The Silver Trumpet
"Wow, Professor! It's wonderful!" Luke gasped in amazement, looking at the ancient artefact.
"Yes, it is quite interesting." The Professor agreed.
"So, explain it to me again Professor," Luke asked, walking around the glass cage, rubbing his chin. The Professor smiled.
"This is said to be a rare antic. One of a kind. As beautiful and mystical as it is, it is believed to carry a curse. Anyone who plays a note, even a single note on this silver trumpet, loses there mind. They can't think for themselves. The DeVerr family has had rightful own to that person. Whatever they tell that person to do, they do it. They can't stop themselves. They would kill their best friend if they were told too."
"So who are the DeVerr family anyhow?" The wide-eyed boy asked.
"They have owned this instrument for generations, when the eldest dies it is given to the next eldest person in the family. They are said to be unaffected by the curse, as it was there family that originally built it." The Professor explained; studying the treasure trapped the glass prison.
"So why is the trumpet in a museum?"
"Ten years ago, Arthur DeVerr passed away. His younger brother, Miles was meant to inherit the instrument, but the youngest brother, Julian, was jealous. He wanted the instrument for himself. After 3 failed attempts to steal the instrument, he was banished from the DeVerr manor, no longer considered family. Miles is still alive today. He donated it to the musuem to protect it from Julian."
"And do you believe in the curse?" Luke asked,
"Hmm. Perhaps."
The security guard came over to them.
"That's closing time now boys," He said.
The next morning, Luke and The Professor sat in front of the telly, watching the news, while enjoying some tea.
"And now, Police have closed the London Museum of Cursed Relics after the Silver Trumpet was reported missing."
"What?" Luke exclaimed. The Professor frowned.
"Oh dear…"
The arrived at the museum. Inspector Chelmey seemed unusually pleased to see them. Luke and The Professor couldn't say they felt the same.
"Professor! Thank Goodness you're here!"
"What seems to be the problem, Inspector?"
"Somebody stole the Silver Trumpet!"
"Yes, we heard on the news."
"I was just wondering if I could trust you to talk to the security guard and the janitor. They were the only people there when it was stolen."
"Well you know I'm no detective…" The Professor looked towards Luke. His face was full of excitement, anticipation and fear.
"Ok." He sighed.
"Are you the security guard?" The Professor asked. The man that stood before him was taller than the Professor. He was skinny, with floppy black hair. If he didn't look so sour, he would be quite handsome.
"Yes, I saw you last night." His voice was deep, reassuring, and evil all at once. Like a man that gave sweets to children.
"Ah yes, I remember now," The Professor nodded. "Could you tell us what happened?"
"There not much to tell," The guard admitted, "After closing time, I look around, make sure everything's A-OK and then, about an hour after closing time, I head home. Yesterday night, during my nightly look about, the lights suddenly turned off. Somebody knocked me out. When I woke up it was next morning and the trumpet had gone."
"Hmm. Well thank you, you've been most helpful."
"No thanks needed. And between you and me," He lowered his voice, "I think it was the janitor. He's a shifty looking guy."
As they walked away, Luke turned round to look at the guard. The guard winked and smiled. It did not suit him. Luke shivered and ran to catch up with the Professor.
"I don't like him Professor. He seems kinda mean." The Professor laughed.
"Let's talk to the janitor and report back to the Inspector."
"I don't remember much. The lights went out, I was knocked out, that's all I can remember." The fat janitor said, the pink cheeks sucking in and out.
"Well thank you for your time." The Professor tipped his hat.
"Are we going to see the Inspector now." Luke asked.
"Yes. Though I really don't know why he asked me to help." The Professor frowned.
"Maybe it's because you always seem to find yourself involved in things anyway, he was just helping you out." Luke suggested, not meaning it to be a joke. The Professor laughed nonetheless.
They found the Inspector at the scene of the crime. There was a barrier separating the broken glass cage from everyone else.
"Professor!" He ran over, Barton at his heal like a dog. "Look. We just found a letter!"
The Professor took it and read it aloud.
"There was a London scholar walking along. He pulled of his gloves an Drew of his hat. What was his name? Hint: It was inside the sentence."
"Oh!" Luke yelped, "Let me solve it Professor!" Luke jumped up and down until the Professor passed him the note.
"Hmm. Well, you could say his name was Drew, because that has a capital letter. But I don't think it would be that simple." Luke bit his bottom lip, and thought over it for a moment. "I have it! The scholar from London was called Andrew! The "an" there and the "Drew" next to it!"
"Well done mah boi!" The Professor congratulated him. He paused.
"What's wrong?" Luke asked. The Professor muttered something.
"Pardon Professor?"
"Andrew!" The Professor broke into a run.
"Wait for me Professah!"