Hello to you, sirs and madams, and welcome back to the blog-about.
I must apologize to you once more, for nearly two months have passed since our last discussion, during which time I have discourteously left you guessing at my whereabouts. Do forgive me, friends, for the negligence I have shown you is the natural consequence of the increasingly peculiar events surrounding my associate Sir Quincy Jones and this tale. Permit me to elaborate.
When our discussion of the third chapter came to a close two months ago, I immediately wrote Sir Quincy, as I promised I would, demanding an explanation for his eccentric behavior and for his untenable claims regarding the truth of the story of King Orofyld XVIII. Three weeks elapsed before I received a response, and when it finally arrived, it was devoid of any semblance of apology or clarification, and instead contained words which served only to further insult and baffle me. I have appended it below, that you might read it for yourselves:
Good Sir Darcy:
I daresay, your most recent letter has caused me a great deal of confusion, for it boggles the mind that a man of taste and intellect such as yourself could willfully demonstrate such foolishness, so much so that I suspect that you are playfully feigning ignorance with me.
How is it possible that you do not hear me when I say that the history is “truer than true?” I had thought that you would be better equipped to grasp this concept than any of the distinguished persons who comprise our social circles. Can it be that your understanding of truth is inhibited by the same imbecilic constraints as theirs?
We must see about setting that aright. Please, I realize that you are frightfully busy, but if you can, come and visit me at my estate in America at your earliest convenience; I shall see to it that your travel expenses are covered. Do bring the volumes with you, friend, and your sword and armor as well, so that we need not send for them separately.
Oh, but this is a capital idea, is it not? It has been far too long since we have enjoyed the pleasure of one another's company. I shall await word of your intent to make the journey. What a splendid time we shall have!
In anticipation,
Sir Quincy Jones
What on earth, sirs and madams, do you suppose has come over my poor associate? I ask him to provide me with a simple explanation for his unseemly behavior, and he replies by insulting my cognitive faculties and insisting that I casually fly across the Atlantic for a sojourn at his Carolina estate? The bit about the sword and armor is especially confounding, for I have neither owned nor even held a blade of any kind in my life, and I have never so much as seen a suit of mail in this day and age. What ridiculous notion would prompt him to make such a request?
At any rate, though Sir Quincy Jones may have forgotten himself, I am still a gentleman, and I have an obligation to see to the condition of my associate. Thus, I have spent the past month putting my affairs in order, and a few days hence I shall be boarding a personal flight bound for Charleston International Airport in the United States. Vexing though it may be, I will endure the inconvenience of lengthy travel if it means obtaining some answers out of this nonsensical business.
Regrettably, there are still many preparations I have to make, and as such I cannot take the time to properly summarize and evaluate the fourth chapter. I have, however, transcribed it and posted it here for your reading pleasure, and I do suggest that you read it, for the events which it recounts are positively engrossing, and you are sure to enjoy them, even without the benefit of my insight:
That will have to be all, for now. Wish me a safe journey, friends. Truthfully, I know not when you shall next hear from me, but I shall strive to reach you at every opportunity.
Ever yours, and ever classy,
Good Sir Darcy