J&L: Mysteries of the Macabre (4)

The Red Tavern

EH: "Evening gents! You're 'ere early today. And looking a bit glum too, especially you Mr. J. I've seen funerals with more life in 'em than you."

HGJ: "Oh, Ellie! I could tell you a tale of woe and anguish that could rival even the most ruinous of the Bard's tragedies."

PGL: "I believe what Henry is trying to say is that his most profitable act has resigned from his theatre."

EH: "Well, that's a dose of misfortune on you. Tell you what, I'll bring over a couple of drinks, and meet you in the back room. I've 'ad a day of it and all. Do us good to 'ave a natter."

HGJ: "That sounds most pleasing, my fear Ellie."

EH: "Be with you in a few."

*The scene transitions to the private lounge of the Tavern*

EH: "Right then gents, here you go."

HGJ: "A thousand thank yous. A perfectly poured pint of ale is particularly pleasing to the palette."

PGL: "Especially, I'm sure, when it is free of charge. So, Ellie, what has you troubled, my dear?"

EH: "Something that might suit your investigative curiosity. A man arrived on my doorstep this morning, in some distress. Fearing for 'is life..."

HGJ: "Who was the cove? And what had him riled?"

EH: "Tim, 'e said 'is name was. Some kind of a doctor of 'istory."

PGL: "Was he an expert in Egyptian history, by any chance?"

EH: "As a matter of fact, 'e was! Cor, 'ow'd you know that?"

PGL: "Just a hunch. We've been dealing with a number of cases that tie back to Egypt recently."

EH: "Wonder if they're all linked by the curse?"

HGJ: "Eh? Curse? What curse might that be?"

EH: "Tim... that's what 'e was afraid of... 'e'd recently come back from some trip to an Egyptian tomb. They brought back a number of trinkets and stuff. But one by one, everyone involved with entering the tomb 'as died."

HGJ: "Corks!"

PGL: "So what happened to Timothy?"

EH: " 'e left again. Said 'is time was running out and ran into the fog, muttering about how the mummy was coming for 'im. Normally I don't 'old much stock in the tall tales my customers try and spin of course. But there ''as been some quiet talk of figures wrapped in white linen I  the mist."

PGL: "My word! You know, I think I'm already on this case!"

HGL: "What do you mean?"

PGL: "The body that ended up on my slab. The one killed by a brute. What if that was a mummy? Albert was a dock hand, he may have been involved with the cursed cargo!"

HGJ: "It's a possibility. And I wonder if it's a coincidence that Eddie has suddenly found a Pharaoh to unwrap?"

PGL: "I don't know... It all feels very tangential, we don't have any evidence. Besides even if an Egyptian ruler is back from the dead and out for revenge, a corpse that's thousands or years old would hardly have the strength to crush a man's throat."

EH: "Professor. You and Mister J 'ave dealt with Vampires, living puppets and the resurrected dead before. Can you really rule out some supernatural force?"

Nondescript House, South of Lester Square

Eddie: "Ladies and Gentlemen! You have gathered here tonight, at considerable expense, for a most privileged experience!"

*The room is filled with soft, upper class murmurs*

Eddie: "Inside this stone sarcophagus, lies the body of an ancient ruler of Egypt! The Egyptians preferred to preserve their dead, resulting in a curious lack of decay and decomposition. We sadly do not know the name of this particular Pharaoh. We have yet to fully translate the hieroglyphic text found in his tomb. All we know is that he was found in a special segregated burial area, supposedly reserved for the Gods themselves."

*The crowd oohs in appreciation*

Eddie: "So who knows, perhaps this is a gift wrapped god, whose mysteries we are here to unravel, together! Now, without further ado..."

*The sound of splitting timber, and shrill whistles*

IQ: "All right, all right, nobody move. Edmund Erickson, you are under arrest for interfering with a corpse, and body snatching. I would advise you to come quietly. Jenkins, have the boys bring that corpse to the morgue. I'm sure Litefoot will get a kick out of it."