The Weeks Preceding and up to Approximately October 5, 1887.
In a sanitarium far northwest of Belfast, I was recouperating from the after-effects of a terrible accident in Tsavo, Uganda which admittedly had incapacitated my mind and body to great degree. The strength and agility I had always relied upon as an officer in the Duke of Cambridge's Own 17th Lancers had been verily sapped from me as if by some unholy drain on my lifeforce. Additional dire circumstances made it clear that my position in the Army had been yet again reassigned, now removed from my heroic regiment to a highly covert operation, which has severed all ties to my former dear friends who were Death & Glory boys, as well as my own family (my father, and some far-flung relatives in Boston, New York, and India). Upon receiving an urgent call of arms from an anonymous yet powerful gentleman known as "Our Generous Host" via wax cylinder recording, it became clear that I had orders to go to Manchester.
What little boon I was given to travel from Belfast to Dublin, and then by ferry to Liverpool, and on to Manchester was soon exhausted. I acquired a sickly old horse and spent nearly three days on the road, sleeping on the outskirts, selling nearly all my possessions of worth for food and feed. Upon arriving at the Lodge, it was very clear this establishment was rather run-down, in wont of such resources as members, money, and general effects.
I was met by three others who were also called hence, and the two men who seem to to run the place. Oddly, both had odd connections to some of our past lives-- as we did to each others, if even tenuously, as if Fate indeed had cast her red string all over Britain in search of us. No sign of our Generous Host, and his name is as yet unknown to me.
Now, reader, I shall simply list the characteristics of the Lodge, and my observations so far:
1. The parlour and keeping-room. While dingy, it is comfortable in a way like an old roadhouse pub, with refreshments, a warm fireplace, some food, and a small library.
2. The lodgings. Simple but far better than what any soldier of the Queen's Colonial Wars is used to--even us officers. Half our party retires to their respective homes near Manchester, but I and another enlisted man sleep here well enough. It is a luxury to draw a hot bath and have a good shave.
3. The laboratory. While not as crude as the field-hospitals of Zululand, it is in dire need of some housekeeping, and could well use better equipment. We noted some jars of feral red frog-eyes, as well as evidence of recent surgeries. Having recently recovered from a similar sinister medical procedure, I shudder to think of what gruesome goings-on have happened here.
4. The locked stairway. We have been forbidden to know what lies beyond this threshold.
5. The courtyard. A small space with a smaller shelter for my horse, with some hay and feed made available.
6. Provisions. While scant, we were readily provided basic supplies such as lanterns and daily copies of the Standard, and the kind use of horseless carriages which seem to know their way to the places of our investigations.
7. Allies. The Lodge has many connections with the local constabularies, most of whom have proven to be of poor discipline, and little bravery. However, we have become acquainted with several crack inspectors who have provided us with ready access to sites of note as well as decent intelligence of both practical facts and stranger circumstances. The police have also been effective in keeping us blameless for the unfortunate mayhem and loss of life that has, regrettably, plagued our investigations.
The masters of the Lodge advised us that this Lodge had broken away from a more exclusive Lodge in a dispute between members. It seems there are numerous factions at work here. By increasing its funds, ideally through donations or the ongoing support of patrons, the Lodge can better its resources and thus enable us to be better equipped for our missions.
I and one of our party made an initial donation of funds, and another of our party donated some fine pieces of laboratory & medical equipment we secured during our first investigation. Our success in resolving several murders soon was noticed by persons unknown, and a small patronage was established. This immediately improved our circumstance, as I was able to procure a veterinarian for my horse, and now we feel we have updated the laboratory to be a more hygenic environment.
While we have yet to recruit additional members, I am always on the look-out for men and women of stout heart, strong mind, and ready body to add to our cause. For we are but mortal, and should one of us be felled, I fear we will have lost all hope of success on future quests.
IN SUMMARY.
1. Be generous to your Lodge, and it will be generous to you.
2. Ask questions and learn all you can.
3. The police can be your allies-- but, as they have failed to succeed thus far, do not expect too much of them. However they are brilliant at cleaning up the mess after a mission (arresting men, burying bodies, restoring order, etc etc).
4. There are many secrets. Be patient, but also be wary.
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