The Frankenstein Murders Read Free Page B

servants, he let himself into his stepmother’s home. There he found, just as he had planned, his stepmother deeply asleep in her armchair. He emptied a large container of lamp oil over her, completely soaking her hair and clothes. It was his intention that his stepmother should be considered the victim of the unusual instance of spontaneous combustion.
    When questioned by Mr. Freame in the presence of the police, Sir Ian Chesterlock first fell into a convulsive fit before he confessed to everything entirely. Once he had regained his composure, he admitted to holding hefty gambling debts; he thus needed possession of his father’s London home in order that he might sell it. Although Sir Ian Chesterlock had inherited his family’s country estate, the property was entailed. Sir Ian Chesterlock had lived beyond his means and was deeply in debt long before his father, Sir Humphrey, had died. Sir Ian Chesterlock was not willing to wait until his stepmother died a natural death. He had even been known to comment disparagingly about how “inconsiderately long-lived” the women in his stepmother’s family were — Lady Chesterlock’s own mother lives still. Sir Ian Chesterlock remains in the custody of the police, and his case will be taken to trial within the month.
L ETTER FROM S IR A RTHUR G RAY TO E DWARD F REAME
    Freame,
    Certainly you have seen the article written about the Chesterlock case. It is no small surprise that such a sensational case made the papers; such an awful crime would be difficult to keep quiet. I am going to take the responsibility of giving an opinion.
    Although I wondered at the appropriateness of making public such a private scandal, once Mrs. Lowrey knew for certain her stepbrother was the culprit, she was not against naming him publicly as the murderer so that all might know what he had done. Sir Ian Chesterlock will now have to face a judge, and I think he will not find himself favourably looked upon. Lady Chesterlock was well respected and moved in prestigious circles. Her stepson’s conduct was criminal, a disgrace to his family’s good name. We are none of us surprised that Sir Ian Chesterlock’s ill-conceived actions should be followed by serious consequences.
    Since publication of the details of the Chesterlock case, I have received a number of requests for your services. I have felt the requests were largely due to the sensationalism of the last case as depicted in the papers and the cases themselves to have no merit of their own. One case, however, in a matter more personal to me, has merit and I believe to be worth your attention. I would like you toinvestigate the murder of Henry Clerval, the son of my long-time friend, Mr. George Clerval.
    Mr. Clerval is a gentleman currently residing in Geneva with whom I have long had a business association, and who is also, I am glad to say, an old and dear friend. Holmwood, Gray, Cameron, and Associates has assisted Mr. Clerval’s company in numerous commercial undertakings here in England. Mr. Clerval’s son, Henry, was murdered under mysterious circumstances. Recently, the documents I have included with this letter were made known to Mr. Clerval, but rather than shed light on his son’s murder, they have only added more mystery to the tragedy. The letters and journal of Captain Robert Walton have left Mr. Clerval more perplexed and uncertain than before. Mr. Clerval would like to enjoy the benefits of a broader and deeper investigation, and I have selected you as the person most able to assist him in fulfilling his request.
    Until having received Captain Walton’s journal, Mr. Clerval had been persuaded that his son Henry’s murder was as a result of a robbery. The Captain’s journal tells quite a different story. You must start your investigation by reading the journal of Captain Walton. I warn you: the pages herein contain a strange tale indeed, stranger perhaps than other cases that