The Ghostly Tower by A. F. Stewart

Author:A. F. Stewart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: paranormal detectives, mystery, supernatural, ghosts, occult
Publisher: A. F. Stewart
Published: 2022-05-11T00:00:00+00:00

LARS WAS IN the kitchen with Willoughby, dining on a particularly excellent piece of pickled herring and a glass of ale, as well as avoiding Elspeth. His prickly partner had been prone to volatile moods the last fortnight since being sacked, and he was hiding from another dose of her vitriol. This new arrangement would take forbearance.

“She is vexed, Willoughby, has blood on the tooth. This unsolved ghost business is eating at her; she is not good at hiding her emotion, ya? Why, I caught her disassembling and repairing the perpetual motion machine three times in the past week alone. Not to mention all her tinkering projects, the chemistry experiments, and polishing the blunderbuss at breakfast yesterday. All the noise and bustle, it’s like living on the street. I don’t know what to do.”

“Indeed, the mistress is not happy. She doesn’t take well to leaving paranormal conundrums unresolved. Yet her pride refuses to allow her to investigate.”

“Just so. And she is taking the brunt of her frustration out on me.” Lars sighed.

“You are welcome to sequester yourself in here for as long as you wish, sir.”

“Andersen!” Elspeth’s shout forestalled any thank you, and for a moment Lars considered bolting for the door. Instead, he scooped the last bite of pickled herring into his mouth and washed down the chewed morsel with ale. Then he walked slowly and reluctantly into the sitting room.

I wonder if I can flee to the Americas?

Elspeth stood by the fireplace holding a folded-back newspaper. She waved it at Lars as he entered. “Have you read the paper? Have you seen the story?”

Lars shook his head. “What story?”

“Buried on the rear of the pages. Someone or something tried to murder our client!”

“Client? What client?” Then clarity. “Oh, you mean Herr Hughes.”

“Exactly. Found at the bottom of the tower stairs. Lucky to be alive, the paper said.” Elspeth started pacing. “We’ve been remiss, Andersen.” She paused, looking at Lars. Her voice softened. “I’ve been remiss. I suspected deliberate foul play, yet did nothing to warn Mr. Hughes. I let my anger at his crass behaviour cloud my professional judgement, and look at what occurred. Most unforgivable.”

“It is quite tragic, but the man gave us the boot. We can hardly be held responsible.”

“Pish posh. I never let being sacked stop me before, and it shan’t this time either. We are back on the case, Andersen, and we shall solve this heinous crime and save our client!”

“Hardly our client anymore,” Lars murmured before adding in a louder voice, “What do you propose?”

“Another trip back to Epsom. Fire up the mechanical carriage, Andersen, while I gather the weapons. We shall investigate that tower, come what may!”

Lars sighed, the pickled herring curdling in his stomach. “And most likely be arrested for trespassing. We cannot break into private buildings, especially where the police already wish to arrest us.”

“We won’t be breaking in, we have a key.” Elspeth slipped something out of her pocket and waved Hughes' key under Lars’ nose. “See, perfectly legal.”

“You did not give it back?” The shock and outrage reverberated on Lars' tongue.

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