-1X

Inspector Doyle

Inspector Doyle entered the home of Lord Rathbone with an endless curiosity. He refrained from asking about the numerous antiques and oddities that the Lord had collected throughout his years as foreign diplomat to concentrate on the case at hand. With a pad of paper and a tiny pocket pencil in hand, he hunched over his booklet and looked to Rathbone, who stood no more than a head shorter than he.

"And, could you clarify exactly what you did when you first heard the knocking on the ceiling?"

Rathbone nodded patiently, having already devised his story long before the constables arrived. "I set aside my tea, thinking perhaps there were some rats or some other vermin. I removed my coat-"

"-To avoid getting it dirty," Doyle finished the sentence while his eyes were alight with the delight over a new mystery.

Rathbone swallowed down his dislike of being interrupted and continued, "Yes. I took the key from my drawer, went to the door, unlocked it and stepped in to find that the skylight had been opened. At first I assumed one of the housekeepers had left it open and the sun was warming the floorboards - thus causing the knocking. But as I crossed and began to crank it back down I wondered why it was locked and forgotten. Mrs. Agatha Lindon had never forgotten it before. Well, before I could think anymore I heard a noise, and this insane Chinese woman came out from God only knows where. We struggled some, and she attacked me with an umbrella." He brushed the bruise upon his face to signify the evidence. "Luckily we fell hard enough that Miles and Mrs. Lindon heard and came to my aid."

"She attacked you without a weapon?" Doyle was flabbergasted.

Rathbone merely nodded, "Indeed."

A scurrying of steps came clamoring down the stairwell and past the parlor entrance. A tied and gagged Lin was being suspended from the floor with the aid of three constables. Upon passing the doorway, she caught sight of Rathbone. Her eyes widened with recognition before they soon burned with some anger at his betrayal. She squirmed again to get freed, but the constable's strongly dragged her to the entrance hall and out the door where the wagon awaited.

Doyle lifted a brow as he watched the scene unfold, "Very odd. Very odd indeed." He scribbled hastened notes into his booklet.

A curious frown crossed Rathbone's features before he finally asked. "I assume you mean the woman being odd?"

"Hm?" Doyle looked up from his writing, his concentration being broken, "Well that too, yes." He nodded and closed his booklet, tucking both it and the pencil away. "I find it most curious that she would brake into your attic. Obviously the items and furniture you've stored away in there have been hidden for quite some time, correct?"

He nodded.

"I believe it is quite possible she was looking for something in particular, and not actually here to assassinate you. On the other hand, she could be just as crazed as everyone in this house seems to think she is."

Pursing his lips, Rathbone let the idea simmer a beat before he replied with a thankful note. "Well, whatever her reasons, inspector, I hope you will see she receives a the fairest trial possible."

"A foreign woman's trial is never fair." Doyle said direly.

Rathbone averted his eyes to the floor. "…If there is nothing more we need to discuss, I have much packing to see to."

"Oh! The Jubilee Ball, is it?" Doyle grinned, "Yes, I've heard something about that. I do hope you've thought about extra security. These circumstances are fishy to say the least, and if you don't mind my suggesting, that your highly esteemed guests are likely to show some concern about attending your ball without some sort of assurance about their own safety. After all, we don't need any thieves getting the idea that your residences are easily infiltrated."

Rathbone blinked at him, "I'm quite impressed at your quick thinking. So, impressed as I am, would you do me the honor of seeing to the security yourself? And as a guest by my thanks for your quick response to today's little crises."

The tall man's jaw became unhinged in a most undignified way as he stared to Rathbone. "Your lordship! I would be most honored - most honored indeed!"

Faintly smiling, Rathbone shook the man's hand, "Very good. I'll see that Miles gives you the address and information before you leave here. Good day inspector." Bowing his head graciously, Rathbone turned on his heel and stepped silently from the room, presumably to pack for his leave of London.