Back in the Present

They debarked and noted that there was only one car attached to the locomotive.  Then entered through the rear door and found themselves in the sleeping car.  They searched the compartments and found some compromising photographs of a government minister in drag, but no weapon plans.  A newspaper indicated that they were back in their own time on the day that they had left Moreton-Hampstead.

They took the carriage to Exeter and caught a train from there.  They were met at Waterloo station by Agent Elisha Barnhart, who Trombley had wired to assist them.  She informed them that the Lady Henrietta was a yacht privately owned by the German government and where she was berthed. The yacht was due to sail back to Germany that evening at 7:30 p.m. for the Kaiser’s birthday celebrations, and one Herr Oberst Ludwig von Steinhagen and wife were on the passenger list.  Barnhart implored the investigators that time was of the essence.  If the plans left England, all was lost.

At the Wharf

They proceeded directly to the indicated pier and discovered it full of activity.  Dock workers were busy loading the yacht, while German soldiers blocked off the pier from all but authorized personnel.  Sir Jonathan and Barnhart approached and were immediately accosted by a guard.  They told them they had business with von Steinhagen and that they were expected.  The soldier summoned his Lieutenant, who dispatched another soldier to inform von Steinhagen.  The soldier returned a short time later with permission for them to board.

In the mean time, Warren and Stone attempted to walk past the pier toward the Harbormaster’s office. Warren knew the Harbormaster and intended to have the Lady Henrietta’s departure delayed.  However, they were also stopped by a guard, who also summoned the Lieutenant.  The officer allowed them to pass.

On Board the Lady Henrietta

Sir Jonathan and Barnhart were led to the aft cabin, where Herr Oberst and Frau von Steinhagen awaited them.  The woman was immediately suspicious.  Sir Jonathan stunned them all with a thunderclap, which summoned a nearby officer and some guards into the stateroom.  A scuffle ensued during which several shots were fired, and the von Steinhagens escaped in a cloud of fog.

On the Pier

Warren and Stone arrived at the Harbormaster’s Office to find that his friend was not on duty.  When they told the man on watch of their suspicions, he suggested summoning the police.  The investigators left and ran back toward the yacht.  When they heard the thunderclap and subsequent gunfire, Warren blew his police whistle.  The soldiers had taken up defensive positions on and around the yacht.

In Pursuit

Sir Jonathan discovered the hatch through which the German agent and sorcerer had escaped through into the hold and followed.  A soldier pursued him down the hatch, but Barnhart jumped through the hatch on top of him and disabled the soldier.  They chased their quarry through the stacks of cargo in the hold until the von Steinhagens climbed out through the forward hatch.

Outside

A few minutes later, a squad of bobbies appeared.  Warren and Stone exchagned gunfire with the soldiers nearest them.  The bobbies were shot down by the soldiers, but eventually stormed on board and the surviving soldiers surrendered under protest.

Sir Jonathan and Barnhart emerged in deck to discover an officer and some soldiers preparing a motor launch.  Sir Jonathan hit the woman with a Bolt and she topped over the side.  The soldiers dove after her as the officer and von Steinhagen lowered the boat into the water.  By the time they reached the rail, the soldiers had retrieved the woman and all were on the boat.  Sir Jonathan fired more Bolts at the boat and damaged it, but the woman erected a shield of bones around the boat that succeeded in plugging the leak.

Sir Jonathan fired more Bolts and killed the soldiers and the woman, but von Steinhagen poured some powder that his wife had been carrying on them and all three reanimated as the boat sailed out of range across the river.

Barnhart searched the von Steinhagen’s cabin, but the stolen plans were not on board.  After a thorough search of the yacht, no plans were found.

They had failed.

The Heroes

  • Inspector Alabaster Warren, Scotland Yard
  • Gravner Stone, notorious playboy and consulting detective
  • Sir Jonathan Dennis Braun of Eatin-over-Heywoods, peer of the realm and wizard
  • Clancy Trombley – British Intelligence Service