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On a frigid, December day in 18__, I chanced to visit Mr. V____, a friend of
long acquaintance. In recent months, V____ had become well-known, renowned for his ability
to solve crimes of the most inexplicable nature. Having not had the opportunity to
converse with him on this subject, I paid him a visit in the hopes of loosening his tongue
with my own good-fellowship and wine of a somewhat expensive vintage.
"A____," he cried in delight upon opening his door. "Quite a few lonely
hours have passed since last you graced me with your estimable presence. Come in, my
friend."
"As I know your tastes, good sir, I have brought a little something to help us
stimulate a little pleasant conversation."
As V____ took the bottle from my hands, a gleam appeared in his dark, intelligent eyes. He
procured two glasses from a handsome oak cabinet and poured us both a prodigious quantity
of the delightful beverage.
We retired to his study and soon were laughing over old times at the university, and
mutual friends whose paths we had both crossed in recent months. Eventually, I managed
with considerable effort to steer the conversation in the desired direction.
"V____," I said. "I had heard of your dealings with the S____ family, in
regards to the tragic death of their young daughter."
"Yes, it was in all the papers, was it not?" V____ replied. "I am grateful
that I was able shed a bit of light on the matter."
"The family sings your praises, still," I replied. "They credit you for
allowing the young girl to finally rest in peace."
"It was nothing. Sad case of a chauffeur who loved beyond his station, and the
lamentable depths to which he fell in order to claim possession of his beloved."
"You make the crime sound commonplace."
"But A____, it was commonplace. Frightfully so."
"And what of the T____ family, and the mysterious death of their beloved grandfather?
You solved that case as well."
V_____ drained from his glass, then poured himself another sample from the honest bottle.
"Yes, yes, I know. It all has become quite tedious for me, really. The police are at
my door almost nightly these days. They suspect I can provide the solution to just about
every dreadful crime that comes their way. I'm only human, A____. I do what I can, but as
I said, the whole situation has become quite a bore."
"Sounds exhilarating to me. But, I suppose one man's meat is another man's
poison."
My companion pulled a dull brown pipe out of his pocket, stuffed it full of tobacco, lit
it with a match and began to smoke, contemplatively. "From your perspective, I can
see how it all would sound exciting. But, every now and again, it is rewarding to be able
to sit back and relax with an old friend and put all thoughts of crime and punishment out
of my mind. Especially on a cold, winter's evening."
I was about to thank V____ for his kind words, when the doorbell obtrusively interrupted
our tete-a-tete. V____ left his comfortable armchair for the outer chamber, and soon, I
heard an unfamiliar male voice in the hallway. An instant later, V____ came back into the
study, followed by a small man in a shabby, gray overcoat.
"Have a seat, Inspector," said V____.
The small man looked apologetically at me, then sat down on a bare, wooden chair.
"I'm sorry to have to disturb you this late, Mr. V____," he said. "I didn't
know you had company."
"I was just leaving," I said, as I stood and began to inch toward the doorway.
"Nonsense," V____ said. "Sit back down, my friend. This is Inspector M____
from the local authorities. He won't stay long."
"Well, Mr. V____, I do have quite the situation to discuss with you," the small
man said.
V____ motioned me back into my chair and we both sat and waited for the Inspector to state
his business.
"Mr. V____, you have been kind enough to help us with a few unpleasant matters in the
past and . . ."
V____ waved his arms impatiently. "Yes. Yes. Get on with it."
"We've found another body, sir."
"Homicide _is_ your business, Inspector."
"But, sir. This young woman was found in quite a state."
"If she's deceased, I'm certain she no longer is concerned with the state of her
makeup."
"You don't understand, sir."
"Well, help me to understand," V_____ said.
"I must take you to her," the Inspector replied. "In this case, I firmly
believe that you must see the remains to understand my concerns."
"And where would we find this woman?"
"Frozen solid in an abandoned warehouse."
"She must have died of exposure," I said. "It is well below freezing,
outside."
"No, sir," the inspector said, emphatically. "I am no match for Mr. V_____,
but I can guarantee that the lady met a most unnatural death."
V____ sighed deeply and pulled a heavy top coat out of his closet. "A____, you must
excuse me. As you can plainly see, duty calls."
"I would be most grateful if you would allow me to accompany you," I said.
"We will be travelling quite a ways, sir," the Inspector said.
"No matter," I replied. "Mr. V___'s investigative exploits have intrigued
me from the start. I would appreciate the chance to see the master at work."
"As you wish," V____ said.
The three of us wandered out into the ice and chill on that portentous evening. Inspector
M____ opened his carriage door for us and soon we were off on a frosty journey to an
obscure destination. My teeth chattered from the cold and my extremities became numb as we
travelled through street after darkened street.
"Do you know the name of our unfortunate victim, Inspector?" V____ asked.
"I'm afraid not," the Inspector replied. "But she appears to be a lady of
stature. I suspect the family will be looking for her, come morning."
"I pity her loved ones," I said.
"Same your pity for now, A____," V____ replied. "Could be a loved one that
did the deed."
By and by, we reached a somber, deserted building in a seedy section of the city.
"This warehouse is a good distance from the downtown area, Inspector. How did you
know to look here for your corpse?" V____ asked.
"A vagrant found her and reported in to the police station."
"Could this vagrant be your culprit?"
"I doubt it, sincerely."
V____ inspected the open door to the warehouse, then sighed heavily. "Come, let's see
what has brought us to this fateful locale."
One by one we trudged into the building. I heard V___ gasp before I saw a thing. When I
looked into the center of the warehouse, I saw her.
The lady was incredibly lovely. She sat, with delicate eyes shut as if asleep, on a white
wicker chair. Her dress was the dress of an angel, long, white and flowing, and her long,
dark hair was garnished with delicate, yellow flowers. She was the very picture of a young
ingenue, taking a siesta on a warm, spring afternoon. The cold of the room belied this
impression, however, as did the ghastly pallor of her skin.
For several long moments, the three of us were riveted to this unholy tableau. Finally,
the Inspector cleared his throat and gave us his assessment of the scene.
"'Tis clearly a crime of passion of some sort."
"Clearly," V____ replied.
"But, why would the miscreant leave his victim in such a state?" I asked.
"This makes little sense to me."
"The criminal mind often makes little sense, sir," the Inspector replied.
"It appears that you have not touched the corpus delicti."
"No, sir. Not yet."
"A wise move, Inspector."
"I do plan to have my men take the young lady from this place, as soon as possible.
It's only fitting," the Inspector said.
"Oh, I recommend against that, sir."
"Why?" I asked, aghast. "This scene in an abomination. We must take the
woman from here to a place where she can find dignity in death."
"There is no dignity in death, A____," V____ replied, rather sharply. "And
we must leave the young lady in her present state, if we are to find her assassin."
"Do you have a theory, sir?" the Inspector asked.
"Yes, I do," V_____ replied. "I suggest we hide ourselves in some
convenient corner and wait for a time. Unless I miss my guess, we shall find our killer,
this very night."
"But V____, it is uncomfortably cold in this place. What good will it do for us to
stay here? Surely, the miscreant would not be foolish enough to return to the scene of his
crime, and our continued stay here risks our own deaths from exposure."
"I have to agree with Mr. A____, sir," the Inspector said. "I needed you to
study the crime scene, but now, there is no purpose in remaining."
"You are very foolish men," V____ replied. "And Inspector, you will not
solve this little mystery, if we do not stay a while."
Against our better judgements, the Inspector and I joined V____ in hiding behind a large
crate. The skin on my arm had goosebumps and my breath felt heavy in my chest, but I
remembered that I had invited myself on this little journey and settled in for what I
expected to be a long, fruitless night.
Though I tried to keep my eyes off the lady, as time passed, my attention was inescapably
drawn to her ethereal form. Were she a statue or a mannequin, she would have been the most
lovely work of art imaginable. Given her macabre state, however, she remained an image of
utter horror.
At a quarter past the hour of three, we heard a rustling from the warehouse doorway.
V____'s ears appeared to perk up like a greyhound's and he held a finger to his lips to
bid us to be silent. Slowly, a small figure approached the lady. He was a handsome lad,
dressed in formal clothing, and he carried a beautiful garland of flowers.
"Oh, Angelica," he said as he approached the still figure. "You are so
beautiful, my love. I have brought you flowers for our wedding day."
The lady, of course, made no reply.
"I forgive you for your scorn, my love," he said. "All is now forgotten and
you are mine, forever. The potent liquid I slipped in your tea had quite an unpleasant
effect on you, but I have tended to your needs, just as I promised. I brought you here,
where, in this cold season, decay will not touch you. I have dressed you in your prettiest
dress. And now, I have a ring for your finger and pledge of eternal adoration." He
leaned over the corpse and kissed her on her lifeless forehead, then placed the garland by
her feet.
The Inspector appeared ready to jump out of hiding, but V____ stayed his movements with a
touch. The young man sat on his beloved's lap, and gently placed an arm around her
shoulder. He pulled a ring out of his pocket and slipped it on a stiff finger. Then, again
he reached into his pocket and pulled out a pill which he popped into his mouth and, with
effort, swallowed. An instant later, the young man coughed and fell back against his
lady's bosom. After another instant, he too was amongst the dearly departed.
"V____," said the Inspector. "Why did you not want me to apprehend
him?"
"I agree," I said. "Now he has cheated the hangman and joined his lady in
eternal sleep. Justice has not been served."
"Nonsense," V____ replied. "This lad has paid for his crime. After all,
death is the punishment for so heinous a crime."
"'Tis true," the Inspector said.
"As for the peculiar manner of his death . . ."
"Yes, V____? Is it not exceedingly improper?" I asked.
"No," said V____. "I consider it to be simply the last wish of a condemned
man."
end