What Reveals: Part: One

Their butler stood at attention just inside the front door, expecting the customary silent inspection. He offered a small curt nod, then gracefully stripped Hugh and Matilda of their cloaks as he waved them inside. Hugh and Matilda casually disregarded his presence and proceeded into the grand foyer. They ignored the winding, wooden staircase leading majestically to the upper floors, and instead turned right into a pair of double doors. Hugh pushed the ornately decorated doors open, revealing the mansion's well-stocked library.

Matilda immediately darted into the large room and headed directly for a section of books labeled "MEDICAL." Her feet pitter-pattered against the plush red carpet as she rushed across the floor.

Hugh selected a large brown leather chair and pushed it to the center of the room, then deposited a table beside it. He retrieved his standing chalkboard, placing it directly in front of the chair. The chalkboard always remained in the library especially for his use.

When he had finished setting up, he stepped over to a set of bells located near the window drapes. He pulled the cord on one of the bells and a moment later a maid appeared.

Matilda returned from her search, plopping five books on the table next to Hugh's large leather chair.

"Yes, Sir, you rang?" the maid squeaked, barely audible. The shy young woman stood before him, appearing to wring her hands and bite her lower lip. She fixed her gaze firmly on her feet. She could not ever make herself look directly at the master of the house.

Matilda rolled her eyes, muttering to herself. She found the maid's obvious lack of confidence in front of them distasteful. She hoped she could eventually help her improve on that.

Hugh reached inside his vest, pulling out the envelope. He checked it one last time, then turned abruptly to the silent maid and spoke quietly to her. "Deliver this to the constables, but do not look inside. Say it was delivered to Matilda. Do this right away."

"Yes, Sir." The maid bowed, took the envelope from his hand, and pivoting on her heels, she immediately left the library.

Matilda sorted the five books into two stacks, placing three in one and two in the other. "You know she is going to look. They always do."

"I am hoping she does." Hugh picked up a piece of chalk and wrote "Incipit" at the top of the chalkboard.

Matilda once again went to search through another section of books. The section she ventured down this time was labeled "LANGUAGES." She promptly returned with two Latin books.

Hugh rested on the front edge of the leather chair, now ready for them to thoroughly dissect some facts. He motioned for Matilda to join him at the chalkboard. She stood above him, her hands resting on her hips. She knew the drill, they had performed this exercise together many times. She gathered her strength, ready for her husband to pull out her information and combine their facts. "So, what do I know, Hugh?" Matilda eagerly began the extrapolation.

"How did you receive the envelope?"

Matilda bit her lip, thinking before she spoke. She did not want to relive the experience, but understood the necessity for it. "An obscured man dressed in all black, even his face was covered, crossed the footbridge when I did."

"How did he move?" Hugh stroked his chin slowly with a few fingers of his right hand, his favorite thinking pose.

"He moved slowly at first, deliberate and with each step his cane tapped," Matilda continued as she looked out from her deeply furrowed brow, making herself try to remember every detail.

"How did this display make you feel?" After he spoke, Hugh relaxed. He dropped his hands along the side of the chair. Leaning back, he sunk his body deep into his chair cushion. He needed to think.

"Threatened, Hugh, I felt threatened. Well, I felt nervous at first. I remember my hands tapping incessantly on my sides. That is my nervous habit and I felt nervous even before the obscure man in black neared me."

"Nervous?" Hugh now cupped his face in his right hand in another thinking manner. "What made you nervous about the encounter?"

"It was the way he moved, Hugh. It was like he wanted me to be afraid, maybe to recognize he was there." Matilda spoke slowly as she continued to visualize the encounter.

"What caught your attention?" Hugh leaned forward again, examining her every word.

"He tapped his cane loudly three times when he reached the bridge."

"What were you doing before you went to the bridge?"

"I was sitting in the grass on the hill, by the old oak tree, writing in my journal." Matilda now paced back and forth, occasionally glancing up at the light reflections bouncing on the room's high ceiling. My journal, she repeated to herself. She could not remember having it when they arrived home. Her precious journal and silver writing pen, are they missing? She would dismiss the thought for now, as she had a more pressing situation of concern.

"Matilda, do we usually go to the park?"

"Yes, Hugh, we do. We go to the park every Sunday after service. You know that. Usually, you would be with Sir Peters, and Beatrice and I would wander about. Oh, Hugh, was he waiting for me? He wanted to frighten and intimidate me?"

Hugh nodded. "It would seem so, as if he knew our schedule. His actions dictate that it was planned. So it either has to be someone we know," Hugh frowned at the thought, "or someone who has been watching us for some time."

Matilda quickly picked up the chalk and wrote "Intimidation" on the board.

Hugh leaned back, and Matilda began pacing again.

Hugh's eyes suddenly widened, became more intense. His forehead wrinkled for a moment, as if he were on the threshold of discovery, then he casually relaxed.

"Matilda," Hugh breathed in momentarily while taking in every detail of her. "You are gorgeous, breathtaking, luminous."

Matilda glanced at the chalkboard, ignoring Hugh's aroused statement. "What about the wax seal and his clothes?"

"Excellent, Matilda, those are two vital details that I have neglected. Please place them on the board."

Matilda wrote quickly.

"There could be some symbolism to them." Hugh careened forward, his hands resting on each side of his chair. "What made you think it was Beatrice's finger?"

"Because it was Beatrice's ring. She has never hidden it and has shown it to us many times. Once you see a ring like that, you can never forget it, Hugh." Matilda flipped around, writing Beatrice's wedding ring on the chalkboard. When she finished, she stood back, then rested her person on Hugh's chair arm.

The sudden sound of feet stomping toward them caught Matilda's attention. The quiet young maid they had sent to the jailhouse had finally returned and with two constables. The maid appeared even more pale and shaky. After showing the constables to the library, she quickly retreated.

One of the constables assumed a stern look and cleared his throat. His efforts caught Matilda's attention, but Hugh's gaze remained locked on the chalkboard.

"I must know why you did not report this yourself?" The gruff constable eyed them suspiciously, while stomping further into the room.