and
Prudence Merryweather?”
“Yes, of course.” Mrs. Leacock’s bright little eyes darted nervously from Hester to Prudence. “Actually,
this is not precisely a social call, Hester. I have come to consult with Miss Merryweather.”
“Have you, indeed?” Hester picked up the teapot. “Don’t tell us you have a ghost you want
investigated?”
Mrs. Leacock alighted on a silk-cushioned chair. “I am not certain. But something rather odd has been
happening of late in the west wing of my house. The incidents have begun to affect my nerves and I fear
for the consequences. My doctor has warned me that I have a weak heart.”
Prudence was immediately intrigued. “This sounds far more inter-esting than choosing which parties we
shall attend. Do tell me every-thing about these incidents, Mrs. Leacock. I would be happy to
inves-tigate.”
“I should be forever grateful, Miss Merryweather.” Mrs. Leacock’s cup rattled in its saucer. “I fear I
really am getting rather desperate. I have never before believed in ghosts, but lately I have begun to
won-der.”
“Let me get my notebook,” Prudence said eagerly.
Mrs. Leacock left an hour later, looking vastly relieved at having engaged a professional investigator.
Prudence was delighted with the prospect of a puzzle to solve.
“If you will excuse me, Hester, I am going straight upstairs to read a new book I purchased this morning.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
It is all about the usefulness of electricity machines in detecting vaporous substances in the atmo-sphere.
Perhaps I shall learn a technique I can apply to my new case.”
Trevor looked briefly interested. “My friend Matthew Hornsby has an electricity machine. Made it
himself.”
“Does he?” Prudence asked with great interest.
“Yes, but I doubt that you’ll need it.” Trevor made a face. “Your new case is composed of nothing more
than the imaginings of a ner-vous old woman.”
“I’m not at all certain of that.” Prudence went to the door. “It sounds to me as though there have indeed
been some disturbances that require an explanation.”
Hester looked up. “Are you saying you believeLydia might actu-ally have a ghost in her house?”
“I shall let you know my thoughts on the matter after I have had an opportunity to study my notes. In the
meantime I want both of you to give me your word that you will say nothing of this to anyone.”
“I shall not say a thing, my dear,” Hester assured her.
Trevor grimaced as he got to his feet. “You needn’t worry about me spreading the news of your case.
Damned embarrassing having a sister who investigates spectral phenomena. Wish you’d give it up, Prue.”
“I have no intention of giving up my hobby.” Prudence went out into the hall.
“Prue, wait, I would like a word with you.” Trevor hurried after her.
Prudence waited for him on the bottom step of the staircase. “Don’t try to talk me out of this, Trevor. I
am very bored with parties and soirees. If we are to stay inLondon until the end of the Season, as you
wish to do, I must find something interesting to occupy my time.”
“No, no, it’s not about your silly investigation.” Trevor glanced around to make certain none of the
servants were within hearing dis-tance. Then he leaned forward.
“Since you somehow learned of the duel I had scheduled with Angelstone, I don’t mind telling you a
rather interesting fact I have learned about the infamous Fallen Angel.”
“What’s that?” Prudence asked warily.
“He may have a ferocious reputation, but the man’s a bloody damn coward.”
Prudence was shocked. “Trevor, how can you say that?”
“Perfectly true.” Trevor nodded once in satisfaction. “Man’s an out-and-out coward.”
“That’s not true.”
“He’s the one who called off the duel, you know. Apologized rather than meet me on the field of honor
this morning.”
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Prudence Merryweather?”
“Yes, of course.” Mrs. Leacock’s bright little eyes darted nervously from Hester to Prudence. “Actually,
this is not precisely a social call, Hester. I have come to consult with Miss Merryweather.”
“Have you, indeed?” Hester picked up the teapot. “Don’t tell us you have a ghost you want
investigated?”
Mrs. Leacock alighted on a silk-cushioned chair. “I am not certain. But something rather odd has been
happening of late in the west wing of my house. The incidents have begun to affect my nerves and I fear
for the consequences. My doctor has warned me that I have a weak heart.”
Prudence was immediately intrigued. “This sounds far more inter-esting than choosing which parties we
shall attend. Do tell me every-thing about these incidents, Mrs. Leacock. I would be happy to
inves-tigate.”
“I should be forever grateful, Miss Merryweather.” Mrs. Leacock’s cup rattled in its saucer. “I fear I
really am getting rather desperate. I have never before believed in ghosts, but lately I have begun to
won-der.”
“Let me get my notebook,” Prudence said eagerly.
Mrs. Leacock left an hour later, looking vastly relieved at having engaged a professional investigator.
Prudence was delighted with the prospect of a puzzle to solve.
“If you will excuse me, Hester, I am going straight upstairs to read a new book I purchased this morning.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
It is all about the usefulness of electricity machines in detecting vaporous substances in the atmo-sphere.
Perhaps I shall learn a technique I can apply to my new case.”
Trevor looked briefly interested. “My friend Matthew Hornsby has an electricity machine. Made it
himself.”
“Does he?” Prudence asked with great interest.
“Yes, but I doubt that you’ll need it.” Trevor made a face. “Your new case is composed of nothing more
than the imaginings of a ner-vous old woman.”
“I’m not at all certain of that.” Prudence went to the door. “It sounds to me as though there have indeed
been some disturbances that require an explanation.”
Hester looked up. “Are you saying you believeLydia might actu-ally have a ghost in her house?”
“I shall let you know my thoughts on the matter after I have had an opportunity to study my notes. In the
meantime I want both of you to give me your word that you will say nothing of this to anyone.”
“I shall not say a thing, my dear,” Hester assured her.
Trevor grimaced as he got to his feet. “You needn’t worry about me spreading the news of your case.
Damned embarrassing having a sister who investigates spectral phenomena. Wish you’d give it up, Prue.”
“I have no intention of giving up my hobby.” Prudence went out into the hall.
“Prue, wait, I would like a word with you.” Trevor hurried after her.
Prudence waited for him on the bottom step of the staircase. “Don’t try to talk me out of this, Trevor. I
am very bored with parties and soirees. If we are to stay inLondon until the end of the Season, as you
wish to do, I must find something interesting to occupy my time.”
“No, no, it’s not about your silly investigation.” Trevor glanced around to make certain none of the
servants were within hearing dis-tance. Then he leaned forward.
“Since you somehow learned of the duel I had scheduled with Angelstone, I don’t mind telling you a
rather interesting fact I have learned about the infamous Fallen Angel.”
“What’s that?” Prudence asked warily.
“He may have a ferocious reputation, but the man’s a bloody damn coward.”
Prudence was shocked. “Trevor, how can you say that?”
“Perfectly true.” Trevor nodded once in satisfaction. “Man’s an out-and-out coward.”
“That’s not true.”
“He’s the one who called off the duel, you know. Apologized rather than meet me on the field of honor
this morning.”
Generated by ABC
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