Cider of the Watch
{ Being a letter sent by Shire-mail (via the Quick Post) to Applecider Bolingbroke, currently en route to Waymeet }
THE PLOUGH & STARS, BROCKENBORINGS, Northfarthing in the Shire, 18 Afteryule
My dear Applecider:
I must be getting very accustomed to my exclusive postal deliveries - first Her Ladyship's majestic eagle, and now a swift kestrel bearing tidings from your good self! One could get very used to this high-living, an' no mistake.
Nonetheless, I am abiding by the instructions you gave in your last, so this should arrive in your hands in Waymeet upon your arrival. And now, to business...
The recent unpleasant case I worked in the Northfarthing is something, I fear, that will affect many of us in days to come. More than all else, it is affecting Her Ladyship, and that by extension affects us all. So to this end, I think your suggestion of a Hobbitty solution to this situation is a capital idea of the first order. And from my end, here is what I have arranged thus far - I propose that you proceed to Brockenborings without delay - I am laid up at The Plough, with room and board provided on account from the Watch Office (a sensible situation, given I removed my home to Dunfurlong but still labor about the Northfarthing).
Under my authority as Deputy-Shirriff, I am hereby deputizing you as my investigative assistant, with the title of Bounder Second-Class, reporting to the Office of the Watch in Brockenborings forthwith (as B2ndC, that means you will also be drawing a stipend from the Watch coffers, with meals and boarding on account for the duration of the orders).
The official appointment orders are already drawn up and just require the usual red-ink signatures in the appropriate spots, and the official seal of the Watch Officer (in this instance, Bounder Roliman Primrose, him what is my immediate superior). Once the formalities are in place, we can reconvene at The Plough to discuss our next move.
I must caution you on two things, Cider, to wit: first, being as I had discharged all duty previously, we are essentially re-opening the case, and that's a rare-enough thing under normal weather - this is being watched as a highly irregular proceeding. Rolo Primrose tells me he's already had inquiries from Michel Delving as to the reasons behind such a move - he is going to deflect all minor questions for now, but the pressure is on to get results and bring the case to a fast close.
Second, and this is a personal note, here: I'd shut tight any talk of "bereaved lasses standing on a clifftop overlooking the sea in a tattered white dress going completely batty" - especially in Her Ladyship's hearing! I have it on good notice from the Elves of her Household that any such talk is a VERY touchy topic, to the point of it being almost forbidden, unless Herself mentions it first.
I shall hold off any discussion or details regarding the case until we meet in person; until then, as duly-deputized officers of the Watch, we must hold ourselves in strictest confidence until the case is properly closed.
Sincerely looking forward to working with you, I remain
Yours with the Uttermost regard,
LANCOGARD
