Whilst Gormbard waited for his now inevitable trip to Bree Master Foxtail kept him busy in the Mathom House with some sorting out and labelling. Master Foxtail was in his office writing letters and he instructed Gormbard to pick them up that afternoon. He also said that there was an important letter for the Sackville-Baggins up at Bag End. At around lunchtime Gormbard went down into the main square, he liked to sit beside the road and watch all the coming and going.
To his surprise one the Mathom Hunters suddenly approached him. Panic gripped him but then he thought calmly, no one had got a good look at him back at the halls. It had been very dark and his cloak had covered him. There was also no physical evidence to link him to the intruder so Gormbard smiled and introduced himself. At first he was accused of being the intruder, a mention was made of stolen cakes but Gormbard was able to answer truthfully that he knew nothing of their whereabouts, he may have entered the Halls but he had drawn the line at taking anything how ever easy it may have been. Still smiling Gormbard protested his innocence to the best of his ability. Gormbard had his doubts as to if they believed him or not but again he reminded himself that there was no evidence for them to prove their suspicions, even if they had called for the Bounders there and then Gormbard was on very good terms with Sheriff who regularly joined Gormbard at the Inn for a few drinks.
The conversation turned to Gormbards job at the Mathom House, Gormbard told them about the mathoms that Master Foxtail had in some of the rooms not open to the public and noted that they quickly seized upon this bit of information.
All in all they seemed to be a pleasant bunch of folk and they even offered an invitation to visit them. Gormbard thought about this, it would give him the opportunity to do a bit more snooping about, but it would also make it easier for them to keep an eye on him. Gormbard thought it best to play along but he would continue his investigations on his terms and in secret. As he was leaving they mentioned another Shire Inn, The Green Dragon, it seemed that there was a regular get together for Hobbits from across the Shire. Again this would give him the opportunity to get a bit closer to the Mathom Hunters but with same drawback of allowing them to keep an eye on him.
As Gormbard made his way back to work he struck upon an idea. Inside his rooms was an old battered bag that he had brought with him from Bree. Inside there were a number of items that he had used to disguise his appearance whilst conducting some of his old scams. Maybe instead of Gormbard Lowbanks attending this evening of entertainment a certain Master Braglo, an elderly Pipeweed merchant should attend instead. Chuckling to himself Gormbard climbed the hill back to the Mathom House.
Gormbard picked up the stack of letters from the small table in Master Foxtails office and set off to deliver them. If he was quick enough he should have the evening free to dig out his old bag. Most of the letters were for the Mayor and the Sheriff so that just left the single letter for Bag End. Instead of following the main road Gormbard went cross country and hoped he would pick up the road again as it turned north. He had been told to look for a large hill on the north side of the river. Gormbards sense of direction had proved correct as the hill came into view. At the top sat Bag End, one of the biggest and most opulent burrows he had ever seen. Whoever the Sackville-Baggins were they had money and plenty of it. A rather grumpy old Hobbit answered the door, which she had opened only just wide enough for her to peer out. Gormbard handed her the letter, which she tore open as soon as she saw the Mathom House Seal, and asked if he was to wait for a reply. A most peculiar change occurred in the old Hobbits features as she read the letter, gone was the grumpy scowl and instead she began to beam with delight. Then the door was flung open and Gormbard was given a large mug of Ale and a plate of sandwiches. Whilst he ate a reply was written and sealed and handed back to Gormbard. He even received a shiny coin for his trouble.
Gormbard was left most exhausted by today's events and decided that he needed to contemplate things over a pint or three when he got home.
