BAKER STREET:

Roleplaying in the World of

Sherlock Holmes

THE CASE OF THE

MISSING ARTIFACT
By Adventure Contest Winner (2014):
Melissa Millar

Additional Content: Bryce Whitacre

Layout: Amanda Kahl

Page 4 Art: Sidney Paget
Page 9 Art: Amanda Kahl

Fearlight Games: Kirby Young

 THE CASE OF THE
Missing Artifact
By Melissa Millar
THE CRIME
Miss White is the daughter of a wealthy
businessman and ex-military man, Major
Charles White. Because of her father’s
connections and his interest in history,
Elizabeth became acquainted with scholars and
archaeologists. She had always been lively and
interested in male pursuits. Because she was
his only daughter (his son had joined the
military and was often away) and only child at
home, Charles doted on her and allowed her
interest in archaeology to flourish. He was happy
to allow her to travel the world, exploring and
going on adventures. Her mother, however,
believes that it is time for her adventures to end
and her life as a married woman and mother to
begin.
Elizabeth has told her mother that she plans to
continue traveling and that she has been
entrusted to deliver several important artifacts to
the British Museum. She has been working with
Flinders Petrie in Meidum and has several
delicate items that she is to give to the curator,
Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks. Elizabeth’s
mother, Mary, sees this as a chance to remove
her daughter from the excavation and discredit
her as an amateur archaeologist. Mary has asked
the son of one of her friends to take the item and
hide it. Mary hopes that losing the artifact will
4 THE CASE OF THE MISSING ARTIFACT
cause Petrie and Franks (along with
Elizabeth’s father) to lose faith in her and deny
her further work. Mary plans to introduce her
daughter to several wealthy young men and
hopes that Elizabeth will forget about her silly
adventures.
ADVICE FOR THE MASTERMIND
The longer the investigation takes, the more
nervous Mary White will become about her
daughter discovering the truth. She will begin
distorting evidence and ask that Richard
destroy the artifact.
Any investigators with a criminal background
or police background may be interested in
checking out collectors (or others interested in
historical items) who may have stolen or
bought the artifact. They can do this, but it
will take at least one day and will raise the
threat meter as it will lead them away from the
real criminals.
THE THREAT METER
First level:
Mary gets nervous and becomes more evasive. 1s
on the Sherlock die no make 1s successful.
Second level:
Mary will actively throw off the investigation.
She will plant a false clue. During the interviews
in Scene 3, Mary will produce a newspaper
describing several recent burglaries in the
neighborhood. She will say that she believes that
the artifact was taken by the same thief. If the
investigators follow this false lead, raise the
threat level OR treat it as a opportunity to add
some physical adventure into the story if your
investigators are looking for a fight. A quick
canvasing of the neighborhood will find a
number of Snoozers equal to the number of
investigators (see the core book under reprobates
for Snoozers) attempting to break into a home.
Even though these reprobates have nothing to do
with the theft in this adventure, award a couple
circles of status if the investigators end the string
of robberies in the neighborhood.
Third level:
Mary and Richard have hidden the artifact well
and begin covering their tracks. Mary will
overhear the investigators speaking to Elizabeth
and she will send a message to warn Richard. He
will then have two friends with him waiting
outside of the club to fight the investigators.
Endgame:
Mary and the Richard will destroy the priceless
artifact and get rid of the remains. The
investigators will not gain as much experience
and will lose two status circles as they have
contributed to the loss of an important ancient
artifact.
 THE CASE OF THE MISSING ARTIFACT
SCENE 1
All the investigators are gathered at Baker Street
enjoying tea and waiting for the arrival of Miss
White. There will be a ring at the door and after
several minutes, Billy will enter the drawing room
with an attractive young woman. The
investigators should offer her a seat and she will
begin to explain her situation. However, the
investigators may first roll to make some
observations about the young woman. They should
roll perception and may add (knowledge of
archaeology, knowledge of fashion). For each
success above 2 they will notice:
1- Miss White’s skin is not the usual pale white of a archaeologist, historian, or has a skill relating to
wealthy young woman. Rather it looks tanned and knowledge of Egypt they may ask an extra
a bit weather-worn.
2- Miss White is dressed well and is obviously
wealthy; however her clothing is cut in a non-
popular fashion. It appears to be more suited for
travel and for movement.
3- Miss White’s boots are typical of men’s
expedition boots, but look to be specially made or
ordered. They seem to have bits of dirt or sand
clinging to them in places.
After making these observations, the investigators
should listen closely to what Miss White has to
say. She will accept a seat and then stand again
after a few moments. She will pace as she speaks
and is very obviously upset.
“I have just recently returned from excavations at
Meidum in Egypt. I have been working with
archaeologists there for several months, but
because my mother’s health has been poor I
decided to return home early. Because I was
traveling here, I was entrusted with several
artifacts that Mr. Petrie had uncovered during the
excavation. He and my father are friends, so he
felt that he could trust me to transport the artifacts
to the museum. I arrived home two days ago and
as you may imagine, I was quite exhausted from
the long journey. My parents sent the driver and a
footman to assist me with the artifacts and drive
me to the house. I brought the artifacts directly to
our house here in London, where my mother is
5
resting currently. I intended to take the artifacts
to the museum after I had a day or two to
recover. However, one of the artifacts has
disappeared and though I have searched the
house, I was unable to find any trace of it. If I
cannot find it, I will have caused a great
disappointment to Mr. Petrie and to my father. I
have been told that you are good at solving
mysteries without involving the constables. I
would like to find this item without alerting
anyone to the artifact’s disappearance.”
The investigators may now, as a group, ask her
four questions about the crime. If any
investigator is an antiques dealer, adventurer,
question.
Time of disappearance?
Elizabeth remembers that the artifacts had all
been left in their wooden boxes in her room while
she went down to breakfast yesterday. She
noticed later in the afternoon that the lid was
askew on one of the boxes. When she opened it,
she saw that the artifact was missing.
The Artifact?
It is a small figurine, about 20cm long. It is
made of clay and has the remains of some gold
and blue paint. Although it is exotic, it has no
great worth because of it what it is made of,
rather it would be worth something only to a
collector of artifacts or a historian. It seems to
have been a fertility goddess.
Who knew about the artifacts?
Elizabeth had only told her parents that she was
returning home and she thinks that her father
was the only one who knew that she was carrying
the artifacts. Her mother never had any interest
in archaeology, so Elizabeth had not said
anything to her about the artifacts. Elizabeth did
not have many friends who would have had any
interest in artifacts and she had told no one else
that she was returning home. The museum
curator also knows and obviously Petrie, the
archaeologist.
 6 THE CASE OF THE MISSING ARTIFACT
Who else was working on the excavation?
Mostly hired local workers.
Did she take the artifacts out at all during the
trip?
She did not take the artifacts out during the
voyage home. The small crates were not opened
during the voyage.
Who was in the house?
Ms. White remembers seeing her mother at
breakfast as well as the butler. The cook was in
the kitchen, Ms. White could hear her humming.
Ms. White’s lady’s maid was not at the house as
she was visiting her mother (after the long time
she spent in Egypt with Ms. White). Ms. White
also remembers seeing the housemaid, but did
not see her mother’s lady’s maid that morning
and that was not unusual.
RESOLVE AWARD:
Give each investigator one point of Resolve.
SCENE 2
At the White residence in London. With no
further clues, the best place for the investigators
to look for clues is at Ms. White’s home.
Ms. White will be happy to allow the investigators
to look around the house, even her room. The
only room they will not be allowed to search is
Mr. and Mrs. White’s bedroom and dressing
room.
Clue- Partial Bootprint in Ms. White’s room
A. It is a man’s bootprint
B. It has been made by Ms. White’s own boots
(false)
C. It was made by a man with very large feet
Clue-Sand in corner of the room- (false lead)
A. The sand is from the excavation
B. The sand is from a local river
C. The sand is from a beach
Clue-White horsehair on a chair in Ms. White’s
room
A. The hair is from Ms. White’s horse (false)
B. The hair fell off one of Ms. White’s bags (false)
C. The thief enjoys horseback riding and her/his
clothing may still contain white horse hairs
Clue- The window is unlocked
A. Ms. White forgot to lock the window after
closing it the night before (false)
B. The thief left through the window
C. The maid opened the window to air the room
and forgot to lock it (false)
Clue-Love Note “To My Dearest Elizabeth –
Please enjoy these flowers- Richard” left on the
floor behind the desk.
A. Perhaps wind from the window blew it behind
the writing desk. (False)
B. Perhaps Elizabeth threw it behind the desk,
because she was made at this man.(False)
C. Perhaps Elizabeth felt the love note was not
as important as the work she was doing and
brushed it aside carelessly. (true)
Clue- Newspaper Clipping about Albert Hunting
Hunting-
ton, Archeologist. The writer accuses
Mr. Huntington of faking artifacts. (False Clue)
A. Perhaps Elizabeth's was stolen by Huntington.
B. Perhaps the artifact was never original.
C. Perhaps Huntington is looking to discredit
Elizabeth.
RESOLVE AWARD:
Give each investigator one point of Resolve.
THE CASE OF THE MISSING ARTIFACT 7
artifact, perhaps Esther did see someone. If
asked about the tall man with curly red hair, Mrs.
Landlow will recall that she has seen a man like
that, but cannot remember who he is, “The
family has so many friends and acquaintances, I
am sorry I cannot be of more assistance”. (True)

Mr. Blackwell- Butler

He remembers Mrs. And Miss White eating

breakfast together on the day in question. Miss
White dined for about 30 minutes, while talking
occasionally to her mother. Mrs. White arrived
first and left about ten minutes after Miss White.
There was nothing unusual to note. (True)

Mrs. Rose- Cook-

She was in the kitchen all morning preparing

breakfast and then preparing luncheon. Mrs.
White had invited two of her friends for luncheon
that day, but the meal was not to be served until
noon and the other ladies would not have arrived
until eleven at the earliest. (True)

Esther-Maid-

She remembers seeing a man entering Ms.

White’s room. She found this odd and went to
find Mrs. Landlow. By the time they had
returned, the man was gone. Mrs. Landlow
believed that Esther had imagined seeing a man.
The man had curly red hair and was very tall.
Esther thought he looked familiar. (True)

Roger-Footman-

Was sent on an errand with the driver that

morning.

RESOLVE AWARD:

Give each investigator one point of Resolve.

 8 THE CASE OF THE MISSING ARTIFACT
SCENE 4 may find some other way of gaining entrance.

Once inside, they will be able to find Richard

After speaking to the staff and Mrs. White, the
Loftwood easily as he is quite tall and one of the
investigators will be approached by Elizabeth.
only members with red hair. As most of the
She will inquire on how the case is going and
evidence the investigators have is based on the
what clues the investigators have uncovered. If
maid seeing him and the horse hair (and a boot
the investigators mention the tall, red haired
print the investigators may have copied to paper),
man, Elizabeth will seem surprised. She will
Richard will deny knowing anything about the
reply that it is a good description of the son of
incident. If pressed about the incident and if the
one of her mother’s friends. Richard Loftwood is
investigators have put together that Mary was
one of several suitors that Elizabeth’s mother
involved in this, he’ll relent.
has tried to convince Elizabeth to take.
Elizabeth has known him for years as their
“Elizabeth is a fine girl, very beautiful and kind. I
mothers are friends, but Elizabeth has never
had spoken to her parents about courting and her
been interested in him.
mother seemed very happy. But her father wanted
to let her continue with her traveling and digging
“He is a fine young gentleman, or at least I
in the dirt. But I couldn’t stop thinking about her
always believed him to be until I discovered he
and I spoke again with her mother. She said that if
might be involved in this horrible crime. But I
I took the artifact and hid it, then Elizabeth could
am not interested in marrying anyone now. I
stay in London and I would have a chance to court
am young and I would like to continue my work
her. This is all just silliness, Elizabeth aught to
at the excavation while I can. If I marry and
think about her future. Her father won’t live
have children, it could be years before I could
forever, she needs a husband and time is fleeting,”
continue my work. And even then, I would need
Richard will say.
my husband to approve of my work. No, I
mustn’t marry now. But I wonder, how did he
He will agree to turn over the artifact, but asks if
know that I had the artifact and why would he
perhaps he could give it to Elizabeth and tell her
want to steal it? I have not seen him in two
that he found it for her. He insists that he cares
years,” she says.
for her and wants what is best for her. Either way,
he will tell the investigators that he will take them
By this point, the investigators should have a
back to his home and retrieve the artifact. He will
good idea of what has occurred and why. But
lead the investigators out of the club and as they
they still need to recover the artifact. They
pass an alley, he will attack the investigators (with
should ask Elizabeth about where they can find
two friends, if the threat level reached 3). Once
Richard. She will tell them where his family’s
Richard (and his friends, if the threat meter
house is in London and also the riding club
reached level 3) has been subdued, the
where he spends much of his time when in
investigators should take Richard back to his
London.
house and retrieve the item. As long as the
Endgame Threat level has not been reached,
If the investigators go to the family house, they
Richard will give them the artifact. They can then
will speak to a footman who will tell them that
return it to Elizabeth. She will be very pleased and
Master Loftwood is not in and asks if they would
will take all the artifacts over to the museum
like to leave a message. The investigators
immediately. If the Endgame threat was reached,
should then go to the riding club.
Richard tells the investigators that they are too
late and the artifact was destroyed and is gone
At the club, they can gain entrance in several
forever. He rants about winning Elizabeth’s hand.
ways: If one of the investigators is wealthy, they
Elizabeth will be heartbroken about the loss of the
may be able to gain admittance for the day; one
artifact. She will thank the investigators for their
of the investigators may be a member or may
help, but she will ask them to leave so that she can
have a friend who is a member. The
 THE CASE OF THE MISSING ARTIFACT 9
prepare to tell the museum curator about this Mr. Richard Loftwood-
tragedy.
A young man who has been interested in
RESOLVE AWARD: Elizabeth for several years. He is the son of one
of Mary White’s friends.
If the artifact is returned to Elizabeth, give the
investigators five experience each. Charm - 3
Seduction
If the artifact has been destroyed, give the Customs - 3
investigators two experience each and they will Dodge & Defense - 3
each lose 2 circles of status as they have failed to Fight - 3
protect and find a priceless artifact. Boxing
Hunting - 3
Tracking
Ride - 4
Horse
APPENDIX

Miss Elizabeth White- Richard’s friends -

Charm - 3 Dodge and Defense - 4

Customs - 3 Vs Blades
Oratory - 4 Vs Brawling
Lying Endurance - 5
Ride - 3 Fight - 4
Brawling
Strength - 6
Stunning blows

Mrs. Mary White

Major Charles White

Mrs. Landlow-Head Housekeeper

Mr. Blackwell- Butler

Mrs. Rose- Cook

Esther-Maid
10 THE CASE OF THE MISSING ARTIFACT
THE CASE OF THE MISSING ARTIFACT 11
12 THE CASE OF THE MISSING ARTIFACT