Two Mysteries

I'd better be heading off home, says Gaius. I've a bandicoot to think of.

Stay for a drink, says Margaret. I haven't seen you for ages. What have you been up to?

He's been to the Canaries, says Katherine, then he rode in the Tour Down Under with David and Vello. After that he went up into the hills to look for snotty gobble.

That explains the bandicoot, says Margaret.

I have no idea why it latched onto me, says Gaius. But it does need feeding. I really must be.....

Wait, says Margaret. Katherine wants to know more about Barbados.

Oh yes, says Katherine. I do. What exactly is the Barbados racer?

Gaius looks at Margaret.

Surely it was Margaret who introduced the subject.

Margaret looks at Gaius.

Surely HE is the natural historian.

Gaius sighs. Looks like he will have to have a drink with the ladies.

Margaret heads off to the bar to order three Little Creatures.

Well, says Katherine. Isn't this nice. So what is it?

A snake, says Gaius. With light lateral stripes to the rear. It is on the list of endangered species. In fact, it is believed to be extinct.

And Richard Ligon saw it, all that time ago, says Katherine. How do we know it was the same one?

We don't, says Gaius. Except that he said the snake was a long one. He recorded having seen a snake a yard and a half long.

Margaret returns with the Little Creatures.

Talking about the racer? asks Margaret.

Yes, says Katherine. Seems it was an especially long one.

Ha ha, laughs Margaret, inexplicably.

And what about the Reverend Griffith Hughes? asks Katherine. Did he see any?

I don't believe so, says Gaius. He was only in Barbados for a short time. He contracted yellow fever. It was he who named it. He returned to London to write his ten books then disappeared shortly after. No one has heard from him since.

Two disappearances! says Katherine. The Barbados racer and the Reverend.

Two mysteries, agrees Margaret. Perhaps they're related.

Gaius is certain that the two mysteries are not related.

But to argue is to sit there even longer.

And he wants to go home.

He swallows his Little Creatures and takes his leave of the ladies.

However, a seed has been sown.

When he gets home all is calm in the kitchen.

Except for the trail of ants, attracted by sticky patches.

And Nose, loudly breathing.

Kobo in the darkness is humming: In the sun... I will come....

While Ageless moans, in the bathroom.