Snoffduffle Investigates
Baron Britpop Blastfurnace • Chapter 16
Here, my story must veer off again. As The Jellyfish was sailing toward Spain, the Grand Duke dispatched his man Snoffduffle to track down my attempted killer. I learned of it much later, of course, but I think it best to share the events in their proper time frame. Snoffduffle has kindly agreed to share his experiences, so this is his telling of his part in the story.
The Grand Duke was determined to find out who made two attempts on the young Baron’s life. Since we had no access to the sailors aboard the Sea Merchant II for questioning, it was decided that I should visit the inn where the bribe was made. It was my task to interview the innkeeper and inquire about who was conversing with the sailors. I arrived at the Port Belly Inn precisely at ten o’clock in the morning and approached the innkeeper, a surly individual named Dominic Keep.
“Sir, might I have a moment with you in private?” I asked. I did not want to risk the possibility that the culprit might be present and listening.
“What does old Goatbeard want now? He may own half the village, but he don’t own me,” he replied.
“I assure you he only seeks your assistance in a matter of some urgency.”
“Everything is urgent to old Goatbeard,” he muttered. Then he shouted across the room, “Belinda, come tend the bar while I tend to Goatbeard’s man.”
We stepped into the kitchen behind the bar.
“Well, have at it. Some of us got work to do,” the innkeeper said.
“Indeed. The day the Sea Merchant II sailed, her crew were here eating. They were approached by a man. Did you happen to see who this man was?”
“You think I got time to watch who is talking to who every minute of the day?”
“I realize it is a difficult thing to ask. I only…”
“It ain’t difficult at all,” he interrupted. “I know exactly who he was. But it’s going to cost you a kronenthaler to find out.”
“I am authorized to offer you 50 liards for this information,” I replied.
“That Goatbeard is a tight one, alright. No matter. You’ll get your name after I get the money.”
I promptly paid him the money.
“It was the Baron’s stuffy head butler. I only know ‘cause I ain’t never seen him in here before, and I ain’t since. He walked in like he was on a mission. He went right to their table, talked for about three minutes, turned, and walked right back out. It stuck in my mind how strange it was.”
“Thank you for your assistance.”
“I’ll deny I said anything. Now leave me so I can get back to work.”
I gladly followed his instructions and left the inn.
I returned to the Grand Duke’s office and relayed the information to the Grand Duke.
“Excellent work, Snoffduffle. Now, we must make sure everything is in order before the Sea Merchant II returns.”
