The Mystery of Fitzjames Manor

©2015 Richard Humphreys

The Find-Outers visit Fitzjames Manor and are very quickly embroiled in a new mystery that has its roots in the distant past. With the help of a couple of old friends, Fatty and the Find-Outers piece together the clues and are led finally to an astonishing discovery.

Chapter 3: The Viewing Day

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'You shouldn't gulp your food, Frederick,' Eunice said disapprovingly. 'It's bad for you, you'll get ulcers.' She pointed across the table with the butter knife. 'You need to chew your food thoroughly so that your body can digest it properly.'

Fatty pushed his empty bowl aside. 'My dear Eunice, you told me that yesterday, and the day before,' he replied with a tired smile. 'And no doubt,' he continued, 'you will tomorrow. But there's only a finite amount of chewing that porridge can take.'

He wiped his mouth on his napkin and stood up from the breakfast table. 'We ought to get going,' he said looking at his watch. 'I told the others we'd meet them at nine-thirty and it's gone nine already.'

'But I haven't finished mine yet,' Eunice protested.

'Then chew less and swallow more, Eunice dear,' Fatty said leaving the room.

Eunice suddenly forgot all about her table manners and bolted down the remainder of her toast and marmalade. She caught up with Fatty in the hall just as Jane emerged from the kitchen.

'Cook's asked me to give you this, Miss,' she said, handing Eunice a parcel wrapped in brown paper.

'It's lunch,' Eunice said in response to Fatty's quizzical glance. 'I organized it with Jane yesterday.'

'There's cheese and ham, cheese and pickle, egg and cress, and potted beef sandwiches, two scotch eggs, plenty of fruit cake and of course some dog biscuits,' Jane said.

'Well that's Eunice sorted,' Fatty said with a grin. 'Now, what have Buster and I got?'

Jane laughed. 'You are a card, Master Frederick, it's for both of you, and Buster, of course, who could forget you?' she added reaching down and patting the little Scottie.

'Thank you very much, Jane, you're a brick,' Eunice said stuffing the package into her large and very practical looking shoulder bag.

Fatty's mother appeared from the drawing room. 'You're lucky with the weather,' she said.

'Yes, it's lovely now,' Eunice said cautiously eyeing the sky through the window and then tapping the barometer on the wall. 'But this time of year, it can change so quickly, and I don't want to get caught in a shower, so I think I'll take my umbrella with me just in case.'

She ran up the stairs.

Fatty sighed impatiently and looked at his watch. 'Anyone would think we were going on an expedition to Outer Mongolia, rather than a three mile stroll,' he said.

Mrs. Trotteville smiled and smoothed his hair down. 'I know you'll look after her, Frederick, and make her feel included. And I hope the others will do likewise.'

'Of course we shall, Mother,' Fatty said. 'It's just that I wish she'd get a move on.' He looked at his watch again. 'Come on Eunice, it's twenty past,' he called.

Fatty took a lead from the hallstand. 'This is for you,' he said showing it to Buster who was hopping around his feet excitedly. 'I don't think Lady Fitzjames would approve of a boisterous Scottie Dog tearing through her marble halls upsetting the Ming vases.'

'She's a very charming lady, and it's such a shame she's having to sell up to pay off these appalling death duties,' Mrs Trotteville said. 'But I think it would be wise to keep Buster on a lead. I'm not sure he'll be allowed inside, though.'

'Oh well,' Fatty said clipping the lead onto Buster's collar. 'We'll have to see when we get there. I can hardly leave him at home on such a lovely day.'

Eunice galloped down the stairs brandishing a furled golf umbrella. 'Sorry to have kept you waiting,' she said. 'I couldn't remember where I'd put it.'

Fatty eyed the massive umbrella. 'You thinking of taking up jousting?' he asked sarcastically.

'Well, I know it's a bit on the big side,' Eunice replied waving it around and almost poking Fatty in the eye. 'But it's jolly useful and if we are caught in a shower we could probably all squeeze under it.'

Fatty frowned and thought he would rather face a good soaking than cuddle up with Eunice under an umbrella! 'That sounds snug,' he muttered and turned to his mother. 'We should be back mid afternoon, unless, that is, we're delayed by the monsoon or hoards of rampaging Mongolians.'

They said their goodbyes and set off. On the way, Eunice treated Fatty to a lecture on the history of the Fitzjames family.

'Your father let me borrow one of his books on the history of Peterswood and it was all in there about the Fitzjames family. They originally owned all the land around here including the village itself,' she explained as she strode along beside Fatty. 'But there was a black sheep in the family back in the eighteen hundreds and he gambled away most of the family fortune and virtually all their land was lost. In fact they seem to have had more than their fair share of black sheep.' She took hold of Fatty by the arm. 'Can't we walk a bit slower?' she asked.

Fatty shook his head. 'A brisk walk will be good for you, Eunice,' he replied heartlessly. 'Even better exercise than chewing food.'

Eunice appeared oblivious to the irony of Fatty's remark. 'They also owned the stretch of the river that runs through Peterswood,' she continued undaunted, 'and were allowed to kill and eat a swan on certain holidays and that's why there's a swan on their family crest.'

'Well, would you credit it?' Fatty mumbled in a bored tone, and then to his relief, they finally arrived at Pip and Bet's house just as Eunice began telling him about the Fitzjames' involvement in The Charge of the Light Brigade!

They were ten minutes late and found the other four children waiting for them at the gate. Mrs. Hilton, Pip and Bets' mother, was also there.

Fatty apologised for their lateness and Eunice smiled and nodded at the four children, before politely shaking hands with Mrs. Hilton.

'Well, have a nice day, children,' Mrs. Hilton said. 'And please don't get into any trouble.'

'As if we would,' cried Bets and gave her mother a hug.

'Well, trouble always seems to crop up when the five of you get together,' Mrs Hilton said directing her gaze at Fatty. 'And this holiday I really don't want Mr. Goon round here complaining about you.'

'Don't worry, Mrs. Hilton,' Eunice declared in a loud voice. 'I'll make sure they all behave themselves.'

At this sudden announcement, the other five children stared at her open-mouthed and even Mrs. Hilton seemed somewhat lost for words.

Fatty cleared his throat. 'Right then, that's well and truly put us in our place,' he said catching Larry's eye and winking. 'Perhaps Matron, here, would like us all to walk in single file?'

The others giggled, and Eunice blushed with embarrassment. 'I didn't mean I was going to keep an eye on you all,' she explained. 'It's just that, well, trouble always seems to avoid me.'

'Then that's very sensible of it,' said Fatty. 'Right,' he added rubbing his hands together. 'Fitzjames Manor, here we come.'

It was a truly, lovely morning with just a few fluffy clouds bobbing along on a warm breeze. The hedges were full of primroses and Bets decided to pick a bunch but after a while got bored with carrying them, so gave them to an old lady they passed on the way. It seemed more like June than early April and the children felt over-dressed and by the time the gates of the manor came into sight, they were hot and rather irritated by Eunice's endless droning on about the Fitzjames family.

They made their way up the long curving drive that was bordered on either side by thick rhododendron and laurel bushes. This eventually widened out into a large circular forecourt beyond which stood the imposing front of Fitzjames Manor.

At the door, Fatty stopped. 'There's a notice here that reads 'No Dogs', he said. 'Sorry Buster, old chap, but Mother was right, we'll have to stay outside.'

'But I want you to look around with me, Frederick,' Eunice said and turned to Larry. 'Can't you stay here with Buster?' she asked.

'Certainly not,' replied Larry sharply. 'I want to see the things too.'

'I'll stay,' Bets said generously. 'I really don't mind. There's a nice bench over there in the sun,' she continued. 'We can sit there.'

Fatty put his arm around her and gave her a squeeze. 'Thanks, Bets,' he said. 'One of us will be out in a little while to relieve you.'

'You'd better take this,' Eunice said handing Bets the umbrella. 'It'll be a bit of a nuisance to lug around in there and you'll need it if we have a shower. And try not to lose it.'

'I'll try my hardest,' Bets replied pointedly.

While Bets pulled Buster over to the bench, the others climbed the stone steps up to the impressive front door. A short middle-aged woman in a lilac coloured suit stood just inside.

'Excuse me, are you anything to do with the auction?' Fatty asked.

'I beg your pardon?' the woman replied in a rather feeble voice.

'I asked if you were connected with the auction?' Fatty said.

'Oh dear me, no no no,' the woman said with a fluttering laugh. 'No, no, I'm Mrs. Chivers, Lady Fitzjames personal secretary, young man. You'll find a gentleman over there.' She pointed across the hall where a young man in a dark suit stood. 'He'll be able to answer all your questions, I'm sure.'

Fatty thanked her and they went across to the man that Mrs. Chivers had pointed out.

'We've come to view the items in tomorrow's sale,' Fatty said looking round the huge reception hall.

'Through there, past the suits of armour,' the man said pointing to a door. 'That's the main room that the auction lots have been displayed in. There are others in her Ladyship's drawing room and one or two lots outside. Do you have a catalogue?'

'Yes, we do, thank you,' Eunice said.

'How very organized of you,' the man said with a cheeky look on his face and gave Eunice a wink.

They crossed the entrance hall and entered the large room the man had indicated. It was full of people busily milling around inspecting the vast array of objects gathered there, all of which had a number stuck to them. There was furniture, statues, clocks, books, and display cases full of glass and porcelain. There was even a section full of old toys that included a number of beautiful wax dolls, model railway trains and a very large carved wooden rocking horse.

Larry, Pip and Daisy ambled away to look around, and as Fatty was about to join them, Eunice grabbed him by the arm. 'Help me find the puzzle box, Frederick,' she said. 'Hold on, I'll get the catalogue out.' She rummaged in her shoulder bag and pulled out the small booklet. 'Now then, what's its lot number?' She flicked through the pages. 'Ah, here we are,' she said finally. 'It's lot number 423 'Antique Japanese puzzle box circa 1750, in fine condition. Estimate: £20.' She turned to Fatty. 'I wonder where it is?' she asked.

Fatty looked around him. 'Well, as it's a small item, it's probably in one of the cabinets. Let's start with this one.'

He led Eunice across the crowded room to a tall wooden cabinet with a glass front. It was filled with small silver boxes, cases of silver cutlery and various other little silver objects. 'Is this box of yours made of silver?' he asked.

'No,' Eunice replied looking again at the catalogue. 'At least I don't think so. Puzzle boxes are usually made of wood. If it was made of silver, it would have a much higher estimate.' She looked around. 'There's another cabinet over there, let's try that one.'

Eunice barged her way across the crowded room with Fatty in her wake smiling apologetically at the startled people who had been unceremoniously shoved out of her way.

'There it is, Frederick, look,' Eunice said pointing at a small box behind the glass of the display cabinet. 'Can you find a porter and tell him to unlock the case, I want to have a closer look at it?'

Fatty looked around. He noticed a man in uniform standing by the window and made his way across to him. 'Good morning, I wonder if you could open the display case over there,' he said pointing. 'My friend and I would like a closer look at one of the lots.'

The porter nodded and followed Fatty back across the room to where Eunice was waiting.

'It's that one there,' Eunice said, pointing. 'The puzzle box.'

The porter withdrew a bunch of keys from his pocket and having selected the right one, opened the cabinet door.

Eunice took out the small rectangular box and examined it closely.

'These are great fun,' she said handing it to Fatty. 'Every part has to be moved in the right order and they contain a secret compartment.'

Fatty looked carefully at the box. It was made of a light coloured wood that was inlaid with ivory in a most complicated and delicate design.

'Some of them have lots of moving parts,' Eunice said. 'As many as twenty or more, Father will love it.'

'Knowing your father,' Fatty said handing it back to her. 'He'll probably work it out in five minutes.'

'Well, I hope not,' Eunice said examining the box again. 'Oh, I do hope I manage to get it.'

'No one else appears to have looked at it yet,' Fatty reassured her. 'So you might be in with a chance.'

Eunice thanked the porter and replaced the box in the cabinet. She looked around. 'Come on, Frederick,' she said. 'Let's have a look at the rest of the things.'

Dragging Fatty by the arm, Eunice pushed and shoved her way around the crowded room picking up this and criticising that. After an hour, Fatty was exhausted and tired of having to continuously apologise to the other visitors for Eunice's thoughtless behaviour.

'I'm hungry,' he said taking Eunice firmly by the arm. 'Let's get the others and go outside for lunch. I neglected to relieve Bets who must be wondering where we all are.'

They collected Daisy, Pip and Larry and went out into the spring sunshine. Buster barked with delight when he saw them coming down the steps and jumped about so much that his lead slipped from Bets' grasp. Barking deliriously, the little Scottie hurtled across the forecourt just as the familiar figure of Constable Goon on his bicycle hove into view. Mr. Goon was having great difficulty in cycling across the gravelled forecourt and was already wobbling, when Buster suddenly sprang out of nowhere directly in front of him, forcing the hot and irritated policeman to swerve. His front wheel slipped sideways in the gravel and over he went.

Bets was rather frightened of Mr Goon, and seeing him come off his bicycle, ran to join the others. They had all seen Goon go over and were now waiting for the inevitable tirade. Mr. Goon slowly got to his feet and dusted himself down. He straightened his helmet, retrieved his bicycle and looked around. It was then that he saw the children standing on the steps to the manor and stormed over to them.

'You keep that pest of a dog under control,' he shouted. 'You might have caused me a serious injury. And what are you lot doing here?'

Before anyone else could speak, Eunice piped up. 'We're sorry you fell off your bicycle, Constable, but the only thing you seem to have hurt is your dignity. And as for what we're doing here, well that's none of your business.' She turned to Fatty. 'Come along Frederick, I'm hungry, let's have lunch.'

'Don't I know you?' Goon asked peering closely at Eunice. 'Oh yes, I remember now.' He cracked a horrible grin. 'You're his girlfriend, aren't you?'

Eunice swung round to face the policeman. 'Well if you must know, yes I am. Now if you've quite finished asking questions about things that don't concern you, we're off to have lunch.' She pushed past him leaving Fatty and the others speechless.

Mr. Goon was now enjoying himself. He nudged Fatty and winked. 'Big girl, ain't she,' he said. 'But then I suppose she'd have to be, if she's your girlfriend. Two fatties together.' He rounded off this little speech with a leering snigger.

Fatty, trying unsuccessfully to suppress a blush, eventually found his tongue. 'Mr. Goon,' he began in the precise, grown-up voice he knew Goon hated. 'In so far as Eunice is a girl and a friend of mine, it could be said that she's my girlfriend. However, our relationship is purely that of friendship. And I'll thank you,' he added putting his face close to Goon's, 'not to make personal remarks.' He pulled himself up to his full height. 'Now if you don't mind stepping aside, Goon, we'll be off to have our lunch.'

With as much dignity as he could muster, Fatty strode down the remaining steps with the others behind him in shocked silence.

Mr. Goon watched then go. 'You make a lovely couple,' he shouted and laughed a nasty, raucous laugh that stung Fatty's pride like a hornet.

Fatty caught up with Eunice. 'What on earth are you thinking of telling Goon you're my girlfriend?'

Eunice stopped and turned round. 'Does it matter?' she said with a shrug. 'He's such an unpleasant thug, I thought I'd show him up.'

'And in the process well and truly showed me up,' Fatty said in an exasperated voice.

Eunice let out a long sigh. 'Really Frederick, don't make such a song and dance, we all know it isn't true.'

'That was out of order,' said Larry, and the others agreed.

'All right, I'm sorry,' Eunice said. 'And if it'll make you all feel better, I'll go and tell Mr. Goon I was only joking.'

Fatty shook his head. 'It's too late now,' he said quietly. 'He'll never believe you.' He looked back to where Goon was still fussing over his bicycle. 'Now every time I meet him he'll make some snide comment about you being my girlfriend. It's in his nature to be nasty and malicious.'

Bets put her arm through his. 'Don't worry Fatty,' she said. 'If he says anything to us we'll put him straight.'

Fatty patted Bets' hand. 'Thanks Bets,' he said.

'Right then,' Eunice said in a loud and cheerful voice. 'Now that that's all sorted, where shall we have our lunch?'

'We haven't yet decided whether we want to sit and eat lunch with you,' said Daisy.

Eunice ignored this remark. 'Over there, Frederick,' she said pointing to a bench. 'Of course, if the others want to sit somewhere else, it's up to them.'

She plonked herself down on the bench and began pulling the lunch parcel out of her shoulder bag.

Fatty turned to the others. 'Come on,' he said. 'Let's not make a mountain out of a molehill and spoil the rest of the day. She just doesn't think before speaking sometimes, that's all.'

During lunch, everyone was quiet except Eunice who seemed completely oblivious to the tension she had caused, and gave the group a detailed description of the puzzle-box she intended to buy her father. Nobody was listening, however, until she suddenly broke off from her lecture and said: 'Who's that awful policeman talking to, now?'

They all looked. Goon was standing at the top of the steps talking in a rather animated way to an elderly lady.

'That's Lady Fitzjames,' Fatty said. 'She's been to a few of Mother's meetings at our house. Wonder what Goon's talking to her about. Perhaps we ought to get a bit closer.'

'I'll take care of Buster,' Daisy said. 'I'm tired of antiques,' she glared at Eunice, 'and lectures.'

'Thanks, Daisy,' Fatty said hurriedly packing away the remainder of lunch.

'I'll take him for a walk around the grounds,' Daisy said taking Buster's lead from Fatty.

'You'd better take this with you, in case there's a shower,' Eunice said holding out the umbrella.

'No thank you, I'd rather get wet than lug that thing around with me. You brought it, so you can look after it,' Daisy said sharply.

The five children left Daisy and Buster and slowly ambled towards the hall. As they got closer they could hear a little of the conversation that Lady Fitzjames and Mr. Goon were having.

'Well your Ladyship, in spite of your assurances that everything is secure,' Goon was saying, 'I still think it would be a good idea to allow me to double check. Remember that at the robbery at the auctioneer's in Maidenhead last month, it was only your belongings that were stolen.'

Lady Fitzjames sighed deeply. 'Constable Moon, I have told you three times already, the security has been checked and double checked and I can see no reason why I should allow you to poke around my house.'

Mr. Goon cleared his throat. 'Er, Goon, your Ladyship,' he said.

Lady Fitzjames seemed startled. 'I beg your pardon, Constable?' she said staring at him with a shocked expression.

'Goon, your Ladyship,' Goon repeated. 'It's my name, GOON, you called me Constable Moon.'

'Well, whatever your name is,' Lady Fitzjames replied. 'You have my consent to look around the outside of my home and the grounds. But as far as the interior is concerned, I repeat what I have already told you a number of times, it's not necessary.'

Mr. Goon was clearly annoyed with this rebuttal and his face had become rather red and his eyes even more bulging. He looked around and it was then that he saw the children loitering a few yards away.

'Clear orf,' he called to them. 'Go on clear orf, the lot of you.'

Lady Fitzjames was shocked by this outburst. 'Constable Moon,' she said in a loud, clear voice. 'These young people are guests in my home and I will not have them spoken to in that manner.'

The five children climbed the steps and made a special point of wishing a good afternoon to both Lady Fitzjames and Constable 'Moon'!

When they had passed, Goon turned to Lady Fitzjames. 'You might think that I was a bit harsh just then, but I've had no end of trouble with them kids. Especially that fat one, Frederick Trotteville, he's been a thorn in my side for years. Always interfering with police business and hindering me in my duty.' He leaned towards Lady Fitzjames. 'Of course, I blame the parents, they let him run riot, they do. What he needs is a bit of good hard discipline.'

'Well, Constable Moon,' Lady Fitzjames said curtly. 'I thought they were very polite and well behaved, which nowadays is most refreshing. And as for bad parenting, I know Mr. And Mrs Trotteville personally and have no reason to believe that they are anything other than very caring and responsible parents.' She looked at her watch. 'Now then,' she said. 'You may go and check around the outside of the manor, to see if our security meets with your high standards. But inside is out of bounds to you. Now if you'll excuse me I have things to do.' So saying, she swept through the large front door into the manor.

Mr. Goon stared after her, his face red with annoyance. 'Snob,' he snarled. 'I hope you get well and truly robbed.'

So saying, he strutted down the steps and began a circuit of the house.

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