“I understand you know why I called you all here?” His voice resonated with the mahogany walls of the foyer. The faces of his audience stared back blankly.

“I’ve called you all here because last night a scream was heard from Miss Waddington’s chambers. Mrs. White, who is present, was the first to Miss Waddington and found her lying on the floor in a pool of blood.”

The room was dead silent.

“It is without a doubt, ladies and gentlemen, that Miss Waddington was murdered.”

That last word caused a chill to sweep the room.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, sir, but are you implying that one of us committed that heinous act?” Near the back of the room, a barrel chested man rose from his armchair. He sported a military uniform, yellow in colour, had a monocle in his eye, and a pipe in his mouth. “You surely could not accuse an decorated servant of the queen, such as myself, for this. I shall now take my leave and wish the best of luck in your search.”

“Not so fast, Colonel Mustard. No one is leaving this house.”