Mr. Ferdinand's Fate

Chapter 2: The Archduke and the Gypsy

 

Constable Eddings paced the library methodically, his right index finger to the tip of his nose, in a silence afforded by the silence of the entire household which was spread out upon settees and chairs: Lord and Lady Dumphries, the Ladies Helen and Margaret, Mrs. Jones and Mr. Anders, Geoffrey, Kent, Conningsbay, Linda, Trudy, Mary, and Nancy. Constable Eddings then spoke aloud.

"So, it seems everyone in the house was with someone else last night. All alibis airtight ... unless there was conspiracy involved, which we must not rule out, not at this stage of the game."

Lady Dumphries sobbed. "Such a horrible murder!"

Constable Eddings nodded. "Yes, Milady, murder most awful. Which much have been committed by someone. Yes, Milady, this is now a house of murder."

Lord Dumphries spoke up. "What do we know about Mr. Ferdinand?"

Constable Eddings said, "Your intonation indicates you have a pointed suspicion."

"As a matter of fact, I do. Did he not have cousins in Austria?"

Trudy laughed lightly, "Oh, that was all poppycock! Related to Austrian nobility. 'Yes,' I said, 'and I'm a red Indian!'"

"What? A nobleman of some sort?"

Mr. Anders said, "Yes. He even showed me a picture once, of himself and a man he called his distant cousin."

"Do you know where that picture is?"

"I believe I can get my hands on it, sir."

"Please do."

Mr. Anders quickly left the room.

Constable Eddings said, "What are you driving at?"

"Did you read the paper today? It seems that yesterday the Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Austria. I suspect we are part of an intercontinental conspiracy."

"What an unusual hypothesis. Hmmm, if that is the case, then this murder is beyond my ken."

"How?"

"I know nothing about the continent. However, I believe I know a man in London who could help sort this out."

"A detective?"

"Not a professional detective, no. But he does have great deductive skills when called upon. He's an amateur, but so perceptive."

Trudy said, "I wonder what's taking Mr. Anders so long?"

Lady Dumphries said, "Now, John, that is so unlikely. Do you know what I think? I think this all has to do with that gypsy sighted on the common. There's a gypsy on the common."

"'There's a gypsy on the common,'" said Lady Helen suddenly. "That's, like, so racist, like, double-u-tee-ef?"