Müller’s Mystery

Müller’s Mystery

Part I

It all started three weeks before Pavo Day...

Leaves were scattered all along Maple Tree Lane. The wind smelled like burnt firewood. Clouds were building up on the dark horizon. A slow and steady step echoed down the halls of Mason Manor. A Shadow creeped along the walls. Slowly making its way towards the basement the Shadow creeped slowly and cautiously. With a bolt towards the door the shadow entered the dark basement, and with lightning speed it made its way out unnoticed by humanity with a large black rustling bag.

The Shadow was unaware of two dancing and twinkling eyes spying through a half-closed door.

Inside the parlor of Mason Manor sat Mr. Müller slowly rocking back and forth in his rocking chair. A long white shawl served as a blanket as he slowly read the paper he was holding. Impatiently he rubbed his forehead and adjusted his silver spectacles. There was no doubt about it. Great Mr. Müller (Mr. Müller’s father) had made this his last and final will. After 50 years of being lost it had been discovered. The contents where unmistakeable. There was no doubt about it. As plain as ink the will stated that all possessions of the deceased would be passed down to... But no! Impossible. Mr. Müller paced up and down the room dropping the will on a nearby table. He refused to believe it. His grandfather would never pass down his precious possessions to Him! Impossible. Careless, irresponsible, what was Father thinking when he wrote this will. Never! In all his years Mr. Müller had never seen anything so scandalous. To give your possessions to someone so reckless was unthinkable. Father knew this. Then why, pray, had he written this down. No! Whatever it might take, Mr. Müller was determined to get to the bottom of this. His father was a sane man when he left the world behind. And never in a million year would a sane man do something so outrageous.

On the second floor Master Jackson was reading a book on History when Miss Lindsey entered and interrupted his quiet study.

“Did you hear?” She asked her brother.

“Hear what?” Jack said uninterested.

“Why, about Great Grandfather’s will.”

“What about it?” He asked, turning from his book.

“Everything’s going to Uncle Theodore, you know. And Grandfather is so outraged. Knowing how reckless he is. Grandfather claims it’s a mistake. Great Grandpa never liked Uncle Theodore they say. So it mustn’t be right. You know what I think?” Here Miss Lindsey stopped for a breath, “I think the will got swapped.”

Jack looked at his ten hear old sister. “What makes you think that?” He asked.

“Well the writing is different and-“

“What?” Jack interrupted. “Grandfather never let anybody see the will, how do you know?”

“I only took a peek when he left the parlor.” Lindsey said, “Anyway, the writing is different. And you’ll never guess what.”

Jack rolled his eyes. “What?”

“Before they read the will last Tuesday I saw someone in the basement.” She said in a whisper.

“So what?” Jack asked exasperated.

“Don’t you know anything?” She said, “Grandfather kept the will in his safe in the basement that night, I saw him put it in. After he left he closed the door. Anyway, I went to the cellar for some jelly for Martha who made bread that night for supper. I was coming out when I heard a noise and peeked around the door. And you wouldn’t guess what I saw!”

“What?” Jack asked still in disbelief.

“I saw a man carrying a bag coming out of the basement.” Lindsey’s eyes glowed.

“Can you think of anything the man might’ve been stealing?” Jack asked interested.

“It sounded like papers shuffling.”

“Did you recognize him?” Jack asked starting to get an idea.

Lindsey nodded solemnly