The Vault

19.

A golden chime rang out as the front door opened.

It was late, and the blustery showers of summer rain locked the remote inn with a peaceful embrace.

Alice put the book she was reading down on the reception desk to reveal the figure of a strapping young gentleman shaking his coat from rain drops.

The unknown man approached the front desk, running his hand through his thick blonde hair and trying his best to shape it back into position.

"The blind sailor? What kind of name is that?" He asked in a very well-spoken tone.

"I like the unusual," Alice replied.

"Well I should think you do." He said earnestly. "Thomas Warfield, journalist, adventurer, cavalier and gentleman," he said regally, taking out his hand to kiss Alice's.

"I've heard of you, what brings you to a remote place like this?" Alice asked dubiously, rejecting his offer of a formal greeting.

"Well, I want to rent a room for the night of course, is that not what one does at the Blind Sailor?" He said with a distinguished smile.

"Write your name in the book and I'll show you to your room," Alice replied.

"Very well my lady, but I must say, I didn't catch your name."

"It's Robin," Alice answered.

"I shall write about you in my next piece," Warfield said with a wink.

"Please don't." Alice interjected.

"But it shall be my best piece yet, a story of mystery, adventure, and of course, dashing heroism." Thomas said, placing his hand on his chest before noting the open book on her desk. "I say, if you enjoy to read, then have you heard of the mysterious disappearance of the great Abraham Ecklesbury?"

"What about it?" Alice asked uninterestedly.

"Well that is what my next journalistic piece is about! Finding out the real answers!"

"You'd do well staying out of other people's business for once Mr. Warfield," Alice answered coldly.

"The disappearance of one of our literary greats is the business of all, don't you think? Besides, I've heard all sorts of different rumours of foul-play, insanity, and even ghosts! Nothing but typical village balderdash I assume, but someone has to find out the truth." Warfield said with a less than subtle hint of sarcasm. "All I know for sure is that they found four dead bodies there with no explanation."

Alice suddenly became a lot more interested, to the delight of the eccentric, womanising adventurer.

"I see I have your interest now!" Warfield said with a grin. "Yes... not only the bodies of one of the owners, but also two local authorities and most shockingly of all, none other than the son of Lord Kelston himself!" Thomas exclaimed in a sharp whisper.

Alice went slightly pale at the news.

"Crushed to a pulp they were!" Warfield said much louder, smacking his right hand on his left palm to simulate it.

She rolled her eyes at his overbearing pompousness.

"They were going to leave the place to rot if no one showed interest at auction, but that's where I come in!" Warfield said with a grin, dangling a set of keys in front of Alice's eyes as if she were a child.

"Say hello to the new owner of Templeton Manor!" He exclaimed.

The summer storm outside bore down heavier than ever on the little inn.