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 7: The Mystery Deepens

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Fatty managed to find his way out without much difficulty. Pippin and the others were waiting, and having petted an over-excited Buster, he looked around. 'Where's Mr. Goon?' he asked Pippin innocently.

Pippin shook his head and looked at his watch. 'I'm waiting for him,' he said. 'He went in there after you.'

'Yes, I know he did,' Fatty said. 'We spoke, or rather shouted to each other. Not found his way out then?'

'Not unless he's found another way out of the maze,' Pippin said with a little glint in his eye. 'But having more than one entrance to a maze would be daft, wouldn't it?'

Fatty had the good grace to blush slightly at this remark. He shrugged his shoulders and Bets barely suppressed a giggle. 'Well, you'd better go and look for him then, Pippin,' he said brightly. 'Oh, and you might care to take a look in the shelter in the centre of the maze whilst you're in there,' he continued. 'You'll find something of great interest.'

Pippin raised his eyebrows and whistled. 'Well, now, what shall I look for first, the centre of the maze or Mr. Goon?'

'That Constable Pippin, is completely your decision, albeit a very difficult one,' Fatty replied.

Pippin grinned and taking a deep breath, disappeared into the maze.

The others gathered around Fatty. 'What shall we do now?' asked Pip. 'We haven't really found out much and we've found no real clues either.'

'Au contraire,' Fatty replied. 'I happen to have discovered something very interesting.'

All the children bombarded Fatty with questions, but he held up his hand. 'Later,' he said. 'We need to discuss this at a proper meeting of the Find Outers and I think Ern should be there too.'

'And me,' piped Eunice. 'I'm part of this mystery now, as well.'

'Yes, I suppose you are, Eunice old fruit,' Fatty said. 'I suggest we make Eunice an honorary member of the Find Outers. So let's take a vote, hands up all those who agree.'

Bets put her hand up, Larry and Pip looked at each other and then slowly raised their hands. Daisy put her hands behind her back and looked down at her feet. She clearly had no desire, whatsoever, to include Eunice in the Find Outers.

'Well, that looks like a majority in favour,' Fatty said. 'But you must understand, Eunice, your membership extends to the completion of this mystery, only.'

'Very well, Frederick,' said Eunice instantly adopting a rather business like manner. 'Now, I suggest we go to the manor and speak to Lady Fitzjames about the puzzle box and then we can go home and have a proper meeting to discuss everything we've discovered today.'

'You said that without moving your lips, Fatty,' Larry said laughing.

Fatty turned to Eunice. 'Well done,' he said. 'You certainly seem to have entered into the spirit of things.'

'Well, what are we going to do next, then?' Daisy asked.

'I think we ought to find a nice spot and have our lunch,' Fatty replied. 'I don't know about you lot, but I'm starving.'

'That's a good idea,' said Pip, and Larry agreed.

They went back to the benches opposite the entrance of the manor and settled themselves down to eat their lunch. Suddenly Bets remembered Ern.

'It's OK,' Fatty reassured her, 'he's got his own lunch. I noticed some jam sandwiches in his jacket pocket, which, I deduced, he had cut himself in some haste.'

'And how do you know Ern cut them himself in haste, Sherlock?' asked Larry.

'Elementary, my dear Larry, they were not wrapped in grease proof paper, the slices of bread were irregularly cut and the jam was oozing out of them. And knowing his aunt, Mrs Whoosh, to be a particularly neat woman, I cannot believe she would have made such a dog's dinner of them.'

The others laughed. Fatty was always very observant of even the smallest of details. He had a complete collection of Sherlock Holmes books as well as many other crime novels, and tried very hard to use Holmes' methods of deduction.

'You'll be wearing a deer-stalker and playing the violin next,' Larry said.

'Funny you should say that,' Fatty said eagerly. 'I actually began learning the violin last term and my music teacher thinks I'm already good enough to join the school orchestra. I expect I'll make it to lead violin before too long.'

'Well there's a surprise,' Pip said and nudged Larry.

Fatty continued completely unabashed by Pip's sarcasm. 'Father's banned me from practising in the house as the noise upsets Mother, so I practise down in my shed. At least I did until Eunice arrived. Now it seems as though I don't have the time.'

Eunice glanced at him. 'Really Frederick, you are such a fibber. You had to go and practise just the other day when I suggested you might like to come with me to Maidenhead to buy a new tennis racquet. Don't you remember?'

Fatty winked at Larry. 'Oh, yes, I'd completely forgotten about that. Now you come to mention it, Eunice I do remember.'

Just then, Lady Fitzjames and Mrs Chivers came out of the door of the manor and stood at the top of the steps. They were deep in conversation. Mrs. Chivers repeatedly dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. Lady Fitzjames held a piece of paper in her hand from which she appeared to be reading.

'Oh dear,' Fatty said. 'Pippin was right, Mrs Chivers has taken it badly.'

'I think I'll just pop across and mention the puzzle box,' Eunice said standing up and rummaging in her shoulder bag.

'Wait a moment,' Fatty said grabbing her arm. 'At least give them a chance to finish their conversation.'

Eunice huffed and sat down again.

The two women carried on talking and then at last Mrs Chivers turned and disappeared into the manor leaving Lady Fitzjames alone.

'There, she's on her own,' Eunice said. 'Now can I go?'

'We'll all go,' Fatty said.

The children quickly packed away their lunches and walked across the forecourt to Lady Fitzjames who was still reading the sheet of paper. She looked up as the children approached.

'Oh, you're still here, Frederick,' she said.

'Er, yes,' Fatty replied. 'We thought we'd take a look at the maze whilst we were here, I hope you don't mind.'

'No, not at all,' Lady Fitzjames said. 'But it's in a sorry state now, I'm afraid, which is such a pity as my late husband was particularly proud of it. I believe the policemen said they were going there also.'

'Yes, we saw them,' Fatty said. 'Whilst we were there we found the stolen items,' he continued. 'And I'm very much afraid, they were all destroyed. We've told the police.'

Lady Fitzjames seemed shocked. 'You mean they were all smashed and broken?' she gasped.

'Yes,' Fatty said gently. 'I'm terribly sorry.'

Lady Fitzjames seemed stunned and tears filled her eyes. 'Why is this happening?' she said desperately. 'Why is someone doing this?' She waved the sheet of paper she was holding. 'They were such beautiful things, this is the list of them. Oh dear, what's happening? It's as though someone hates me and I don't know the reason.'

'Can we go inside, please,' Fatty said. 'I'd like to ask you a few questions, if I may.'

Lady Fitzjames nodded her head.

'And I'd like to ask you about the puzzle box,' Eunice said quickly, pulling it from her shoulder bag. Fatty frowned at her to let her know that this was not a good moment, but Eunice carried on regardless. 'We found it with the other things but as luck would have it, it's not damaged at all.' She shoved it into Lady Fitzjames' face. 'I was wondering if I may still be allowed to buy it for my father?'

Lady Fitzjames looked a little confused and took a step backwards. 'The puzzle box?' she muttered. 'Oh yes, of course, my dear, you may keep it. Consider it a gift.'

Eunice was as pleased as Punch. 'Golly,' she exclaimed. 'Thank you very much indeed. That's very generous of you, I must say.' She beamed around at the others who were decidedly unimpressed.

Fatty gestured towards the door. 'Shall we go inside?' he said gently.

'Yes, Frederick, of course, do follow me,' Lady Fitzjames said.

'I'll stay here with Buster, if you like,' Bets said.

'No, I will,' Daisy said, taking hold of Buster's lead.

The rest of the children followed Lady Fitzjames into the manor and back into the room they had visited earlier. The small fire was still burning in the grate and they all sat down.

Fatty began: 'Lady Fitzjames, you say that you believe that someone has a grudge against you which is why they're stealing these things and destroying them, but I don't think that's the reason.'

'What other explanation can there be, Frederick,' Lady Fitzjames replied. 'None of the things they have taken have much value. There are far more valuable items, paintings, books and the like. They just seem to be grabbing random things and destroying them as if they wish to frighten me.'

'That might be how it seems,' Fatty said. 'But to me it doesn't really make sense. Whoever is doing this is running quite a risk and at the end of the day there are far more effective ways of frightening you.'

'Yes,' Eunice chipped in. 'They could burn the manor down, or something like that.'

Lady Fitzjames seemed startled by this suggestion. 'Oh, good heavens, you don't imagine they'd do that, surely?'

'No, I don't,' Fatty said firmly and stared at Eunice. 'Eunice has rather a vivid imagination, I'm afraid.' He turned to Lady Fitzjames. 'Someone may have a grudge against your family, though.'

'I have no family to speak of,' Lady Fitzjames said. 'My husband and I were not blessed with children and neither he nor I had any brothers or sisters. There are some rather distant relatives, but they're abroad. Oh, and there's Mrs. Chivers, of course.'

'Mrs Chivers?' Fatty said. 'But I thought she was your secretary.'

'Yes, she is,' Lady Fitzjames said, 'but she's also a distant relative of my late husband. Second cousin, twice removed, I believe.'

'And how long has she been your secretary?' Fatty asked.

'Oh, a couple of years.' Lady Fitzjames said. 'After she was widowed, she wrote to me and I asked her to come and live here as my companion, so to speak. She's had a rough time of things, what with one thing and another. She insisted on handling my correspondence and social diary etc and I've found her help invaluable.' She stood and walked to the window. 'But I really don't think I should be discussing personal matters with you, Frederick.'

Fatty was prepared for this eventuality. 'We're all personal friends of Superintendent Jenks,' he said, 'and we've helped him with quite a number of cases over the past few years.'

Lady Fitzjames turned. 'Superintendent Jenks?' she said. 'I know him well. He and my late husband played golf together. And you say you're friends of his?'

'Yes,' Fatty said. 'And I'm sure if you were to speak to him, he'd vouch for us.'

At that moment the door opened and Mrs Chivers poked her head into the room.

'Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't realise you had visitors,' she said.

'What is it, Emily?' Lady Fitzjames asked.

'It's the police, they'd like a word with you,' Mrs Chivers said.

Lady Fitzjames sighed. 'Frederick, I will speak to the Superintendent and see what he has to say. Now, I'm afraid, you'll have to excuse me.'

They made their way to the front door.

In the hall they met Goon and Pippin. Goon, who was standing close up against a wall with his hands behind his back, was about to say something to Fatty, but then saw Lady Fitzjames following the children, so thought better of it. Instead he scowled at him with a look that spoke volumes.

'Show the children out, will you, Emily?' Lady Fitzjames said to Mrs Chivers, 'whilst I speak to the police officers. This way gentlemen,' she said gesturing to the morning room.

Goon glanced at Pippin and mouthed something, before the two of them followed Lady Fitzjames across the hall. Pippin walked very closely behind Goon, so close in fact that when Mr. Goon stopped momentarily to adjust something at the back of his trousers Pippin collided with him.

The children watched this curious performance with interest before Mrs Chivers ushered them to the door.

'Thank you for showing us out,' Fatty said at the door. 'The robbery must have been a terrible shock to you.'

'Yes,' she said fluttering her hands, 'as it has been for all of us. Terrible, just terrible.'

'Have you any theories regarding it?' Fatty asked her hopefully.

'Theories? No, other than it's probably some blackguard who has a grudge against the family.' Mrs Chivers snapped. 'Now if you'll hurry along, I'm very busy.'

The children said their goodbyes and made their way down the steps outside.

Just as the children were being shown out, Goon and Pippin were being shown into Lady Fitzjames' morning room.

She stood by the fire facing the two policemen. 'Do sit down,' she said.

'If it's all right with you, your Ladyship,' Goon said rather awkwardly. 'I'd rather stand.'

Pippin on the other hand, made himself comfortable on the sofa.

Lady Fitzjames looked from one to the other. 'Well, gentlemen, what can I do for you?' she asked.

Goon raised himself to his full height. 'I have to tell you that we have located the missing items from the auction, them as was stolen last night. They were...'

'In the maze,' Lady Fitzjames said.

Goon seemed confused for a moment. 'And they was...'

'All broken up,' Lady Fitzjames interrupted again. 'I know all this Constable Moon. Frederick Trotteville has already told me. He also said that he had mentioned it to you.'

'Frederick Trotteville?' Goon said. 'Well, he may have mentioned something to Pippin here, but it was us that found them. Wasn't it Pippin?' He shot Pippin a fierce glance. To keep the peace, Pippin nodded his head.

'Now then,' Goon continued. 'I'll be going back to the maze shortly to check for fingerprints, so......'

'Fingerprints?' Lady Fitzjames asked in astonishment. 'But these things must be covered with fingerprints. They were on public display yesterday at the viewing.'

'Precisely, your Ladyship,' Goon continued confidently. 'So it's important that we eliminate all those that were at this preview. And to that end I will need the names and addresses of all them that attended.'

'Names and addresses?' Lady Fitzjames said. 'Constable Moon, there must have been well over a hundred people here yesterday. That is the nature of a viewing day, potential buyers are invited to view the lots. They do not leave their names and addresses. So what you ask is impossible.'

'Oh er,' Goon blustered, suddenly unsure of himself. 'Well Constable Pippin here will be taking some photographs shortly, won't you Pippin?'

'Yes, Mr. Goon, I will,' Pippin replied.

'And after that's done, you can collect the things,' Goon continued. 'Although they're in a sorry state now.'

'Will there be anything else?' Lady Fitzjames asked.

'Just one more thing, your Ladyship,' Goon said. He shuffled around with embarrassment. 'It's a slightly delicate matter. You don't happen to have a spare pair of trousers, do you?'

'Trousers?' Lady Fitzjames said in astonishment.

'Yes,' Goon said. 'I've had a bit of an accident with mine, torn them on a branch in the maze and I have to cycle back to Peterswood this evening. Anything'll do.'

Lady Fitzjames stared at him. 'I have disposed of most of my late husband's clothes. But if you would care to wait a moment, I may be able to find you something.'

When she had left the room, Goon swung round to Pippin. 'That Trotteville boy poking around in the evidence, I'll have words with him, you see if I don't, interfering pestiferous toad. I'd like to...'

The door opened and Lady Fitzjames reappeared carrying a brown paper parcel. She carried it to the table and opened it.

'I was going to send these to the local jumble sale, but here are a pair of my husbands Bermuda shorts. They're all I have left except his army uniform and kilt,' she said holding them up. 'You're welcome to these.' She eyed Mr. Goon up and down. 'They may be a little tight on you, however.'

How Pippin managed to stop himself from choking with laughter, he never knew. A faint whimper did manage to leak out, however, which he managed to cover by clearing his throat.

Goon was horrified at the sight of the shorts. For a moment he was lost for words. 'Yes, I think you're right, your Ladyship,' he managed to say. 'They certainly look to be too small for me. I'll have to make do as best I can. Er, thank you, all the same.'

Lady Fitzjames shrugged and put the shorts back onto the table. 'So that will be all, then?' she said brusquely. 'I'll show you both to the door.'

Mr. Goon walked cautiously with his hands behind his back and, once again, Pippin dutifully followed close behind.

Outside, Goon sent Pippin back to the maze to take some photographs, whilst he, after carefully arranging the gaping seat of his trousers, mounted his bicycle and began his wobbly and somewhat draughty journey back to Peterswood.

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