Elizabeth: Part VIII

(Story begins here.)

There was, of course, a small catch. He needed to make his inquiries without incurring the suspicions of the housekeeper, a tall task considering just how out of the way the manor was relative to the nearest church where records were kept. Then another thought came to Anton's mind. Wasn't it the case that there was a private library located in the study on the second floor? Perhaps that library could contain some background information about the manor and its previous occupants that he can use to fine-tune his external inquiries. He had at most seven or so days given the narration of the housekeeper under the most pessimistic assumptions, and he was determined to make use of them to verify the tales he were told and to seek a solution to the underlying problem.

Anton picked up his napkin and wiped his mouth before setting it gently on the table. Mr Higgins had already appeared in the room despite his earlier request to back out from the increasingly uncomfortable conversation, ready to give any sort of aid to Anton.

``Has Master Anton finished his meal?'' The housekeeper asked, his voice much calmed from before.

``Yes Mr Higgins, could you please help me clear the table?''

``That is my intention,'' Mr Higgins bowed as he stood aside and helped Anton to move the chair backwards so that the latter could stand up and get out of it.

``Mr Higgins, what is my schedule like for the day? Am I expecting guests from the neighbours? I am intending to spend some time in the study to work on some reading and wouldn't really like to be disturbed if possible.''

``Just the Crawfords for dinner, Master Anton. You promised them an appointment in reply to a letter that they had written you expressing their apologies for not being able to call upon you earlier when you first took residence due to the family being away on business in the city itself. The appointment was set to six o'clock this evening.''

Anton scratched his chin. It wasn't that bad of a social obligation to uphold, considering that he had two large unbroken blocks of time to see if he can make any sense of the tales that were told to him. Besides, it was going to be hard to push away the appointment seeing as he was the one who proposed the date and time in the first place. He nodded at the housekeeper, who bowed and backed up a little. He then made his way back up the grand stairs and turned towards the corridor leading to the study before pushing open the heavy wooden doors and stepping in.

(Story continues here.)