Continues...

As always my trusty alarm clock went off on the stroke of six and I soon had most of my staff up, I say most as those two good for nothing maids refused to get out of bed, I handed out the chores to be done in the morning and went down to the kitchen to make sure that Mr. Blue had started to prepare the breakfast. He appeared to be a bit short of potatoes but he informed me that he had sent Mr. Fawcite out to the sheds to pick some more up. It was from the direction of the sheds that we heard his cries, so those who were already up (including by this time a couple of guests) and myself ran out to find him standing over the blood soaked body of Lady Jane outside the wood shed. Seeing the amount of blood around and the lack of it on his hands and clothes we were able to rule him out as a suspect. Now we knew for sure that there was something odd going on and Knobbs suggested that we should try and retrieve the guests’ guns from the ammunition box. The problem being was that Captain Snell had the only key so we at once set about the grounds trying to find his body.

We split into two groups and went either side of the Manor deciding that if we were unsuccessful we would meet at the front and search the woods. This was to be the case but it wasn’t long before we stumbled across some thugs wearing balaclavas digging about on the floor, it wasn’t long before they saw us and ran at us brandishing weapons, but thankfully none of these were guns. I suppose it was the quick thinking of Young Tom and I, which saved the party. We simultaneously drew our guns and began picking off the thugs until they fled in terror. (Oh, did I not say that I always carry a loaded revolver in my inside pocket). 

On returning to the house we found yet another unexpected visitor who introduced himself as Gerald Fitzpatrick a librarian who was here to drop off some books that the Professor had ordered. As the Professor was not at home, we invited him to join us for a spot of luncheon, but first we would force the lock which kept our guns from us and break down the door of the professor's study (the only room in the house that he did not leave me keys for) to see if there were any clues as to what these masked men may be looking for.  

It did not take more than a few kicks to break down the door. On entering the first thing we noticed was an Ediphone, which we switched on and heard a fascinating account of the Professor’s last expedition, with many artifacts and drawings scattered about. These were all quite odd and certainly led to the suggestion that something bizarre was going on. It was therefore suggested that we go back into the woods to where we had seen those thugs digging to see if we could find what they had not. It took us a little time to find what they were searching for due to the fact that the heavens opened and let down a great deluge, but we were in a county that is famous for its rain so we didn’t let this get us down, that is until we were once again attacked by one of the thugs. A few well-placed shots by one of the guests soon brought him down but he had just about enough breath to utter his last words about his master coming. Meanwhile, someone had unearthed a package containing an odd little artifact, a rod and a clue to another hidden treasure but this find was soon interrupted by none other than young Atkins screaming about tentacles all around him but he was soon calmed down by the ladies. 

After returning to the house to study the clues we had found whilst drying off our coats we decided that our best plan of attack was to continue where the thugs left off and follow the clues. It would turn out that we would spend the next few hours in what seemed like a wild goose chase: running around the grounds, occasionally coming across a hand full of ruffians, then seeing them off and picking up a few more rods along the way some just hidden out of sight and a couple which we had to dig for. Finally we came across an intriguing artifact, even a few of the more learned of guest were at a loss of what it might be, it was made of an unknown material, about 10 inches in length and resembled a type of urn with slightly transparent sides. We could just about make out that there was some peculiar object in it, but no one was willing to guess what it might be. It also had a few holes in it, which looked about the size and shape of the rods. This led us to the theory that the rods might actually be keys for the urn, and judging by the amount of holes there was one key left to find. So once again we retired back to the warmth of the manor as it was now about midday and we felt that it was about time for a spot of lunch, which also gave us time to discuss the finds. 

This was when were to see the first of the hideous horrors. In through the door burst what could only be described as a human hybrid, it mostly resembled a man in a smoking jacket, well the legs torso and one arm any way, because the other arm appeared to be a tentacle and its head had a rather reptilian of fish aspect about it, which was producing a horrible gargling noise. We at once pulled out our guns and told it to keep its distance but that’s when a very queer thing happened. Mrs. Jessop started chatting to it calling it ‘Professor Foster’ and she seemed to be slightly hypnotized by the noises it made as if it was a mythical siren. When she saw our weapons trained on the creature she got most upset and refused to move away from it and instead used her body to shield it. Now any one else would have been grateful for her act of heroism but not this thing as it just snapped her neck and then charged us. It managed to injure a few people until it had so many injuries itself that it soon dropped, making a terrible mess on the floor. Between us we had a few people skilled at first aid so we soon managed to patch each other up and decided that we would rest for a while to try and recuperate, unfortunately this was soon interrupted by a loud banging at the door.

It was the thugs again but this time they did not attack us but they wanted to bargain with us in some sort of parley, “Give us the box and rods and they will leave us alone” they said, but after what we had been through so far we did not trust them one bit and on turning down their offer a gun fight broke out. Luckily this time no one was killed but they left us with a warning that they would be back to take them by force. So once again we returned to the house but this time we posted sentries in the windows and by doors. This paid off, as we were now not taken by surprise when one of the soldiers came stumbling up the drive and crashing through the door as if injured. We pulled him in quickly and led him to a sofa to lie down on. Seeing this fellow certainly put Young Knobbs’ mind at rest, now knowing that he was not the only survivor from his company. He managed to tell us that his name was Private Tim Jones but he couldn’t say too much more as he was shaking violently as if he was freezing cold which he was to the touch. What little he did manage to say was that he craved warmth, so we sat him in front of the fire and wrapped him in thick blankets, which did not seem to help at all. It was only when trying to warm him up further with more blankets that he turned nasty and attacked Father O’Grady and Kitty Bates, my maid, before he was brought down in a rain of bullets. What we soon noticed was that he didn’t have blood as we knew it but a cold clear liquid was seeping from his wounds which looking on the bright side did not cause any stains on the carpet so that was one less job for my staff. However, like earlier Mr. Atkins was having another of his bouts of hysteria claiming once again that he could see tentacles this time he was easily subdued by a quick pistol whip to the back of his head which I am sure that he will one day thank us for.

This was it, this was the final straw, and we decided that we could not just sit here like dogs in the hunting season and wait for another attack so we split into two parties one to patrol the house and the other to search the extensive grounds. I myself stayed in the house being the only key holder, but no sooner had the others gone from ear shot that another terrible creature came ambling through the hall. Now this one was definitely some sort of marine life judging by its webbed claws and feet and the fact that it had gills and fins, let alone an almighty smell of fish. At once there was a blind panic as this thing was well other nine feet tall, most of us made it outside leaving a couple hiding in fear for their lives but it was immediately apparent that this was not the only one of its kind as those whom went outside were spotted running towards us followed by another “fish man”. It was in the ground that we took shelter for what seemed like a small eternity I found myself in the company of Father O’Grady and Mr. Fate, evading every moving shadow and sound eventually finding other small groups. Once there were enough of us we decided to brave it back to the house, as it would soon be dinnertime, and I was yet to set the tables so first making sure that the coast was clear we cautiously re-entered the Manor.