The months went quiet, and after a hot summer, came in September with a little 'of pleasant coolness. I had just finished my daily lesson in history, and I was finally going to play in the garden when I saw Mary get into Uncle Gus.
now thought he wanted to take leave of us, the thing I was sorry ... but as I get back to my room! In fact, I had traveled too fancy, because the dear Uncle gave me a piece of news for me was tremendous.
"We received an invitation to a party. You know, my dear nephew, that one of our neighbors, Mademoiselle Bertrand, with the knowledge that your cousin has tightened in recent months, is getting married soon and has organized a reception for her engagement, to be held tomorrow. Mary is very keen to participate, but some of us who would like to accompany her. Why do not you go there you Arthur? I can not, I was invited to the home of a friend of mine for a business dinner, "said Uncle Gustave.
Affairs, even as no , I thought immediately. My uncle Gus could not invent excuses that convince me.
"Me, go to a dance alone with Mary?" I asked my uncle already upset just the idea.
"Can I ask Helen to come with you " said Uncle Gus.
"Okay," I said. At least we would be two to suffer. In the afternoon, my uncle spoke to Helen, who gladly accepted.
But a moment later, her face clouded.
"I'm afraid I can not come tomorrow, I did not fit the dress."
"Helen, if you like, you can wear the clothes of my wife. I am a bit 'out of fashion, but fit the occasion. Lilian would have been happy. I hope accept my offer, "he said smiling
" Monsieur ... I do not know if ... oh, a thousand thanks! "Replied decidedly quieter.
So early in the evening of the party. I chose the dress for Helen
and then went to change. I had to wait in the ladies lounge.
first came to my cousin, with a ruby red dress that rustled all over, and I must say that was very nice.
"You like? I bought it today! (Evidently had shot all afternoon for the best boutiques, exasperating Miss Parkins, her maid of honor, that fact does not participate with us in the evening she was so tired!)
"Of course it is not my style, I just satisfied the first thing .."
But Mary did not finish the sentence because it came a charming Helen. It looked like a princess.
Mary and I were amazed.
"I have something wrong," asked Helen embarrassed.
"You're perfect," said Mary enthusiastic.
"Really? I'm not too dressed up? "Helen asked again.
"Absolutely not. So you're beautiful "I replied.
"Oh thanks," said Helen, smiling.
So, dressed up and pulled a shiny, climbed into the carriage where Pierre was waiting for us, our driver to head to the house where he would keep the ball.
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The villa was a sumptuous residence with beautiful gardens around.
I, Mary and Helen came down from the carriage and knocked on the door.
Shortly after a woman was to open up.
"Mary, what a pleasure to have you here!" He said, hugging her warmly.
"Charlotte wanted to convey my best wishes! Arthur, Helen! She is Charlotte, has invited us here today to celebrate her engagement, "she said to me and Helen.
"Congratulations Charlotte!" Said Helen, smiling.
"Thank you. But now come in! Make yourselves at home, "said Charlotte. When we introduced us to his relatives, among the few participants in the festival: the boyfriend Julien Laurent,
his father Marcel,
twin sister Melanie
and his brother Jerome.
Charlotte told us that he wanted to organize a party with few people, because he did not like very confusing, and ostentatious ceremonies.
"You're incompetent. You spent the whole day to paint instead of calling a string quartet, as I said, and now we have to entertain guests with music played by the gramophone! When will you learn that it's time to give up the dream? "Mr Bertrand was scolding his son.
Poor. Humiliated in front of strangers. It made me very sad.
Shortly after he approached his sister Melanie. Unwittingly, I listened to the words that spoke to comfort: it is not nice to eavesdrop, but the curiosity is stronger than me.
"Do not worry Jérome. Dad is old he will not live forever! Soon, his legacy will be that you're the eldest son, "Melanie said softly.
Shortly after Mr. Bertrand did start the music and dances were opened.
I sat on the sidelines.
After he finished the first dance, Helen Jerome Bertrand invited to dance.
She agreed, though a little embarrassed. I must say that Helen is an excellent dancer. Then I saw Marcel Bertrand approach to future generations. The two went off for a while ', looking at me cautiously.
Shortly after they left the room also Jerome and Melanie.
Charlotte, as a good hostess, entertained guests, came to us smiling and started to talk of this and that. Ten minutes later he returned Julien. He was very nervous.
It also returned after Melanie and Jerome.
Something had happened because they were also visibly nervous.
"Melanie what you have?" Charlotte asked worried.
"No, Charlotte quiet," replied her sister.
Shortly after he was served refreshments to serve us and we all went to the buffet table.
Monsieur Bertrand had not returned.
"But how long does it daddy?" Charlotte asked worried "I'm going to call him!"
was strange. Mr. Bertrand was missing for half an hour already. What could have happened? But soon found an answer to this question. In the house echoed the cry of Charlotte. All ran upstairs to see what had happened .
We found Charlotte in shock in front of the open door of a room.
All looked to see what had scared so much. In the room there was the corpse of Mr. Bennet.
His face was covered in blood. Jérome knelt beside the body of his father.
"It was a blow to the head which caused him to lose much blood!" Finished coolly.
Charlotte had burst into tears, comforted by her boyfriend,
and her sister Melanie was petrified with shock. The show was not the best. The sight of the owner lying on the ground disturbed me too, I had seen the corpse of a girl the first time. Only after the initial shock passed I realized one thing: Mary had disappeared. When I turned I saw it on the ground;
apparently had fainted at the sight of blood.
"I take care of it for her," said Helen.
air to Mary, which he recovered soon after. Then she was taken away from the crime scene. The room was in order and the only thing that suggested the crime was blood on the floor. The spots, however, changes abruptly in the doorway, as if someone had wanted to clean them. I found them a flower. I picked it up and I immediately asked Jerome if he knew where he came from.
"It is a flower from our garden," he said.
"But what," said Charlotte "is the flower I've got today Julien! "
Suddenly everyone stared at the poor Julien. That was a smoking gun.
"No, can not be him. Julien has always been with me, and then there is no motive, "said Charlotte desperate.
"The blood stains are interrupted abruptly in the doorway .. is something unnatural. The murderess, of course, before he left he wiped the blood off the door to delay the discovery of the body! "I said.
"But the concern for the murderess has lost an object that is ... the flower ... so it is clear that the culprit is Julien! Only thing missing is the motive, "said Jerome.
"I know the motive," said Melanie
"About half an hour ago I heard the discussion we had with my father Julien. I discovered that in fact he is the son of Rufus Blanchard "
" Who? "I asked.
"Rufus Blanchard was the owner of a large company that was then forcibly absorbed by my father. M. Blanchard was found dead shortly after. His wife died a few weeks later, as if to follow her husband. The son ended up in an orphanage. Pope speaks many times about this story, "said Jerome.
"Believe me I never meant to kill him. I want to marry Charlotte because I love her, not for revenge or to get a part of the heritage, "cried Julien, desperate.
"Do not make me laugh, the evidence is overwhelming," said Melanie.
"Julien, you ... you ..." Charlotte did not finish because she began to cry.
See that woman did indeed suffer so much pain.
"Do not kill anybody, murderess!" Said Jérôme Julien. Immediately after the block so that he could not move.
"Now I'll take you to a place to refresh yourself le idee, dannato criminale!” aggiunse con disprezzo. Detto questo, lo condusse in una piccola stanza del primo piano della villa, davanti gli occhi increduli dei presenti. L’assassino non poteva essere Julien. Se avesse perso il fiore mentre era intento a pulire le macchie di sangue, se ne sarebbe accorto. Qualcuno lo ha gettato apposta per far ricadere la colpa su di lui. Ma chi?
Continued ...
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