There are many ways to mislead the common individual, one important role that a mole plays is to be as unattractive and ignored as possible. Acting akin to an inexperienced person from the slums would certainly fool many but the game changes when others have acted the role before.
An elegant 24 year old woman sat in a carriage staring out the window watching the ever changing scenery of field and forest interchange at random. The driver had stopped at an inn conveniently 2 miles from a mansion. The woman paid the drive thanking him. Once she walked toward the stables the carriage was out of sight and she began her stroll toward the mansion. Hours had passed and she arrived in a slightly disheveled state. The woman took and onion from her purse and began to cut into it with her fingernails covering it with a handkerchief tears began to flow when she went to dab her eyes. She knocked at the front door minutes later a butler had opened it.
"Yes, what business do you have?"
"I require audience with your master Douglas Birlstone. It is of an urgent fragile matter, my name is Ann Lyndhurst."
"One moment madam." The butler disappeared only to reappear moments later. "Master Birlstone will see you." He guided her to a spacious formal room. A respectable man in his 30's stood by a fireplace mantle staring into the fire. He turned around at the sound of the butler announcing Ann's presence.
"Madam, how may I help you? Although I admit that not having an escort for a proper woman your age is slightly unnerving."
"It's my husband, Robert Lyndhurst. He died this morning in a carriage accident. A while back he said you were an acquaintance that would help me in case of his death, something about a debt owed." Ann dabbed her eyes and tears started to well in her eyes. Douglas came closer; sympathy was emanating from him.
"My dear woman, I had not realized the gravity of the situation. After 20 years to think Robert would remember that I still owed him. Yes, well I will set things right. Let's discuss it over tea madam." Ann nodded gently and stood from the couch.
"Before we have such a discussion, where may I freshen up my dreadful appearance, Sir Birlstone?" The man guided her to a room that went past the kitchen. He then proceeded back to inform the kitchen of their tea request and returned to the formal room to wait upon her. Ann had locked the door to the water closet and took out of vial of clear liquid from her purse and slipped it in her black lady gloves that she wore and reapplied her makeup. Listening for any noises outside she proceeded to exit the water closet and walked into the kitchen. Two cooks were shuffling around the area preparing different foods together. On the middle table a platter containing a steaming teapot with two tea cups and crumpets resided. A middle aged cooked had looked up upon Ann's entrance. "Add a lemon slice to my tea. I'm very sensitive at the moment and lemon is very comforting." The cooked dipped her head in acknowledgement.
"Yes mum." The cook slipped a slice of lemon in one of the tea cups. Ann took off her gloves and took the cup without the lemon and fingered the inner edge of the tea cup.
"Is this Rosina Bone? My, it has such a unique flower pattern, I like it." The cook looked up from her pot full of stew.
"Yes mum, the master brought them in some weeks past from a shipment all the way from China he did." The cook then returned to mincing ingredients.
"Yes, well I best return." Ann exited the kitchen. The black gloves were replaced upon her hands and she entered the formal room. Douglas stood upon seeing Ann and waved her to a chair that was straight across from his position. The woman sat as directed. At that moment the butler came in with the tea.
"Ah here's my man. Barrymore set the tea here, after that you may leave." Douglas waved at the glass table that separated Ann from Douglas in a dismissive manner. The butler bowed and did as instructed. After he had left Douglas sat down and took a rather large sip of tea before commencing his business. Ann took dainty sips of her lemon tea and waited.
"You have a wonderful home here sir. I'm envious of the lady who lives here." Douglas cleared his through after Ann spoke.
"Yes, well she died several year ago of polio it was a bitter parting I admit. I can understand the pain you are going through. It's such a pity Robert died in his 40's he was such a great man." Ann nodded her head. "I can provide you lodgings and chaperone while I help you with his funeral prep- , my apologies, prepa-" Douglas suddenly slumped deeply in his chair making the appearance of being in a drunk stupor. Ann looked around the room looking for a glass cabinet for any alcohol. She grabbed a bottle of wine from the cabinet and opened the bottle she emptied the contents into the teapot and place the bottle into Douglas' hand. "I like your silent companionship; it's easier to listen to." Ann kicked his boot. The preparations were set. A maid walked in at the moment and saw the drunken appearance of Douglas. She merely shook her head and grabbed the platter.
"My apologies miss, he really can't stay away from the bottle too long. After his wife's death you see he wasn't the same since."
"I will excuse this once." The maid nodded her head and left the room. Ann had found the butler moments later by the front entrance polishing shoes.
"Barrymore, your master has requested a carriage to be prepared; a hired driver has already come to take him to my residence to settle matters." The butler left. Ann ran toward the formal room and dragged Douglass to the stairs by the entrance of the mansion. She placed a hat over his head to shade his eyes. Barrymore had returned to see seemingly incapacitated master sitting at the base of the steps.
"It appears he couldn't withstand his cravings again I am deeply sorry madam. I will help him to the carriage for you." Ann expressed her thanks and brought her belongings with her. Moments had passed and Ann was seeing the mansion shrink in the distance. Seconds later groaning could be heard. Douglas was regaining his senses.
"Where the devil am I?" Douglas saw Ann and he understood. "You she-witch who are you? Tell me why I am being held captive?" Douglas began to struggle violently against the rope tied around his body.
"No time for pleasantries I'm afraid. At the moment my name isn't important. I'm glad you noticed you are bound I can't trust a "drunk" man after all; your old butler is very helpful. I must thank him later." Ann rambled pleasantly. Douglas cursed under his breath. She became serious at once. "I have a matter I would speak with you. You know James Brown? " Douglas stiffened slightly but otherwise keeping a charade of being aloof.
"I don't know the name."
"You know full well, who is he is. I'm not going to play any mind games we haven't the time for that. You needed to leave your home now."
"What do you want?" The man glared at Ann trying to get his hands free from the rope. Ann remained calm.
"I'm here to tell you that he is sending men out to kill you since you killed for him before, you simply know too much and you did refuse to help Brown with anymore killings. Was it a change of heart perhaps? No matter, his men are coming this very night in just a few hours." Douglas face paled.
"Why are you helping me?" Ann stared at him indifferently.
"As much as I would love to see you killed by your own kind, you are necessary for saving a more important life."
"But I can't just up and leave my home I worked hard to get here. Where will I go?" Ann eyes hardened.
"You could go back and die, it seems very appealing, or you could leave on a trip out of the country tell your hand to take off work for a week. As for now, go to the consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, in London, 221B Baker Street. He will help you. I have stayed too long; I trust you will be safe. Good day sir I will let myself out." Ann knocked on the carriage and it came to a halt. The door was opened to show an untouched part of the country with only the road to show that it had slightly tamed. Ann disappeared from Douglas' sight as she closed the door to the carriage. The carriage began to move again away from the short stop that was made. A separate carriage laid hidden at a bend disguised under all the oak brush. Ann moved the brush and grabbed a duffel bag entered the carriage. Moments later an old distinguished graying coach driver came out and began to drive the coach.
