“Thank you Ilse” responded Baron Wilhelm to her detailed explanation of her trips to Pommaine “I must admit I was worried when your father initially suggested your name for this assignment. After all it is not uncommon for people to suggest their relatives as suitable for a mission, whether they are competent or not!”
“However, I see in your case that your father has suggested the right candidate, despite your young age you are quite a capable spy, but as your father explained, you need to learn the airs and graces of a lady”
“What!” exclaimed Ilse to be silenced by a raised finger from the Baron.
“And as your father has already explained you are to attend Frau Wurmser’s Academy, which will be at my expense”
“But!” again a slightly raised finger.
“You already know that there are Prussian agents in Pommaine but you are probably not aware that the trail leads to Frau Wurmser’s Academy. So we need someone inside to find out what is happening and where this information goes next. Are you prepared to take on this mission?”
“Of course!” responded Ilse.
Monday, 23 April 2012
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Meeting the Baron (2)
“Oh, and what’s that mark on your arm?” asked the Baron
“It’s a tattoo” answered Ilse caught unawares
Ilse father butted in “She did it to hide a scar from when she broke her arm”
“Yes, but it’s a bird, may I suggest it might even be a sparrow” replied the Baron smirking.
Ilse looked at him and then her father who had a broad smile on his face and then demanded “Right who’s going to explain what’s going on!”
Ilse’s father nodded to the Baron, who responded “Your father claimed that one of his most useful agents in Pommaine was Sparrow, who provided some very useful information. So how did he convince you to go”
“He didn’t, I had read the reports and saw the frustration at how little could be discovered so I decided I could try it myself, after all I thought that if I could break into my fathers study with its locks and other safeguards I could do the same in the palace in Traunsberg”
Ilse then went on to explain the events of both her trips to Pommaine.
“It’s a tattoo” answered Ilse caught unawares
Ilse father butted in “She did it to hide a scar from when she broke her arm”
“Yes, but it’s a bird, may I suggest it might even be a sparrow” replied the Baron smirking.
Ilse looked at him and then her father who had a broad smile on his face and then demanded “Right who’s going to explain what’s going on!”
Ilse’s father nodded to the Baron, who responded “Your father claimed that one of his most useful agents in Pommaine was Sparrow, who provided some very useful information. So how did he convince you to go”
“He didn’t, I had read the reports and saw the frustration at how little could be discovered so I decided I could try it myself, after all I thought that if I could break into my fathers study with its locks and other safeguards I could do the same in the palace in Traunsberg”
Ilse then went on to explain the events of both her trips to Pommaine.
Friday, 2 March 2012
Meeting the Baron (1)
The Major and Ilse were shown into Baron Wilhelm’s study. He immediately stood to greet them. “…and I’m especially please to meet you young lady”
“Well, then perhaps I can tell you about the Alsace communication that came into my possession, my father has been too concerned with my appearance to pay any attention to it” Ilse looked cross and determined to have her way
“Really, and what makes it so important” replied the Baron trying to keep control of the meeting.
“It was written in code and is some sort of agreement between Prussia and Alsace over splitting Pommaine between them”
“Perhaps we ought to cover this first as it seems relevant to our situation. Now can you show me what this message contains Ilse?”
“Of course” Ilse pulled out a sheaf of papers from her bag “Here is the original message”
“I see and how did you obtain it?”
“It was in the saddlebags of a horse I stole in Traunsberg” at the Baron’s raised eyebrows she continued “I didn’t realise it was a Alsatian courier’s horse until after I had escaped”
“Very well, I see it’s a code, so how did you work out the message”
Ilse pushed up her sleeves “right, first I looked for obvious patterns such as double letters that normally give an initial clue like MM in Pommaine, then I looked for common letter groups, but with no luck. It was only when I relaxed then looked again that I saw the letters were in groups of four.”
“I see it now you have pointed it out”
“Once I had reversed the groups I found the pattern, it used the keyword kraut and the rest of the alphabet reversed, and here is the translation”
“Excellent work! Normally we pass the information to Professor Töring at the University for him and his Mathematics students to find the code”
“I know!”
“How?” demanded the baron
“Well, he has written some interesting papers on the subject”
“But those had limited circulation!”
Von Barner interjected “I admit only recently discovered my daughter’s capabilities in espionage”
Feeling the conversation was drifting in the wrong direction Ilse asked “The part I don’t understand in the agreement is how they define Upper and Lower Pommaine”
“Ah, that’s an old term from the very early days of the Empire, when much of what is now the Frei Stadt was called lower Pommaine. Hmm, it seems that Prussia is out to occupy us should all the current claimants to Pommaine die, while Alsace will occupy Pommaine proper. A very fortunate discovery, I’ll pass on a suitable warning to the Emperor.”
“Well, then perhaps I can tell you about the Alsace communication that came into my possession, my father has been too concerned with my appearance to pay any attention to it” Ilse looked cross and determined to have her way
“Really, and what makes it so important” replied the Baron trying to keep control of the meeting.
“It was written in code and is some sort of agreement between Prussia and Alsace over splitting Pommaine between them”
“Perhaps we ought to cover this first as it seems relevant to our situation. Now can you show me what this message contains Ilse?”
“Of course” Ilse pulled out a sheaf of papers from her bag “Here is the original message”
“I see and how did you obtain it?”
“It was in the saddlebags of a horse I stole in Traunsberg” at the Baron’s raised eyebrows she continued “I didn’t realise it was a Alsatian courier’s horse until after I had escaped”
“Very well, I see it’s a code, so how did you work out the message”
Ilse pushed up her sleeves “right, first I looked for obvious patterns such as double letters that normally give an initial clue like MM in Pommaine, then I looked for common letter groups, but with no luck. It was only when I relaxed then looked again that I saw the letters were in groups of four.”
“I see it now you have pointed it out”
“Once I had reversed the groups I found the pattern, it used the keyword kraut and the rest of the alphabet reversed, and here is the translation”
“Excellent work! Normally we pass the information to Professor Töring at the University for him and his Mathematics students to find the code”
“I know!”
“How?” demanded the baron
“Well, he has written some interesting papers on the subject”
“But those had limited circulation!”
Von Barner interjected “I admit only recently discovered my daughter’s capabilities in espionage”
Feeling the conversation was drifting in the wrong direction Ilse asked “The part I don’t understand in the agreement is how they define Upper and Lower Pommaine”
“Ah, that’s an old term from the very early days of the Empire, when much of what is now the Frei Stadt was called lower Pommaine. Hmm, it seems that Prussia is out to occupy us should all the current claimants to Pommaine die, while Alsace will occupy Pommaine proper. A very fortunate discovery, I’ll pass on a suitable warning to the Emperor.”
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
The talk of the town?
When Ilse knocked and then entered General Wurst’s study, Major Von Barner was shocked, was this smart young lady his daughter? It was quite a transformation.
The General responded before he could “Fraulein Von Barner, I’m glad to see my wife could find some suitable apparel for you and I must say it is more than suitable in my opinion”
“Thank you General, but I must say, I am puzzled by all this attention”
“Well I must let the Baron reveal what he might wish you to do for the Freistadt”
It was only a ten minute walk to the Baron Wilhelm’s residence in Pappenheim, but it took nearly a half hour to traverse the roads through this fashionable part of town. This was due to the large numbers of young gentlemen who insisted on stopping and passing the time of day.
Looking at his daughter as she responded to yet another gentleman passing the time of day the Major realised that she could be very attractive and yet dangerous as the highwaymen had discovered.
The General responded before he could “Fraulein Von Barner, I’m glad to see my wife could find some suitable apparel for you and I must say it is more than suitable in my opinion”
“Thank you General, but I must say, I am puzzled by all this attention”
“Well I must let the Baron reveal what he might wish you to do for the Freistadt”
It was only a ten minute walk to the Baron Wilhelm’s residence in Pappenheim, but it took nearly a half hour to traverse the roads through this fashionable part of town. This was due to the large numbers of young gentlemen who insisted on stopping and passing the time of day.
Looking at his daughter as she responded to yet another gentleman passing the time of day the Major realised that she could be very attractive and yet dangerous as the highwaymen had discovered.
Friday, 24 February 2012
Smartened up
No sooner than they had stepped through the door of General Wurst’s house than Frau Wurst was there to greet them.
“Welcome Major, I see the problem, now young lady if you will accompany me”
“Father” queried Ilse
“We are going to meet the Baron and you have to be presentable, now go along with Frau Wurst and she will do the best she can in the limited time we can spare, I’ll be in the study with the General”
Having ascended to a bedroom, Frau Wurst looked Ilse up and down “ I don’t know if I can manage in the time. Now girl, don’t looked so frightened, just get out of those things, as you just look like a maid”
“But it was the best I had at the time”
“Of course, but now, give yourself a quick wash, while I find something suitable from my daughter’s clothes. Martha, where’s the hot water?”
“Coming Marm, have you heard the excitement about the highwaymen attempting to rob the Welle post-coach?”
“No! What happened?”
“Well they shot the guard, then this girl! Can you believe it! She took his place and killed lots of them”
“I only killed one!” exclaimed Ilse to their surprise. “and killed a horse….and knocked another off his horse”
“Well no wonder you need tidied up” expressed Frau Wurst “Now run along Martha and find a suitable bonnet as I don’t have time to wash and set this young ladies hair”
“Welcome Major, I see the problem, now young lady if you will accompany me”
“Father” queried Ilse
“We are going to meet the Baron and you have to be presentable, now go along with Frau Wurst and she will do the best she can in the limited time we can spare, I’ll be in the study with the General”
Having ascended to a bedroom, Frau Wurst looked Ilse up and down “ I don’t know if I can manage in the time. Now girl, don’t looked so frightened, just get out of those things, as you just look like a maid”
“But it was the best I had at the time”
“Of course, but now, give yourself a quick wash, while I find something suitable from my daughter’s clothes. Martha, where’s the hot water?”
“Coming Marm, have you heard the excitement about the highwaymen attempting to rob the Welle post-coach?”
“No! What happened?”
“Well they shot the guard, then this girl! Can you believe it! She took his place and killed lots of them”
“I only killed one!” exclaimed Ilse to their surprise. “and killed a horse….and knocked another off his horse”
“Well no wonder you need tidied up” expressed Frau Wurst “Now run along Martha and find a suitable bonnet as I don’t have time to wash and set this young ladies hair”
Monday, 20 February 2012
New arrivals in Pappenheim
As the coach swept into the main square in Pappenheim, Ilse was surprised to see a mass of red uniforms. By the time the coach reached the Greyhound Inn, she realised they were from Glowstein and she could see her father waiting for her.
Of course he was shocked as she leapt down from the driving seat and grabbed her bag from the militiamen. “Hello father”
“No time for that, you are late, come with me straight away to General Wurst’s house”
With that they were striding off up the main streets with Ilse given no chance to explain what had happened.
Of course he was shocked as she leapt down from the driving seat and grabbed her bag from the militiamen. “Hello father”
“No time for that, you are late, come with me straight away to General Wurst’s house”
With that they were striding off up the main streets with Ilse given no chance to explain what had happened.
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Highwaymen (3)
As the coach neared Tonclot, the Driver turned to Ilse “could you hold the reins Miss, while I sound the coaching horn”
“No it’s OK, I can sound it what should I play?”
“One long and then two short blasts”
Ilse picked up the horn took a deep breath and sounded a long note, another breath and then two short ones”
“Good Miss, nice and loud, now wait a moment and sound it again”
By the time Tonclot came into view Ilse could see the Militia assembling.
Once they arrived the driver quickly explained what had happened and a couple of riders disappeared up the road to look for the missing Guard and any traces of the highwaymen.
Another rider headed off for Pappenheim with the news and two burley militiamen settled into the carriage with their equipment in case of further trouble. Ilse was glad she had decided to remain on top of the carriage. With another change of horses the coach was off.
Well Miss, if we’re lucky they’ll find Kurt and fix him up. You see he was new to the business and he grabbed the blunderbuss first and fired at too great a range. Now settle back and we’ll soon be in Pappenheim”
“No it’s OK, I can sound it what should I play?”
“One long and then two short blasts”
Ilse picked up the horn took a deep breath and sounded a long note, another breath and then two short ones”
“Good Miss, nice and loud, now wait a moment and sound it again”
By the time Tonclot came into view Ilse could see the Militia assembling.
Once they arrived the driver quickly explained what had happened and a couple of riders disappeared up the road to look for the missing Guard and any traces of the highwaymen.
Another rider headed off for Pappenheim with the news and two burley militiamen settled into the carriage with their equipment in case of further trouble. Ilse was glad she had decided to remain on top of the carriage. With another change of horses the coach was off.
Well Miss, if we’re lucky they’ll find Kurt and fix him up. You see he was new to the business and he grabbed the blunderbuss first and fired at too great a range. Now settle back and we’ll soon be in Pappenheim”
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