3. Use the doorbell, not the draw–ah, never mind!

The doorbell works sometimes, but not others. The very old doorbell is still connected, and used to work by pulling a heavy rope outside the main doors to the Mansion. It still rings back in the day when it was used, some time years ago, in the Middle Ages, but it doesn’t ring in our time now. I must get that fixed somehow.

Eventually, however, the Head Maid (I didn’t know I had a Head Maid thinking about it!) realised there was somebody waiting at the door, and ‘gently’ ushered them into the Sitting Room.

“Diane Henders!” Boomed Miss Duncan, causing dust to fall gently from the rattling walls.

The Cloaked Figure leaned forward, bringing a hand to his – or her – chin. “Are you Diane Henders?” came an incredulously sneering voice.

“No.” She replied. “I’m Pamela Anderson.”

“Was it you, Pamela, who wrought havoc recently within this space?” Fingers pointed in various directions simultaneously.

“I have a pre-prepared written statement,” Diane Henders Pamela said, surreptitiously ripping the letterhead off her letter. She handed the letter to the Cloaked Figure.

The letter read:

Well, Tom, you’ve caught me fair and square. It was none other than I. I’ve been behind all the odd things happening in the Mansion and the Grinds. I built the brick wall (using my Super-Bricklaying Powers to do it in a flash), and I nailed Maribel to the tree. (But she deserved it, you must admit.) The evidence is incontrovertible. After all, you know I’m behind you all the way, therefore I must be behind everything. And if that’s not convoluted enough for you, consider this. Simple logic will tell you that my confession must be true, because I *always* lie…

The Cloaked Figure looked up after reading.

“I thought it was going to be for Tom” D Pamela said, “So you must see that it really couldn’t possibly be me, really.”

A likely alibi.

Miss Duncan appeared beside Diamela. “Thank you,” rasped the Head Maid, “please come this way.” Gripping the latest visitor by her arm, the pair exited the room through a secret doorway hidden within the panelling in the wall next to the desk. The Cloaked Figure watched, fingers gently strumming the desktop…