Outside, Reuben sees, about half a block away, four people.

Three of them are grouped up close together.

The fourth is a man he's never seen before, at the far end of the block. An older fellow, going slightly pudgy, with overcombed gray hair, walking with a cane... intellectual-looking.

Right now, like Reuben, the man is just standing, watching and listening to the three people who are the main attraction.

So back to them.
--One is the fair-haired sailor who dropped by the constable's office this morning.
--One of them is a woman with long, straight red hair and a tight dress.
--One of them is a(nother) man Reuben's never met before, a tall, dark man wearing a hat that partially-shadows his face. Decent-looking fellow, but maybe a little sinister...


They are all speaking French (so far, anyway).

The sailor is acting like someone out for a pleasant walk, and is making idle, lighthearted chit-chat.

The redheaded woman is acting like she's surprised by the sailor, but is grateful for the fact that the sailor is providing a distraction.

The man is acting like he's annoyed as hell with the sailor for intruding on a private audience and playing third wheel while he would much rather speak to the redhead alone.

The sailor is, pretty deliberately, not taking the hint.

The sailor glances to the side and sees Reuben... Reuben can tell that she's spotted the older fellow on the other side of the trio, too (and that the older fellow has spotted Reuben, as well)...

Reuben calmly walks up, hand semi-visibly hovering over his holstered pistol and his other hand tucked in by the waistline. "Hey there." Clearly recognizing Harry, he gives a curt nod. "What's all this ruckus about? There's a poor girl in there that needs to rest."

Harry gives Reuben a cheerful wave. "Just back from a day-hike along the coast and on my way to the Widow Morgan's," she replies in English. "Bumped into these fine folk and recommended they catch the moon-rise over the ocean, if they hadn't before."

Another nod from Reuben, and he briefly glances over the other people. From the older man, to the shifty looking man, and finally landing on the woman. "I think that sounds like a marvelous idea. The rest of you care to introduce yourself? Name's Reuben. Emergency deputy, of sorts."

"I... am Regina..." says Regina, in unaccented English, giving Reuben a slightly odd look.

"...I do not choose to introduce myself at this time," says the man in the hat, glowering, in French-accented English. "I will, instead, take my leave. I expect that none will object...?"

"No," says Regina. "We may meet again on another occasion."

The man raises an eyebrow. "Of that, Regina, you may rest assured."

The man turns to leave...

Reuben glances quickly between the other people there before he wolf whistles at the man. "Hold. You wanted something from-" He glances yet again at the woman. "-Regina? Why don't you let us know what it was?"

"What I wished," the man snarls, "was a private conversation. I see that there is no chance of that at this time... So-- au revoir..." He again turns to leave, headed east, away from Reuben and Regina...

Reuben glances briefly at his pistol before removing his hand from the holster. Returning his gaze to the man, he waits until the man is out of sight before speaking. "Well, what gives me the pleasure to meet you all?"

As Regina's eyes watch the man go... her gaze shifts a little to the right as the man with the hat passes the man with the cane. "...You!" she says in surprise, apparently recognizing him (the man with the cane)...

Harry answers Reuben. "Just doing my good deed for the day. Lady looked like she wanted away from her 'friend'. Don't know either of 'em from Adam." At the woman's exclamation, Harry turns to follow her gaze. "Seems she and the Professor are already acquainted, though."