From Col. Mustard’s Correspondence File
04: Tasker’s Notebook
Col. Edward Mustard
c/o Mrs Midgely’s Lodging House
41 Cockspur Street
London
4th January 1768, Lisbon
Dear Ned
After a Hiatus of almost six Months since the Sandyman Affair, and Nought but dry (though entirely essential, to be sure) Reports of Supply and recruitment Activity from you in the Interim, I had almost thought your Tales of the Unexpected quite dried up, or that perhaps you felt constrained to refrain from communicating further on such Matters. However, your latest Epistle is quite the Tour de Force.
I confess that when I urged you to investigate further Mr Tasker’s Notebook, left in the House of Jewels last Spring, I had not quite envisioned it leading to the manifestation of a veritable Hell-mouth in the centre of London. I must say you seem much more in your Element defending a Gateway to Hell (or somewhere) against a stream of its devilish Denizens with the aid of nought but a large Table and the redoubtable Mr Blunt, than investigating arcane Bull-Rituals in Berkshire.
Perhaps the most surprising Visitor to manifest out of the Portal was your old Friend Maxwell. It implies the most powerful Forces of Destiny at Work for you to open it just as your lost Comrade was in such desperate need of egress from those Realms. I am heartily sorry to hear his News regarding Captain Mainborough. I never met the Gentleman myself but I have heard you speak of him with Respect, and he was a Man of Reputation and Note in Admiralty circles. It fairly makes my Blood boil to think of the Turk using him so cruelly and wish that instead of our fruitless Manoeuvres in Portugal we might engage them in a proper War. As for the Suggestion that they might expel his Soul and suborn his Body to their Purposes – it makes the Flesh crawl, does it not? If our Enemies have such Powers we should all be on our Guard.
I echo your sympathies too for poor Mr Wright, condemned to a Turkish Galley most probably for the rest of his Life unless some diplomatic Effort can be brought to bear in his Favour.
Under the Circumstances I think it only right that you have agreed to make these Matters known to the Agents of His Majesty so that a proper accounting may be made – though I would urge both Caution and Discretion. It would not do to become in some way an embarrassment to such Figures, if you take my meaning. Curious that Maxwell should disappear again so suddenly, don’t you think? Although, were I in his Shoes I too might be wary of further questioning by another Great Power – however benign our Methods compared to those of the Infidel Turk.
I am much obliged and honoured to your Confidant in these matters and beg to be kept informed as Matters unfold.
You will note that the Regiment has been posted now to Lisbon – better Quarters, a better Class of Doxy on the whole but the Wine is considerably worse. I must tell you of what befell young Watkinson down in one of the waterfront Bars near the Arsenal....
Your obedient Servant
Nathaniel Pepper
Lieut. Col.