June 8, 1905
Baltimore, Maryland
Desk of Dr. Archimedes Porter
My Dearest Nephew Edgar,
That was certainly quite a tale. I write this as I set off in pursuit of my wayward daughter who has apparently stolen aboard some merchant vessel bound for Africa.
As you can see by the account you have just read, there is considerable question as to the state of Jane's mental faculties. To say that the rendering this story was "embellished" is quite an understatement. In fact, I have deep concerns that Jane might be in a total delusion state. Walking on trees? Conversing with animals? Leading a rebellion? A city full of gold? I saw the trinkets Jane claimed to have come from there…costume jewelry at best. Queen of Africa? It is the utmost fraud she is perpetuating. And this John Clayton fellow (not his real name)—there is no record of him or his parents in any peerage claims to the British Monarchy. Was that his fabrication or hers? I doubt he is of British descent at all. Most likely, he's some French ruffian with a dozen wives across the continent. I shall not have this man hurt Jane in her fragile state.
No. Now that I have seen the full depth of her delusions, I harbor serious fear that her mind has become unbalanced. It is quite prevalent in people with brilliant minds to become daft, unable to control the thoughts in their heads, and allowing imagination to become reality. I think her refusal to don footwear is a canonical example. She breaks down into hysterical shrieks whenever the subject of shoe-wearing is broached. It is beyond scandal.
What is clear to me is that she obviously did have relations with that boy, who by all accounts and self-admittedly is a man prone to violence. I fear for her safety if she is to contact him again. He has the exceptionally ability to feed her delusions, to create beliefs that most sound minds would discard. Thank God I was able to convince our angel Robert Dingy to steal her away at the last moment, but the damage had already been done. I hold a great burden of blame on myself, and yet some of my peers claim that this form of madness can occur spontaneously, despite the best of parenting. I can't help feeling responsible for the events. My peers suggest that some great trauma befell her in Africa, beyond what is stated in her manuscript, destroying her capacity for reason, yet why would she willingly return to a place if it holds such terror?
I must mention that Jane is indeed a brilliant scientist, her works already drawing acclaim at certain scientific gatherings. My protests fall on deaf ears when I question the validity of her research, yet my peers appear to be fools, swallowing her drivel like she is indeed Queen of Africa. Far from it.
Now I must follow her. Childbirth and the care of an infant in her mental state could be the final straws, and with a baby involved, I must act. Jane needs to be home and receive the proper medical care. I fear she is ill-equipped for motherhood, and by stealing onto that ship, she has put everything at risk. I will not let her tread the same path as your Aunt and succumb to despair.
So wish me well, and pray with me that she and the baby come through this ordeal unscathed.
Dr. Archimedes Porter
Johns Hopkins University
THE END