INTRO You are Vita Sackville West, the lively and elegant British heiress who is married to the Foreign Office diplomat, Harold Nicholson. You are in love with Violet Trefusis, a woman from a family not unused to scandal; Violet's mother had been the mistress of King Edward. The year is 1918. Though both you and Violet have remarkably understanding husbands, it still remains a fact that in order for you to spend anything more than fleeting moments together, you and your lover must create the most elaborate of ruses. Some of these can be rather fun, however, and you look forward to the coming weekend's scenario with particular relish. You will dress as a man and accompany your lover by train to the sea-side town of Folkestone. There you will spend the weekend at a quiet inn, and whenever you appear outside your room you will do so in your role as Julian North. Both you and Violet are aching for the freedom to move about and act like lovers, to pretend for even a short while that yours is a world where you can love as you choose. You are also both excited by the prospect of pulling off such a gigantic charade, and only hope you can stay out of the bedroom long enough to show off what a handsome, well-bred couple you are. You and Violet head off for Folkestone on the train. You are dressed as a gentleman and very much look the part with your well- cut clothes and strong, clear features. You sport a small beard to divert attention from your fair skin, a wig to cover your long curls, and gloves to hide your small, feminine hands. In all other ways you are most natural in the masculine role. You laugh boisterously, flirt with and tease Violet, and handle her with a relaxed but possessive hand, to which Violet responds most gaily. You are both deliriously happy. END_INTRO ROOM 2 Train Car Down 3 - Train Station END_ROOM 2 ROOM_DESCR 2 -- TRAIN CAR The three hour train ride from London to Folkestone is exciting and wickedly fun. You and Violet leave your first-class compartment soon after pulling out of Waterloo Station and wander arm in arm to the club car. There you drink and laugh and occasionally kiss. All of the gentlemen sitting about the car have slight frowns of disapproval on their faces, but they peek from behind their Evening Standards to look at the beautiful Violet. One man makes no pretense of hiding his interest. He stares intently at Violet and wonders how her attention could be so riveted upon her skinny, affected lover. You and Violet, however, have eyes only for each other, and it is only through the exercise of extreme will power that you keep from making complete spectacles of yourselves. As the conductor announces your arrival into Folkestone you hurry back to your compartment to prepare to leave the train. END_ROOM_DESCR 2 HELP 2 There's one way off the train if you want to go to town, and that's not to go up but rather go ____. END_HELP_DESCR NOUN 201 NEWSPAPER EVENING There are headlines on all the newspapers Location 2 - Train Car Points 5 Plural Readable Unmovable NOUN_SYNONYMS EVENING_STANDARD EVENING_STANDARDS HEADLINES HEADLINE END_NOUN 201 NOUN_DESCR 201 -- NEWSPAPER All of the newspapers held by the gentlemen in the club car bear the same headline. END_NOUN_DESCR 201 TEXT 201 The headlines read "Oscar Wilde Convicted of Sexual Perversion" END_TEXT CREATURE 301 NIGEL The man named Nigel stares openly at Vita and Violet Location 2 - Train Car Man Friendly END_CREATURE 301 CREATURE_DESCR 301 Though he makes no move against you or Violet, there is something discomforting about this man and the way he stares at you without embarrassment. END_CREATURE_DESCR 301 ROOM 3 Train Station UP 2 - Train Car NORTH 4 - Front Desk SOUTH 5 - Flower Vendor END_ROOM 3 ROOM_DESCR 3 As you hand your lady down from the train car you notice a gentleman standing a few yards north. He has stopped to watch you, and when you meet his eye he nods to you and touches his hat. You quickly realize that this is the man who was taking such an interest in you and Violet in the club car. For a fleeting moment you wonder whether he knows who you really are. But the thought quickly passes. You take Violet by the arm and turn to look for a taxi. You see a line of handsome cabs waiting just to the north. To the south are a collection of vendor carts selling everything from tea cakes to roasted chestnuts. END_ROOM_DESCR 3 ROOM 4 Front Desk South 3 -- Train Station East 6 -- Restaurant Up 7 -- Vita and Violet's Room END_ROOM 4 ROOM_DESCR 4 Your cab whisks you away to the Folkestone Inn, a small hotel overlooking the water. The proprietor, Mr. Humphries, has been awaiting your arrival. The five guest rooms of his inn are now full for the night. The Folkestone Inn attracts many non-guests who enjoy the restaurant and pub. Mr. Humphries welcomes you to his establishment and asks you to register in the book. There are several names written in under today's date. Mr. Humphries informs you that your room is upstairs, overlooking the water, and that your bags will be brought up directly. END_ROOM_DESCR 4 HELP 4 Think about which direction you must go to get to that room in which you're so eager to spend time with Violet. END_HELP_DESCR 4 NOUN 202 Pen Fountain A fountain pen is on the desk. Location 4 -- Front Desk Key 0 Points 5 Movable END_NOUN 202 NOUN_DESCR 202 -- Pen You sign in using the name "Julian North," which causes Violet to start giggling uncontrollably. No one takes any notice. END_NOUN_DESCR 202 NOUN 203 Book Registration The hotel's book is open and ready to sign Location 4 -- Front Desk Points 5 Readable Unmovable NOUN_SYNONYMS BOOK SIGNATURE SIGNATURES END_NOUN 203 NOUN_DESCR 203 The registration book is old and worn, but the signatures above Vita's are clear to see. END_NOUN_DESCR 203 TEXT 203 The names written above yours are "Nigel Loring," "Raymond Chisolm," and "Angelique Marquard." END_TEXT 203 ROOM 5 Flower Vendor North 3 - Train Station Points 10 END_ROOM 5 ROOM_DESCR 5 You catch sight of a flower vendor a few steps away. Glorious bouquets spill over the vendor's cart, their scent mingling with that of the salty sea air. You place Violet's hand under your arm and stroll over, urging her to pick the largest, most outlandish of arrangements. Violet does so without hesitation. "Oh, Mitya," Violet says, drinking in the smell of the flowers as well as the sight of your handsome visage standing there in the twilight. "I thought that this day would never come." "I'm afraid that in many ways this day still has not come, though for now we will pretend that it has and act without a care or fear in the world. Now, let me find you among the lilies and the hyacinth and I will kiss you for all of Folkestone to see!" You do just that, pulling all of Violet and her flowers closely to you. The delight in her eyes, the sheer joy you feel, is worth every dab of glue on your chin. END_ROOM_DESCR 5 ROOM 6 Restaurant North - Pub West 4 -- Front Desk Points 5 END_ROOM 6 ROOM_DESCR 6 The restaurant is quite modest, but it attracts many of the Folkstone locals. Its fare is simple but delicious, which is true of the best of English cooking. Snacks and lighter meals are served in the pub. END_ROOM_DESCR 6 ROOM 7 Vita and Violet's room Down 4 -- Front Desk West 8 -- Hallway Points 5 END_ROOM 7 ROOM_DESCR 7 You and Violet enter your room and fall onto the bed in a fit of laughter. No one suspected for a moment that you are not really a man! You have been given the largest of the guest rooms, the southern-most room on the side over-looking the Strait of Dover. When you get up and look out the window you see that the night looks windy and foreboding. Violet suggests that before you get out of your costume you go downstairs and get some food and drink from the pub. "When you come back, Mitya," Violet purrs, using her favorite pet name for you, "we'll lock the door and have our picnic in bed. I'll wait for your there, darling." You happily agree to the errand. END_ROOM_DESCR 7 HELP 7 Only one of four directions will get you out of the bedroom! END_HELP 7 NOUN 204 Bag Book Your book bag has been tossed into a corner Location 7 - Vita and Violet's room Unmovable Points 5 Closable END_NOUN 204 NOUN_DESCR 204 Among the handbags you've carried in is an old book bag that you take on all your travels. END_NOUN_DESCR 204 NOUN 205 Books Vita's The titles of two of the books are still visible in the fading twilight. Location 204 - book bag Readable Weight 1 Size 1 Points 10 Plural NOUN_SYNONYMS BOOKS BOOK TITLE TITLES END_NOUN 205 TEXT 205 You always carries multiple copies of your own books wherever you go. Today you have "Heritage" and "The Dragon in Shallow Waters" in your bag. Some have said you couldn't give those books away, but you mean to try. END_TEXT 205 ROOM 8 Hallway East 7 - Vita and Violet's room North 9 - Hallway Points 5 END_ROOM 8 ROOM_DESCR 8 As you walk down the hallway toward the stairway you hear voices in another of the guest rooms. The voices are barely audible, but one is clearly very agitated and the other very angry. Your interest is piqued. END_ROOM_DESCR 8 NOUN 206 Door Guestroom The voices are coming from behind a door that is slightly ajar. Location 8 - Hallway Unmovable Pushable Pullable END_NOUN 206 NOUN_DESCR 206 You are an intensely curious person and are dying to discover what the men are discussing. If only the door were open a little bit more ... END_NOUN_DESCR 206 PUSH_DESCR 206 You push open the door just far enough to see the two men on the opposite side of the room. They do not notice the movement of the door for they are intent on their discussion of a meeting which is to take place at ten-thirty that night in the pub down the road. The shorter of the two men, Ray, is worried that a third man, Colin, will not attend the meeting and bring with him a document which contains information which will affect the vote of a certain MP, thereby assuring the passage of some favorable legislation in Parliament. The other man, Nigel, tells Ray to make sure Colin does attend the meeting - or be prepared to pay the consequences. You smile in amusement at this melodrama and gently pull the door shut. You think that the man named Nigel may be the same man that nodded to you at the train station. END_PUSH_DESCR 206 HELP 8 In order to find out what you need to know, you must be bold! Would Vita hesitate to risk discovery? Wouldn't she push her way right in? END_HELP 8 ROOM 9 Hallway Down 10 - Pub Points 5 END_ROOM 9 ROOM_DESCR 9 As you continue down the hallway heading toward the staircase you adjust your tie and waistcoat and reach into your pocket for a cigar. You imagine you will have to wait a bit in the pub for your food and want to be sure you seem the part of the young rogue. END_ROOM_DESCR 9 NOUN 207 Envelope white A white envelope lies on the floor of the hallway. Location 9 - hallway Readable Movable Points 10 Closable Closed NOUN_SYNONYMS LETTER DOCUMENT END_NOUN 207 NOUN_DESCR 207 The envelope is partially hidden under a large spittoon at the end of the hallway. The writing on the sealed envelope is hard to see from here but it appears to say "Personal and Confidential." The envelope appears to hold a folded document on heavy paper. END_NOUN_DESCR 207 TEXT 207 "I, Lionel V. Smythe, do aver and state upon my oath that I have personal knowledge of the following: That on the evening of May 12, 1917, the Hon. Reginald Whittington-Hunter, MP, did engage in acts of unheard of depravity with a member of his own sex while in the home of the undersigned. That it was not at my invitation that Mr. Whittington-Hunter was so engaged, nor with any knowledge on my part that such an instance was occurring or would, with any reasonable expectation, occur. Rather, Mr. Whittington-Hunter was in residence as a house guest of mine while he was in London and I out of town. It was upon my unexpected arrival back to town that I discovered the man in the most compromising position imaginable. Without haste I ejected both men from my home and have had no more contact with either. In fact, the man with Mr. Whittington-Hunter was completely unknown to me and remains so at this time. I felt it was my duty to swear to these facts in the interest of purging our representative body of such dispicable and malodorous members. Signed and sworn on this date: Lionel V. Smythe." END_TEXT 207 NOUN 208 Spittoon Brass A brass spittoon stands at the end of the hallway Location 9 - Hallway Points 5 Unmovable END_NOUN 208 NOUN_DESCR 208 The old spittoon gleams in the dark hallway and is lovely to look at - from the outside. Remember that this was back in the days when gentlemen actually used a spittoon. END_NOUN_DESCR 208 HELP 9 There's some important stuff here you don't want to miss. Be sure to use some of your standard verbs to get the most out of the objects in the hallway, verbs such as examine, pick {up}, read, take, etc. To exit the room remember that there are actually ten directions you can go: N, E, S, W, NE, SE, NW, SW, Up, and Down. Also, remember that you can always check on what you're carrying with you by typing in the word Inventory (or I) at any command line. END_HELP 9 ROOM 10 Pub South 6 - Restaurant East 11 - Terrace Points 5 END_ROOM 10 ROOM_DESCR 10 You hurry into the pub after pocketing that most interesting affadavit from Mr. Smythe. You haven't any idea what use you might find for it, but you are as acquisitive as inquisitive, and so into your pocket it goes. You never know - it could find its way into one of your novels. As you enter the pub you are suprised to see how crowded it is. Like most pubs it is on the smallish side and it doesn't take much of a population to overwhelm the place. If you could see through the smoke and huddled bodies you'd probably find the charm most pubs are described as possessing. But tonight this ambience holds no charm for you. Charm lies upstairs between the quilt and the featherbed, and you mean to take care of business here and head straightaway back to your room. The bar and food counter are hidden behind a sea of men. You elbow your way through and draw no more attention than any drinking man there. After placing your order with the frazzled looking innkeeper's daughter, you say that you'll wait for your order outdoors on the terrace. Even the cold night air would be preferable to the closeness inside the pub. END_ROOM_DESCR 10 HELP 10 Remember your directions! END_HELP 10 ROOM 11 Terrace Points 5 SPECIAL 12 - Pub Lounge key 210 - railing ROOM_SYNONYMS CHANGE_LOCATION VAULT JUMP LEAP END_ROOM 11 ROOM_DESCR 11 You step outside onto the terrace area. Though it is dark you can hear the Channel below. The terrace has rough-hewn benches placed about and a wooden railing around its perimeter. You lean against the railing, hidden in the shadow of the dark night and a nearby tree, breathing in the crisp sea air. Suddenly, two men appear at the far side of the terrace. Not wanting to have to engage in any manly talk with these strangers, you slide further into the shadow and listen as the two men talk. As your eyes grow use to the darkness you notice that one of the men appears familiar; in fact, he is one of the men having the peculiar conversation in the room upstairs, the one called Ray. Ray is leaning meanacingly close to the the other man and speaking with barely controlled vehemence. "And why should I believe it when you say you can't find the letter?" Ray hissed, "You started backing out on us two days ago. Let me remind you, Mr. Smythe, that whatever worries you have about compromising the saintly memory of you father are best put aside in favor of worries about your own mortal state. Hand over the letter!" "I tell you, I don't have it," Smythe sputtered. "And even if I did I wouldn't give it to you. I must have been mad when I agreed to go along with you. What do I care of your gaining favorable land access rights? Your seaside resort development will profit no one but you and your cronies. I will not agree to use my father's name in your filthy blackmail scheme." "But your father himself signed that affadavit of his own free will." "Yes, and then put it aside as a bad idea. And there it stayed until after his death, may God rest his soul, until I was fool enough to show it to you." Ray stepped away and drew his breath. "Are you fool enough now to not turn over the document? Because if you are you have precious little time before you join your dear da." Colin turned his back and began to walk away. "Your threats don't concern me, Ray." It was then that Ray drew the knife from his coat and held it to the other man's chest as he grasped him in a choke hold from behind. "I'm willing to bet that if I kill you I'll find the letter in one of your over- stuffed pockets here. Do you want to dissuade me by telling me where else I may find it?" "Damn it, I told you I don't have it. It somehow got lost." Ray plunged the knife into the other man's heart and began fumbling through the pockets of Colin's coat before the dead man was still. Having witnessed this entire scene in mute horror, you now run forward shouting, "I say!, I say!" though you're not at all sure what you'd say and only know you've moved too late to stop that which is already done. Ray, having dropped his knife during his fumbling search, looks terrified as he sees you approach. He bolts to the east end of the terrace, vaults the railing, and is gone. Just as Ray disappears over the railing, the innkeeper's daughter enters the terrace with a tray of food. She sees you kneeling over the dead body and drops the tray with a tremendous crash. As soon as she can recover her senses she lets out a mighty scream. END_ROOM_DESCR 11 NOUN 209 knife bloody The bloody knife lies between Vita and the body Location 11 - Terrace points 5 movable END_NOUN 209 NOUN_DESCR 209 This knife is trouble no matter what you do with it. END_NOUN_DESCR 209 NOUN 210 railing patio * Location 11 - Terrace points 15 END_NOUN 210 HELP 11 Vita is often more impetuous than wise. The only course of action she can see is to get out of there before anyone else sees her with the body. The only escape seems to be to flee the terrace in the exact same manner used by Ray. END_HELP 11 SPECIAL 12 Meanwhile, inside the pub ... END_SPECIAL ROOM 12 Pub Lounge East 13 - Terrace Points 5 END_ROOM 12 ROOM_DESCR 12 Nigel moves back from the window as he sees the innkeeper's daughter make her way out to the terrace. He has witnessed the murder, as well as Ray's escape, and smiles at the sight of "Julian North" crouching over the body. The young man seems to turn up everywhere. Violet has entered the lounge area of the pub, that side of the public house where women, while not exactly welcome, are at least tolerated. Though Vita hasn't been gone what you would term an exceedingly long time, she none- theless has been on her errand longer than the impatient Violet expected. As Violet casts her eyes about the crowded room she hears a great clatter of breaking glass, followed by a blood-curdling scream. All conversation ceases as every man in the pub turns to the sound of that awful noise, which seems to be coming from the terrace. Violet turns also, only to find Nigel at her elbow. "I'm afraid there's been some trouble out on the terrace, Miss," Nigel said, steering Violet in line with the crowd surging toward the exit. "I believe you'll find your friend out there." Violet grabs the man's sleeve in alarm. "Mitya! Has anything happened to my Mitya?" "Mitya, is it? What a curious name. In fact, I thought I heard him referred to as Julian or Geoffrey, or something along that line." "Oh for heaven sakes, just bring me to he .. him. I don't know what's happened to Mitya!" END_ROOM_DESCR 12 ROOM 13 - Terrace West 12 - Pub Lounge Southwest 10 - Pub Points 5 Special 14 - Bushes below terrace Key 0 ROOM_SYNONYMS MAGIC_WORD DIE DYE END_ROOM 13 ROOM_DESCR 13 The crowd bursts onto the terrace and generates the kind of noises crowds generally do when a body is discovered. The innkeeper's daughter, still rendered mute by her trauma, stands amidst her broken crockery, pointing toward the eastern edge of the patio. As all heads turn in that direction, Violet recognizes the athletic form of Vita vaulting the railing and disappearing from sight. "There goes the bloke that's done this!" one voice cried. "Someone run after him," commanded another. "That would be you then, mate. As for me, chasing down a murderer in the pitch of night is daft." "Well, then, someone must go for the constable." Nigel steps forward and addresses himself to the crowd hovering over the body. "I have a suggestion which I trust you will all find most satisfactory. I happen to be a witness to this senseless act of violence and stand ready to tell the constable who the murderer is. I ask that someone fetch the constable right away and I will so inform him." Violet, who has been somewhat close to fainting from the shock of seeing Vita flee this awful plight, now rouses herself in anger at this man who would arrest, try, and convict her beloved. She yanks her arm from his seemingly protective grasp. All she wants now is to run outside, find Vita and escape with her from this horrid place. But first she turns to Nigel and hisses her wish for him, one word that sends shivers down his spine. Those nearby strained to hear, but they could not. END_ROOM_DESCR 13 HELP 13 Violet's reputation was not for being shy But sometimes its best to let sleeping dogs lie Instead she had the nerve to look him in the eye And curse him with her wish that he suffer and ___. END_HELP SPECIAL 14 Meanwhile, somewhere on the lam with Vita ... END_SPECIAL ROOM 14 Bushes below terrace Up 15 - Terrace (revisited) South 16 - Stairway between shore and road Down 17 - The seashore END_ROOM 14 ROOM_DESCR 14 After landing in some bushes below the terrace railing, you are relieved to find that you are unhurt, though completely bewildered as to what's occurred. What possessed you to run when that silly girl screamed? The damage is done now. You couldn't look any more guilty than if you'd been seen plunging the knife in that poor sod's heart. But where to go now? What to do? You think about the time last year when you and Violet returned from a similar weekend. It was the first time you had dressed as a man out in public, though the disguise that time had been of a young soldier with a bandage about the head. There were so many soldiers walking around the cities of Europe with bandages about their foreheads that no one gave you a second glance. The trouble came when you and Violet pulled into the grounds of your London home only to see by the motor car at the door that Harold had unexpectantly returned home. You fled to the stable and changed back into your only slightly more feminine everyday clothes and you and Violet then sauntered into the house without a care. How you wish you had a change of clothes now! But your only suit of "Vita" clothes is in your room at the inn, which is nearly certain to be crawling with the authorities within minutes. Poor Violet. She'll be frantic. And if you don't do something quite clever in very short order, Violet will be visiting you in the local gaol. You can hear the sound of the waves below you. The beach seems to be deserterd. To the south you can make out the stairway that leads up from the beach to the road running east-west in front of the Folkestone Inn. END_ROOM_DESCR 14 ROOM 15 Terrace (revisited) GAME_END END_ROOM 15 ROOM_DESCR 15 This move is another demonstration of why you're a famous novelist and not a professional criminal. Predicatably enough, by going back up to the terrace you've just escaped from you encounter a large group of open-mouthed folks who are all convinced you are the murderer of the man lying at their feet. And who can blame them? So, while the noble townsfolk were reluctant to chase you into the dark night, they're more than up to the task of holding on to you until the estimable constable arrives. Sorry, even the unusually effective tears of Violet cannot save you here. This story has just reached it's unsatisfactory ending - and it's all your fault! END_ROOM_DESCR 15 ROOM 16 Stairway between shore and road DOWN 17 - Seashore North 14 - Bushes below terrace Points 5 END_ROOM 16 ROOM_DESCR 16 After scrambling through the thick bushes clustered on this steep slope you come to the wooden stairway that most people use to move between the beach below and the inn above. You stop to listen for any sound of pursuit but all still seems quiet. You think, with more gratitude than scorn, that the English are an amazingly complacent lot. You can envision them above you in the pub, drinking their pints of bitter, discussing the murder, and wondering when the bloody constable would get around to catching the murderer. You look above and wonder yourself when the constable would catch up with you. Will you have the time, let alone the wherewithal, to catch up with Ray and provide the constable with the real murderer? Well, you must at least try. Your life has not been one of sitting around with pints of bitter while others take action. Besides, it would be an awful mess to have the authorites haul you in. Once they discovered your real identity, which presumably even the local constabulary would uncover, so to speak, there would be an awful scandal that would upset Harold terribly. As husbands go Harold was very compliant, but this may be too much for him. END_ROOM_DESCR 16 NOUN 211 Stick Large A large stick lies on the stairwell Location 16 - Stairway between shore and road Points 10 Movable Weight 10 Size 4 END_NOUN 211 NOUN_DESCR 211 The stick has the look and feel of a walking stick. In fact, it would be a perfect walking stick if you weren't so damn tall. But you like the heft of it and think you'll bring it along. END_NOUN_DESCR 211 HELP 16 Be sure that you cover the waterfront. END_HELP 16 ROOM 17 Seashore Points 10 North 19 - North beach South 20 - South beach END_ROOM 17 ROOM_DESCR 17 You decide to take your chance on the beach. It has enough cover to keep you from being seen, and provides a clear view of whoever might be coming after you. As you reach the bottom of the stair and place your bespatted shoe on the sand, a figure emerges as if from nowhere and tips his hat to you. "Good evening, sir. Beautiful night for a stroll." It is the omnipresent Nigel, come to make a deal. "We haven't been properly introduced, I fear, though I know we have made the trip down to Folkestone on the same train. My name is Nigel Loring, at your service." "You're most kind, Mr. Loring. At the risk of being rude, however, I will excuse myself and continue my evening walk." You turn with what authority you can muster and set off with your too-short walking stick, realizing as you do so that this man is the one who was talking with Ray in the inn not very long before Ray murdered the man on the terrace. You betray nothing behind your beard and moustache, waiting to hear the man out. "No offense taken, of course, but I believe that if you allow me to stroll with you for a few minutes you'll find our conversation to be of genuine interest to you." "And how is that?" "It's very simple - Mr. North. I happen to have been one of the many people who saw you on the terrace only a few minutes ago." "Are you here to apprehend me, Mr. Loring?" "On the contrary. Among the many things that seperate me from the great crowd of people that witnessed you flee from the scene is the fact that I alone witnessed the murder itself." "Then you know, of course, that it was not I that murdered the man." "That is, as you say, the fact of the matter. It is, however, a fact that will be unlikely to be believed by the police if the only source averring it is you. As you must realize, your position is not one of strength." Loring stops and turns to face you. "Mr. North, I propose the following. I will corroborate your story - that you came upon the scene of the crime moments after it occurred, and that though you are not the murderer, some form of .. panic compelled you to flee the scene." "To do so, Mr. Loring, would simply be to tell the truth and perform your civic duty. Why is it that I sense that your good conscience is not the prime motivator for your proposition?" "Perhaps you are a student of the human condition, Mr. North. If so, you must know that mans' greatest weakness is found in mans' desire. As a man yourself you must know the power of attraction a beautiful woman holds." "What are you driving at?" "Your companion, Miss Trefusis, is a very lovely woman. In exchange for insuring your freedom, I want you to instruct her to, shall we say, accompany me from this time forward." You burst out with a laugh. "Instruct her? Your suggestion is not only vile, it has no hope of success. Miss Trefusis would not abide by such "instructions" whether they came from me or the king himself. Now, I believe it is time I go find the constable and begin explaining this mess." As you brush by Loring he grabs your shoulder and holds you mid-stride. "I repeat the conditions to you, Mr. North. In exchange for my statement in your favor regarding the murder, which is the only statement available to corroborate your account, you will convince Miss Trefusis that she must come with me. Perhaps you can impress upon her that if she stays with me she will do so knowing that you are free; if she does not she can spend her time alone, knowing you are rotting in gaol. I know you will be persuasive." Loring stands before you, a few inches taller and quite a few pounds heavier. There is an intent, confident look on his face. You are not entirely sure, but you believe this is the point where most men would engage in fisticuffs. You are quite certain, however, that you would not emerge in good form if you were to start that sort of thing. "Very well," you say, "I see your point. You must allow me to discuss this with Miss Trefusis before we confront the constabulary. I propose that we meet in front of the inn at 10:30. I will stay somewhere along here until then. If you would go back to the inn at this time you could send Miss Trefusis down to me and perhaps steer the search clear of this direction." "Very good thinking, Mr. North. Remember, of course, that were you to consider escape as part of your immediate plans, it would take almost no time at all to find you. And the consequences for you would be far worse. I shall send Miss Trefusis down." END_ROOM_DESCR 17 ROOM 19 North Beach South 20 - South Beach Special 18 - Road in front of inn Key 207 - envelope ROOM_SYNONYMS CHANGE_LOCATION GIVE Points 10 END_ROOM 19 ROOM_DESCR 19 You head north along the beach a little way, seeking some shelter should any one come along the now deserted beach. You know that you could not hide for long from an all-out search by the authorities, but no one seems to be pursuing such a course in the pitch dark. At least not yet. While waiting for Violet to come down the stairs to the beach you wonder how often to expect a double cross from Nigel and how confident you can be that your own plan against him will work. Very and not very are the conclusions you reach, but you know that you have few choices. "Mitya?" The sound of Violet's sweet voice reaches you and you step out from behind a boarded up cabana. "Darling, come here, quickly!" Violet runs into your arms and you guide her back behind the cabana, where you both sink onto the sand. "Oh, Mitya, what in God's name is happening? First I see you soaring over the terrace railing and then everyone started yelling that you had murdered that man lying on the terrace floor. Then that wretched, wretched man announces to one and all that he had witnessed the murder and meant to deliver the murderer to the police, and I guess he meant you, though I don't for a minute think you were the murderer, darling. I mean, why bother? However, everyone else seemed to believe he meant you and I knew that my Mitya was in terrible trouble. But I didn't have a moment to do anything to save you. Don't you see, it all happened so fast! And then that horrid man tells me that you are down here, hiding from the police." "Please, don't fret, Lushkya, for we have precious little time as it is. If you do exactly as I say, and all else goes well besides, we may get out of this predicament yet." Violet leans closer to you. "Mitya?" "Yes, darling?" "Mitya, if we do get out of this predicament, which admittedly does seem a bit dodgier than anything we've been through in the past, but if we do get out of it - and I'm sure you're smart enough to figure out just the right plan - well, then will we be able to go upstairs together?" You pull Violet to you for a kiss. "If we get out of this mess we can float upstairs together - and stay there forever as far as I'm concerned. Now, listen to me very carefully and let's see if we can outdo that wretched, wretched man." You and Violet huddle together as you explain to her your plan. END_ROOM_DESCR 19 HELP 19 The success of your plan depends on using evidence you happened upon earlier in the evening. If you were clever enough to pick it up at the time you came upon it, you should be clever enough to use it now. However, it will be safer with Violet for the time being - safer and more effective. So why don't you give it to her? [Remember: you can always check what it is you're carrying with you by typing in the INVENTORY or I command. Also, the syntax is a little tricky here. If you don't make progress after typing in your command one way, try changing the order of the words around a little.] END_HELP 19 ROOM 20 South Beach Up 18 - Road in front of Inn North 19 - North Beach Points 5 END_ROOM 20 ROOM_DESCR 20 In front of you is the stairway leading up to the road running east and west in front of the inn. Things seem a little safer to the north. END_ROOM_DESCR 20 ROOM 18 Road in front of Inn Down 20 - South Beach West 21 - In front of the King's Arms pub Points 15 END_ROOM 18 ROOM_DESCR 18 You have explained your plan to the always game Violet and now have taken up your post while she gets the plan underway. You are hidden in the back seat of a motor car that is parked in front of the Folkestone Inn. Nearby, just in front of the Inn's main entrance, Violet stands waiting for Nigel looking for all the world like a nervous, anxious woman, which she most assuredly is not. Her only regret at the moment is that Vita had not supplied her with a sharp knife with which to greet the dreaded Nigel Loring. "Miss Trefusis?" Violet turns with a start to see Nigel approaching from the side of the inn. He is alone. "I am here. Where is the constable? Your parst of this ungodly pact is to clear matters up with the constable so that Julian will not be charged." "Yes, well, you are right to the point aren't you?" "I see no reason to play coy with you Mr. Loring. Tell me of your plan to meet your end of the bargain." "Alright. Fair's fair. May I suggest we sit down on the bench?" Violet looks at the bench on the other side of the inn, away from the parked motor car and makes a shivering motion. "I'd prefer to stand, actually. I'm a bit chilled." Nigel removes his suit jacket and placed it over Violet's shoulders. "I'm sorry, my dear. I'm afraid this whole evening has been uncomfortable for you. Let me assure you that it will all be over with in a matter of moments. I will call the constable, who is still in the inn with the body. I assume that Mr. North is somewhere nearby and can be summoned forth?" "He will come at my signal." "Very good. Now, just so we understand each other. Immediatly after I swear to Mr. North's innocence and it is understood that he is free to go, you and I will depart for points unknown. I know that you are not fond of me now, but I must insist that you pretend that you are. I have great confidence that in time you will grow to truly care for me." "I don't doubt that you do, Mr. Loring. I, however, do not share that confidence. I think you are a hateful tyrant, and I can't imagine what could induce me to change that opinion." "Perhaps this, Miss Trefusis. Though I am about to swear to Mr. North's innocence I do not fear retracting that statement if future circumstances leave me to believe you are not upholding your end of the bargain. I am reasonably well connected and any embarrassment that might attend my supposed perjury will be quickly eliminated. I daresay the authorities will be quite ready to believe that the real story is that Mr. North, who was witnessed fleeing the scene by at least a score of people, is the real murderer and that I offered my exonerating statement because I was besotted with desire for you. Pathetic, but plausible. And don't think for a moment I won't resort to it should your behavior displease me. However, if you do make me a happy man, rest assured that Mr. North will remain a free man and you will live a very comfortable life. Do we have an understanding?" Violet looks directly into Nigel's eyes as she replies, "I understand completely. Please get the constable so that we can get on with it. I'll call Julian here as well." Nigel bows slightly at the waist and turns to enter the inn. Quickly, Violet pulls the envelope containing the blackmailing document from her waistcoat and slips it into the inside pocket of Nigel's suit jacket. "Oh, Mr. Loring," Violet calls out, "Perhaps you should take your jacket back. I don't want the constable suspecting any intimacy on our part. I'll be fine. In fact, I'm quite warm, thank you." "Very well. I will be back momentarily." You emerge from the back of the motor car and join Violet as she stands waiting. "Well done, darling," you whisper, "you've placed the bait just right. I'd say we deserve a long holiday in Monte Carlo after this." "Oh, I am nervous now, Mitya. You know how terrible our gambling luck is. I fear that this time we really can't afford to lose." Nigel and the constable emerge from the inn. "Officer, as promised I present Mr. Julian North. I'm afraid I don't know much about him except that he has an unfortunate tendency toward flight. I don't think I'd like to rely on him on the front line, but I can state that he is not the man that murdered that chap on the terrace." The constable stares at you with considerable skepticism. "That's as you say, Mr. Loring. Perhaps someone will introduce me to the young lady." You step forward a bit, holding Violet by the elbow. "Officer, this is Miss Violet Trefusis, who has the great misfortune to be my travelling companion on this bizarre trip. You must allow me to speak very quickly now, for I want to suggest a way in which we may catch the real murderer, as well as another who is involved in a plot of which the murder was a mere consequence." Now the constable looks at you with considerable annoyance. "Speak plainly, man. I'm the village constable, not one of your bleedin' mates from Oxford." "Yes, of course. My apologies, sir. Watch Mr. Loring, sir. He is backing away in anticipation of a flight of his own. He knows that what I'm about to say implicates him as well as his cronies." "You're off your head," sputters Nigel, all indignation, "I've just given evidence on your behalf. What are you now implying?" "Earlier this evening I happened to come upon Mr. Loring in the midst of a very animated discussion in one of the rooms upstairs here. Now, I'm not necessarily proud of the fact that I'm a terrible eavesdropper, but I believe that on this occasion it has served me well." "Just as cowardice and falsehoods have served you up til now," Nigel said. "Mr. Loring, please," the constable scolded Nigel. "Carry on with your story, Mr. North." "The man with whom Mr. Loring spoke is the man that I witnessed murder the man on the terrace a while later. They were arguing over a document which was key to their plans to blackmail a Member of Parliament. Mr. Loring accused his colleague of withholding the document in order to benefit solely from the blackmail, while the other man simply claimed that the document had not yet been delivered to him." "And who is the source of this document?" the constable asked. "I was to find that out a short time later, as I enjoyed a cigar on the terrace. I was hidden from view as two men came onto the terrace and argued over this same document. One of the men was the one who had been accused by Mr. Loring. The other was the son of a local nobleman who had sworn an affadavit against the MP. In a desperate attempt to find the affadavit on the person of the son, the man killed the son and immediately began searching his clothing for the document. It was then that I ran up to them. The killer fled upon seeing me and then I was seen kneeling over the body. I'm afraid my instinct to flee is a misguided one, but this seemed a particularly compromising position." "That is your story, Mr. North?" "It is, Officer. And I believe that any doubts you have about it can be erased. During his arguement with Mr. Loring earlier in the evening, the murderer mentioned that he had set up a meeting with the MP for 10:30 tonight in front of the King's Arms down the road. I believe the MP will still show, for he has no idea the threat against him has disappeared." "And what will that tell us," sneered Nigel. "That the local MP like to have a drink with the common folk now and then?" "Well, I believe it will lend veracity to my version of events, and I also believe it's still possible that the murderer will keep his appointment with the MP. He may try to extract the blackmail money without producing the document." All stood still for a moment as the constable took all of this in. This was a detective's matter, really, but since the war the town was lucky to even have a constable. He very much wanted to do the right thing, but even more, he wanted to do the easy thing. However, he was having difficulty determining what was either the right thing or the easy thing. "Officer, perhaps there is one more piece of evidence here that will make things easy for you," you helpfully volunteer. "I believe Mr. Loring has the document himself, that it was he who was planning to benefit solely from the blackmail. If you were to find the document, would it convince you that Mr. Loring was behind the plot that led to the son's death, and that I am indeed as innocent as I say?" "I would certainly take it under consideration, Mr. North. What do you say Mr. Loring, do you admit to having this document that's been described?" "I must protest against this whole line of questioning. Suddenly I'm made to feel as if on trial, while all the while the most damning evidence exists against my accuser here. You may be certain that I will deny having any document even remotely resembling the one described so fancifully by Mr. North. Further, in the interest of clearing up this matter quickly, I invite the constable to search my belongings." "May I, Officer? I believe that if we start with a quick body search anything further will be unnecessary." "Oh, my," said Violet, barely able to contain herself. END_ROOM_DESCR 18 NOUN 212 Jacket buttoned You move toward Nigel's buttoned suit jacket Location 18 - Road in front of inn Closeable END_NOUN 212 NOUN_DESCR 212 You ask Nigel to go through his pockets and produce for inspection anything he might find there. This he does with the expected results - the envelope is pulled from his inside pocket and all his protestations of innocence are ignored by the constable. The constable is delighted to have something in hand, and looks to you for further profitable suggestions on how to proceed. This you provide with the advise that if the constable wants to apprehend the actual murderer, he should make haste down the road to the King's Arms for the 10:30 meeting between blackmailer and MP. After placing Nigel under the house arrest of Mr. Humphries, the innkeeper, you and Violet accompany the constable to the King's Arms to make your eyewitness identification of Ray the murderer. END_NOUN_DESCR 212 HELP 18 You should be getting pretty good at this by now, and pretty weary too. Just be sure that you EXAMINE the objects or things that seem to be presenting themselves for your inspection. Then you just have to get to the King's Arms to wrap this little spot of trouble up. END_HELP 18 ROOM 21 In front of the King's Arms East 18 - Road in front of inn Points 15 Special 22 - Vita and Violet's room - revisited Key 213 - Violet ROOM_SYNONYMS CHANGE_LOCATION KISS HUG END_ROOM 21 ROOM_DESCR 21 The three of you slow your approach as you near the King's Arms. You see that many of the patrons are leaving as the pub closes for the night, and you hear the bell ring inside as the publican yells "Time, gentlemen!" for the final time. "There they are," you whisper as you see Ray and a well-dressed gentleman emerge from the pub. "Why, it's Mr. Whittington-Hunter. He's the MP for these parts." The constable was peering around you as you shielded his recognizable form from view. "Yes, officer, it all fits in place nicely, doesn't it? My guess is that Ray - that's the other bloke there - has just consummated some deal with the honorable member." "That would explain the smug look of Ray's," observed Violet. "And the distressed one of Whittington-Hunter," you say. "What's this Ray got on Whittington-Hunter anyway?" the constable asked. "I haven't even read that document yet." "I'm glad you've brought that up, Constable, for it brings me to my last proposition of the night." "Oh, no," Violet sighs, all dismay. "I'm just talking business, Violet." "You're just talking too much," exclaims the exasperated constable, who now sets off down the road after Ray. "Officer, I will refuse to swear that I saw Ray kill the young Mr. Smythe unless you agree to leave the document out of the evidence against him." The constable stops and stares at you. "But why? I don't know that your sworn word alone will be enough to convict the man." "Well, I've thought of that, too. But come along. We'll lose sight of him." The three of you continue to follow Ray as he moves through the town. "Officer, here is my position. You go ahead and arrest Ray now. After you have locked him up you will return to the Folkestone Inn where I will hand you the document. After you have read it you will understand why the proposed blackmail against Whittington-Hunter would be effective, and why it would be wrong for us to inflict on him the same damage the blackmailers used as their threat. I'm afraid that if the document was placed in evidence, that is exactly what would happen. Then you simply strike a deal with Mr. Nigel Loring - you'll not charge him with attempted blackmail in exchange for his sworn testimony as an eyewitness to the murder. I don't believe there will be any difficulty in getting his agreement." "It's brilliant, darling," Violet exclaimed. "Don't you see, officer? Now there will be two sworn eyewitness statements against Ray, the blackmail has been prevented - or will be put to rights anyway - and everyone goes home happy." "Yes, alright. Look. He's gone into the church. Probably means to hide out there for the night. I'll grab the Vicar's lad and take him in - why don't you and your lady friend make sure everything is as we left it at the Inn." "We have an understanding then?" you ask the constable. "I said yes, didn't I? Now, get on with you." The constable hurried down the road to the vicarage while you and Violet turned to each other on the deserted street. "Oh, Mitya, that really was brave of you. Of course I agree the man shouldn't be hounded just because he's homosexual, but weren't you just a little nervous that the suspicion would turn back on you if you refused to swear against the real murderer?" "Well, I was a little bit, but not for the reason you think. You see, I saw how the murder was committed. Ray came up behind that poor lad and held him firm while he stabbed him with the knife. It occurred to me that if the constable didn't go along with my suggestion and ended up arresting me for the murder, I'd end up being revealed as a woman and, in this particular case, too weak to have committed the murder." "That would have been a mess of a whole different kind, wouldn't it?" "Oh, indeed. It would have been preferable to hanging for murder, of course. But after that fiasco following our Monte Carlo trip last year we must have promised at least 23 people we'd not be so "in flagrante" again. I do hate to disappoint, don't you?" "Well, my love, the only disappointment I've had is that I've hardly had a moment alone with you during this entire entirely wild trip. What proposition do you have to remedy that?" You take Violet into your arms and feel the wonderful surge of happiness that only Violet and clearing yourself of a murder charge can bring. You know what you have in mind for the rest of this already late night, but first there is something you must do to Violet immediately. END_ROOM_DESC 21 HELP 21 Use your lips for something other than talk, talk, talk. END_HELP 21 NOUN 213 Violet Beautiful * Location 21 END_NOUN 213 SPECIAL 22 Finally, back in the bedroom ... END_SPECIAL 22 ROOM 22 Vita and Violet's room - revisited GAME_WIN Points 50 END_ROOM 22 ROOM_DESCR 22 At last you've made it safely back to your room, alone at last. But the night has been exhausting, much of it has already passed, and you never did get that bite to eat you stepped out for a couple millenia ago. And so you drift off. Violet is not completely happy with this course of action, but you know she'll soon be asleep herself. She's just picked up a copy of your latest novel. END_ROOM_DESCR 22