The Gelatinous Case of the Gobbo-de-gook
(Being a letter exchange between Lancogard North-took and Rolo Primstone of the Watch, Brockenborings)
THE OFFICE OF THE WATCH, BROCKENBORINGS, Northfarthing in the Shire, on this the 30th day of Astron:
My Dear Roliman:
I am leaving this for you at the Watch-office, because time is of the essence. My companion, Bounder Applecider, has appraised me of some new, grim and ominous tidings regarding our recent labors north of the Bounds. Without going into details, here is the main: the threats of the ruffians and goblins of Dwaling, especially the existence of that stuff we are calling the "Gobbo-de-Gook", have gotten the interest of parties outside the Shire; and they are requesting the assistance of the Shirriffs in solving the case. Seeing as we two were the only Shire-authorities involved, Mistress Cider and I are proceeding post-haste to Woodhall, there to meet and take council with certain of these parties, and to discuss ways and means.
It would appear that we may be making our ways outside the Shire once again, this time headed north of Buckland and into that region known as the Wildwood. We have already established there is a clear peril towards the hobbits of the Northfarthing; if these leads can bring us to a solution to the troubles, then I am all for making the errand.
This letter shall serve as Statement of Intent to proceed on this investigation.
In Service to the Shire,
LANCOGARD
THE OFFICE OF THE WATCH, BROCKENBORINGS, Northfarthing in the Shire, on this the 1st day of Thrimidge:
My Dear Lancogard:
I received your note of the 30th this morning. Seeing that you have already departed, I can make no direct reply, but this shall stand as a memorandum of record: effective today, you and Applecider Bolingbroke, B2C, are on extended assignment on behalf of the Watch, on a fact-finding errand to the Eastfarthing, Buckland and points north as discretion allows.
Since this errand takes you outside the Bounds, this office cannot extend an expense account to defray the costs of this investigation; you and Bolingbroke are out-of-pocket for any expenses incurred.
I shall be sending a copy of this memorandum to the Shirriff-House in Stock, should you pass by that way on your errand. Shirriff Boffin of the East-Watch shall receive a full copy of this, and I expect you to brief him with any information you can supply.
But a personal note here: Lance, don't be a fool. You're headed outside the Bounds. Rumors at every pub from the Plough to the Perch speak of troubles beyond the borders. What I say is, cut this errand short and get back here as quick as you can.
In Service to the Shire,
ROLIMAN
