Alan and Christopher remain beside the waiting stagecoach, the stagecoach driver holding the reins. The county inspector emerges, an adult woman of medium build with a stern, lined face, dark hair pinned beneath a sensible hat, and a long charcoal traveling coat from the office empty-handed, moving quickly toward them.
The County Inspector
Stop before you depart. I must see the sealed packet again. Do not hand it to anyone else until I have examined it.
Christopher’s hand tightens over his coat, where the packet rests. The county inspector’s urgency contrasts with the release order still held by the constable at the office door.
Christopher Morcom
You already secured it with the evidence. Why demand it now, unless someone has challenged the order or the packet was never intended for me?
The County Inspector
Because a messenger has arrived with a contrary account. He claims the packet was bait, designed to draw you toward the concealed devices and make you appear responsible.
The broad-shouldered constable steps from the office, keeping his distance. The stagecoach driver lowers the reins, and the coach remains ready but motionless.
The County Inspector
I am not revoking your release yet. I am asking to inspect the seal, handwriting, and contents before either of you leaves. If it is a trap, departure may be unsafe.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish whether the packet is a trap
“I allow the inspector to examine the packet”
FAILURE (Legendary Willpower, rolled -3)
Alan steps aside and opens his hands, allowing the inspector to examine the packet. He does not touch it, because Christopher still carries it inside his coat.
The County Inspector
Your permission is noted, Turing. Morcom, place the packet on the coach step and let me inspect it without opening the seal.
Christopher Morcom
No. I will show you the seal, but I will not surrender the packet while you call it bait and threaten our departure.
Christopher draws the packet only partly from his coat, keeping his fingers around it. The inspector can see the seal and handwriting, but cannot examine the contents.
The County Inspector
Then the examination cannot proceed. I will not permit this coach to leave while evidence remains concealed, and I will not pretend your refusal is cooperation.
Christopher Morcom
Alan allowed the inspection, but the packet is still mine to protect. If I surrender it now, the contrary account may decide everything.
The inspector orders the driver to keep the reins lowered and directs the constable to remain beside the coach. Christopher must now choose whether to surrender the packet or keep the journey halted.
✓ Quest Accepted
Ensure Morcom's safe departure from the compromised coach
“Has Morcom planted one of his incendiary devices in the rectum of one of the horses?”
NO, BUT (VeryUnlikely, rolled 27)
Before Christopher can decide, one of the coach horses shies violently. A small metal casing drops from beneath the saddlecloth and strikes the cobbles, intact but unlit.
The County Inspector
Nobody is to touch that. The horses are unharmed, and there is no device inside either animal, but this proves the danger was placed upon the coach.
The broad-shouldered constable draws the driver back. The casing has caught in the harness near the rear horse, where it could have travelled unnoticed beyond the office.
Christopher Morcom
That was not in the packet. Someone tried to send the device with us, or to make it appear that I had done so.
The County Inspector
The contrary account may be a warning rather than bait. We will search the coach, harness, and road equipment before anyone departs.
The driver removes the harness under orders, revealing a second fastening recently cut and retied. No further device appears, but the tampering identifies the stable yard as a usable lead.
The Broad-Shouldered Constable
The horses can be changed, Inspector. If the boys must travel, we can take a fresh team from the next yard and leave this coach secured for examination.
− Scene Quest Removed
Establish whether the packet is a trap
“I ask Morcom if there are any more incendiary devices”
SUCCESS (Superb Reasoning, rolled +1)
Alan Turing
Morcom, are there any more incendiary devices besides the casing found on the coach?
Christopher Morcom
No, Alan. I concealed the two devices named in the packet, and we made both harmless. The casing on the harness is the only additional one I know of.
Christopher answers without hesitation, his small hand still gripping the packet. The inspector watches his face, while the broad-shouldered constable keeps the driver away from the abandoned harness.
Christopher Morcom
I did not place that casing there. Someone altered the harness after the coach was arranged, and I have no knowledge of any further device.
The County Inspector
That answer is specific enough to act upon. We will search the stable yard and secure the casing, but we will not invent additional devices from suspicion.
The constable marks the harness and casing for examination without touching either. The coach remains halted, yet the immediate question is settled: Morcom knows of no other incendiary device.
Christopher Morcom
Alan asked directly, and I gave him everything I know. If another device exists, it was placed there without my knowledge.
“I help search the stable yard for tampering”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Perception, rolled +1)
Alan joins the constable in the stable yard, examining stalls, tack, and the cobbles around the coach’s harness. Fresh scuffing marks a path behind the feed shed.
He finds a recently cut leather fastening hidden beneath discarded straw, matching the altered harness. Nearby, a stable hook bears a smear of dark grease and a loose thread from the coach rigging.
The Broad-Shouldered Constable
Good eyes, Turing. Someone handled the harness here, then tried to hide the evidence under the straw.
The search takes longer than expected because the yard is busy with hoofprints, spilled grain, and old repairs. By the time Alan finishes, the driver’s original team has been moved aside.
The County Inspector
You have established tampering at the stable yard, but not who performed it. The casing and fastening will be secured as evidence.
Christopher Morcom
That is enough to show the coach was compromised before we left. I am grateful you searched rather than accepting the first accusation.
The inspector orders the yard sealed for examination and arranges fresh horses elsewhere. Alan has found the tampering, though the delay leaves the packet’s unknown sender and the culprit’s identity unresolved.
“I help inspect the replacement coach and harness”
FAILURE (Mediocre Perception, rolled -2)
Alan examines the replacement coach beside the stable yard, checking its wheels, floorboards, traces, and harness buckles while the constable watches nearby.
The work is difficult amid unfamiliar leather, old grease, and hurried repairs. Alan finds nothing he can confidently connect with the casing or the earlier tampering.
The Broad-Shouldered Constable
Enough, Turing. You have looked carefully, but this harness gives you no reliable answer. Do not turn uncertainty into another accusation.
Alan’s inspection falls short. The constable takes charge of testing each fastening by touch, while the inspector orders the replacement team kept separate from the compromised rig.
The County Inspector
We will rely on comparison and custody, not a boy’s uncertain impression. The replacement coach may proceed only after the constable and driver agree it is sound.
The driver checks the traces again under supervision and confirms they hold. Alan’s failed examination leaves the official inspection with others, making another solitary search unnecessary.
Christopher Morcom
You did what you could, Alan. Finding nothing is better than naming the wrong person, especially while the real tampering remains under examination.
