Ten Little Indians
Cluedo:
General John MacArthur stood by his baggage as the taxi drove off. Technically he probably could still lift the suitcase, but it was always nice to have youthful assistance with this sort of stuff. Shows certain respect for the elders. Especially one who risked his life in a by-gone war. However at his age, he knew when certain things were doomed to happen. Why, in fact he could see that a war was about to start brewing any time soon. He could only wish he didn't have to live to see it. After all, his late wife Leslie would never have the chance to see it...
A boy who was no more 15 ran up to the General with boyish eagerness.
"Afternoon sir," Greeted the boy, "My name's Jim, what can I do for you?"
General MacArthur looked at Jim.
"Well you look like a healthy young soldier!" General MacArthur chuckled, before giving a few coughs, "I would be happy if you could take my suitcase over to the boat thank you."
"Right away sir!" Piped Jim and with quite a bit of ease, he lifted the suitcase and trotted off to the jetty.
"A little too damned eager" Thought General MacArthur, a little wary of the kid's obvious ass-kissing, "Just like Richmond! No....I mustn't. I must not think of Richmond...I did what any general would have done during the war!"
He knew he mustn't think of Richmond....or Leslie.
Cluedo:
It wasn't long before a second cab from the station arrived on the docks. This time carrying another elderly gentleman, Justice Lawrence Wargrave, and a middle-aged spinster, Miss Emily Brent. Both of them looking rather like rather assessed his surroundings looking little suspicious as he shifted his tortoise-like head. Miss Brent did the same, though slightly more subtle. With her being a decent Christian woman, it was important that she must always keep her head up, and not let worry perturb her, even in the most odd circumstances.
Mr. Harrison who just came back out from the store walked up to greet them both.
"Welcome to Sticklehaven," He greeted, "I'm Harrison the Harbour-master. I hope you both had a pleasant journey getting here."
"Yes, I'm quite fine thank you." Assured Emily Brent stiffening her lip a little.
Judge Wargrave looked at the people who have already arrived then he looked at Mr. Harrison.
"Is this all who are coming?" He asked.
"No sir," Replied Mr. Harrison, "A couple more should be coming by auto."
Wargrave gave a little nod, and walked off a little just as another man exited one of the stores, approaching the Judge....
"Can I help you?" Asked Judge Wargrave sternly.
"Oh I'm so sorry to bother," Replied the man whose face muscles appeared quite tense, "But I'm trying to find a telephone. I just had a bit of a car accident very close to here."
"Oh?" Asked the Judge, "What happened?"
"Some wreckless fool nearly ran into me on the road, which sent me landing the car into a ditch." Answered the man tensely while rolling his eyes, "I figured since I was so close, I would walk the rest of the way, but my car is in a ditch. It would hard to enjoy my weekend on Indian Island knowing my car is simply in a ditch."
"Indian Island..." Said Wargrave, "That's where I'm heading...in fact, I don't suppose you know a woman by the name of Constance Culmington?"
The man looked a Wargrave a little surprised.
"Err..no." He replied, "Say, don't I know you? You look rather familiar...why it's Judge Wargrave isn't it? I'm Dr. Edward Armstrong, but you probably wouldn't remember me."
Judge Wargrave looked at him oddly....
"Armstrong eh? Replied Wargrave, "Yes, I seem to recall you in the witness box."
"Yes," Said Dr. Armstrong satisfied, "Fancy meeting you here, out of all places....and once again I'm sorry but I don't know a Constance Culmington."
"It's no consequence," Reassured the Judge, "She was the one who invited me, and since she is not here, I was wondering if I got the right place, but she is a little undependable of course."
"Of course, why didn't I recognize him sooner!?" Thought Dr. Armstrong to himself, "Those spectacles, tortoise head, and squint eyes. That's Wargrave alright!"
Cluedo:
There were eight people standing on the jetty above the cool green water, prepared for the journey to Indian Island. Vera Claythorne, General MacArthur, Philip Lombard, Emily Brent, William Blore, Doctor Armstrong, Judge Wargrave, and the boatman, Fred Narracott. For the visitors, a weekend vacation on a island was an extraordinary thing to think about. Even more extraordinary was the anticipation of meeting their mysterious hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Owen. It sent goosebumps down their spines.
Mr. Harrison walked up to them all, ready to give the announcement of departure...
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Announced Mr. Harrison in his best speaking voice, "In a few moments your luggage shall be put on the boat, and you will will be off to Indian Island for the weekend. We will let you know that the boat will only return on Monday provided the weather holds up. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy your sta......"
A glorious honking from a very expensive looking automobile that looked completely out of place in Sticklehaven cut sharply into Harrison's speech. The auto screeched to shaky stop due to the speed of the car.
"I...recognize that auto," Dr. Armstrong thought trying to remember, it didn't take him long to realize it was the same automobile that nearly ran him off the road due to it's speed.
"Glory be! Now who could that be!?" Declared Mr. Harrison, sounding very confused.
The owner of the vehicle came in the form of a young man. Not just any young man...a Greek God of a man. Wearing an expensive tweed driving coat and goggles, his golden hair blown back by the wind, tall 6-metre frame, bronzed, chiseled features as though carved by an famed artist, and his overall look about him. A strong, confident, powerful look with his shiny, expensive auto parked impressively behind him. Vera blushed a little.
"Sorry!" He called out without a hint of apology. His tone was confident and cocky, "Waiting for me?"
"Oh..my, my, my!" Stuttered Mr. Harrison in utter shock, "We nearly left without you Mr. Marston. Jim will bring your suitcase down to to dock, and we shall leave right at once!"
Anthony Marston looked at him and flashed a grin.
"I'll give you the keys, chief," Replied Marston, "Have somebody park it somewhere safe."
"Yes, of course!" Replied Harrison still in awe.
Several locales of Sticklehaven stared at the gorgeous vehicle and it's more than mortal owner. It was an event many of them would not forget.
"All ready sir!" Called Narracott ready to start off the journey, he assessed his passengers...and they were queer passengers indeed. They were such a mixed up bunch that he couldn't comprehend it.
"There's an old maid, a few professional looking men, a pretty, yet plain young thing, a couple of them are elderly," Narracott tried to comprehend, "Not at all like Mr. Robson's group. That Mr. Marston fellow would fit in the Robson crowd, but not the rest of them. They really don't fit at all. Mr. Owen certainly holds strange company....."
Before he boarded the boat, Anthony Marston assessed his fellow passengers as well.
"It's too bad that rumour about Gabrielle Turle buying Indian Island isn't true." He thought regretfully, "I would have liked to have been in with the acting crowd. That young sweet thing looks good enough at least. I hope she's the playful type. What I don't understand is that old horse Barkley isn't here...perhaps he's playing a practical joke on me and stuffed me into THIS crowd."
Jim was finished loading the boat. As Harrison gave the signal, it was time to cast off to Indian Island...
Cluedo:
The waters of the Devon coast were calm and crisp as Narracott's motor boat roared over. They were on their way to Indian Island, though it made some of the passengers wonder. Most of them pictured the island being close to shore with a pretty white house on it. None of them suspected it would be this far out. Sticklehaven was disappearing in the horizon as Narracott's boat plugged on....
"Well now," Declared William Blore breaking the silence, "I do suppose we better get to know who we are then shall we? Davis is the name, and Natal, South Africa is my homeland. GORGEOUS place!"
He used his arms to emphasize what he was saying.
"Yes, well..." Emily Brent, who was unsure whether she liked this bluff, boisterous man, "I'm Miss Emily Brent."
Everybody was little taken aback about how tight she said her name.
"I'm sure I need no introduction.." Leered Anthony Marston, "But you call all call me Tony."
Vera spoke next...
"Well I'm Vera Claythorne," she said, "And I suppose I better tell you that I'm Mrs. Owen's new secretary."
"Ahhh.." Noted Judge Wargrave, "So you met Mrs. Owen then?"
"Actually I haven't." Replied Vera sheepishly, "I was contacted though an agency in Plymouth.
"I see," Replied Judge Wargrave stroking his chin, "Oh I'm Lawrence Wargrave by the way."
"A pleasure to meet you sir," Stated General MacArthur, "I'm General John Gordon MacArthur "
"A fellow soldier!" Declared Lombard, "How do you do sir? I'm Capt. Philip Lombard at your service!"
\
General MacArthur stared at the young soldier and winced a little, but gave a nod.
Finally Dr. Armstrong spoke up.
"Ah yes, I guess I better introduce myself," He said, "I'm Doctor Edward Armstrong and uh..."
He turned to Marston.
"I believe we've met sir."
Marston looked at Dr. Armstrong and boldly chuckled.
"As so you were that slow coach there!" He joked, "Sorry about that chap!"
"Damned fool!" Though Armstrong bitterly, "Probably hasn't got any respect for anyone except his own wreckless crowd. I suppose if he isn't careful, I'll be tending to his wounds on this trip."
At any rate now, all conversation stopped suddenly. The awe-striking site of their destination was coming into view. It was Indian Island alright, and what a sight it was! Although, it wasn't what most were expecting. There was something cold and forbidding about it, and the shape of an Indian in rocks created a feeling of eeriness. But it was probably nothing.
Cluedo:
A man and woman stood on the terrace gazing out to sea. Of course, one may think that these people were the Owens, but they were not. In fact, they didn't even own the house. This couple was named Mr. and Mrs. Rogers. They were the married butler and housekeeper of the Owens. Both of them stood in anticipation of the arrival of the mysterious visitors. As soon as the boat came in view they could see the people who were arriving to stay at Indian Island for the weekend. Mrs. Rogers wasn't pleased.
"Eight?" She thought, "Eight people? The Owens never mentioned that we were caring for such a large party! Oh dear, oh dear....it will never work."
In a matter of minutes, the boat docked along side of the jetty and the guests were more than happy to stretch their legs and get out of the boat to their new lodgings.
"Well everyone," Announced Narracott, "Welcome to Indian Island. In a few moments the butler will be down to give you all your instructions."
He turned around. Rogers was already down the steps behind him. Being a good servant, Rogers had the gift of anticipation, or so one may think.
"Ah," Narracott began to correct himself, "Here he is right now."
"Thank you Mr. Narracott." Thanked the butler.
He assessed the guests with his pale, dull eyes. He wasn't the first to perceive them as a strange crowd, but a good servant never questions.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Announced Rogers in a dull, monotone voice, "I'm Rogers, the butler. If you would be so kind to take the stairs up to the house, my wife will show you to your rooms. I will be up shortly with the luggage."
The guests proceeded forth up the stairs. The General being the oldest and slowest trailed up from behind. Rogers gave a short respectable nod to each one as they left him one by one. Then he turned to Narracott.
"How was the boat ride Mr. Narracott?" Rogers inquired.
"It was quite smooth, thank you," Replied Narracott.
"I don't suppose you could help bring up some of the luggage?" Politely requested Rogers, "My wife will make you a nice sandwich for your help."
"A sandwich, eh? Answered Narracott, "Well I haven't had lunch yet. Been working all morning. In that case I would be delighted. Then I ought to get heading back."
"I understand," Concurred Rogers, "And I thank you for the help Mr. Narracott."
And so they both headed up to the house at the top of the hill, with a suitcase in each hand....
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