Dark as the dungeon...

By Quickest Means

5 April 1701

His Highness Margraf Albrecht of Ober Nord Westfalen

Your Highness,

You will by now, I am persuaded, have received my most recent despatch concerning the raids from Vikmark and the counter-measures which I have had put in train.

Part of my investigations into these attacks have revealed that they began after an elderly gentleman, in a heavily escorted, large, black coach was seen to pass into Vikmark. From the descriptions which I obtained of this individual, and which when compared to one another reminded me of a certain resident of Schloss Neuhaus; a retired Englander, or rather Schottischer officer. Von Smallhausen knows of this man, and can supply further details if required. A vehicle matching the description of his coach was seen in the vicinity of Friederichshafen prior to the explosion of the Britannic Powder Carrier, and both von Smallhausen and myself have carried out intensive inquiries into the ownership of the said vehicle. The Schottlander Officer goes by the name of Sir Fraser, and was at one time an adherent of James II of Britannia, prior to the latter's loss of his throne to Koening Wilhelm.

Continuing my investigations, I caused a file of soldiers to proceed to this gentleman's residence in order to accompany him to the Schloss, where I might be able to interview him. However, on arrival at his residence, it was found to be deserted, apart from two local women who cook and clean for him. They claimed that he had plans to be absent from Schloss Neuhaus for a period of two to three weeks.

I took advantage of the absence of Sir Fraser, and with the aid of a party of soldiers, loaned to me by Generalleutnant von Prostler, conducted a thorough search of the premises. During the course of this search a concealed chamber was found below the cellars of the house. In the cellar was imprisoned a man. He is in a very poor physical condition, emaciated to the extreme, and although receiving medical attention, he may not survive. He has however, been able to identify himself, and claims to Lieutenant Colonel Wetherby, of his Britannic Majesty's First Regiment of Foot Guards!

There is some deception taking place. As far as I am aware, Oberstleutnant Wetherby is currently serving with Your Highness' forces. The individual whom I removed from Sir Fraser's residence, I have placed under guard within the Schloss, pending instructions from Your Highness. The two women from Sir Fraser's residence, although they claim to have no knowledge of the presence of the individual claiming to be Oberstleutnant Wetherby, I have placed under arrest. Their claim is patently false; somebody had been feeding and watering him during Sir Frazer's absence.

I have, of course, issued warrants for the immediate arrest of Sir Frazer and his adherents, and instructed the forces in the four northern Kreise to be particularly vigilant.

I most strongly urge Your Highness to investigate the identity of the Oberstleutnant Wetherby with the army.

I await Your Highness' instructions before proceeding any further.

Your Most Obedient Servant

Otto Flick