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"Yes yes. I believe we all received a letter," Announced Wadsworth, desperately trying to steer the guests away from what he considered to be dangerous waters, "my letter says 'It will be to your advantage to be present on this date, for a Mr Boddy will bring to an end a long-standing and painful financial agreement. It is signed 'a friend'."

"I received a similar letter," Remarked Mr Boddy, "but it didn't tell me that the pretty doll at the other end of the table was going to be here."

"So I take it that your letter did not say the same?"

"No," Replied Mr Boddy curtly.

"I see. Can I interest you in fruit or dessert?" Wadsworth looked around at the guests who seemed to be appalled, apart from Miss Brown who looked extremely uncomfortable. Little did she know, things were about to get much worse.

"Then may I suggest that we adjourn to the study for coffee and brandy?" He gestured into the hallway.

"Oh, that might be a problem." Miss Brown exclaimed as she stood up.

"Yes?" Asked Wadsworth.

"Well, you see, I don't drink coffee or brandy, I only drink tea, or sometimes a small port."

Wadsworth looked stunned.

"I don't believe we have any port, but..."

"Wadsworth, there's some in the cupboard," Mr Boddy told him.

"Oh, but sir, I really must insist..."

"Give her the port if that's what she wants, Wadsworth." He smiled crookedly at Miss Brown who flushed.

"I see." replied Wadsworth, looking a little cross, "That won't be a problem, Miss Brown. As Mr Boddy here has said, we have some port which you may use."

"Oh, that's wonderful. I would hate to be of an inconvenience."

"God forbid." Muttered Miss Scarlet as she left the dining room. Miss Brown quickly slipped away from the dining room after the others but instead of going to the study as instructed she hid in the billiard room next door.

"Yvette, will you join us in the study for coffee and brandy?" Asked Wadsworth.

"Oui, Monsieur." She replied.

"After you then, Yvette." Wadsworth ushered the guests across the hall into the study, followed by Mr Boddy. He then returned to the kitchen to fetch the wine and Miss Brown's port.

When he returned, the guests had already taken their seats, but Miss Brown was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is Miss Brown?" Wadsworth asked, looking slightly flustered.

"You got something going on with her, Wadsworth?" Demanded Miss Scarlet scornfully.

"No I don't, Scarlet." Wadsworth retorted, and slammed the door.

He heard muffled sobs from the next room and opened it to find Miss Brown perched on a bench dabbing her wet eyes with a lace handkerchief.

"James...why are you doing this to me?" She sobbed.

Wadsworth's face suddenly changed. The friendly look was gone from his face. He now looked angry, angrier than Miss Brown had ever seen him, his eyes were blazing, and he leaned over her his hand flat against the wall.

"Firstly, Cordelia, it is not James whilst you are here. You MUST address me as Wadsworth. Secondly, you know exactly why you are here. I don't expect to have to tell you again. If you say one word, just one word, my girl...it won't just be Boddy you'll have to worry about."

"Oh," Miss Brown choked, wringing her hands. "why did I have to get mixed up in this?"

"You know why, Cordelia." He snapped, losing patience with her. "For heaven's sake, smarten yourself up before you go back to the study. I don't want the other guests thinking that you were intimidated or threatened. It just won't do. Now, put on a smile, and go back to the study."

"James," Began Miss Brown, standing up, "if I somehow manage to come out of this, I hope you realise...what you will have lost..."

"I will have lost nothing." Replied Wadsworth coldly. Miss Brown shot him a hurt look and slammed the door. Wadsworth sighed. It was going to be a long evening for all.

Miss Brown returned to the study, a little ruffled and emotional, but with a great false smile on her face.

"Been busy, have you?" Asked Miss Scarlet teasingly.

"I don't know what you mean, Miss Scarlet." Miss Brown answered.

"Tell us the truth, I've heard enough crap." demanded the colonel firmly, "what's your connection with Wadsworth?"

But Miss Brown did not get the chance to answer, for Wadsworth re-entered the study and Mr Boddy was leaning lazily in a chair by the door.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm instructed to you what you all have
in common with each other. Unless you would care to do the honours, Mr. Boddy?" Wadsworth asked. Mr Boddy gave a crooked smile and lifted his hand.
"Why me? They know who I am?"

"I don't think so. You've never identified yourself to them, I believe."
Suddenly My Boddy stood up, as though alarmed.
"It's a hoax!" he announced, "I suggest we all leave."

Miss Brown instantly recognised the fury in Wadsworth's eyes. Luckily none of the other guests appeared to have noticed, but Miss Scarlet was observing Miss Brown from across the room.
"I'm sorry, sir, you cannot leave this house!" Cried Wadsworth, jumping from the desk and racing after Mr Boddy.
"No? Who's gonna stop me?" He demanded. The other guests followed suit, including Miss Brown, whom Wadsworth was taking care not to let her out of his sight.
"There's no way out." Wadsworth told the man crisply as he attempted to escape.
"All the windows have bars, all the doors are locked."
"This is an outrage! You can't hold us prisoner!"
The guests appeared to agree with this, for they began to dispute.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please! Please return to the study.
Everything will be explained." He reassured them. "That includes you sir."
Not altogether reassured, the guests returned to the study, Miss Brown lagging behind. Wadsworth was so determined not to lose sight of her that he did not see Mr Boddy run past him toward the rear of the hall.

A little worried about what might happen if he managed to escape, he followed suit, and chased him into the conservatory.

Whilst Wadsworth was away, the guests poured drinks and settled themselves into seats and waited impatiently for the butler to return. They were already becoming slightly suspicious of him, as though he wasn't all that he seemed.

"What do you think we're here for?" Asked Mrs Peacock suddenly, breaking the silence.

"My guess is that its a set up to draw even more money out of us." Suggested Professor Plum crossly.

"Oh come on," Sneered Miss Scarlet, "even he wouldn't be that dumb."
She was interrupted by the return of Wadsworth and Mr Boddy, who reluctantly took his former seat by the door. Wadsworth was busy perusing the 'evidence' and preparing himself for a speech. He looked up and in a cold voice, began.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you all have one thing in common. You're all being blackmailed. For some considerable time, all of you have been paying what you can afford and, in some cases, more than you can afford to someone who threatens to expose you.
And none of you know who's blackmailing you, do you?"
Mrs Peacock looked startled.

"Oh, please! I've never heard anything so ridiculous. I mean, nobody could blackmail me. My life is an open book--I've never done anything wrong." She gabbled.
"Anybody else wish to deny it?" Demanded Wadsworth, looking around the room.

"Yes, I do." Announced Miss Brown and Wadsworth's face drained.