Page 47 of The Affair of the Mysterious Letter
Somewhat the worse for the night’s exertions, I lowered myselfonto the now mercifully corpse-free sofa. “Is it likely the Contessa will be able to catch up with a locomotive?”
“Ordinarily no. Long-distance travel is not something for which vampires are well equipped. But the Austral Express takes a rather scenic route through the Hundred Kingdoms and has to take a substantial detour around the Blackcrest Mountains. If she follows a more direct path, through the Ensisa Pass, the Contessa should be able to head them off at Vedunia within the week.”
“But this is terrible!” I exclaimed. “We must do something.”
“Indeed. But, given that the Contessa has at least a couple of days’ head start, we shall have to fly if we are to have any chance of reaching the happy couple before they become very unhappy indeed. Fortunately, I know just the person to assist us.” She replaced her monocle and strode towards the door. “Quickly, Captain. We must return home and prepare to travel.”
As ever, I had many questions. But, as ever, Ms. Haas declined to answer any of them. We descended from the tower into the manor proper and out through the main doors, the grandfather clock shaking angrily at us as we passed. When we entered the grounds, we were greeted by a melancholy howling and, as we approached the gates, by a uniformed Myrmidon, lantern in one hand, truncheon in the other.
“Stop right there.”
I stopped right there, dropping my stick and raising my hands.
The young Myrmidon swept a beam of oily yellow light across me. “Who are you, and what’s your business here?”
“I’m afraid that’s quite complicated. My name is John Wyndham and this is my—” I turned to the space where Ms. Haas had been standing the last time I looked, only to discover I was quite alone. “That is. My name is John Wyndham and I came...”
I paused, weighing my options, and decided that, perhaps, on this occasion half the truth was superior to its entirety.
“... to visit the Contessa Ilona,” I finished.
The Myrmidon did not look entirely convinced. “And was it you let the gun off?”
I could not quite bring myself to lie to an officer of the law but, given the urgency of our mission, I permitted myself some attempt at dissembling. “What gun might you be referring to?”
“The one that was discharged in this area at approximately seven forty-five this evening. And which”—the beam of lamplight dipped towards my waist—“might very well be the same gun you are carrying in your jacket pocket.”
“Oh, that gun. Yes, you see, I was in the grounds and one of the Contessa’s dogs tried to eat me, so I was forced to shoot it.”
To say that the Myrmidon’s expression was sceptical at this point would be far from overstatement. “In the habit of shooting the pets of people we come to visit, are we, son?”
“Well, as it turned out, the Contessa wasn’t quite at home when I expected her to be. So I, um, looked for a way to let myself in. And then I got attacked by the dog and I really think you should know there’s a dead body and three vampires in there.”
And thus it was I found myself arrested for the second time in two days.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Second Augur Gabriel Lawson
“Sixth day, seventhmonth, third year, Twenty-first Council. Interview commencing nine twenty-three p.m., Second Augur Lawson conducting. The suspect was apprehended outside the Athran residence of the Contessa Ilona of Mircalla on suspicion of trespass, breaking and entering, murder, necromancy, and certain offences under the Mistreatment of Animals Act, Eighth Year, Twelfth Council.” Second Augur Lawson sighed deeply. “Please state your name for the record.”
I leaned towards the trumpet of the phonograph. “John Wyndham.”
“So what happened this time?”
“I hope you know,” I said, “that in ordinary circumstances I would cooperate fully with your investigation, but I am presently urgently needed on a skyship to Vedunia.”
Second Augur Lawson’s heavy gaze settled on me for an uncomfortably long time. “I’d say that you’d be amazed how many people I have in front of me suddenly needing to get on urgent flights to Vedunia but, honestly, they don’t normally try that one.”
“I assure you, I’m ‘trying’ nothing but the truth. If I do not get to Vedunia as soon as possible, an innocent woman will die.”
“This is one of Shaharazad Haas’s little games, isn’t it?”
“I’d hardly call a person’s life a little game, sir.”
“Well, that’s the difference between you and your compatriot.”He leaned back, folding his arms. “Nevertheless, I’ve got a dead body on my hands and you at the scene. I’m not about to release my only witness just because he says he has something better to do. Especially not when he’s just told me that the moment he gets out of here, he’s bogging straight off to Nivale.”
I shifted awkwardly in my chair, my manacles clanking against the table as I moved. “You can’t possibly think I had anything to do with the death of poor Mr. Wangenheim.”
