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“As you know, the majority of the windows in the castle are narrow and small. Only the sitting room has been modernized; its windows open onto the rose garden. It was from this room that the noise issued, and as I came through the garden I was distressed to note that the windows stood open. The room was dark and at first I could not make out what was going on; rapid movements, gasps and exclamations of pain and exertion were all the evidence available to me. Then the combatants—for such they were— approached the window. The poker fell from my palsied hand when I identified them.

“One was a man, a hulking fellow wearing a short fustian jacket and a cap pulled low over his eyes. He held a cudgel or thick stick, with which he was warding off the blows directed at him by…

“But no doubt you have anticipated me. Her nightcap had come off and hung by its strings; her braided hair fell over one shoulder. Her face was set in a ferocious snarl quite unlike her normal sweet look, and the instrument with which she was belaboring the cowering villain appeared—and indeed proved—to be a parasol.

“I recovered myself and my poker and rushed to her assistance. She was not in need of it, but the rascal might have got away from her if I had not tripped him up. Together we subdued him. Tearing off the sash of her dressing gown, Aunt Evelyn bade me bind his arms.

“It was at this point that Uncle Walter arrived on the scene, followed by Gargery and Bob, both of whom carried lanterns. They had been wandering around the grounds, uncertain as to where the action was taking place. (Wandering gives an inaccurate impression, in fact, for it was obvious from Uncle Walter’s appearance that he had been running as fast as he could, though to little effect. Like Papa, he does not like being waked up suddenly and is slow to react.)

“Bob lit the lamps and Gargery finished binding the arms and legs of our burglar. This was at my direction; I am sorry to say that Uncle Walter lost his head completely. I have never seen him behave so erratically. He rushed at Aunt Evelyn and shook her very hard. Then he embraced her as fiercely as ever I have seen…[Another phrase was scratched out. I knew what it must have been, though.]… others do. Then he shook her again. Strangely enough, Aunt Evelyn did not seem to mind.

“I do not have another sheet of paper, and cannot get one, since Uncle Walter has confined me to my room until further notice, so I am forced to be brief. Ellis was on her way to meet a friend, as she explained, when the lion intercepted her. (Rose says people like Ellis manage to find friends wherever they go. It is an endearing characteristic, I think.) The burglar claimed he was looking for valuables. Inspector Cuff has taken him off to London. Inspector Cuff is a very taciturn person. All he would say, before he left with his prisoner, was, ‘I think I can be of greater use to you elsewhere, Master Ramses. You will hear from me in due course.’ As for Aunt Evelyn, she says she has had the parasol for quite a long time. I have never seen her carry it. It is like yours, Mama, very heavy and plain, not her usual little ruffled ones. I wonder why she would have something like that if she never expected to need it? But that is another matter we can discuss at a future time.

“My paper tells me I must stop. Your loving son, Ramses.

“P.S. I know that Papa is very busy with his excavations, but it would comfort me a great deal to receive a message in his own hand.”

Cyrus and I sat in silence for a few moments. Then he said, “Excuse me, Amelia. I will be right back.”

When he returned he was carrying a bottle of brandy. I had a little sip. Cyrus had a little more.

“Comment,” I said, “would be futile. Now let me read Evelyn’s version.”

But Evelyn made no reference to the events Ramses had described. After affectionate greetings and assurances that all were well, she explained that her chief reason for writing was to clarify in her own mind what might lie behind the mysterious events that