I have rewritten the clues for "The Letterbox Book" in Bull Run
Regional library in Manassas in hopes that it won't take 2 or 3
visits to find it. I want to have some "challanging" letterboxes but
not this one.
Knights of Colombo, Please update the Doubtful Guests website.
Many thanks,
Scarab of the Doubtful Guests
"Hey, it's a full moon. Do you think we'll get any crazies
tonight?"
"What do you mean `we', Michele? How come `I' always get the
strange ones?"
"Oh, you attract them my dear. I'm sure."
Faye made a face. Yet for some reason Faye did seem to get more
than her fair share of the people with odd requests, or people who
were just plain odd. Surely, that last full moon was just a
coincidence though.
"Oh great! Here comes one now," she thought, spying a woman in
what looked like a cross between an old nun's habit and maybe a
nursing outfit.
"I am interested in anesthesia and the history of the Crimea."
"Yes Miss"
"You may call me Florence."
"...Florence. Here are a couple of places you can look. I'll
write them down for you."
Miss Florence had only just left when a man in a high school
band outfit approached her. "Hello." "Wait. Let me guess. You are
looking for `how to' books on band leading?"
"Why yes Madame Librarian. How did you know?" Faye took off
her glasses while she handed him some notes. He left with a wide
smile.
In the corner of her eye she sensed rather than saw a dark shape
approaching the desk. She turned to face a tall man in a rough dark
cloak with a hood. "Is someone having a costume party," she thought
to herself, "Where are these people coming from?"
It leaned towards her and uttered in a loud, breathy
whisper, "Shiiire. Bagggins."
"You must want fi fi fiction. Under T T T o l," she stuttered
in reply. "Was he ever creepy. I couldn't even see his face," she
shuddered as he glided off.
"Excuse me Ma'am, I was hoping you might be able to help me with
a little inquiry."
She was smiling at the quaint speech before she looked up and
stifled a laugh. The stranger's clothes were so old fashioned he
looked like a play actor.
"Ma'am?"
"Um, yes. How may I help you?"
"I am looking for something but I don't know where to begin."
"Well Mr. um..."
"Raines, Harrison Raines, Ma'am."
"...Mr. Raines. Just because you can't find your subject listed
in the catalog doesn't mean you can't find something. Consider what
you are looking for, then think of other subjects that are related to
it and look for them."
Someone behind Mr. Raines suddenly made a funny look and took
off in the direction of the catalog search stations.
"What is it you are looking for Mr. Raines?"
"I am investigating a Murder at Balls Bluff." Raines went on to
describe what he knew, trying to think of other subjects that might
be related.
"Well there are books on the Civil War, Lincoln, horses,
firearms and even women who dressed as men to fight in the conflict.
I'll jot some down for you."
"Thank you Ma'am. I'm sorry I am not familiar with the
library. Might you be free to accompany me and acquaint me with the
layout."
"Um, well...why certainly. I would be glad to."
Michele had noticed that Faye was talking to herself even more
than usual tonight. Then she saw Faye walking back towards the
stacks talking to no one next to her and walking as if she were
holding someone's arm. Michele would have laughed if she hadn't been
so startled. "I'll have to see just what Faye's been reading lately."
Note: You are not looking for a regular commercially printed book
that has been hollowed out and made into a letterbox so there is no
need to pull all the books off the shelves looking for it. You are
looking for `The Letterbox Book' and should know it when you see it.
If you find the letterbox missing or damaged or if you want a hint
write theDoubtfulGuests@yahoo.com.