Mystery and Madness
Chapter Two: Unexpected Guests
Spode took a deep breath. "Dr. Merkle is a man of about fifty, with a rather hooked nose and rather strange way of speaking. He has a low voice, and Regina-my wife-will tell you that he sounds foreign. Yet he seems to me to have an English accent."
Regina spoke up. "It's not the accent so much as…I cannot think of how to put it."
Holmes smiled. "Put it in the best way you know how, Lady Spode."
Regina nodded, and then continued. "He says things sometimes…words and phrases that I have never heard before. I asked him once what one of the phrases meant, and he told me it was not for well-bred ladies to know. He is a very polite man, but…I cannot help but feel as though he is scared of something."
Holmes frowned. "Did you recognize the language?" Lady Spode shook her head, and he nodded. "Is Dr. Merkle still in the house?"
Lord Spode shook his head. "No, he left shortly after Sylvia took a turn for the worse. I have been inquiring at every hotel and boarding house nearby, but nobody has seen him."
Holmes frowned. "If he is foreign, it is possible that he could be long gone by now. Watson, tomorrow we shall head into town and see what we can find out about this doctor. Lord Spode, would you object to us staying here for the night?"
Spode shook his head, and then noticed Regina twisting her hands in her lap. "Darling, what is it?"
Regina gulped. "Well…aren't you forgetting?" Spode blinked in confusion, and Regina blushed. "I invited Margaret Kingsleigh to visit for the weekend, and…oh, she'll be here any moment!"
Spode laughed. "My dear, is that all you are worried about? This house has more than enough rooms! You need a friend, after all. When is she due to arrive?"
At that moment, there was a loud scream of surprise from downstairs. Everyone exchanged glances before running downstairs.
Standing in the parlor was a small group of four people, three women and one man. The women were not too startling-except for one, who was a tall red head wearing a deep blue dress, and a haversack flung over one shoulder. Around her waist was a corded belt with a dagger thrust into it. The other two Regina recognized as Margaret and her sister Alice. But it was the man that caused everyone pause.
He had on a tall purple top hat from which strands bright electric orange hair peeked, a pale face, and was wearing a dark purple suit with a sash made up of spools of yarn. His wide green eyes appeared almost lopsided, and he had orange stains on his fingers. Alice had her arms looped around his waist.
The awkward silence was broken when Regina came forward and hugged Margaret. "Oh, Margaret, it has been so long! I am so glad to see you!"
Margaret kissed her cheek. "Regina, it's been years. You look wonderful! Now, let me introduce my friends. You know Alice of course. This is her husband, Tarrant Hightopp." Regina smiled uncertainly at Tarrant, and he bowed.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Milady." Regina's smile was more genuine this time.
Margaret smiled, and then indicated the redhead. "And this is Lady Alannah Stayne."
Alannah smiled at her. "As Tarrant says, it is a pleasure to meet you. But I think perhaps we might have come at a poor time."
Margaret frowned. "Regina, is this true?"
Regina shook her head vehemently. "No, not at all…it's just…Meg, I need a friend badly!" She gave a loud sob, and Margaret hugged her. "It…it's our daughter, Sylvia. She is ill, and we don't know why!"
Spode sighed. "Yes, which is why these gentlemen are here." He indicated Holmes and Watson, and Alannah turned her attention to them.
"Who are you?"
Holmes glared at her. "Sherlock Holmes, and this is my colleague Dr. Watson."
Alannah grinned. "I've read your books, Dr. Watson. They're quite good, though I must confess I never thought I'd meet Mr. Holmes in person. Of course, I wager you never thought you'd meet Tarrant Hightopp in person either."
Watson frowned. "And why not?"
Alannah merely smirked. "You'll find out soon enough, Dr." She sat down on the sofa, sighing deeply, eyes closed. "Meggie, next time we are simply going to arrive at your old home and then take the train. I spent four hours concocting this travel potion. Thank Time it worked." Margaret chuckled.
"Alannah, you are being far too modest. You have a talent for potions."
"I also have a talent for doing anything I can to help my family. And you have a talent for being rather persuasive."
Alice laughed. "I thought I was the persuasive one! But what does it matter? Lady Spode, if it is not too much to ask, what is wrong with your daughter?"
Regina sighed. "That is what Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson are trying to help us to figure out. It started a week ago. She is cold as death, barely breathing, and nothing any doctor does seems to help. She is unresponsive. And…just two weeks ago she was doing so well! I cannot believe I trusted that Dr. Merkle! I'm so foolish! Lady Stayne, what is the matter?"
Alannah was gripping the couch cushions, her breathing slow and steady. When she spoke, her voice trembled in barely suppressed rage. "Merkle? Could you tell me what he looks like?" Regina described him, and all present gasped in shock when Alannah's eyes flashed deep red. "That….slurking….shukm juggling…charlatan! Lady Spode, might I be allowed to see your daughter?"
Spode found his voice. "And what do you think you could do? Who are you, anyway? How did you do that trick with your eyes?"
Alannah turned her cool gaze on him, and he shrank back under her withering glance. "I am the Head Physician at the Court of Marmoreal, in Underland, and if this Merkle is who I think he is, than I may be able to help you. But I cannot do it if I am stymied by ridiculous questions! Now, may I see the lass?" Spode nodded, and Alannah grinned. "Thank you. Dr. Watson, come along please. I could use a colleague's assistance." Watson nodded, and they went upstairs to the room where Sylvia lay sleeping.
Watson watched as Alannah examined the girl. "So…you are a doctor?" Alannah nodded, lifting Sylvia's eyelid and peering at the pupils. "Where did you receive training?"
"Marmoreal, mostly. But I took the Oath at sixteen." Alannah sighed. "Damn it. That slurvish bastard hasn't changed. Still incompetent as ever."
Watson leaned over. "Do you know what's wrong with her?" Alannah nodded, and then stood.
"I do. Rowan's Bane."
Watson frowned. "I've never heard of it."
"I'm not surprised; it's virtually unknown to you Overlanders. But it's a rather potent poison. The only good thing about it is that it's slow acting, and from what I can tell, she got a small dose."
Watson was by now utterly lost. "Overlanders? What are those?"
Alannah grinned. "Not what, who. You're one, and so is your friend Holmes, and Lord and Lady Spode. Merkle is trying to pass as one." She laughed at the perplexed look on his face. "Why don't we go downstairs, have some supper, and then you and Mr. Holmes can ask questions to your hearts content. Whether or not they will be answered I can't say."
Supper was a fine roast, and after, when everyone was gathered in the living room and pipes and cigars were lit, Alice opened the conversation with a rather puzzling remark. "Everything we are going to tell you is completely mad, and utterly true." The Underlanders than told a story that left the mouths of Watson and the Spodes hanging open. Watson looked over at Holmes, who merely looked thoughtful.
"Holmes, you do not seem surprised by anything you have heard tonight!"
"And why should I be, Watson?"
Watson sputtered. "Why, because it's utterly…"
"Mad?" Tarrant asked, grinning, and Watson nodded. Holmes smirked, and then took a puff on his pipe before speaking.
"I must admit, at first I was sure that Mrs. Blanchard and Hightopp were merely telling a story. But if this was true, why did Alice insist at the start that everything she was telling was true? Also, I listened to the way they told the story. No great embellishing, no hesitation. This means that either they have told the story numerous times, or that they have lived it. Logically, that means that they are telling the truth."
Watson frowned. "Or they think they are. They're all clearly mad!"
Alannah laughed. "Well, of course we're Mad! All the best people are, and if my memory serves me, most people up here think the same of Holmes! But mad though I may be, I still can help Sylvia, as I told you earlier, Dr."
Watson sighed. "You did say that, but forgive me if I'm a bit skeptical now."
Alannah glared at him. "Be as skeptical as you wish, but if you try to stop me it could very well mean the death of Sylvia Spode. I can help her, and you as well, if you wish it."
Margaret spoke up. "She is a fine physician, Dr. Watson. She will be able to help, I promise it. She and I have been friends for years, and she helped deliver my son, as well as Alice's children. Regina, you may have complete faith in her."
Regina smiled at her friend. "If you say so, Meg, I will do so. Lady Stayne, please tell me what you can do to help."
Alannah opened her haversack and pulled out a small vial capped with cork. "Give Sylvia the contents of this vial. You will have to hold her up. It will counteract the Rowan's Bane." She handed the vial over to Regina. "And don't worry, Sylvia will recover in time."
Watson looked over at Regina. "Lady Spode, may I see that?" Regina passed the vial over, and he uncorked it, taking a sniff. "Rather interesting smell. What's in this concoction?"
Alannah grinned. "Rambling rose petals, squimberry juice, pressed whortleberry leaves, tove tears, and water from the fall at Marmoreal. Shake well before using."
Alice looked over at a frowning Watson. "Dr, that will help, I promise. Alannah has an almost uncanny knowledge of healing potions. That one you are holding is able to counter most any poison known." Alannah sighed, speaking in a serious tone.
"Watson, like you I am a doctor. And like you, I swore to first do no harm. Sylvia is not in any danger, but others may be if Merkle is not stopped." She sighed anew. "I had thought merely threatening him with punishment was enough, but I now see that I was wrong. We've crossed paths before, you see."
