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Case Six-B
June 24 1889
CASE SIX-B
THE DIAVOLO CASE
JUNE 24TH 1889
BY YANN GENTIL
When we reach 221B Baker Street, Watson greets us. Holmes is abuzz this morning, hes waiting in
the lounge.
Ah, there you are at last gentlemen. Have you read the paper?
We shake our heads. Direct your attentions to the article Mysterious death at the embassy.
Holmes pauses while we read.
AREA SE
37 SE
At Waterloo Station, we go to the ticket office and ask if
there have been any unusual incidents involving arriving trains.
I only really see people leaving, but no, I have not noticed
anything, comes the reply.
We try our luck at the newspaper stand. Two travellers
arrived almost simultaneously yesterday morning and, funny
thing, one was dressed all in black and one all in white. They
both asked me directions to a hotel, the first Hallidays and
the second Norris hotel. I sold them each a map.
42 SE
Sir Bennet Tinker sees us. Could you tell us what happened at the Ambassadors reception?
When I heard the gunshot I was in the lounge helping
Houdin the Amazing wrap up his mysterious clock. Its a
marvel - the clock face and the supporting column are both totally transparent and yet the hands move normally. Anyway,
I ran to the office together with Herr Klimpf, the German
Ambassador. The door was locked and so we had to force it
open. We found the body and then I noticed that the others
had arrived. I was so shocked by the discovery that I had
not even heard them enter. I really dont think I can tell you
much more, I cant think of anyone who would have wanted
to do him harm.
We thank him and take our leave.
59 SE
Alice and Arthur Charpentier receive us as we arrive at
their residence.
Could you tell us what took place in your own words,
please?
Its so awful, what happened, that his poor wife Rosa
is here recovering. Well, it all took place after the delicious
dinner, created by Chef Durand, and the illusionists show.
At that time I was in the lounge with the other ladies and the
illusionist, who was packing away his tricks, Alice tells us.
He did an extraordinary trick for me, he borrowed my
ring, put it in a scarf then he placed the scarf inside a sort
of pistol and asked me to fire it at a small tree. Flowers began to grow on the tree then oranges appeared, real oranges,
and finally two butterflies flew from the tree pulling a scarf
between them in the centre of which was my ring. It was magnificent!
My dear, I dont believe these gentlemen have come
here to discuss magic tricks, Arthur chides.
No, of course, excuse me. When we heard the gunshot
all the men rushed towards the office and we ladies remained
in the lounge.
Arthur then continues, I was out on the terrace taking
the air. By the time I arrived, just ahead of the butler, they
were surrounding Jean-Pauls body. Vincent Randolph
had only just arrived apparently.
Whats more, Alice adds, at the end of the evening I
noticed that my necklace had disappeared. At first I thought
I had mislaid it but as the other ladies necklaces had also
vanished we realised that they must have been stolen. How-
AREA SW
1 SW
The manager tells us: I received a phone call from Mr.
Durand around 11:30am yesterday. He wanted to buy various knives for carving game ahead of a dinner he was preparing. We made an appointment for 3pm, but he never came.
2 SW
We meet Langdale Pike at the Societies Club. Ambassador Chaudet had a son from his first marriage. Their
relationship has soured since the Ambassadors recent second
marriage to a Spaniard, Rosa Maria, who is the founder of
a charitable organisation for the indigent blind.
5 SW
We arrive at the London Library and Lomax finds
the information we are looking for. Jean-Eugene RobertHoudin was born in Blois on 7th December 1805 and died
in Saint-Gervais-la-Fort on 13th June 1871. He was
a French clockmaker and illusionist who created numerous
automatons for use in magic shows such as the Marvellous
Orange Tree, the Pastry Cook of the Palais Royal and
the Acrobat on the Trapeze, Antonio Diavolo. He was
also responsible for novel illusions such as the Bottomless
Bottle and the Ethereal Suspension. In 1845 he brought
his magical arts into the theatre by producing what he called
Evenings of Fantasy. His theatre has been managed since
1888 by an illusionist called Georges Mlis.
6 SW
At St James Palace we are told that Messrs Randolph and Chaudet did not dine here yesterday evening.
8 SW
9 SW
15 SW
When he learns that we are associates of Sherlock Holmes, Ambassador Hermann Klimpf agrees to see us. He
tells us that right after the sound of the gunshot, he forced open
the office door together with Sir Bennet Tinker.
Do you have any theory as to what occurred? Wiggins asks.
I am aware that Monsieur Chaudet and Seor Del
Santo, the Spanish Ambassador, hated each other, but as
the latter was clearly not invited
Could you tell us about the individuals who were present
other than the guests?
There was a chef who had come over from France and
who created an excellent dinner for us. Then, there was the
illusionist who mesmerised us with his tricks, particularly a
puppet of sorts, called Antonio Diavolo, who performed a
trapeze routine. The puppet was able to balance by itself on
the trapeze and at one point in the routine it was even able to
hang off the trapeze by its feet while letting go with its hands amazing! The illusionist was a fellow countryman of mine and
it amused me to see that he had a bag with the same initials as
mine upon it.
Thank you very much, good day, says Wiggins.
At Hallidays Private Hotel a helpful receptionist answers our questions. A Frenchman stayed with us yesterday.
He paid for one night and left this morning. I think he had a
business meeting during the day yesterday and he went back
to France this morning.
13 SW
At Scotland Yard, Constable Sparks tells us that
Lestrade has gone to a crime scene in a hotel. The crime
is related to the death of the French Ambassador, which is
why Lestrade is dealing with it himself. The hotel is called...
ahem... I do not remember the name, but it is a hotel that
opened only recently.
22 SW
At the Criminology Laboratory we seek out H.R. Murray. Ah, its you Wiggus, what can I do for you?
Its Wiggins, sir. Just here to see if you have discovered anything pertaining to death of the French Ambassador.
Ah, yes, case number 834, a bullet was removed from
the victim, .38 calibre, probably from the Colt six-shooter that
has just been brought over for examination.
38 SW
After repeated entreaties at the Spanish Embassy we are
reluctantly granted an audience with the Ambassador, Miguel
Del Santo.
I have agreed to meet with you because I am a great
admirer of Sherlock Holmes. However, I should tell you
quite frankly that the death of Jean-Paul Chaudet does not
trouble me. He and I were not on the best of terms.
Could you elaborate further on your differences?
We are interrupted by a telephone call and the Ambassador begs our leave for a moment. While he is gone we are
able to have a good look around the room. There are several
official documents lying on his desk. On an adjoining table
we can see a used ticket for the June 23rd lecture on the
Marvels of Alternating Current by Nikola Tesla, together
with a train timetable opened at the Waterloo arrivals page
and a bill from the Globe restaurant from the same date as the
lecture. We notice a picture on the wall taken at the inauguration of the Rosa Maria Foundation for the indigent blind.
The Ambassador appears in the photograph hand in hand
with a pretty brunette. At this point the Ambassador returns
to say that he cannot continue our discussion as an urgent
matter requires his full attention. We thank him and leave the
embassy.
59 SW
At the French Embassy the butler shows us inside and
informs us that the ambassadors wife has gone to recover
from the shock with friends, Mr and Mrs Charpentier.
He leads us to the ambassadors office where the body
was discovered. A bloodstain on the carpet marks where the
victim collapsed. The bullet wound has sprayed blood onto
the wall and a picture behind the desk. The picture shows a
smiling brunette in front of a building which bears a sign for the
Rosa Maria Foundation for the indigent blind, most probably a charitable organization.
On the desk there is a pencil holder and an official letter
signed by President Carnot. In the corner, to the left of the
door, footprints are visible in the dust, as if someone had been
made to stand there as a punishment.
Can you tell us about the circumstances of the tragedy?
asks Wiggins.
After the illusionists demonstrations, I left the lounge
to fetch a bottle of champagne from the cellar to go with the
dessert. Right around 10 oclock, a shot rang out. I rushed
to the office to find that the door had been forced and that a
crowd had gathered within. As I approached, I saw that
Mr Chaudet was dead.
Who was in the room when you arrived?
I was the last to arrive because I had been in the cellar. I saw Mr Charpentier who entered the office immediately before me. Sir Tinker and the German ambassador were
there, it was they who broke down the door from what I was
told. Chef Durand and Mr Randolph were already there.
The ladies and the illusionist remained in the living room.
Mr. Durand?
Yes, hes a French chef Mr Chaudet had hired for the
meal. He had been strongly recommended by President Sadi
Carnot.
There was also an illusionist? Wiggins asked. Yes,
he was called Houdin the Amazing, but I think that is a
stage name.
The strangest thing is that the door was locked from the
inside and the office window was also closed. As no weapons
were found near the body, I do not understand how he was
killed. But the police have just found a revolver hidden in the
garden, they believe its the murder weapon.
Did he have any enemies?
I know of only one - the Spanish ambassador. They
were bitter enemies, but I do not know the cause. It is also
true that recently he has not been on the best of terms with his
son Gaspar who has moved out of the embassy to take private
rooms. Thats all I can tell you... No, wait, I almost forgot,
there was another incident. When the police were searching the premises, the ladies noticed that their necklaces had
been stolen. Inspector Lestrade had everybody searched,
but nothing was found.
We thank the butler and leave the embassy.
62 SW
On arriving at the Norris hotel we notice an unusual
amount of activity and we are informed that Inspector Lestrade is in room 7.
Ah, Wiggins, what are you doing here? Lestrade
calls out.
We are looking for Monsieur Durand, the French chef
who prepared the dinner at the French Embassy last night.
Youre too late, he has been murdered, shot point blank
in the head. Its the work of a professional, a cushion was
even used to deaden the noise. Its very unlikely he could
have cooked anything yesterday evening, according to the pathologist. Hes been dead at least 24 hours.
Have you found any clues?
Theres not a lot in the room, a small suitcase containing
a few clothes and an attache case with cooking knives in it.
There is one strange thing though, we havent found a single
jacket in the room.
The receptionist tells us that he registered the chef, a very
smartly dressed man, around 11 am on June 23rd. He asked
me the address of a cutlery merchant, so I gave him the address of Rigby & Co. He goes on to say that the chef took
his lunch in the hotel, then he saw him leaving again around
2pm. You could not miss him in his great white coat. He
AREA NW
2 NW
When we call at Herbert Krantz address, there is no
response.
4 NW
We knock at Charles Gradys front door and it is opened
by a tall, muscular man who has a jagged scar right across his
left cheek. We ask him if he has purchased a Colt M1889.
did not see the chef again until the maid discovered the body
Thats none of your business, boys! he replies as he slams
this morning.
the door.
The doorman says he did not see the chef when he arrived
because he was not working yesterday morning, but he did see
12 NW
a man matching the chefs description, leaving at around 2pm.
We would like to know if you have sold any Colt
He took a cab and directed it to 39 Aldersgate Street.
M1889 pistols?
Yes, we have sold quite a few of them. It is a new
81 SW
model and it has been very successful.
James Orr shows us the room he devotes to his collecCan you give us a list of your customers?
tion of Colt firearms, it contains an example of every Colt that
Certainly. The manager shows us his sales ledger:
has been manufactured since the very first Colt Paterson in
1836.
88 SW
We meet with the proprietor of the Baldwin Club.
Did you see Vance Randolph and Gaspar Chaudet
yesterday evening?
Yes, theyre regulars. They spent all evening and night
here. They went out about half past nine to eat and came back
less than an hour later.
Did they appear any different than usual to you?
They seemed preoccupied but I have no idea why.
We thank the proprietor and slip away.
15 NW
Upon arrival at the Royalty Theatre we head towards
the reservations counter. The attendant cannot say whether
Ambassador Del Santo came to the theatre or not. He is
not on last nights reservations list, however most tickets had
already been picked up prior to the evening. It was a oncein-a-lifetime show and everyone wanted to be certain that they
would get in.
18 NW
Sam Parsons gives us a doll, dressed up like a judge, with
a Roman coin in its pocket.
19 NW
The Globe restaurant is both stylish and luxurious. The
maitre d tells us, I do indeed have a reservation for Mr Del
Santo for 7pm yesterday evening. He was alone. I believe
he was one of the lucky ones who had a ticket for the show at
the Royalty Theatre.
26 NW
When we call at the Picadilly hotel we learn that the
Randolph and Chaudet boys visited yesterday evening for
dinner. They arrived around 9:40pm and did not leave for a
little over a half hour.
30 NW
36 NW
AREA WC
11 WC
5 WC
17 WC
At Somerset House, the will of Ambassador Chaudet,
which was drawn up 2 years ago, reveals that he bequeathed
everything to his son Gaspar except a pension for his wife
Mary.
29 WC
Melvin Tuttle ushers us in. Display cases mounted the
length of the wall are filled with a wide range of firearms, including a Colt M1889. Ive been the victim of a burglary;
some files were stolen. But if the thief wanted to make certain
documents disappear, a specific will for example, he has failed
because I never keep the originals in my office, they are completely safe in a vault at the bank.
41 WC
Kenneth Ardens landlady tells us that he has been travelling on the continent for the last week and will not return for
another three days.
45 WC
Victor Savage confirms for us that he bought a Colt
M1889, but says he does not know the French Ambassador.
47 WC
Herr Kruller welcomes us, he is a slim and elegantly
dressed man with a small, well trimmed moustache.
Can you tell us about the party at the French Embassy?
I was hired by Monsieur Chaudet to perform a show
between the main course and dessert. I was packing up when
the shot rang out. I remained in the room while most rushed to
the office, so I have no other information to give you.
Were you aware of the theft of the ladies necklaces?
No, in the ensuing commotion, nobody realised that they
had gone missing until later in the evening.
We have heard of your prestidigitations, could you
show us one?
Youre lucky. Normally I do not have my equipment
in here as my apartment is too small, but Im expecting a visitor and I wanted to give him a demonstration of The Pas-
AREA EC
30 EC
We find Henry Ellis in his office at The Times. Do
you know anything about the death of the French Ambassador or about his guests?
No, nothing more than was printed in the paper, except
one name struck me: Randolph Randolph, yes, thats
it - a certain Vance Randolph was suspected of a murder
last year. But, although he is mixed up in some murky affairs,
there wasnt any proof. If you have no other questions Ill
continue scouring the paper. I need to find something that will
be a nice surprise for my wife on our wedding anniversary.
35 EC
Quintin Hogg is in his office when we call, still surrounded by the usual multitude of case files. He stands up to shake
each of us by the hand, as is his habit.
No, Im afraid I have nothing useful to tell you in relation to your enquiry. I have so many other ongoing cases that
I have not had the time to look into that. If you find out how
the murderer got out of a room locked from the inside, please
do let me know.
He continues, Im currently looking into the matter of
some jewel thefts carried out during a high society event. The
thief must have been very nimble as he has spirited away
necklaces from round several ladies necks during the course
of the evening.
Necklaces were also stolen during the incident we are
investigating, Wiggins says.
Thanks for telling me, I shall have a look into your case
to see if there are any links to mine and Ill let you know if I
find anything.
36 EC
At the Old Bailey we are told that Edward Hall is in
court for a complex trial and cannot speak with us.
39 EC
At 39 Aldersgate Street we are invited in by Mr Mariano. As he leads us through a corridor into the lounge, we
pass a wardrobe with a piece of white fabric bulging out from
the barely closed door.
We are investigating the deaths of the French Ambassador and of Monsieur Durand, a French chef, Wiggins
states.
I fear I cannot assist you gentlemen, I do not know
either of these individuals.
Nonetheless, the hotel porter told us that he heard Monsieur Durand ask a cabbie to take him to your address.
As we look around the room we notice a photograph
which shows two military men standing shoulder to shoulder.
The legend beneath it states: Antonio y Miguel. Next to it
is a beautifully framed medal, the Cruces del Mrito Militar,
presented to Anthony Mariano for his loyalty and valued
service to his nation.
The porter at the Norris hotel must have misunderstood.
I repeat, I do not know this Monsieur Duron or Duran or
whatever hes called.
Durand, Durand, Wiggins says.
As we leave Mr Marianos house, we spot a chefs diploma hanging from a door that must lead into the kitchen.
Anthony Mariano is clearly a very talented man.
52 EC
38 EC
53 EC
57 EC
73 EC
When we get to Jabez Wilsons we are just in time to
see him hiding a pile of rings under a scarf.
Good day gentlemen, what can I do for you? he asks.
We read a message in The Times which is addressed
to you and is signed with the initials H.K. Could you tell us
who this is?
H.K. you say? No, I dont think so. Youre sure this
message is intended for me? he asks us in a nervous tone.
The notice is addressed to one Jabez, Wiggins replies.
You surely realise that Im not the only man called
Jabez in London! You must be mistaken, he tells us in a
clearly relieved voice.
94 EC
Sir Harry Krishner bids us enter. He tells us that he
has previously met the French Ambassador during various
receptions he has attended as part of his government work.
However, he is sure that he does not know a magician who
shares his initials. We thank him and leave.
QUESTIONS
PART ONE
1. What is the full name of the ambassadors murderer?
2. What was the motive?
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PART TWO
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SOLUTION
Holmes welcomes us back into 221B. So Wiggins, have you solved the case?
A visit to the crime scene seemed the best starting point. Footprints in the dust behind the door led me to
deduce that the cold-blooded murderer had hidden there and waited until the door was forced whereupon he
made it appear that he had arrived after the others.
Having learned of the vexed relations between the two ambassadors, I went to the Spanish Embassy.
In the office of Miguel Del Santo, I saw a train timetable and a photograph of a woman standing in front
of a charitable institution. Having noticed a similar picture in the office of Ambassador Chaudet, I decided
to visit the Institute for the indigent blind. There I learned that Rosa Maria, the wife of Mr Chaudet was
also the former fiance of the Spanish ambassador.
A ride to Waterloo station and a newspaper article gave me the address of the Norris Hotel where
Chef Durand had been staying and on arrival there I discovered his murder.
The doorman told me an address that turned out to be that of a certain Anthony Mariano.
A visit to Mr Marianos residence provided the vital fact that he was a Spanish soldier who had been
awarded the Military Order of Merit for his loyalty and service to the nation, and a photograph was proof
of his friendship with Miguel Del Santo. In addition, I noticed a white coat sticking out of a wardrobe in
the hall.
So it was elementary, Anthony Mariano killed Durand the chef and took his place at the Ambassadors
birthday celebration in order to kill the unsuspecting diplomat. The murder was financed by the Spanish Ambassador whose jealousy over the loss of his fiance Rosa Maria to Monsieur Chaudet led him to conceive
this calculating and vengeful scheme.
Authors Note: Gaspar Chaudet and Vance Randolph cannot be guilty because they had been absent
less than an hour from the Baldwin Club and it takes a full thirty minutes to get to or from the French Embassy. They did not have enough time for the round trip, let alone to commit murder as well. (An inquiry at the
nearby Piccadilly hotel would verify their whereabouts.)
HOLMES
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The
N 32 733
BIRTHS
n the 21st inst., at St. Pauls Church, ROBERT FITZPATRICK to ROSE FOWLEY,
daughter of JAMES FOWLEY.
DEATHS
cotland Yard refused to comment, but according to our sources, no gun was found near the
victim.
COLT ARMOURY
PERSONAL &c.
T
J
ew: a combined boat-train ticket for CaenOuistreham via Newhaven is available from
the ticket oce at Waterloo Station.
T
T
MYSTERIOUS DEATH
AT THE EMBASSY
he Ambassador of France died last night, the
result of a gunshot.
Times.
ENTERTAINMENTS
ISTER WOLCHAKOV- Violinist to accompany your romantic evening with voluptuous music. Contact 32 Tudor Street.
PRICE: 3d.
LATEST INTELLIGENCE
(From Our Correspondents)
ABOLITION
taly has adopted a new penal code, named after
minister Zanardelli, which notably includes the
abolition of the death penalty.
NATIONALITY
new law on nationality is now in eect in France
that revives the right of soil principle, after
nearly a centurys hiatus. French citizenship is attributed to all individuals born within France, unless
they refuse it in the year following their majority.
INAUGURATION IN PILATUS
n Switzerland, the rack railway, the steepest in
the world, has just been opened. It connects the
town of Alpnachstad in the canton of Obwalden
with Pilatus-Kulm (6982 ft). The perilous path,
which is 2.86 miles long, includes seven tunnels and
twenty-three bridges.
FLOOD
he city of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in the
United States was destroyed by a ood that
killed more than 2,200 people.
SPORTING INTELLIGENCE
RUGBY
ngland won against the New Zealand Natives team before a crowd of 12,000 with the
nal score at 7-0.
ROBBERY