Nick Marsh [Marsh - The Express Diaries

The Express Diaries

By Nick Marsh

Illustrated by Eric Smith

Innsmouth House Press

2012

The Express Diaries (eBook version)

By Nick Marsh

2012

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to real people, or events, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.

The right of Nick Marsh to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.

Published in September 2012 by Innsmouth House Press by arrangement with the author

Cover and Interior Art and Design by Eric Smith

Map of Europe by Steffon J. Worthington

Original art for Moulin Noir Flyer by Justin Burt

Layout and editing by Paul Maclean

Innsmouth House Press, PO Box 315, Shipley, BD18 9DB, United Kingdom

www.InnsmouthHouse.com

Editors Note

The Orient Express was the most famous train ever to run along the rail tracks of Europe, luxurious even by the standards of the great Cunard liners. During its long history, throughout its various iterations, kings and queens, prime ministers and dictators, diplomats, spies and courtesans have all tasted its opulence and finery. Those grand carriages were witness to many events - some historic, some clandestine, some joyful, some mysterious - but they never saw anything stranger than the events that occurred on the train in the winter of nineteen twenty-five; the winter of Fenalik, and the Brothers of the Skin.

The tale that is told within these pages did not give up its secrets lightly. The story of how the disparate parts were pieced together is one almost as fascinating as the story itself. From humble beginnings the chance discovery of the journal of a Mrs Violet Davenport it took almost a decade before my colleagues and I were able to unlock the final piece of the mystery, and view the story as a whole.

And what a remarkable whole! In many ways this is an old-fashioned story a story of love, and death, of ancient evil and hidden cults, of courage, betrayal and, of course, the Orient Express but the warnings within resonate forwards to our own dark era, and maybe help to shine some light on our current predicament.

For those interested in the story behind the story, how these astonishing facts were uncovered, collated, and verified where possible, look to our archives.

For the rest of you although you may be about to embark upon a journey into darkness, far from home, do not despair. At least you will be travelling first class.

Archivist Johannsen.

Introduction

The bulk of the story is presented as we uncovered it in the form of diaries, newspaper clippings, and other supplementary materials. As the diaries are, at first, merely the continuation of lives already in motion, little explanation of just who the writers are is found therein, and so interested readers may find the following brief biographical notes of our main protagonists in this tale of some use.

Mrs Elisabeth (Betty) Sunderland

- Widowed matriarch of the Yorkshire Sunderlands. An unusually entrepreneurial female of the age, having been variously an archaeologist, lecturer, and mother (of four). Currently owns a shop selling items of archaeological and occult interest in the Soho district of London.

Mrs Violet Davenport

- Wife and assistant to the famous magician, The Marvellous Davenport, as well as being a skilled illusionist in her own right. Niece of Betty Sunderland.

Colonel Neville Goodenough

- Patriarchal figure of the famous (eventually infamous) Goodenough family. Retired Royal Engineer, a veteran of both the Boer War and the First World War. Widower, father of three and grandfather of seven. A close friend of Betty Sunderland.

Miss Grace Murphy

- Young spinster, secretary to Betty Sunderland. Friends with Violet Davenport.

Professor Alphonse Moretti

- An emeritus professor in European history and languages at the Universities of Florence and Belarus; a rotund elderly Italian gentleman with a somewhat shady past. Close friends with Colonel Goodenough and Betty Sunderland.

The Diaries

Part one - London

Diary of Mrs Betty Sunderland, Sunday, October 18 th , 1925

There is nothing so terrible in this world, I think, as an interrupted game of cribbage. It is especially galling when one is doing so well in the game. Neville, even though I did once or twice have to resort to my spare cards which I had concealed strategically around the room prior to our afternoons play an unnecessary insurance, one could argue, but the youngsters do require constant reminders that they still have much to learn from their elders.

Violet had, once again, started play with a five, making me question the necessity of my concealed cards. Really, she should have learned by now. With my score already over a hundred it was as if she was trying to let me win! Fortunately for her, she was spared further embarrassment by a knock on the door. Grace opened it almost before Id had a chance to look up from my cards. As she did so, a hearty laugh and the unmistakable smell of Balkan tobacco announced the arrival of our old friend, Professor Julius Smith, much more effectively than Grace could.

Grace took Juliuss hat and coat as he bustled into the room, smiling at each of us in turn. He had put on some weight, and his huge moustache had turned completely grey since we had seen him last (although it still conspired with his thick eyebrows to give him the appearance of a benign walrus), but he marched into the room as cheerful and smiling as ever. As he came over to greet us, one of his stout legs knocked into the cribbage board, knocking pegs and board sprawling onto the floor. That was the end of that.

I hadnt seen him since the Ausperg affair several years ago, and it always does one good to reacquaint oneself with old friends especially as there are so few of them left at our age! After the initial greetings, hugs and handshakes were out of the way, Julius pulled a chair from the dining table (which creaked in protest as he squeezed himself into it) and sat down, while Grace busied herself in the kitchen. Once tea and cakes had been served, he began to explain the purpose of his visit.

Im not often in this neck of the woods, as you know, Betty, he said, puffing away on his pipe (seemingly unaware of Grace opening every window in a vain attempt to dissipate the smell from the wretched thing), but Ive been invited this year to speak at the Challenger Trust Banquet Lecture. Heard of it?

Neville had, at least, and made some approving noises from his end of the table, fortunately knowing me well enough not to produce his own pipe. For the rest of us, Julius explained that the banquet was a semi-formal affair, hosted by the trustees, who selected (in Juliuss words) gentlemen of clear voice, sound mind and impeccable credentials to speak on a subject of their own choosing.

Id be delighted if you could attend, Julius said, first looking at Neville and me, and then adding All of you, of course, smiling at Grace and Violet.

Of course, Julius, we would all love to come, I said, quickly, ignoring Violets look of horror. Something has to keep her occupied whilst Walter is gallivanting around the Orient. Could I ask what topic you will be speaking on?

The professor smiled, his moustache almost merging with his bushy eyebrows. Now that is something I would like to surprise you with on the night! Always had a fondness for the enigmatic, did Julius.

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