Dr. Manzano is the last to arrive. Well placed in comfortable chairs in the library and served refreshments. Pierre's bandage is removed. The doctor concluded that Pierre had contracted a minor concussion. Pierre was ordered to take it easy the next couple of weeks.

Charles speaks up. "Friends, I hope you have had more luck with you than I had. My investigations turned up with absolutely nothing."

Dr. Manzano clears his throat. "I think you should all read this." He unfolds the copy he made and lets it circulate.

The Newspaper clip

Nobody speaks, but sit in his or her own thoughts, until everyone has read the article. Manzano watches everyone as they read the article, then says. "It was a shocke for me to reade this article. Normally I would never have believed suche a cock-and-bull story as thise, but when I read it, it fit! It explaine everythinge."

Stunned by the content of the article, Charles Cochroft remains quiet for a few moments as if to reflect on it's meaning. "You think this fellow Bishop escaped from his imprisonment and stole Henry Atwater's body?", he whispers softly almost as if afraid to admit that he words spoken are his. An uncomfortable silence hangs in the library. Just then there is a knock at the door and an elderly woman enters with a tray. Charles quickly rises from his chair and takes the tray from her. "Nell...", Charles quickly says, "I would like you to meet Doctor's Manzano and Slade" He gestures in turn at both. "And this is Pierre. He is from Canada" Smiling at the elderly woman, Charles continues, "Everyone, this is Nell. She looks after me and the cottage."

The old woman's face suddenly blossoms like a spring flower. "Welcome dearies." She glances in Len and Daria's direction, "Good evening Leonard. Good evening Daria dear." Beaming from ear to ear, she turns to Charles, "Well Charles, you'll have to excuse me. Dinner is almost ready. In the meantime help yourselves to some tea." She pinches Charles on the cheek and with that leaves the room, closing the door behind her. Grinning at present company, Charles places the tray on the table and sits down once more. The tray is laden with cups and saucers neatly arranged around a graceful old teapot. A plate of biscuits has also been included. "Now where were we?" says Charles, his demeanor suddenly very serious again. Charles Cochroft

"I couldn't eat right now..." mumbles Len as he stares at the table. "I knew there was something off about this case from the start, it had the feel of a two-dollar note in your hand or when you know your arm's gone and this guy is going to hit a grand-slam off of you. I'll bet my last dollar or drink that this Bishop has taken over Atwater's body and I am sure he's going to cause Arkham no end of trouble. Many of you..." and he looks around the table..."probably think I am nuts but I tell you I believe in this stuff and this looks like more proof that I am right!"

Len stands and begins to pace, periodically taking a swig from his hip flask. When its empty he turns to Cochroft and says, "Charles, would you?" and holds out the hip flask.

"I have heard tell up North of legends such as these, but never did I pay heed to them. I thought someone was just pulling my leg. Is it possible in this day and age that things like this can happen? Myself I think I would rather stalk an enraged grizzly with an axe than go after these 'spooks' if you might call them that, but I said I would lend a hand, so no matter what goes on, I will stay and help. It is so kind of you Mr Cochroft to invite me, a virtual stranger into your house for tea, I thank you. Anytime you are up in Canada, feel free to visit after this, my mama would welcome a gentleman like you with open arms."

Dr. Manzano speaks again, "Dr. Slade, you are the one among us who ise the most experiencede in dealing with the occult and unknowne. Ise it possible that the old Wizarde Bishop has taken possezione of Atwater's body?"

Doc Slade replies, "I have learned that anything is possible, even that which seems impossible. It is possible that the Bishop and Atwater swapped bodies for their spirits with Atwater having no choice involved. I have never seen such an occurrence before, but I would not state that it couldn't happen. If it did happen, we need to taker care to subdue the Bishop in Atwater's body without damaging the body so that Atwater can have it back and we need to discover how the Bishop accomplished the transfer."

"A warning though, most people would state that body swapping is impossible and consider us insane for even discussing it. You need to take care who you mention this to and how much details you provide."

Dr. Manzano replies, "A sound advice. Before we discuss this Sermon Bishop again, I would like to hear what the rest of you found out?"

Len tells of their accident and ruined bridge and says that he didn't see any symbol on the bridge. Charles says he discovered nothing of interest but had a nice conversation with the chief reporter of the Gazette. Slade says that he was given information with which we prove that the old man really is Atwater.

Please read the murder of an old woman or go back to the table of contents.