Gavin+Davies'+Story


 * 'Join Professor Gede and his wide-eyed apprentice, Edward, to solve the mystery of a curious island where an amazing secret is waiting to be found. But as the Professor and Edward delve deeper into the mystery of the island, they will find that the fate of a far-off land is in their hands.'

'Where is the treasure of the Baron Von Krunger?' - //'Was there ever any treasure...?'//

'What are the sounds in the night?' - //'Where are they coming from...?'//

'Who is Inspector Hampton?' - //'Is he all he appears to be...?'//

'Why are the occupants losing their memory?' - //'And how...?'//

'And who is the villain that wants to rid of the Professor and Edward?' **

//But on an island full of secrets there is only one who can solve the puzzle!//

=**// 'Can __YOU__ crack the case?' //**=

Our first tale weaves the story of Professor Gede, archaeologist and historian at Ensford University, whom currently resides in the heart of the City of Halden - 1296 Harlington Street, West Halden.

This story tells of one of the earlier cases of Professor Gede, with his new apprentice - Edward Bowden, as they embark to the mysterious hotel - Sun, Tree & Moon



= Professor Gede & The Permanent Residence =

//Dear Reader,

The secret I and the Professor discovered of Sun, Tree & Moon was to be one that we could never speak of. We would have to keep the secret for the rest of our lives.

Because you see...//



=__**Chapter 1**__ =
 * 'The Car journey'**

The Professor's automobile trundled through the South-Coast countryside under a brilliant Summer sky. Within the vehicle, Professor Gede was driving, whilst Edward looked vacantly staring at the countryside and the passing trees. Edward had never been to the sea-side as he was born and bred in a small country town, but still only a youth, the Professor had taken Edward under his wing and regarded him as his assistant. Why? Well that is for another story...

The Professor handed Edward an envelope, with the crimson wax seal broken, to which Edward began to read it's contents. 'I don't understand it Professor. Why are we going to solve a petty inheritance dispute?'

The Professor kept his focus on the empty road, 'Do you think I would really take up such an ordinary request such as that? Oh no, this is an altogether more interesting case that has piqued my intellectual curiousity.' 'You see, the **'Sun, Tree & Moon'** hotel, which resides on an isolated tidal-island off the Tormarish coast, houses one Sir Reginald Tobias of whom has requested our arrival at the hotel. He wrote of the death of a certain rich gentleman referred to as the Baron von Krunger from the Aldorian capital, who had taken residence in the hotel near to his death. The Baron had brought with him a plethora of some of the Aldorian Empire's greatest treasures. One such treasure was the **//Eborian Sceptre//** - //a treasure of Aldoria which held the legend of whom ever held it, on a certain day of the year, would become Kaiser of all of Aldoria and it's colonies.// Strangely though, on the night of the Baron's death all the valubles he brought were gone.'

'Wow Professor. That is certainly a mystery.' 'Quite Edward. Although the reason we are venturing to our destination is because of the incident which proceeded it.'

'After his death, the residents of **'Sun, Tree & Moon'** were gathered together by instruction of the Baron's Last Will and Testament. He stated that - //'To whomever may find my treasure and the sceptre, I give full power of all of the kingdom of Aldoria and the riches of the realm.' - // Naturally, all whom attended the reading set out to hunt for the hidden treasure on the isle immediately. Unfortunately, they all came back empty handed.' Edward gave a look of great interest and questioned, 'I see Professor, but what is our role in the case?' Whilst driving, the Professor gave a look of concern in reply to the question. 'Sir Reginald didn't specify the purpose of our curious venture to these far-off hinterlands. Although, my boy, I can't help but feel that this mystery is linked to something more... Something huge.'

'Aha! Is that your famous intuition at work again, Professor?' 'Mm. Well our first step is getting to the isle of the hotel itself. Edward, would you be so kind as to enquire the directions from MOTHER... She's sitting on the back seat, my boy.' Edward tried to look behind him and reached to pick up the suitcase on the back seat of the car. It was an old, battered case which had experienced many adventures with the Professor before and was a highly sophisticated piece of machinary, if slightly warped... Placing the case on his lap, Edward opened it. 'By the way Professor, how did he acquire knowledge of your experience before writing to you?' 'Yes that did it strike me as odd. I was told in the letter that he had read an article of one of my cases in the Halden newspapers and sought myself for his conundrum.'

The lid of the suitcase flipped open, revealing inside a strange piece of gadgetry indeed. MOTHER could only be described as appearing to be some sort of clockwork computer - which the Professor 'stumbled' upon - that was now built conveniently into the guise of a suitcase. 'GOOD MORNING. E-D-W-A-R-D. **:)**,' she bleeped - (although oddly in truth it had a rather discernably deep, masculine voice, if such a thing can exist for a machine.) Edward sighed, and not for the first time either. 'I rather wish it would stop doing that...' 'Patience Edward. She needs time to become acquainted with your name. Where I acquired her from, names were considerably longer and in a more ancient tongue... But alas, there we go,' the Professor pointed at the screen of the computer, 'MOTHER tells us that we should be arriving at the pier of the shore soon.'

The one definable thing of Professor Gede was the top hat he would always wear, so much so that the Professor's automobile - the Beetle - had even had it's carriage heightened so that he would never have need to remove his top hat. He was a character who seemed always to be out of place wherever he went, with his long coat, polished shoes and long trouser, he would always seem to have more of an impact on someone. His face was quite pale, only his greyish-blue eyes gave colour to his face and his thick, brown hair //(some would say slightly too long)// which curled upwards at the conclusion of the hair itself, which usually led for gentry to question wether the Professor was nothing but an educated hermit, rather than a man of high-class.

The Beetle passed the last sign of civilisation the couple would see on their journey, a pub by the name of //'The Three Knights//.' The Professor slowed down as they came to a cobbled road which led down to the beach where a pier existed. The car stopped and the Professor smiled to himself and spoke, 'You'd best gather your things Edward. We've arrived.' =**__Chapter 2__** =

**'A curious welcome' **

Edward and the Professor departed from the Beetle and walked the rest of the way down to the abandoned pier facing the out-stretch of the bay. Edward looked around. 'Hmm... Professor, there appears to be no one here...' The Professor looked over his right shoulder and spied a white-washed thatched cottage down a small path. 'On the contrary my boy, for look their and you will see one of the local denzien's establishments,' replied the Professor who already began to walk down the path.

The pair came to the black, wooden door of the house - which housed a fine, brass door-knocker depicting the head of a lion - and Edward hastily beckoned the dweller with many knocks. The Professor looked around and once again his fine eyes caught sight of a man fishing on the edge of the water. 'Excuse me, Sir? Do you by any chance know of the whereabouts of the occupants of this house?' called the Professor. Remaining in his fixed position, the man called back, 'I do indeed. I believe he's fishing nearby. He'll be getting back home soon...' The Professor and Edward traded looks of confusion. 'Thank you for your patronage Sir.' Edward and the Professor made their way back to the house to wait for the home-owner to return. 'What a curious character he was. How do you suppose he -' But Edward was suddenly interrupted as the portly fellow still carrying his long fishing rod quickly bolted up the path and into the trees. Both the Professor and Edward stood in bewilderment for a moment. 'Country folk. Such odd customers...' The two city folk eventually reached the cottage and went to the door. Once again, they knocked.

The occupant opened the door with a calm demenor. 'Can I help you, gentlemen?' The Professor and his apprentice gave a befuddled look, making it obvious that they were quite astonished at the inhabitant of the house. Edward, without any consideration of courtesy, spoke out, 'You're the man who was fishing...' The Professor nudged Edward to interrupt him, 'I'm sorry to... 'Disrupt' you sir, but do you by any chance know of someone who can take us across the bay. A person with access to a boat perhaps?' The portly man quickly replied. 'I do indeed sirs, and what's more is that I __am__ that man //and// I have something better than a boat. Do follow me.'

Professor Gede and Edward followed the man back up the path and returned to the pier. 'Gentlemen, my name is Paverosa and my family has been one of inventors for many generations. As such, I have built the perfect machine for trawling across the marshy terrain of the bay which is why I excel in transportation in the area. I give you - the Mobile Platform Unit!' Paverosa pulled out a cordless radio-controlled switch and pressed a large red button, and by result of this, a section of the pier began to rise up revealing that it was elevated by a scissor-lift. The Professor stared in admiation, 'My word.' 'This gentlemen is your ride to the famous hotel- '**Sun, Tree & Moon**'! //For only £30...'//
 * //'How much!?'//** 


=__Chapter 3 __=  '**Across the bay'**

After a rather forced payment, the Professor and Edward acquired transport them across the bay. It was morning and the tide was far out of site, leaving a vast blanket of sand stretching over the horizon.

The solitary shape of the elevated machine crawled across the sandy-land, scuttling over it like a vehicular-crustacean, but this was to be the transport to take the apprentice and his mentor to their destination of '**Sun, Tree & Moon.'** Mr. Paverosa steered the machine whilst Professor Gede and Edward were forced to stand due to the lack of seats, and so looked onwards to the isle. 'It would be hard to believe that in our modern world there can still exist these secluded realms, would you not agree Edward?' His apprentice continued to gaze at island that gradually drew closer. 'Quite, Professor.'

The Professor turned his attention to the horizon where he expected to observe the coming tide, but instead saw a long metal wall that stretched from one side of the bay to the other so that it barricaded the mouth of the estuary. The Professor tapped Edward's shoulder, 'Does that wall not resemble some sort of 'dam' or reservoir to you?' Edward squinted to see it. 'You're right Professor. What on Terra would such a thing be doing here and for what purpose?' Professor Gede turned to the youth, 'It's purpose is obvious, no? To seal the water off from the bay. As to why... That is indeed an odd matter... The tide itself must need to be redirected into a river to avoid flooding.' The machine came to a gradual halt as it stumbled towards a small pier crawling out from the island from a minute cove.

'Here you are gents, the island awaits!' The Professor and Edward disembarked from their transportation, with Professor Gede carrying his case and Edward being laboured with carrying the weighty MOTHER. 'Remember boys, if you want to get back to the main-land just give me call on the only phone on the island. They'll give you my number at the hotel.' They watched as Paverosa and his strange contraption crawled back over the horizon returning to the mainland leaving only the tire-marks of it's passage. Edward stared at the distant cliffs of the shores longingly, 'My, Professor - We seem to be an awfully long distance from the coastline. I hope Sir Reginald Tobias has good reasoning to drag us all the way from Halden.'  His pale hands adjusted the tophat on his head, giving the impression that this gentleman was not at all worried, but the Professor was indeed curious and the matter of their purpose here weighed heavily as a burden, although he had to show decorum in the company of his apprentice. 'Come my boy! The island awaits our arrival.' So, the two of them walked along the quay towards a flight of thirty-nine steps which were cut-out of the cove's side and as they escalated, they were to begin their adventure at **'Sun, Tree & Moon'**

=**__Chapter 4__**=


 * 'A burial at St.Godfrey's Chruch'**

The afternoon sun made this summer day to be almost dream-like. The bumble bees massed in the fields amongst the growing flowers and the trees swayed softly in the summer breeze. It was indeed beautiful, but the heat of the day and the climb to the hotel was quite a task for Edward and the Professor who carried their luggage and MOTHER. They took the time to stop and sit in the middle of a field under the shade of a tree and enjoy a short picnic. The Professor poured some tea for the two of them from his thermos-flask and observed the scenery. 'For an island this piece of land seems quite vast and empty, but look at least there's a church, over there Edward.' He pointed a digit in the direction and Edward surveyed the landscape. 'Ah yes. Then we can presume there's someone there...? Perhaps to direct us towards the hotel...'

It was a long walk across the fields but they eventually reached the far-off church. The iron-wrought gates were open. Professor Gede and Edward walked along the winding path towards the ominous doorway of the church. 'There's a lot of tombstones in this church for an isolated island,' Edward's eyes scanned the shaded graveyard and observed the many graves, some looked like they had been there for years, all were quite crude in their way which made this place of solitude seem very sinister...

' CLOSED' - Was chalked onto the door of the church. Edward sighed and made his way to an old, gnarled oak tree, slumping against it - he attempted to gather some energy. 'I can't make it Professor. The heat is killing me!' The Professor joined him and tilted his tophat to shield his eyes from the Sun's glare. 'It would seem your not the only one afflicted by the heat, my boy.' He pointed to the distance where a collection of figures dressed in black were gathered around a grave. 'Wait here Edward, I'm going to pay my respects.' The Professor buttoned up his jacket and positioned his tophat and walked over to the mourning.  Gede casually strolled over to the group and took his place amongst the mourners. Rather disturbingly, he didn't seem out of place amongst the others drabbed in their formal suits, which concerned him (bearing in mind that the clothes he wore now were what he always wore.) It was a sad sight. Not because of the burial, but rather those who were present. The Professor glanced about whilst his head was down and noticed that the group was only of seven people, three were the undertakers and the vicar dictating the final rites from the Holy Book, whilst the others seemed to be the only friends this gentleman had... Whoever __he__ was. The other three were an odd bunch - A fat, portly gentleman with a small black moustache, a thin, young man wearing a large pair of red spectacles and lastly an old man with a large, juicy grey beard and small eyes. The Professor focussed his concentration on them alone throughout the burial. Gede squinted to look behind them, further into the horizon. A solitary figure stood in the middle of a field in the shade of the nearby oak trees. It was an ominous sight indeed, but in the blink of an eye - It was gone...

The service ended and the gathering soon departed. Perhaps it was the summer heat or just the tedious sermon which had lasted an hour or so, but the Professor was determined to get to the hotel whatever the costs. (The story had been lagging on for ages too...) Gede caught sight of the fat man from the funeral and he had an automobile! The Professor called out, 'Excuse me sir!'  Meanwhile, under the tree in the graveyard... Edward had lost sight of Gede ages ago and now resorted to searching the Globalnet on MOTHER. Using a search engine 'Prongle,' he hunted for any information he could find on the island and it's history. Edward spent ages searching until he came across a certain article following a link.


 * //__SCEPTRE MOVED OUT OF COUNTRY!!__//**

//This Summer will always be remembered as the time of Great Unrest in the Nation of Aldoria. Anarchy runs through the streets as inflation strikes the country and the economy spirals out of control. With several poiltical parties urging the Kaiser to invade the neighbouring nation of Fornee, it has been decided by the Kaiser himself that the **Eborian Sceptre** must be smuggled out of Aldoria. Recent events, such as the terrorist attacks and public demonstrations, have created fears that the power of the sceptre may be utilised to over-throw the current Royal Family in a bid to bring Pro-war Parties to power and bring about the invasion. Kaiser Woremstiener has shown great concern over the inevitability of war, which ofcourse the country cannot afford. By the time of Press, the sceptre has been removed from it's resting place in the Palace of Lorelheim and taken out of the country by trusted allies of the Throne. The current destination of the **Eborian Sceptre** is unknown.//

Deep in thought, Edward pondered to himself. 'Hmmm, this article is quite old. This was headline news... Eleven years ago.' Suddenly, the Professor hurtled towards him with great enthusiasm. 'Come my boy! I have acquired us a form of transportation to the Hotel!' exclaimed Gede. The youth gave a disgruntled look - 'Oh please Professor, don't say it's another elevation-thingy... I still feel queasy after the ride over.' Gede closed MOTHER and carried it upon his person. 'No no. We have an automobile to take us. Now come on...' He pulled up Edward from his rest under tree. 'Even charity becomes weaker as time is wasted...'

=__Chapter 5__=


 * 'Checking in'**

The car strolled up towards the Hotel after what had been a long afternoon. The Professor lifted his tophat to vent himself on occasion & Edward stared out at the vista passing by. He could see the coastline of the main-land where they had begun, it seemed so far away now... 'Thank you for the ride, sir. It's most appreciated we've been traversing across the island for a long time before we came across the church.' The Professor's apprentice, still operating MOTHER, was sure to save a copy of the article he found. It was bound to prove useful in solving the mystery of the Eborian Sceptre and the Baron's treasure. 'So tell me gentlemen, what business do you have at the Hotel? You're not solicitors are you? We've had too many of those around,' began the driver. Edward interrupted abruptly, 'Solicitors?' 'Oh yes. Two gentlemen dressed in black suits.' The portly man glanced at Gede. 'Much like yourself, sir. Except now that I think about it, they had foreign accents.' The man driving the car told the two of them that the hotel had been a quiet place until recently. Unknown to Gede until now, the funeral they had just attended was that of none other than Baron von Krunger himself. The backseat driver, young Edward Bowden, suddenly exclaimed in childish suprise. 'But there were so few people there!? I always imagined that some old codger with tons of cash would have loads of buddies.' 'Or enemies,' Gede mumbled to himself.

It was not long before they reached their destination and soon they found themselves at the front of the Hotel.

'Wow Professor, it's like a castle! This is where we're staying!?' The Hotel stood at the height of a medieval castle, but with the architectural influences of both Baroque & Gothic. The entire thing was white-washed, so it glowed like an ethereal palace in the Sun's glare. The entire establishment seemed embedded in the sloping land, facing the Water-Lock, which was still as foreboding to the Professor as it was on Paverosa's Contraption. The Western wind brushed the trees nearby lightly and swept over the dusty ground. The Hotel itself had a high, stone wall around the exterior face of the castle with an iron-wrought gate acting as the entrance. The large man who drove the two there out-stretched his arm. 'If you could follow me, gentlemen...' Through the court-yard they traversed - Edward carrying his satchel and the Professor holding his suitcase of utensils and MOTHER. Average detail for a court-yard really, what you'd expect - gravel on the ground, few oak trees and a fountain, burbling away in the summer heat. Edward, unlike Gede who was quite the expert on architecture and the arts, only took interest from the numerous gargoyles strewn around the court-yard. Like little sentinals, watching as the three strolled towards the hotel. The old wooden doors clattered behind them with a gradual close. With their closure, the door-knocker outside banged against the doors with a loud clang. The gentleman who had been driving stopped abruptly and quickly turned to face the two sleuths. 'How rude of me! I almost forgot to introduce myself. My name is Harvey Scheiner and I'm one of the residents of this establishment.' He outstretched his hand to shake their hands. 'Also, you need to check in. We try to avoid letting the riff-raff in, don't you know...' He gave a welcoming smile. Mr. Scheiner then pointed to a booth at one side of the vast hall they had walked into. 'The Reception Desk is over there.' The Entrance Hall itself was huge. A place of grandeur and culture. Entering from the Main Entrance, one was confronted by the Entrance Hall which had to the immediate left, the Reception Desk. In front of this entrance was the Main Stairway, which led up to a grand painting.

There was an elderly lady at the desk. Her mind was occupied with a crossword on a local newspaper. Gede and Edward walked over to the desk. The old woman laboured over her crossword puzzle, tapping her thin digits upon the surface in thought. 'Umm... Excuse me Madam,' Gede politely spoke. The old woman put aside her paper and looked at the two. 'Hello gentleman, how may I be of assistance?' Edward used his most sincere voice, 'We are a party of two and require two places please.' He showed the number of places with his two fingers like a 'V' and turned to the Professor and gave a childish smile. Upon looking at the book with all the names of the guests she gave a suprised look. 'Oh, are you by any chance Professor Gede?' The two sleuths gave each other a curious look. 'Yes I am. May I enquire as to why?' The old lady began to smile. 'Ah well in that case you appear to already be booked in by compliments of Sir Reginald Tobias.'

It was mere moments later that the Professor & Edward found themselves with key in hand to their room - Room 310 - it was described to them as 'a lovely little room overlooking the vista of the estuary as it leads out to the Flood-Gates in the distance.' Before they departed for their room, Gede couldn't help but notice something on the newspaper the Receptionist was using. The front pages were adorned with the picture of a man in a tweed suit, basic haircut (for any aging man) and a large moustache covering the majority of his face. His photograph showed him handing over a hand-cuffed miscreant to two members of Her Majesty's Police Constabulary. The headline read - **//__'INSPECTOR HAMPTON DOES IT AGAIN!'__//**

Gede looked at the Inspector's smiling face. He had heard of this gentleman - Hampton was a renowned police inspector and was feared across Halden by all criminals in the East-End & Docklands. In this case he had caught the infamous 'Bob the Hopper.' But contrary to distraction, the Professor & Edward had their luggage taken by the Bellboy and ventured to their rooms.

=**__Chapter 6__**=


 * 'A Knock on the Door'**

Traversing the labyrinth was a turmoil of it own for Edward. Following the Bellboy, the two meandered through the many corridors which housed the rooms. The Professor's under-study could not fathom how the residents remembered where their rooms were, but yet those they passed casually strolled along the maze with no trouble. It was to be guessed that it was from experience. The Bellboy wore a red uniform, which seemed too warm and uncomfortable to wear in the Summer heat, especially indoors, but yet he didn't even break a sweat. They came to the corridor of 300 - 310. 'Please gentlemen, if you'd follow me...' mumbled the bellboy. The corridor was quite bustling with life. Many people passed them and each appeared to be searching for something. The Bellboy stabbed the key into the lock and twisted it, like a knife into an unfortunate victim. Aged wood groaned as the door creaked open. Edward ran in, dumped his heavy satchel and threw himself on one of the beds. Gede showed more decorum and walked over to their window to see the vista. In the doorway, the Bellboy tapped his foot impatiently and stared at his watch. 'Thank you for helping us with our luggage, sir.' Gede gave a light smile. 'Before you go. Could you tell me where I may find one Reginald Tobias?' The Bellboy shook his head. 'I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to give confidential inform-' The Professor pulled out an ample amount of money and slipped it into the Bellboy's pocket. 'Well in that case - I don't think it'd hurt to tell. Room 145. He's been here for a while. Although...' The Bellboy dived into thought. 'Yes? Something wrong?' 'Well it's just, now that you mention it - I haven't seen him in a while. He's been meeting up with some strange fellow who I'm not familiar with. Also, Sir Tobias has been writing a lot of letters recently...'

The duo unpacked their things. Gede kept in mind the things the Bellboy mentioned about Reginald Tobias, especially the room number. 'Wow. Certainly is busy around here isn't it? By the way, how did this guy we're here for even know to summon you?' The Professor searched around for the letter from Sir Tobias in his suitcase. 'Apparently, he wrote that he had seen my name in one of the Halden newspapers. It would seem that we can at least be up to date with news from home whilst here!' Giving a satisfying click, the lock on the door sealed the sleuths' room as they left to find Sir Tobias. Gede placed the key in his trouser-pocket and followed Edward down the corridor. The young sleuth glanced at his watch and saw that it was about four o' clock. 'Professor, we haven't much time! We need to go down for our evening meal. I'm famished, especially after our long trip here...' Edward put on his most pathetic face and looked at the Professor. The top-hatted gentleman smiled to his accomplice. 'Come now, Edward - You'll never become a Master Sleuth if you allow your stomach to win over your intuition.'

It was now quarter past four. Edward found himself desperately trying to think of anything else but food. He was failing. They were on the west side of the hotel where all the rooms 100 - 150 were allocated. //You see, the hotel had a queer set-up indeed. The building itself was square in the shape of it's base (obviously) and so the face of the building was the entrance into the the interior in general (Main Hall, Dining Hall etc...) West, East & North faces of the hotel housed fifty rooms (ten rooms on each floor.)//

But back to the story - They passed a few people on their way, unfortunately they hadn't the time to talk with them. Perhaps they would leave that until they all went down for dinner and for an evening drink. Gede & Edward climbed the stairs until they reached the level where 140 -150 were. Above them now was the roof-space. The Professor stopped the two of them before they reached the door of Sir Reginald Tobias' room. 'Before we continue, I think we should note down any unusual activity we have encountered today. No matter how insignificant it may seem, I think we had better record it.' Edward dug into his satchel //(which he always carried)// and pulled out his notebook. 'Right you are Prof. Hit me with your logic!'

=**//SO FAR IN THE STORY...//**= <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The Professor and Edward discover that the island which **//Sun, Tree & Moon//** exists is completely cut off from the mainland. Continuing their journey, they use the only mode of transport possible to get to the island, a mobile elevated platform. The island is in the middle of a quagmire-like estuary, developed because of a flood-gate constructed to prevent the sea coming into the bay. Coming to the hotel, Gede & his apprentice's room have already been arranged by Sir Reginald Tobias. It is known that two solicitors have appeared in the hotel, close to the time of the Baron's death. Sir Reginald Tobias has been //'writing lot's of letters recently.'// <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">

=**__Chapter 7__**=


 * 'Walls have ears...'**

The old, wooden door simply read - 145. After their long journey here, the Professor and Edward would finally be able to begin their investigation. To think that the cause of all to come in this story began with four knocks upon Room 145.

Gede knocked the door in a polite manner. The two waited for a moment, before they heard a series of sounds coming from behind the door. The sounds weren't unlike keys, rattling in many locks to seal the door. Whoever this gentleman was, he certainly was the security conscious type. I wonder why in a hotel in the middle of nowhere...? Eventually, the unlocking ceased and the door slowly creaked open. The door was only slightly ajar, and from the slight crack in the entrance, a voice crawled through. //'What do you want?'// 'We're here under your instruction Sir Tobias. I am Professor Gede and this is my apprentice, Edward.' The Professor handed the letter through the crack in the door. 'Here we have your letter you addressed to us.' A wrinkly hand stretched out of the crevice and pulled the note in. 'Could you please come in Professor?'

The interior of the room was quite odd. As Edward entered, he couldn't help but notice that this room was very old. The furniture and decoration must have been at least a decade or so old in terms of style, but yet it all seemed to be completely unaffected by the wearings of age. The lamps across the room were gas-fuelled lamps. It was indeed a place time had forgotten.

'Please gentlemen. Could you take a seat for a moment?' Three armchairs were assembled around the fire-place, which burned with a welcoming glow. The three of them planted themselves in the seats and, for the first time, Gede and Edward managed to have a good sight of the enigmatic Reginal Tobias. He was a fairly old man, and if not of great age then he certainly appeared to be old. The Professor deduced that he must have been in his late sixties at least. Like the room around them, Sir Tobias had a confident air about him. He had a thick, well-kept moustache and wore small spectacles. To add to that, he wore mostly tweed and had a watch-fob poking out from his left breast pocket. Although, even with this sincere attitude he wore, his eyes kept glancing around the room and with every move made, he seemed to be as cautious as a cat.

As they sat down, the Professor noticed something quite odd about the room. The many bookcases which lined the walls, were void of any books in them. What possible use could they have without any books?