family are thought to belong to them. The Von
Hinterst family have been enemies of the Badamaru for centuries. Though I lack
the supernatural powers you believe me to possess, there are here in England
skilled investigators called detectives. The fame of the best Mr Sherlock Holmes
may even have reached Rumania. They search for clues, ask questions and arrive
at the truth through logic. It is my intention to come with one of these to
establish the truth of the tragic incident. However the English detective, my
niece and myself will naturally need appropriate guides and protection over the
very long journey. As you well know travelling in our home country is not
without its hazards. If you really hope for me to come some travelling expenses,
say 1,000 Dirham will ensure our eventual arrival. You may be absolutely sure
that if my brother Boris should be the guilty party I will not hesitate to tell
you.
Griseldis Bathild Badamaru Lady
Dear
Boris,
As I foretold years ago you are now in prison and I regret the shame that
brings on our noble family. It is only my duty to the family name that leads me
to stir to investigate the incident in which the Pasha suspects you to be
implicated. With Leica I shall be bringing an English detective to establish the
true facts. Travelling the immense distance will not be cheap, especially
as we two females will need adequate guides and guards. I acknowledge the
arrival of the long overdue 1,237 Dirham from my dowry investments. However if
when we arrive at Alexandria there is not 3,000 more awaiting us from you, we
will turn and go straight back again!
Your dutiful sister Griseldis
Since I understand that
relations between Griseldis and Boris have been somewhat hostile in the past I
obtained and had translated independently the letter from the Turkish Asa. It is
perfectly genuine. Doctor Watson who does believe in Djinns, gave me some
background to the Badamaru family quarrels, so I am very sure that if Boris
is guilty they will be happy to accuse him. Here is their address. Ha, ha,
Watson told me that he felt nervous in the presence of the red headed dagger
wielding Leica and he was sure that Griseldis was a real witch! Ha, ha I wish
you good luck gentlemen.”
A bout of illness by
the Lady Griseldis somewhat delayed our setting out. The Occult Verification
people eventually comprised Lady Griseldis, her maid Oryana, Lady Leica
Badamaru, Miss Higginbottom, Professor Learning, Doktor Nichtwissen and his
servant Manko. Their chairman Ronald Helping sent his apologies and wished us
good luck. Wishing us better weather would have been more to the point. We hit
four gales en route which were no fun with the passengers all seasick.
Fortunately when we got to Alexandria brother Boris had sent the money demanded
by Griseldis. Eventually we arrived at Constanta in the Black Sea where we
disembarked. A long slow rail
journey brought us to the end of the line at Sovata. In the hotel there we were
visited by the Asa Abdul Abu. He gave me a letter permitting the detective and I
to question whom we wanted on his estate and left Ibrahim Tok one of his
servants to escort us. Your right hand man Job Pewter, hired another guide
Rueben Finkelstein. Unlike Tok he could speak Rumanian. Thus with your Valet
Makepeace there would be six of you to escort the OVS seven, four of them women
to the Schloss tomorrow.
Captain Alfred Dorset
Lea, Activist, Mo
6”, Fa 3/3/4, Ag +1, Me +2, revolver Bst –2.
Firing 3” 4+ Pst 0,
6” 5+ Pst 0, 11” 6+ Pst 0, 18” 7+ Pst –2 5+ 10 rounds
Class VII, PI
Dubious, Charm M +2, F +2, Coercion +2.
Compass, watch, cord, spare handkerchief,
Charm M+1 F+2, Coercion 0. Speaks English, French, Latin MC D15- 3q- 6m.
Ferdinand Finder Vle,
Activist, Mo 6”, Fa 2/3/4, Ag +1, Me +2, revolver Bst –2.
Firing 3” 4+ Pst 0,
6” 5+ Pst 0, 11” 6+ Pst 0, 18” 7+ Pst –2 5+ 10 rounds
Class V, PI
Respectable, Charm M +1, F +1,
Coercion +2.
Compass, watch, cord, spare handkerchief, 2 sets
handcuffs,
Speaks English, French (P), Latin (P) MC D9- 2q- 3m.
Mate Job Pewter
WA Mo 6”, Fa
2/2/3, Ag +1, Th +1, Me +2 shotgun Bst –1
Shotgun 3” 3+ Pst +1, 6” 4+ Pst 0, 11” 5+ Pst –1 18” 6+ Pst -2 2 shots (6 spare)
Cord.
Class IV Dubious Charm M -1, F - 1,
Coercion +2, MC D3 – 0q – 2m
Knife, cord, watch, matches. Speaks English, French (P), Spanish (P)
Valet Makepeace
WA Mo 6”, Fa
2/2/2, Ag 0, Th 0, Me 0 Cane Bst –2
Class IV Dubious Charm M -1, F - 1,
Coercion +2, MC D1 – 8q – 4m
Knife, cord, First Aid Kit, Speaks English, French, German (P)
Rueben Finklestein
By Mo 6”, Fa
2/2/2, Ag 0, Th 0, Me 0 Hands Bst –3
Class IV Dubious Charm M -1, F - 1,
Coercion +1, MC D 34– 9q– 4m
Knife, Speaks Yiddish, Turkish, Rumanian, Hungarian, German (P) English (P)
Ibrahim Tok
By Mo 6”, Fa
2/2/2, Ag +1, Th 0, Me +1 Dagger Pst –1
Deringer 3” 4+ st 0,
6” 5+, st –1, 11” 6+ st –2 2+2 lead bullets
Class IV Dubious Charm M -1, F - 1,
Coercion +1, MC D 1– 2q– 6m
Knife, Speaks Yiddish, Turkish, Rumanian, Hungarian, German (P) English (P)
The letter of authorisation carried by Captain
Alfred Dorset. It is written in Turkish and is to be shown to be shown to the
Muezzin Malik Kale who is the Steward of Schloss Grausbad. (Or anyone else
challenging his authority.)
To
my faithful Muezzin Malik Kale,
I Have given Captain Alfred Dorset and his ‘Detective’ Ferdinand Finder
permission to investigate the attack of the Great Djinn against the Schloss.
They are to be allowed to question everyone in the area, subject to suitable
chaperoning. My Servant Ibrahim Tok will be accompanying them.
Asa Abdul Abu