Headline

Ten days before Christmas 1870, Lord Rocher, Lady Isabel, Charles Bellmont and Gwendolyn St Clare arrive at Fairlie Place north of Brighton for a weekend with Lord Pengellon, Katharin and Emily. Before the pleasantries of the weekend can be enjoyed, that Thursday afternoon is marred slightly by high tea with Gwenny's Grand-mama, Lady Adelaide Barclay. Lady Adelaide shares her critical and snooty opinions of Pengellon's guests with them. She is especially rude to both Isabel and Rocher.

After dinner, the party has retired to Pengellon's study when there is an unexpected caller. Police Constable George Davies has unusual news to share with Pengellon. A woman's body was found by the railway track inside Balcombe Tunnel very early that morning. She had the addresses of both Pengellon and upcoming young inventor Magnus Volk on her person. She appeared to have been savaged by a wild animal of some sort, to such an extent that precise identification is difficult. A small silver chain round her neck bore a tiny swan, the mark of The Second Compact.

Returning to the Westchester Hotel to collect their luggage, Lord Rocher and Charles Bellmont discover that their room has been turned over, assorted belongings scattered on the floor. Rocher notices that many of his personal letters have been stolen, but says nothing to Charles. The girls’ room has also been broken into, and clothes and frillies have been strewn everywhere.

Bayernese agent Schwarzmen suggests consulting with Colonel Tarlenheim at Castle Falkenstein before simply requisitioning the Aeroliner. Lord Rocher eventually agrees to this, and wants it done immediately.   

Lord Algenon Rocher's life flashes before his eyes as he plunges towards the Atlantean Ocean. But miraculously, he is saved. Speciosus Ignis, a dragon, onboard the aeroliner with his fiancée, had sensed Lord John Standish manipulating a magical knot, and flown off the vessel to investigate. Whereupon he saw Rocher falling to his doom, arrested his fall with a spell, and carried him up to the roof of the bridge.

Captain Paul Hesser doesn't appear to believe Rocher's assertion that he doesn't normally fall off the side of things, mainly as his Lordship is rather the worse for wear after an evening's drinking and whatever Standish drugged him with. Hesser also has no knowledge of Standish being aboard. He says he'll look into this as soon as he can, but the crew are presently busy dealing with the aftermath of the dangerous gust of wind.