From Col. Mustard’s Correspondence File
02: The Summer Solstice Pt. 1
Col. Edward Mustard
c/o Mrs Midgely’s Lodging House
41 Cockspur Street
London
29th June 1767, Oporto
Dear Ned,
I have just caught your latest Missive regarding the Sandiman Business which I can see was penned and sent in some Haste. I shall do you the Courtesy of replying in like Manner, although I am sure that whatever eventuates from your Investigations into this veritable Mare’s Nest of Mysteries in the County of Berkshire will have occurred by the Time you come to read my Words.
Of course, I am long past the Point in our Acquaintance when I should be surprised at your Account of wrestling a deadly supernatural Animation comprised of Slime and Pond-Weed intent on dragging you to a watery Death in the ornamental Lake. I am cheered that mortal Man can overcome such Hell-Spawn simply through stalwart application of Might and Main. I shall bear your Lesson in Mind should I ever find myself in similar Straits and save my Sympathies for whichever poor Soul undertook your Laundry afterwards.
It is plain that Mrs Sandiman is telling less than she knows and is torn between acting in the Interests of her Child and those of her Husband. I have never made his acquaintance when I was in the employ of the East India Company, or even heard of him, but I know his Type. The Company is full of such middle-ranking Officials, constantly plotting against each other to attract the Attention of their Superiors and climb the slippery Ladder of Advancement. To my Mind, as a simple military Man in their employ, I always considered such to be greedy, grasping and without Honour, almost to a Man. Whether Sandiman was the Author of the Corruption in the Lake, he cannot have been unaware of its Existence and the Toll it was taking upon his Staff. I cannot think him to be anything other than an utter Scrub to hold their Welfare in such small Regard.
I know not what to make of the Bull Pit. It seems an extraordinary Length to go to for a bit of Bull-baiting which I’m sure can be seen almost any Day of the Week at any Number of Places in the County. It is True that it is becoming considered beneath the Dignity of the better sort of Man to be seen at such Public Gatherings. Perhaps you have simply stumbled upon one of those secret Gentlemen’s Clubs one hears so much of these Days. It doesn’t seem to me Half as much Fun as a Hunt Meet.
I am frankly aghast at your Tale of a Golden Calf on display in the Church at Bray. Of course, I am well aware of the Reputation of the Vicar there but this goes quite beyond the normal run of fashion following in the matter of religion. It provides an odd and troubling link to Sandiman’s Bull Club. I’m afraid I can make Head nor Tale of the Rhyme. I can only hope that your Deeds turn out to be Golden.
Yours faithfully
Nathaniel Pepper
Lieut. Col.
PS. You were quite right to send your Message by Naval Packet. I would never trust anything sensitive to a Company Ship. I know for a Fact they open pretty much Anything that passes through their Hands in Case it throws up any Opportunity for Profit.
NP