He received a cane from the hospital, just for until he has recovered entirely. It seems that blunt trauma can sometimes cause loss of motor control. So it is better to have the cane handy, just in case. He has visited the nurse's station, where he was checked out and bidden a good day. Nillian makes his way outside, where city life is just starting.
Outside the hospital Nillian immediately sees a familiar face. Old Joe is standing in front of the hospital, waiting besides his cart. As soon as he sees Nillian come out of the hospital he rushes to him.
"Good morning sir. I heard what had happened, and I assumed you would be released today. I am glad I was right. How are you, is everything alright?"
"Good morning Joe! It is good to see you. Yes, I am fine, just a bit of a swelling on the back of my head."
"Good, good. Shall I take you back to the inn? I am entirely in your service today."
"Oh, yes, thank you. The watchmen said someone would meet me there, to return my possessions."
Old Joe helps Nillian climb the cart and to settle in. He then sets off at a very slow pace, apparently worried that the slightest bump in the road might injure Nillian again. After riding for a few minutes several coaches are cruising behind Old Joe, and the drivers begin to claxon and shout. Turning a deaf ear Old Joe continues on, acting as if he cannot hear anything.
Back at the inn the innkeeper acts in the same worried manner as Old Joe did. It seems that the robbery and Nillian's injury has shocked them, and now they are feeling guilty. The innkeeper first gives Nillian his key, which the robbers dropped after they were arrested last evening.
After that he keeps asking if everything is in order, if he can do something for Nillian. Because Nillian has not eaten yet he asks for some breakfast, which the innkeeper immediately runs off to get. Nillian receives a full breakfast, with toast, bacon, eggs, sausage, several kinds of croissants, yoghurt, cereal, orange juice and a pot of tea. Nillian dives in, filling his mouth with food so he doesn't have to talk anymore. The innkeeper gets the silent hint and walks off, going back to his work.
During breakfast a Watch officer enters, and walks over to Nillian. Under his arm he has Nillian's briefcase and a paper sack, which contains Nillian's pocket watch, membership badge and identification papers. Nillian has to sign for them, for the sake of the official records. He thanks the officer and continues his breakfast.
After he has finished his meal and tea Nillian considers what to do. He decides to take it easy, and goes up to his room to take a long bath. His room looks almost the same as he left it two days ago, though he sees that his possessions have been moved around a bit, probably by the robbers. The bath chamber is however ready for use, and soon Nillian lowers himself in a delicious hot bath.
That afternoon Nillian visits the bank, to get back some money to pay for everything. Sadly the robbers either hid his money or spent in all, so he has to write the stolen money off as a loss. Luckily Nillian has money aplenty, and is not really bothered by the loss, just a bit irritated.
When Nillian leaves the inn Old Joe is waiting there for him, and takes him to the main building of his bank. It is a big building, decorated with a row of columns before the entrance. Inside there is a giant hall with marble floors and large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. For the rest the bank looks the same as any other bank: the different counters together make a barrier, enclosing the incoming clients. All the counters are enclosed with thin, gold-like bars. That way a bank robber does not have any opportunity to actually succeed getting any money.
Nillian makes his way to one of the counters, and addresses the assistant sitting there.
"Good afternoon. I would like to make a withdrawal. I am afraid that my bank account is located in Kataras, but I think I once heard I can also make a withdrawal at another bank?"
"Good afternoon. You are indeed correct, you can make a withdrawal from any bank in Kataria. We do have to ask you for some identification, and we will have to contact the main office in Kataras. But that won't take too much time. How much would you like to withdraw?"
"Ah, alright. I would like to withdraw ... fifty pounds. Here are my papers."
The assistant accepts the identification papers and takes them with him to the back. Nillian can see through the doorway that the assistant is copying some information from his papers, and then taking it to a telegraph operator. He is easily recognizable from the large headphones that he is wearing, together with his moving hand which is making ticking noises. The operator encodes the message and sends it off to Kataras. The assistant meanwhile walks off into the back part of the bank, probably getting the money Nillian requested.
A few minutes later the operator receives a reply, and writes it down. He gives the reply to the assistant, who takes it with him to Nillian.
"I see that your account has been verified. Would you please sign this receipt?"
Nillian takes the pen that the assistant offers him, and signs the receipt. The assistant then hands him back his identification papers and the fifty pounds.
"Thank you very much, and have a good day."
"The same to you sir."
Nillian moves off, and puts the money in his briefcase. As he did not get his money pouch back from the watchman he will have to make due with his briefcase, until he can buy a new pouch.
Outside the bank Nillian checks his watch. It is still quite early, so he decides to go back to the city hall, and do some more digging through the records of the city council from twenty years ago. It is not something is really looking forward to, but he has to try. Otherwise his visit here would be for naught, and that is something he does not want to accept. Not yet at least. Sighing he walks back to Joe's cart, and is driven to the city hall.
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