The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the manicured lawns of Mayfair Manor. Miss Cleo, resplendent in her white summer dress, laughed merrily as she played croquet with her guests. The clatter of mallets against balls echoed through the air, punctuated by the occasional cheer or groan.
But amidst it all a frantic maid named Eliza dashed across the lawn. Her apron flapped wildly, and she held on tight to her bonnet that threatened to fly off. She and her friends had just discovered something suspicious, an open door to one of the guest rooms and its contents turned.
Eliza skidded to a halt next to Miss Cleo, who raised an elegant eyebrow. "What's the matter, Eliza?"
"Miss Cleo," Eliza panted, "one of the guest roomsâthe Blue Roomâit's been ransacked! Everything's turned upside down, and there's no guest inside."
Miss Cleo's laughter faded,she excused herself and pulled Eliza to one side. She greeted her guests with a weary smile,abandoned her croquet mallet and followed Eliza into the manor. The grand hallway stretched before them, its marble floors cool underfoot. The Blue Room was at the far end, its door ajar.
As they entered, Miss Cleo's sharp eyes gew wide. Drawers pulled out, clothes strewn about, and the scent of lavender perfume lingered in the air. But the room was empty. How could this be? Does one of our guests do something that might put everyone at risk?
"Eliza," Miss Cleo said, her voice low, "call for Samual and Detective Blackwood immediately. Tell them we have an intruder."
Eliza nodded and hurried off, her footsteps echoing down the corridor. Miss Cleo stepped further into the room, her mind racing. What had the intruder sought? Did they leave with anything?
She stood at the entrance not daring to go forth scared that her fingerprints might be confused with the intruder
Samuel arrived swiftly, his tall frame filling the doorway. His eyes met Miss Cleo's, and he understood the urgency.He searched the room, his footsteps silent on the plush carpet.
"We won't know if anything was stolen but the least we can do is find the guest from this room" Blackwood murmured.
"But why would anyone do this?"
"Possibly to cause chaos and distract us from their other doings or in search o something from this guest"
"At lunch, we could gather all the guests and find the truth"
"Agreed Samual" Cleo said with a nod and frowned.
Miss Cleo glanced at the open window, the velvet curtains flying about with the wind. "perhaps the intruder jumped out?"
"Impossible, from the height they would be severely injured with a head concussion or even broken bones, and he wouldn't have gotten too far at all. We are late now since we are unaware of the time of the incident"
As Samuel and Miss Cleo stuck their heads out of the open window, the room seemed to hold its breath. The fluttering curtains whispered secrets, and the plush carpet absorbed their silent footsteps. The clock on the wall ticked away, mocking their tardiness.
"Perhaps," Samuel mused, "the intruder didn't escape through the window. Maybe they're still here, hiding."
Miss Cleo's eyes widened. "But where?"
Blackwood stepped forward, his gaze sweeping the room. "We must search every nook and cranny. Look for anything out of place ,a hidden compartment, and even a loose floorboard."
They split up, each taking a section of the room. Miss Cleo examined the ornate dresser including its drawers. Samuel checked behind the heavy velvet curtains, while Blackwood tapped the wooden panels along the walls.
And then Cleo heard a soft click as she ran her fingers along the bookshelf. Cleo pulled a particular book out, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside lay a delicate necklace, its pendant glinting in the dim light.
"Stolen, but not for its value," Blackwood said from behind. "This necklace holds a secret or its of something of importance to this guest"
Miss Cleo's fingers traced the pendant which was a miniature hourglass. "Time," she whispered. "The intruder sought time."
"But why?" Samuel wondered aloud.
As the clock's chimes filled the room, they exchanged knowing glances. The mystery deepened, and their lunchtime gathering promised answers...