karohemd | [Gaming] The adventures of Rupert Bulmer, Esq.

Previously
(this is really random as I wrote it quickly last night and might be a bit all over the place)
On the Orient Express, part One

Having left the still smouldering embers of Paris behind, the Orient Express set off on its eastwards journey.
After sleeping off our night at the library and a hearty breakfast we explored what the train had to offer. It was like a rolling hotel: apart from the compartments which were more like hotel suites, there was a restaurant and a games room. The latter was my target as it seemed perfect for passing the time. I faired better at roulette than I did on the Seine riverboat and then switched to the card table where an interesting group had gathered: Alfred Grantham, a businessman; Colonel Warwick (retired), a fine and fun character indeed, full of stories and later, wine and brandy, with a good supply of fine cigars he was happy to share; Tristan Orleans, a very quiet Frenchman and finally Jack Ellis, an American archaeologist who was on a quest to find out everything about Tutenchamun. He and the Colonel were the most likable travellers and I spent quite some time with them.

In the meantime, Dr Carter and Nicholas managed to finish the translation of Parsons' book. Everything pointed towards Africa and specifically to the area that was our destination but not very clear information about the other items Parsons was after (the box being the "key" and when combined with the other items, like the knife (probably), would result in - something, Parsons seemed to think it would give him ultimate power). Dr Carter also managed to decipher the ritual described but was at yet unsure what or whom exactly it would summon so it was agreed not to touch it at all.

Silas had an interesting conversation with our old friend Mr Blue Eyes Jim where a few things came to light (or not). Jim claimed that Parsons had smuggled the box into William's luggage while William said that he bought the box. How curious. Also, Jim claimed Parsons stole the box (a holy relic) from the tribe in Northern Kenya and that betrayal was the reason Jim left Parsons' employ and promised the tribe to retrieve the box. We still don't know what his agenda is, he might just be after the same things Parsons is and try and grab the power (or whatever it is) for himself.

During one of our card games, James Ellis mentioned that the archaeologist Anthony Nelson was also on the train and had brought one his mummies to be transferred to Cairo. How exciting! I was sure the others and especially Jeremy would be interested in this, too so I asked if Mr Nelson would join us for dinner and he happily agreed.
Robert and Thomas later "inspected" the luggage car and reported that there was indeed a large crate tightly secured which might contain the mummy. They also mentioned that there was something not quite right about the crate but couldn't put their finger on it. Oh, and the second door to the luggage car was unlocked.

The first stop was Budapest where we left the train and were shown around the city and had lunch at a nice hotel. The city is indeed as beautiful as the travel guides claim and the architecture is duly impressive. We were pleased to find out that one of the city's most modern pieces, the huge iron bridge over the Danube was designed by an Englishman. I had made the acquaintance of a Mrs Ethel Stephenson (yes, indeed, of THE Stephensons) who seemed to be distraught about something but wouldn't say what. Her friend Gertrude had asked me to keep an eye on her so I did but nothing happened, thankfully. However, something else seemed to have happened during our trip. As we returned to the station, a man was acting a bit oddly, checking his watch nervously every other moment. I casually wandered over and asked him what troubled him and he mentioned that his friend, Simon Carr, the jewel merchant had not yet returned and the train would leave in five minutes.
There was nothing I could as while I could remember having seen the man once or twice I could not tell where he might have ended up. I wished the man (a Mr Johns) good luck and boarded the train. After it had set off, I asked one of the conductors if Mr Carr had returned but apparently he had not. Very curious.

In the evening, we had dinner with our new friends Ellis, the Colonel and the archaeologist Nelson and his assistant, Roger Hill who seemed a bit nervous and shifty and really distraught when we asked Nelson if we could see the mummy and Nelson agreed.
After dinner, a plan was hatched: Robert, Thomas and Jeremy would remain in the games room to wait and possibly confront Hill if he tried anything.

I had other plans and wanted to talk to Mrs Stephenson and her friend Gertrude. It took some convincing but eventually she would see me. It looked like the businessman Grantham was trying to blackmail her, he wanted her wedding ring with the rose diamond her husband had given her but she wouldn't go into what exactly the bastard was holding against her. I promised to keep an eye on Grantham so he wound't try anything funny and keep her alone. When we returned to the games room, I joined Grantham's card table and sat right between him and the Stephenson's table to block his vision. He didn't seem happy with that arrangement but didn't mention it. So I basically spent all evening in the company of Grantham and then followed him when he left to find out where his compartment was before I turned in myself. In the morning I would find out if the others had encountered anyone trying to get into the luggage car...
As usual, input from the other players welcome.