Hearing about Van Vaases untimely demise and eager to discover if his estate had left any useful equipment or clues as to the nature of Praximiouses warnings, a small group from The Company, led by Dr. Staunton, traveled to Amsterdam to meet Van Vaases younger astronomer Brother.

After a stormy crossing (and a sighting of a bizarrely swift moving ship) you can imagine their surprise on seeing Katherine, arms full of Paris fashion parcels, on the Calais Quay. She joined them on their quest, soon all arriving in the beautiful canal city of Amsterdam. Van Vaases Brother, an extremely personable young gentleman, was giving a "sold out" lecture which Athena managed to skillfully acquire tickets for. Meanwhile, Sir Harry fought off brigands in the backstreets and Emily asked him to officially become her Guardian, using his sword if necessary to keep unsuitable suitors at bay. Brigadier Flashman, it's said being always happy to oblige a lady, seemed delighted.

Dr. Van Vaas led them to a dock side warehouse in which his brothers affairs resided and Dr Staunton discovered a most interesting and large statue. Using the emerald of Katherine and Athena's Amethyst, he projected a moving image through a hastily erected ether screen, utilizing the decesed Van Vasses equipment with some improvements of his own. The image spoke, claiming to be that of Praximious and warning of the return of an ancient Atlantean power, one of the theosophists Old Ones, named Menecrath who was building an army that would take over the world!

As the image flickered and faded, the canal waters revealed a terrifying figure, the physique of a gymnast, womanly, tall and athletic, yet horribly covered in fine shimmering scales with distorted head, blank fishy eyes, webbed hands and feet. The creature leaped for Dr. Staunton, supernaturally fast, smashing the machinery in its way. Suddenly, it was distracted and turned upon Emily, yet stopped, just as Emily seemed to recognize some aspect of the creature Sir Harry fired and caught the creature in the heart. It died as Emily cried "nooooo! Pearl!!!!", recognizing it for who it had been...