Bogeyman Weather

“You may be wondering why I’ve gathered you here,” said Percival Flordigan, Detective Extraordinaire, pacing in front of his audience like a man inspecting his troops. Like an army man. “Is it because of the murder?” asked Lady Ambledaine Mumford. “It’s probably because of the murder,” said the Maid. “Perhaps,” said Flordigan, smiling a sly, knowing smile, “Or perhaps, it is because…one of YOU is the murderer!” The assembled crowd gasped. One of them fainted, but it was only a valet of some sort, not worth the sniff of smelling salts it would take to revive.  “Oh, yes. One of you,” continued the Detective, “Of course, we all know the means by which the ghastly crime was committed. One does not forget such a grisly scene. And, of course, also, we know who had the opportunity.” “So, this is about the murder, then,” I said. “We shall see, my dear Wamsbly,” said Flordigan, continuing, “Alas, every one of you had been alone with Colonel Mumford at some poin...

“You can be assured Lady Bramlather’s blackmail troubles are at an end, Inspector,” declared Percival Flordigan, World’s Most Renowned Detective. “Well done!” said Inspector Warmshplud, “but how?” “Simple! We all knew Doctor Debblerwessel was the culprit, as he had practically flaunted that fact right in front of us. Yet even if we had a scrap of physical evidence to this effect, he had safeguards in place that would trigger the bringing to light of the damning documents if anything were to happen to him. However, there is one small detail that every case of blackmail hinges on, one so important that no blackmail scheme can proceed without it. "And what is that, my dear fellow?” I asked, a-jitter with suspense. “Why, the victim, Wamsbly! I simply killed Lady Bramlather. Now, that scoundrel Debblerwessel’s plan can no longer bear fruit!” “Splendid!” said Inspector Warmshplud. “Quite,” I said, “But what of the fiendish Doctor?” “I killed him, too!” “Ingenious!” “A...