From Col. Edward Mustard’s Correspondence File
19: Colonel Mustard: Christmas at Shere
Shere
29th December 1768
My Dear Hardern,
Please forgive yet another Missive scribbled in Haste but I felt it Mete that I should update you as speedily as possible on the current Situation.
Firstly I guess that your own Sources have already Apprised you of the Death, while in Custody at the Tower, of Belvedere/Bellweather. The Tower Authorities seem baffled and embarrassed in equal Measure. My own particular Investigations indicate that four Entities, in Human Form, used Glamours and Possession to gain Entrance first to the Tower, then to Bellweather’s Cell. It seems that when they first entered his Cell, Bellweather anticipated Rescue. However, one said to him “They’ve gone”. His Face fell and they proceeded to tear him apart most savagely.
I imagine that you are only too aware of the series of brutal Highway Robberies that recently took place on the London to Guildford Road. With Benefit of Hindsight I believe that these same Entities were responsible for these Attacks. It now seems likely that we were their Target as we travelled to Shere for Christmas at the House of my betrothed, Lady Diana Chatterton. As Luck would have it we arrived there by River Route.
It did not take them long to re-focus their efforts, however. Last Night Lady Diana’s House was assailed by a Mob of Villagers – drawn from the Public Bar of the White Lion in Shere - who were plainly Ensorceled and Possessed. Fortunately I had an Enochian Engine prepared with a “Banish” that they struggled to resist. So together with the Efforts of my Companions – Rao; the well-known Pugilist Valerie Tonkins; Sidney Tallow (you may be familiar with the name); and Lady Diana herself – we were able to disperse them.
Amongst those who fell senseless when their animating Spirits were Banished was Polly Anders. Naturally, we questioned Miss Anders most closely, but I was left in no Doubt that with the Departure of her occupying Spirit she recalled Nothing at all of her Activities between her Ensorcelment at one of Bellweather’s “Prayer Meetings” in November and recovering her Senses after the Affray. The names of Blackaby Canton and Frodsham Coward were unfamiliar to her. Deborah Gower, however, was her Particular Friend and took part in the same Prayer Meeting. I enclosed Gower’s address in case it is of value in tracking her down. Once more I adjure you to Caution in dealing with her. The merest Touch on an unprotected Person is enough for her to effect a Possession.
Enquiring at the White Lion, we discovered that she had arrived on the Dorking Stage with two Fellows. On searching their Rooms we discovered a Quantity of bloodstained Clothing, Evidence of what I believe is called a “Hand of Glory” (according to Tallow, who seems to know about such Matters) and another of those Amulets that can be used to cast a disguising Glamour. All the evidence is that they departed precipitously and are headed towards Guildford. It is our intention to pursue them post haste – hence the brevity of this message.
Yours etc. Edward Mustard, Col.
P.S. I would be most grateful if you could pass this information on to Mr Elmhill. I’m sure you know where to find him.