Friday, Feb. 8

I received a call from a Mr. Ted Turner today. He was calling for Dr. Joe Baker. This in itself was not unusual until I spoke with Dr. Baker’s assistant, Mr. David Dean.

When I spoke with him, he presented a metal box with a .45 automatic (engraved with Dr. Baker’s name and a date). The box and its contents were found at an excavation site and testing showed them to be several thousand years old. Dr. Baker has been on sabbatical since last year. The university has heard nothing from him in that time.

On an impulse, tried to locate Mr. Turner and identify his connection with Dr. Baker. The university’s operator placed a call back to Mr. Turner, but he was unwilling to speak with me. I traveled to Boston, where I was able to locate Mr. Turner’s office. He is a private investigator. Perhaps he is trying to locate Dr. Baker for a third party? He did say he was a friend, though.

Satisfied with my research, I returned to Arkham. On the way back, I noticed a cloud forming near an island off shore. I marked the place on shore so that I could find it during the daylight and returned home. I placed a call to Mr. Dallas Waller, who is standing in for the university’s regular astronomy professor. While he was unable to identify the phenomenon, he was very interested and said he would observe the skies to see if he could spot it from his home in Boston.

Saturday, Feb. 9

I stopped in after classes to talk to Mr. Dean about Mr. Turner and the information I had found out about him. He accused me of leaking the information concerning Dr. Baker’s gun to the press. I returned to the coast the next day and identified the island as Fig Island. Mr. Waller and I visited the island, but discovered nothing out of the ordinary. Mr. Waller has hired a room in a lighthouse on a nearby island so that he may watch Fig Island. A strange thing about Mr. Waller - he has an aura of the supernatural around him.

Sunday, Feb. 10

This morning I met with University President Smithe and Miss Jana Cavanaugh. On Mr. Dean’s recommendation, I have been given leave of absence to work as liaison with Miss Cavanaugh in locating Dr. Baker. The two of us were given the .45 automatic and box. By mutual agreement, we will place them in a safety deposit box at a bank tomorrow.

Through our research, we have identified some of the people who were involved with the expedition of which Dr. Baker was a part. The expedition was a small one, headed by Mr. Michael Bradford. The Bradford Expedition seems to have been a bit hush-hush. In addition to Dr. Baker and Mr. Bradford, the names we have been able to uncover are Dr. Elisabeth Burke-Richards (British), Mr. Algernon Planchet (owner and captain of the ship), Mr. Malcolm Fawkes, Reverend Jacob Sanders, and Mr. Baron Andrews(?). On a lighter note, it seems Mr. Bradford married Dr. Burke-Richards at some time during the trip.

Hoping to find some additional information from Dr. Baker’s personal files, we visited Baker’s residence to glean more information. The home, called the Duran Estate, is located just south of Boston. Shortly after we arrived and were discussing a way to enter the house, we met Mr. Turner, who is also an owner of the estate. We did not have much time to talk, but Turner has convinced me that the gun in the box did not belong to Dr. Baker and that Fig Island is going to play an important part in this investigation.

Our conversation was interrupted by a strange lawyer. This lawyer is believed to have mob connections and made the unusual request to buy a part-ownership of the house. Turner refused, of course.

Based on our discussion, Turner and I returned to Miskatonic to research Fig Island and the Bradford Expedition. We discovered a book in the university’s library that seemed to be a handwritten account of the history of Fig Island. The more time I spend with Mr. Turner, the more I am aware that he, too radiates an aura of the supernatural. What are the chances of meeting two people having some sort of power such as this in such a short time?

Monday, Feb. 11

On a whim, I attended an estate auction with Miss Cavanaugh, Mr. Waller, and new language department assistant dean, Dr. Reilly. The prices were much higher than I expected. A man by the name of Edward Gavigan and man named Noam Rigarson bid on most items. By amazing coincidence, Mr. Turner also attended the auction.

After the auction, Miss Cavanaugh, Mr. Waller, Dr. Reilly, Mr. Turner, Ling Ling, Mr. Petulini, Mr. Dorian Morbitzer and myself met at the Duran estate to discuss the odd occurrences that have been happening. During our discussion, a strange man by the name of Ted Baxter arrived at the house. Mr. Turner said that he was a part owner in the house. Ling Ling said he was a dead man.

It is my opinion that Mr. Turner knows much more than he is telling about these occurrences.

Tuesday, Feb. 12

I spent the morning researching several of the names with whom Mr. Turner has been associated. I have visited Arkham Asylum, Boston Asylum and Massachusetts State Asylum. I have also cabled Bedlam in England.
 

• Shaggy Duran is missing and was last seen in New York City (according to Mr. Turner). There is something about a mask associated with this man, but I have no further information. He is an owner of the Duran Estate. He was treated for minor psychological problems at Massachusetts State Asylum some time ago.
• Ted Turner currently lives in Boston. There is no record of treatment at any of the asylums mentioned. He is an owner of the Duran Estate.
• Ted Baxter is dead (according to Ling Ling and Mr. Turner). He is an owner of the Duran Estate. He and Dr. Joe Baker were treated for minor panic at the Boston Asylum at the same time. Someone who claims he is Ted Baxter is currently in Boston, and appears frequently at locations where the group is.
• Dr. Joe Baker is missing and last reported in Cairo (according to Mr. Turner). See number three (3). He is an owner of the Duran Estate.
• Adam Starlight is missing and was last seen in New York City with Shaggy Duran. There is no record of treatment at any of the asylums mentioned. He is an owner of the Duran Estate.
• Duran Duran is missing and last seen in Arkham Asylum (according to Mr. Turner). However, Arkham does not list him as a patient. He is a part owner of the Duran Estate.
• Ogeez Duran is missing. He is the only Duran that Arkham has a record of as a patient.
• Michael Bradford is the leader of the Bradford Expedition. He was last reported to be in Cairo and is currently missing. He has no record of treatment at any of the asylums mentioned.
• Jana has been called home unexpectedly. I received a letter from her sister Belinda indicating that their mother, Mona, was acting strangely. Belinda seemed to think that her actions were linked in some way with the occult. She mentioned becoming more and more frightened of her mother. Today, Belinda found her mother admiring an ugly tiara. The look her mother gave her struck such terror into her heart that she ran from the house. When she returned, her mother was gone. Jana has no idea that this has transpired. Belinda believes that Jana may be in danger from the occult forces that are at work in this matter.

Tuesday, Feb. 12

I stopped in to the college and visited my classes today. I don’t know if this was a wise idea, but I have assigned a special project for all of my classes.

Research Projects - teams will be selected for the following projects. These project teams will work together to produce a research paper. The paper is due Friday, March 7. Papers will be graded on content, appearance, and reference materials used.
 

• Tools of the Occult
Research the following tools, their origin, owners, and possible uses in occult practices. (Included in the list are gems, daggers, and the knives and axe sold at the estate sale. Each item listed is an actual item that can be located in or near Boston - either in private collections or at the museums.)
 
• Hoaxes and How They are Exploited by the Press
Research the following possible hoaxes, how the stories began, whether they are hoaxes or not, and why. (Included in the list are bigfoot sightings, the Baker gun, reported haunted houses).
 
• Islands of the Eastern Seaboard

Research area islands, their owners and their history including spiritual beliefs concerning them. (Included in the list are Fig Island and most of the others within 6-10 miles of Miskatonic and Boston.
 

I have made arrangements for Jana and her sister to stay at my home for a short time. This should reassure Belinda and her recovery from her hysterics should proceed much quicker.

Wednesday, Feb. 13

I spent the morning at the university researching the crown/tiara that Jana’s sister described. I have been able to find little else except evidence confirming what I already have located. Dr. Reilly also made a quick stop at the library and confirmed a luncheon date at home that Mr. Turner had arranged.

Mr. Turner arrived with Ling Ling, Mr. Petulini, Mr. Dorian Morbitzer and Mr. Marion J. Kinmont. Jana, Mr. Waller, and Dr. Reilly completed the group. Among other things, Mr. Turner accused Mr. Waller of something underhanded that occurred at the estate auction. It seems Mr. Gavigan’s personal secretary is accusing him of thievery.

We planned an expedition to Fig Island. Everyone except for Jana and her sister will enter the caves under the island tonight. I have an uneasy feeling about this expedition, but I am sure it is necessary if we are to uncover what is behind the strange occurrences of the past week.

Mr. Kinmont seems to believe that the Indian artifact Nekhalili’s Basket (ancient Indian - soul of messenger god in basket, sends message to anyone over great distances. Appearance: square box said to contain sacred soil.) is located somewhere on (or under) the island. Mr. Turner seems to agree.

Wednesday, February 13, 1924

The caverns are a vast complex of Romanesque design, complete with a throne room and white men that may have never seen the sun. Late Wednesday, February 13, 1924

Until I am able to reach home and place this in a secure location, I will only write what is necessary to refresh my memory.

We were brought to the location that Mr. Turner had been before by the same boat owner that Mr. Waller had hired. Extensive exploration of the area yielded a confirmation in my mind of the history in the book. All members have an aura. "Shelley" comes to life as we leave. Caution is advised. Feeding habits need to be investigated.

Near the beach, Mr. Morbitzer, Mr. Reilly and myself were met by Mr. Baxter and Miss Cavanaugh, who arrived by rowboat from the mainland. Miss Cavenaugh believes the man called Baxter to be her father. This helps to confirm TT’s suspicions. Baxter seemed to expect us here.

Upon arrival to our destination, Mr. Courtney-Smyth seemed surprised to see Mr. Baxter. It appears he goes by a different name here. Most of the guests are inebriated or under the influence of an opiate. The air is full of the stuff and we will soon be under the same spell. Mr. Reilly already is. As we are free to walk the grounds, I intend to spend most of my time outside of possible. Miss Cavanaugh believes she will find her mother here.

Early Thursday, February 14, 1924 – Summary of the previous evening’s events

After their report, Dr. Reilly and I joined the other gentlemen to explore the caverns again. Each of us experienced different visions while we were there, probably some form of cavern fumes but possibly due to the fact that all members of our party have a supernatural aura. Dr. Riley's visions were of how the caverns might have appeared during the time that the handwritten history of the island seems to refer to. I saw a man that turned to mist - I believe this to have been a vampire but to disguise my notes I referred to Shelley instead of Stoker. I also saw an Indian spirit guide.

That evening, we again returned to the island. Dr. Reilly, Mr. Morbitzer and I were to visit the home of Mr. Dean Courtney-Smyth. Mr. Turner and the rest of the group (except Jana Cavanaugh) returned to the caverns. Near the beach, Mr. Morbitzer, Mr. Reilly and myself were met by Mr. Baxter and Miss Cavanaugh, who arrived by rowboat from the mainland. This was an amazing site to watch. It appeared that the rowboat was moving much faster than a motorized boat across the water. We watched as it sped from the mainland to the island in record time. Upon arrival, Miss Cavenaugh informed us that she believes the man called Baxter to be her father. She claims that he has taken on a different body than when she knew him, but that his knowledge of her and her family have convinced her of his authenticity. This helps to confirm Ted Turner's suspicions that Baxter is a wizard of some type. In addition, although we had mentioned the trip to no one, Baxter seemed to expect us here.

Upon arrival to our destination, Mr. Courtney-Smyth seemed surprised to see Mr. Baxter. It appears he goes by a different name here, but I was unable to catch the name. Most of the guests are inebriated or under the influence of an opiate. The air is full of the stuff and we will soon be under the same spell. Dr. Reilly claimed that he had seen a man-sized, winged creature or insect with no face as he stood at the kitchen window. At that time, we left the house and went out to the grounds. It was here that I also witnessed the strange winged creature. Perhaps Mr. Courtney-Smyth's house is not as innocent as it appears. As we are free to walk the grounds, I intend to spend most of my time outside of possible. Miss Cavanaugh believes she will find her mother here.

The events that followed are somewhat hazy, and I can only presume that I had inhaled more of the opiate brew than I realized or what we witnessed was so horrific it has been blocked or scrambled. I am not even sure that the order of the events are such that I remember.. Mr. Baxter insisted that we visit the house on the other side of the island. After trying the front door, we finally gained entry through a broken window at the back of the house. In the darkness, Mr. Baxter lost track of Jana and myself. Mr. Waller made his way into the house after us, having found a connecting shaft between the caverns and the house. Jana found a secret passage leading into the hall and Mr. Waller shot Mr. Baxter, enabling us to escape him as the remainder of the group found their way up from the caverns into the basement and on into the house.

We continued to search the house, and I found a beautiful library of occult books. One, a quite rare album not even found at Miskatonic, I placed in my bag. Normally, I would not have taken such an item, but I believe that the book is in better hands with me than with the demented owner of this cursed property. As I left the library, something brushed by me. Startled, I screamed and ran for the door. As I wrestled with the door, I realized that Mr. Turner appeared to be held back by an invisible force. I watched in horror as he struggled against something none of us could see. He fired his pistol repeatedly into the invisible creature, but did not seem to have any affect. Turner appeared to be getting weaker and more desperate, but the creature was gradually taking shape. As it coalesced, it appeared that it was drinking Mr. Turner’s blood. It was only by his blood coursing through the creature’s body that we were able to see it at all. Finally, the rain of bullets took their toll on the creature and it expired.

We removed ourselves from the premises and took a young woman Turner had found in the cellar to a hospital in Boston. Turner is quite injured, but has refused hospitalization. The party for Dr. Reilly is still scheduled for Saturday. Leslie is scheduled to arrive Friday night. I hope I will have time to discuss all of this with him.