12 June,1888

                                                                                                                                                    
                                                               Turnbridge Wells
                                                     Sussex County,                                                           England
                                                      12 June, 1888




My Dearest Hattie,

     Your dispatch arrives during troubling events. I am working diligently to convince the Guild that it is high time we took a vote toward improved recompense and conditions for the labourers upon whose backs our fortunes have been forged. It has been a most arduous undertaking just getting them to approach the conference table on the matter. You know my conscience on this front so I will not prattle any longer.
    Other than the vexation I am feeling as regards the aforementioned, I am in excellent health for a man my age.
    Your mother sends her love, as does your sister and Carlotta. Your brother-in-law said that I would be remiss if I did not extend his heartfelt greetings, prayers and blessings for a safe sojourn. Carlotta is making some, shall we call them, adjustments to your cloak. Then it shall be sent posthaste.
    In my own visits to Bombay I have dined often at the Kopara Danta. I recommend ordering the Kadai Paneer. It is a less spicy curry. Or perhaps eat it with some dry chapati. That will help reduce the heat. But of course I caution you to stay with the vegetable fare. We don’t want to start another Sepoy Mutiny. The Empress of India would be much displeased.
    This news as regards Professor Mahajan tasks my credulity. Chandra is such an unassuming gentle man. I find it near improbable that anyone would wish him harm. This “Cambridge Man”…Is he a rather smallish individual? Azure tinted, wire rimmed glasses? Dark brown hair? Mutton chops? Improbably large, unnerving eyes? If he meets this description then the man, nay, the creature you are dealing with is one Emmerson Hargrave! He is an unscrupulous purveyor of stolen technology. What he would want with one of Chandra’s designs is beyond my understanding. Most of Professor Mahajan’s contraptions are, as you described, children’s toys in the literal meaning. Pretty…colorful…fanciful! Moving pieces of clockwork art. If Hargrave is after this kaleidoscope then it bodes to be a more sinister device than I dare believe Chandra capable of producing!
    You know our contacts can be trusted. Seek out Ravi Sharma. He is without fault. Get the photograph and the remains of the sketchbook to him. .He will see to it that I receive them intact.
    In as much as I now fear for your safety, I must ask you to remain in Bombay. Shadow Hargrave but be tactful and constrained. I assume that in your initial encounter with him you had, shall we say, a “pointed” conversation. I caution you that he will not allow you that proximity henceforth. I know that you are capable. Sometimes savagely so. But keep your wits about you. He is indeed a little man, but then so was Napoleon!
    After looking over the photograph and sketchbook I shall see that Carlotta gets them to her Scotsman. I wish to meet this paramour of hers face to face one day. I feel, sometimes, as though a father to her also. And you are well aware  of how insanely protective I am when it comes to potential suitors.
    Stay on the alert! Use all of the resources available to you! And under no circumstances allow Hargrave (if it is indeed he) to leave India without your watchful eye upon him.
    As always I send my love! I will eagerly await your further communiqués.


                                     Your father,
                                      Edouard Stevenson