From Col. Edward Mustard’s Correspondence File
18: Colonel Mustard: on Belvedere or Bellweather
The Tower of London
15th December, 1768
My Dear Hardern,
I have under Lock and Key in the Tower a Wretch by the Name of Belvedere (he also goes by Bellweather). This Fellow was named by Witnesses at the Smithfield Event as being a Prime Mover in furnishing “Volunteers”, most of whom turned out to be Malefactors and Fugitives from Justice, for a promised new Life beyond the Gate.
Belvedere, like Others whom we have encountered while investigating this Matter, proved to be a Villain and a Fool in almost equal Measure. He too seems genuinely to have believed that he was sending his “Clients” to some Cockaigne beyond the Gates and appeared outraged to learn that in Reality he was sending them to their Deaths at the Hands of Dog-Headed Men.
We found him to be possessed by some tutelary Demon – an Evil Thing – that we extracted and interrogated separately before banishing. It is Plain that this Creature had the Whip Hand in their Relationship – a Fact of which Belvedere seemed blissfully unaware. The Demon provided him with Powers with which to cow his “Flock” of equally stupid Followers and influenced him by Insinuation. It also provided him with a means to contact the Netherworld.
However, it is Plain that the Fiend did not persuade him to do anything that he was not fully prepared to undertake of his own Volition. This was apparent from our Interrogation after the removal of the Demon. He was regularly sacrificing poor, destitute Street Sleepers, to feed his Familiar. That he saw nothing Ill in this tells you what manner of Man he is.
The most alarming Aspect of his Activities is that Belvedere was clearly in contact with the Turk (or at least a Faction of the Turk that is under the Influence of a Faction of the Anunaki), who seem to have furnished him with his Demon in the first Place. Even more troubling, Belvedere furnished the Turk with at least four living Individuals, each of whom returned much changed in Character and Demeanour. It seems plain that these are now Turkish/Anunaki Agents, doubtless furnished with Demons similar to Belvedere’s, at large in London or Elsewhere in the Realm and working towards its Downfall.
We have four Names: Deborah Gower; Blackaby Canton; Polly Anders; Frodsham Coward. I was wondering whether any of these had come to your Attention already, or if you would be prepared to make some discreet Enquiries regarding their Whereabouts and Activities. I am sure you know your Business so I had hardly need say that is Important not to alert them to our Interest until we are ready to take them.
The King has commanded me personally to find him incontrovertible Proof of the Threat to the Realm from Turks operating in “The Lands of Dust” and the Possibility that they might utilise arcane Gates from Thence into your Realm. I am sorry indeed to hear of Sir John’s suspicions, but without more Knowledge of his Concerns, I can say little more. However, I am perfectly happy to meet with him and discuss Matters further in a private Meeting.
Yours, etc.,
Edward Mustard, Col.