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It is November 12, 1928
...Yesterday marked the tenth anniversary
of the signing of the armistice that ended the War to end all Wars. The European economy
is today, though, in another war - one of survival. It is in shambles, and many factions
struggle for power with promises of better times to come. Last night, however, at a
secluded spot in Florida known as Sandy Ring Island, a celebration had occurred. For
comrades in arms, wounded in the service of their nations during that Great War, toasted
their reunion.
All three had been sent
to the same French military hospital to recuperate. There, they had become staunch
friends. When the peace treaty was signed, they vowed to be together again a decade after
the end of the conflict. At a rustic lodge on the Gulf of Mexico called Sea Breeze they
had kept their word.
But, this morning, a
pall was thrown over last night's festivities, for a body was discovered face down
on the beach behind Sea Breeze. It was the Russian writer, Gregor Manov, another
guest at the inn. His skull had been crushed with a large piece of driftwood. Judging from
the footprints left in the sand, the deed had been perpetrated from behind while Manov was
returning to the lodge from a late night walk.
Manov had supported the
Bolsheviks during their revolution against the Czarist regime. His works had gained world
notoriety as he championed the cause of the common man both in his nation and around the
world. He was in the United States by permission of the Soviet authorities to conduct a
speaking tour about the advantages of communism.
His reasons for stopping
at Sea Breeze were unclear. His schedule had been tight, but he broke from its routine
three days ago, finding his way to this secluded spot. His presence only added to the
human menagerie that had seemed to recently descend upon the spot.
The reunited friends
were an American captain, an English colonel, and a former French officer, now a Brussels
businessman. They were joined by two other guests - a flamboyant French woman, and a
mysterious man who claimed Polish ancestry.
The owner of Sea Breeze was a middle-aged woman of Ukrainian origin. The maid spoke little of her background, but appeared by manner and breeding to be an American. These seven were declared to be the prime suspects. Only through careful questioning and precise logic would motive and murderer emerge. |
One
of these suspects is a murderer ...
Woody
Hartland Colonel
Sir Reginald Price Carlisle Henri
van Ghant Mimi
LaFleur Marta
Rinebergs Andris
Varga Grace
Medford |
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This is the most difficult of the three mysteries. An average of 19% of all investigators are able to solve it. |
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Other web sites from Jack Pachuta:
www.mysteries-on-the-net.com www.collectionsletters.com www.cultural-analysis.com